The New York herald., 1862-09-16
THE SITUATION.

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10 Maryland Following the rebels from Frederick
in their fight towards Harpers Ferry, he came up
with them on the Hagerstown road at South
Mountain, on. Sunday morning, Generals Reno,
Hooker and Burnside, with the Ninth army corps,
attacked them gallantiy, although the enemy
occupied splendid position on the heights,
defended by his artillery. The fight lasted
from early in the morning till nine at night, when
the rebels were driven back with considerable
loss. General Lee admits loss of II 900 men.
Our loss was about 100, including, We regret to
say. the brave General Reno, who was shot dead
while leading on his men. On the other side Gene
raj Lee is reported wounded, and General Garland
killed. We have taken ZOO prisoners.
General Mcclellan tells the story briefly in his
four dispatches to General Halleck, published in
another column, and dated severally at ten o'clock
Sunday night, three o'clock, eight o'clock and ten
O'Clock yesterday morning. In his last des-
patch, he says that the route and demoraliza-
ton Of the rebel army is complete that
they are making for the river in a per-
feet panic, and that he is following them
a. fast as his men can move The right wing OF
bur army was confronted by the rebel Generals
Hiil and Longstreet. General Franklin commanded
our extreme left, supported by the corps Of Sum-
ner and COUGHS division as reserves. Franklin
also obtained complete victory, and followed
up the fight yesterday ON the road to Har-
per's Ferry. At last reports the firing was
still going on. The position on the crest
of the hill which General Burnside 90 gallantly
wen from the enemy on Sunday night was still
held by him yesterday morning, aud the Eight was
not renewed there. 1t commands the only road
between the rebels and General Franklin's corps.
II is remarkable that General Mcclellan dates his
latest despatch from Bolivar, to which place it
appears he has moved his headquarters.
The rebels abandoned Hagerstown and pushed
on towards the river. We are not informed of
their later movements, except that General
Jackson made an attempt to reach Martinsburg
in time to prevent General White joining Colo
mel Miles at Harper's Ferry, in which he was
foled, for the latter officer had left there two
hours before and arrived safely at Harper's Ferry
The position of Colonel Miles at Harper's Ferry
was considered all the more doubtful from the re.
ports that the rebels had fortified Maryland
Heights. from whence they could overpower him;
but this has been contradicted. The reinforce
ments Of General White, however, have probably
rendered him perfectly safe.
This is pretty fair record Of our armies in
Maryland, and gives quietus to the hopes Of the
rebels in that State, and viii probably put an
end TO their designs upon Pennsylvania, al
though it is reported in Baltimore that General
Lee still intends to try invasion Of that State.
Does not this seem an acceptable time to make
dash on Richmond by the reserves around Wash.
ington, which probably number some seventy
thousand men The rebel capital is unde.
Tended, save by the portion Of General
Lees army lying about Manassas and Lees.
yesterday from Richmond and Fredcricks-
burg state that there mo rebel soldiers in the
capital except the Home Guard and some con-
valescents that there are very few troops at
Fredericksburg, none at all at Aqua creek, and
only three regiments on the James river If this
be true, now is the available moment to capture
Richmond and crown the victories our armies are
winning in Maryland.
II may be a little curious TO look now upon the
rebel plans which we're adopted by council of
war held by the traitor generals at Richmond on
the Fogrth OF July last They were follows
ITO obstruci the James river and of all means
OF supplies and communication with our army the
peninsula This plan folod by General Mcclellan.
2-To occupy Williamsburg and Yorktown and thus
get in the rear of army. This also foiod by
General ,McClelan.
3-Thc recovery the whole Of the territory Of vir
gina.
ITO destroy the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This
has been prevented by General Mcclellan.
6-Tbe recovery Of tho Mississippi river, including
Memphis and New Orleans.
o-Ths expulsion Of the Union troops from Kentucky
and Tennessee.
ITO make the Potomac and Ohio rivers their bases
OF operations and frontier lines.
8To transfer the from Virginia 10 Maryland This
has been stayed by General Mcclellan.
eTo buri upon Washington column Of picked troops
and capture the city In this thoy were scared on BY
General Mcclellan.
lo-To invade Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana
Affairs in the vicinity Of Cincinnati remain in
the Same favorable position. The rebels are still
lying four miles south Of Florence, probably wait
ing for reinforcements Their troopsas MaysvIe
have gone 10 Paris. The Union General Morgan is
oourino The country for forare In thA vicinity ~