Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-09-29
The News of the Week.


Our News columns, this week, contain
some Of the particulars of the recent great
victories achieved by our arms in Maryland.
and at Harper's Ferry. We announced in
our last issue, that Generals D.. H. Hill and
Longstreet had a terrible battle with Nc
Clellan's army Cn the 18th and 18th instant,
which resulted in repulsing the enemy at
heavy loss. On the same days, Gems. Jack
son and A.. P. Hill made an attack on Har-
per's Ferry, on the Virginia side of the river,
and on the 18th, the federal commander of
the Fort being killed, the entire garrison
was surrendered, numbering over 10000
men, with large numbers Of small arms, am
munition, &c.
This being accomplished, Gems. Jackson
and A. P. Hill recrossed the Potomac On the
10th, and went to the relief of Gems. D. II.
Hill and Longstreet, who were confronted
not only by McClelland's $4,000, but with
Burnside's and other corps which had formed
a junction with McClellan-making a force
OF 100000 men, against the $4,000 ON our
side. On the 18th a general engagement en-
sued, lasting the entire day until 9 o'clock
ut night, and in which the most terrible
figh ting of the war took place-for an ac-
count Of which we refer to our War News
head.
On the morning eff the 18th, our weary
troops arose from their slumbers expecting
to renew the bloody confict-but the enemy
had disappeared and was no where to be
found. Our o~ver-wiiy Commandment IN Chief,
&c n. Lee, suspecting that a portion of the
enemy's forces had been sent across the riy.
er at a point above Shepherdsto*n, with a
view to marching down upon Harper's Fer
ry and recapturing it, ordered. Stonewall
J ackson to recross the Potomac to the Viz
ginis side, to meet the enemy supposed TO
have crossed above, while the main bsdy of
our army remained on the Maryland side and
were sent in pursuit of Mcclellan.
The foresight of Gen. Lee was indicated
by Gen. jackson socn coming upon a body
of federals some 10000 strong, marching
down upon Harper's Ferry. , A terrific fight
ensued, resulting in the killing and capturing
the entire yankee force. While the fight
was in progress, a division of the yankee
army attempted to cross from the MARYLAND
side and go to the relief oftheir comrades. bv
fording the Potomac. But when about half
way across, old Stonewall turned loose his
artillery upon them, which slew the scoun-
drels by thousands, the river being literally
choked up by the dead and the wounded,
while the remainder turned back for the Ma
ryland shore and run for dear life.
In the mean time, the remainder of our
forces were in hot pursuit of McClellan's
shatter ed forces, and a rumor prevails that
they were overtaken and received a severe
drubbing from Lees forces on the 21st. OF
this we shall probably hear more before going
to press.
The above is a hurried summary of the
news received during the week, embracing
some of the most important and gratifying
events OF the war. In the early part of the
week, it was reported that our army had
been so severely damaged in the battle of the
18th, that Gen. Lee had found it necessary
to evacuate Maryland and withdraw ali his
troops to the Virginia side of the Potomac.
This report produced some depression and
fears that our march into Maryland had been
a failure and that we lost all the ADVANTAGE
we had gained there. But the next DAVIS news
lifted the cloud, and we learned that our vic.
torious troops still held their hold on Mary
land-that it was Mcclellan who was hyipg
instead Of Lee, and that it was only jack
sons corps that had re-crossed to Virgins.
and that for the purpose of using up a van
kee force sent over there. This accomrlisb.
ed in regular "Stonewall" STYLE. he had re-
turned to the Maryland side and Joined our
conquering army. Of course every one felt
exultant again and prepared to hear Of the
entire breaking up, if not destruction of the
great army nassed for the protection of
Washington.