New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-18
ms CAPTURE or HAppER'S FERRY.
Continued frAm First Page.

actually retired DelOfe the lmpeluOslty OF 'bio ~
full of men, until, discovering his weakness te!
rallied and charged upon our uoops by sqnadron''
Col Dowaey received saber cut over the heau'
and his horse WAS shot, dragging him some distance
and bruisisg him severely. Cspt Sham6eFS orouSu'
the men 81 in good style without any loss rive VI
six Rebels were killed and about the same number
wounded. Col Davis with a detachment OF the ON
New.York Cavalry, went out upon the onarpsDu's
road and toward Boonsboro on the llth. Ihey
sent back report that the enemy had commenced re-
tre.ting, having been passing through Boonsooro
from a. M till 10 p M, and were still moving.
Their wagon train was five miles long, proving the
object of the expedition to be plumber as we'll as
fighting. 100 cannon were also counted. Col. Dow
pey also had communication with Gen. White at
Nartinsburg, who was preparing to march TO Hsr-
pers Ferry, to avoid being "gobbled up by the
enemy, as the General fecitously expressed it, An
other detachment of the Sth New-York Cavalry went
out toward Winchester but could not discover any
Of the enemy. 1t was subsequently ascertened that
they went within mile and half ola Train Of Rebel
wagons bearing ammunition, destination, Harpers
Ferry, who retreated upon learning of the presence
of our force Capt. Coles's company of Maryland
Cavalry went out on reconnaissance toward Freder-
lex but not returning supposed to be captured
Will. lulng ourselves into a state of fancied
security from attack, and specializing as to the
Rebels retreat, courier came in from Sandy Hook
bringing word from Col. Msulsby of the Mary
land Po.omac Home Brigade commanding
at that point, that his pickets had been
driven In and the enemy were advancing in force
A courier from Col. Ford of the 32d Ohio Nolun-
teers, commanding brigade upon Maryland Nights,
came in Immediately after with information that the
Rebels were compEmentng our forces at Soomons
Gap, the Rhode Island Cavalry and portion OF the
Sod Ohio, with few shells Anticipating stimuli
taneous attack from all sides, the batteries were
manned, and everything in readiness TO give the
enemys warm reception.
Coils Miles and Graf rode over 10 Sandy Hook
and, having had previous specimen Of the running
pYopepsies of some of the officers and men at this
post, the precauton was taken Of placing the COM
pany doing duty Provost Guard across the narrow
road winding around the Cliff with positive orders to
stop all skulkers or straggers at the point of the
bayonet. Two additional guns were also sent down
and placed so as TO command the only avenue by
which the enemy could approach. The affair proved
to be preliminary advance of the Rebels as feeer
ard, it turned out, to prepare the way for the
tack of the morrow. Nothing heard from the left
which lay along Bolivar Plain to the Shenandoah
The town was in quite state of excitement, the
Captain Of the Provost Guard having caused the
long roll to be beaten when taking his company out
TO position. The cannon passing through the to an
added fuel to the fire, and some of the inhabitants
kept watch and ward all night. Boots and spurs
part of the toilette du nut of tue aids and CAN
non balls and bombshells regarded by others as
inevitable bedfellows. The night passed, however,
without alarm.
On Friday morningthe actual conflict began by an
attack upon Maryland Nights at Solomons Gap, and
in the rear from Pleasant Valley. Capt. Cole, who
was thought to have been captured, came in from
near Frederick. He reported but few of the enemy
near that place. but had asoertained that q force Of
10000 had been left in Pleasant Valley; this force
was to be divided into two columns one of 90 900
was to attack Maryland Heights, the other of like
number was TO cross the Potomac, occupy Loudon
flights and pass around TO our left. This story,
which at first was set down as one Of the magDifed
rumors, soon found confirmation in the reports re-
ceived from Maryland Heights that the woods were
swsrming with Rebels, and from our left that our
pickets along from the Shenandoah TO the Haown
movement of the enemy. The sharp crack of rifles
at first heard from the other side of Maryland
Heights grew nearer and nearer as though the
enemy were pressing our troops back. A detach-
ment of the 39tb New-York, under Major Hildebrant
had already been sent over TO re-enforce Col Ford
and some light mountain howitzers were also taken
over. The Rebels continuing to push our troops
with vigor, the 10th New.York were ordered over
TO their assistance.
The Maryland boys while on picket duty, had
succeeded in making quite strong breast work of
logs and this proved the salvation of the men and of
the battery below; for, forced 10 retire before su-
peror numbers, troops fell back behind this bar.
rier and poured vOey after volley upon the advanc-
ing Rebels, compelling them TO pause in their rapid
advance, and efectually checking their progress.
The companies at Soomons Gap were also pressed
closely, and retired under orders, to concentrate
above and around the battery. The Rebels followed
them up rapidly. and pressed into the woods in their
rear, around the angle Of the mountain. Capt. Nc.
Grsth, at the battery had been waiting expecantly,
watching the first appearance Of Secesh with
in bis circle, and fash from one Of bis Napoleons,
followed by two reports and puff of white smoke
from the woods which they Lad dared 10 invade told
the story for them. Another and another report fol.
lowed in rapid succession, and that flank movement
proved failure Quite a skirmish occurred upon
the top Of the HILL at the observatory, where our
boys rePnlsed the Rebels handsomely, although they
were afterward forced TO abandon the position. The
Rebels, finding all the old roads and paths effectu-
ally blocksded, had begun cutting new road
tn'ough Inc woods, and were plainly seen dragging
cannon up the rough way. Night put an end to the
conflict in the woods.
In the direction Of Sandy Hook and Petersville
che Rebels also showed in force, increasing "a night