The Portland daily press., 1862-09-20

umn appeared, coming up the turnpike, to re.
inforce Reno The column took the road
branching off from the turnpike to the right
near Bolivar, and proceeded to the foot of the
mountains. All along the line the utmost Ell :
thusiasm was manifested for Hooker
AT Z. NJ. the line of battle from right to
left was formed in the following order. near
the base of the mountains on the right. and at
the edge of piece OF woods on the mountain
slope at the left: The first brigade of Ricketts,
division on the extreme right which was about
one mile north of the turnpike; the Pennsyl-
vania Reserve Corps, the right resting on Rick
etts left; the Second Regiment u S. Sharp
shooters on the road branching off from the
turnpike on the right; the second aud third
brigades of Ricketts, division between the
branch road and the turnpike: Kings division
commanded by Gen. Hatch) at the left of the
turnpike, the right resting on the turnpike =
Gen. Reno's force on the extreme left about a
m lie and half from the turnpike.
The 9TH United States, Sth Illinois. Sth. 3D..
and 18th Pennsylvania, 9th New York, Sd In
diana, and 1st Massachusetts Cavalry Regi-
ments, were on different portions of the field.
performing picket duty, acting as guards to
the roads, and supporting the batteries.
About one hundred yards in the rear of the
Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, was stationed
Capt Cooper's 1st Penn. Battery, of four
pieces; Capt. Ransom's, Co. c., Fifth United
States Battery, of four pieces, took position
at the extreme right, in the rear of the First
Bridade of Ricketts, Division.
Immediately after the line of battle was
formed, the right and left centre commenced
moving simultaneously toward the enemy on
the slope of the mountains. The rebels
opened on the column with two pieces of can
non, directing the fire of one to the right, and
of the other to the left of the line They were
replied to by one of Simmons 20 Founders ON
the LETT, and Cooper's Battery on our right
The enemy continued the firing for upward of
an hour, when on account of the severe pun
lshment he was receiving from our guns, and
the near approach of our infantry to his plac-
es, he disappeared on the other side of the
mountain.
The eneiny's shells for the most part went
over tne Union troops, consequently they did
not effect much damage.
Steadily onward went our long uubrokep
line of infantry, until the right wing had gain
ed piece OF woods on the mountain, a short
distance from the base, when the Bucktails.
who were skirinishing on the right, discovered
the enemy's pickets. A desultory rattipg of
musketry was next heard, which indicated the
commencement OF the battle on the part of the
infantry. The column from right to left still
remained unbroken, and advanced cautiously
but firmly up the steep. In a short time the
enemys main force was encountered. and then
came heavy volleys of musketry on the right.
The Pennsylvania Reserve Corps and the First
Brigade of Ricketts, Division were now hotly
engaging the enemy. The rebels stood their
ground for a while, but after a contest of thirty
minutes they wayered and commenced falling
back in disorder toward the summit of the
mountains. Our forces pushed them vigor-
ously, and kept up continuous fire.
The valor displayed on this occasion by the
DpDnS VIyaDia Reserves and bo
ly under the command of Mcdowell. is deserv-
ing of the highest praise. Not a straggler could
be seen on the field. Every man was at his
post in a line. Gen. Hooker, accompanied by
his staff, was where he always is on such oc-
casions-at the front. The line did not give
way for an instant, but kept moving forward
and upward,pouring volley after volley of mus
kerry into the enemy's ranks, until at last the
rebels broke and ran preciptately to the top
ofthe mountain-thence down on the other
side.
Reno's corps on the left did its part nobly.
The men were called upon to do some severe
fighting, and they performed their duty with
will and herosm seldom before displayed The
engagement on the left succeeded that on the
right. and lasted about an hour and half The
enemy contested every foot of ground, but
eventually yielded it to the conquerors.
The centre column was the last to come in
W "Sbon' ihe saiic success tldL marked the
advance OF the two wings also attended the
centre. At 8 p. NJ, after an engagement of
three hours duration, the rebels fled, leaving
the top OF the mountain in the possession of
the Union troops. Darkness prevented us
from pursuing the enemy further at the time
estimate that two thousand will cover the
list OF our casualties. l think the enemy's
loss in killed and wounded will not exceed our
own. Altogether we captured three thousand
prisoners.
Gen. Reno was killed on the field of battle.
AT the time of the calamity he was observing,
by aid of glass, the enemy's movements. He
was struck in the spine by musket ball-the
ball lodging in the breast