The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-09-20

ing, closely, and had already sent to the
rear 5000 prisoners and four batteries.
New York, Sept. 1S.-The Frederick Nd.
Of the World telegraphed un.
der date of the 10th as follows:
"After the battles ofSouth Mountain Gap
and Burkettsville Gap, fought respectively
by the forces of Burnside and Franklin on
Sunday evening, the rebels having been
driven from their position, fell back rapidly
to Boonsboro, thence southwark to Sharps-
burg, and began crossing the Potomac above
and below Shepardstown. The pursuit by
o IT troops was rapid, Hooker followed by
the way of Boonsboro, supported by Sum-
ner and Banks. The enemy brcakfasted at
Keedysville, three miles from Boonsboro,
but our cavaly soon drove their rear guard
from that place. Porter's and Reno's corps
took shorter road over the mountain, and
arrived at Sharpsburg at shutdown, capturing
hundreds of prisoners on the way.
Franklin's corps, supported by C,uch's
division, passed through Burkittsville Gap,
which he captured so omely, striking
the road leading direct from Boonsboro to
Harper's Ferry, and thence moving IN the
direction of the latter place, gaining Elk
Ridge Mountain, which fanked the enemy
position, and brought them within good
ronoo IF onr ortsllorx,
Franklin's corps fought brilliant battle
on Sunday evening at Burkittsville Cap
The enemy was terribly repulsed, though
great advantage of position was with them
Hancock's brigade made charge up hill
and captured battery Of six pieces, Howell
Cobb and 800 Of his Georgians. The l16th
Virginia regiment was taken entire, and
fragments of many other regiments. r,a
On Sunday Longstreet marched back up
on Hagerstown, to reinforce the troops fight
ing at the Gaps. He arrived in time to join
in the route.
We have taken, since Friday last, about
six thousand prisoners, with. less than the
usual proportion Of officers. The mountains
are full Of struggling, starving, demoralized
rebels, who. are giving themselves up as
fast as they can find their way into ou1
lines. .,.4g Z
Thursday last, jackson" crossed the Poto
mac at Williamsport. and marched toward.
Harper's Ferry, which place he invested or
Saturday. He captured Maryland Heights
on the north, and London Heights, on the
south side of the river. On Sunday he at
tackled the Ferry, but was repulsed. Mon
day morning, at daylight, he renewed thu
attack, and the place was surrendered by
Col. Dixon G. Miles. at 7 o'clock. This dis
aster will enable the rebels to cross the Pc
tomac with the greater portion of their for
Yesterday evening, previous to this news
Mcclellan and Burnside were actively max
ing such dispositions as would have resulted
in complete defeat or capture of nearly tn,
entire rebel host. Our troops pressed thei,
rear hotly last evening, and the prospect
was most brilliant, until we learned thai
1Iarper's Ferry was no longer ours.
The enemy having got mainly across tn
river and into a strong position, great bat
tie viii probably be deferred several days
until new combinations Of movements ar
resolved upon. s.N72'i ";@ i----sl''.'a. ~"
The Union army is in splendid condition
he'men all in light mrrchiny order, with
buovant spirits over their success.
Several regiment Of new troops were il
the fight of Sunday and behaved with grea
bravery. 'A'. .a'2'' '''' SO,
+ Onr'tOtal loss won't probably exceed g,
800 killed and wounded. with very small
proportion in killed Team learn of but few
field officers killed The death Of Gen. Rem,
is incurred throughout the whole army.
NEW York. Sent. 1.-THE morning pa
pers contain nothing additional to what wa
telcgraphed last night. with the exception o
the following Washington dispatch to tn
Herald -'A "'' 30 s'-
"The following important intelligence
Just received. puts new phase nnon tn
conduct Of affairs at ITarper's Ferry, am
shows that, although there has been no di
rect intelligence from Mcclellan to-day. tn
enemy, evidently panic stricken and unwill
ing to await the approaching Of his. victori
GUS armv, even in strong position, where b.
dint Of overwhelming numbers, small gar.
rison under Miles AMI Whit werc compel
ed to surrender. after nearly three DAYS har'
fighting. and Miles had been seriousl,
wounded and incapacitatcd for further par
ticipation in defence Of the position, coul'
not hold their conquered ground.
Information is tclegraphcd, tonight iron
the Heraid's correspondent at Frederick tina
an officer who has just arrived from liar
per's Ferry, rerorts that the rebels ha
evacuated the place in great hurry. The
are sending everything across the river n
fast as possible. Thew left Harpe,'s Ferr
in snch haste that they had not time to com
plete paroling the prisoners, anda numbe
were Internationally released in conse
Iqucnce."
h The Times correspondent that Longstret
was killed and Hill captured nv our forces.
h HARnlsBUKG, Sept. 1.-THE Governo
states that 70 900 men have responded t
his call for defense Of State, and he expec,
the number viii he increased To 100000
These men are being furnished with equiv
ments and moved to the State border a
ranidly as nosSihle