The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-18
The Battle of HagerstoWn Heights

The Battle Of Hagerstown Heights
We CLEAN from various sources the following
particulars of Sundays battle near Hagerstown;
On THE BATTLE FIELD, Sunday Night,
Sept. IA, 1862.
Although the battle Of to-day was of long
duration, still it was not SO sanguinary, consld-
ering the forces engaged, as spectator would at
first be inclined to suppose. Our loss in killed
and wounded will not probably exceed 1000,
and that Judge 10 be "a high estimate.
The rebel position was on the sides and sum
NIT of the Blue Ridge Mountains on each side
of the Gap, known as Frog Gap, through which
the main road on The turnpike from Middletown
to Hagerstown passes The Gap is distant from
MiddletoWn about three miles, and from Frede-
rick twelve miles. Boonesboro, the next i'm
portant town to Mlddletown on the turnpike. Is
two miles from the Gap, on the other side of
the mountains. The mountains in the vicinity
Of the Gap are steep and rugged, and rendered
difficult to ascend, unless by the ordinary
thorOughtaIes, on account OF numerous lodges
and loose rocks which afford no permanent foot
hold. From base to top they are covered with
d thick wood, thereby giving protection to the
party III possession, and making the progress
OF the attacking force doubly hazardous Boil
war, village b0astng OF SIX or eight dwellings,
is situated on the main road, between Middle
town and the Gap, and about one and u half
miles from the la ter place. At Bolivar d road
branches off from each side OF the main road,
the two roads taking clrcultous course to the
mountains, and gradually ascending them, Join
the main road again at the Gap.
The early position OF the Union army, or
where the line OF battle was first formed, was on
piece OF rising ground on the right and left Of
the main road between Bolivar and the noun
tAlns. As the day advanced and our forces
moved forward the position was changed, but
never for the better. The nearer we approached
the mountains the more successfully could the
enemy bring his artillery TO bear on our col
umns. NO matter what position we held, the
Blue Ridge mountains commanded that position
1t will be observed at once that the enemy had
formidable ground of defence, and nothing but
undaunted courage wrested it from him.
The battle commenced with artillery, Robert
sons U. 5. Battery Of four light field pieces fir
ing the first shot. The firing Was continued
Tor over an hour, but the enemy did not respond
until Coxs division appeared in the main road,
advancing to take position. Two pieces sta.
toned In the Gap were then opened upon the
column. The troops, however, turned into a
field at the left of the road and got out of harms
way before any injuries were effected Here
they remained IN line of battle an hour and a
halt. The enemy was now firing from nine
pieces consequently, to make vigorous reply,
Haynes U. 5. Battery OF six pieces moved up to
the lett to the assistance OF Robertson.
heavy cannonading then ensued, but as
usual in artillery duels little damage was effect
ed on either side.
Three times during the day the rebels were
forced to change the position of their pieces, and
late IN the afternoon their guns were silent alto
gether.
Cooks battery took favorable position for
Smelling the woods in advance of the Division.
but had hardly got to work when the rebels fired
tremendous volley of musketry at the cannon.
iers. This was repeated several times in quick
succession, until at length the cannoners aban-
doned their pieces and ran to the rear, leaving
four or five of their comrades dead upon the
| ground The drivers of the cassons also par
took OF the panic and dashed headong through
the ranks of Cox's Division, which was drawn
up in line of battle few yards to the rear. Two
companies OF cavalry regiment, which were
supporting the battery, also galloped throu h
the line OF infantry, thus leaving four pieces Of
artillery (the other two having been detached
to another part Of the feld) TO fall into the
hands of the enemy. The event caused tempo
rary, and only temporary, confusion among the
troops. They quickly Strengthened the line ant
prepared to resist demonstration obsei vable or
the part Of the enemy to seize the abandoned
pieces. The rebels marched forward to secure
their anticipated prize, and at the same momen
the Twenty third Ohio and One Hundred,l
Pennsylvania Regiments advanced in spendi
order to repulse them. The rebels had approach
ed to within about ten feet of the guns whe,
the contest commenced. Each side seemed des
perate in its purpose and the struggle was mos
exciting. AT length the Forty fifth New Yor
came to the rescue and turned the tide of for
tune in our favor. Both parties suffered severe
ly IN the action. The rebels retreated in crea
confusion, while our men made the woods IT
sound with cheers.
= AT 2 F. NJ. the head OF Gen. Hooker's colum
appeared coming up the turnpike GO relntorc
; Reno. The column took the road branching o
from the turnpike at the right, near BOLIVIA,
and proceeded to The foot of the mountains. 4
along the line the utmost enthusiasm was man
tested Tor Hooker. Every man in the corps W,
evidently impressed with the belief that he ho
general, able and willing to lead them for wal
to face the enemy.
At p. M. the line Of battle from right