Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-09-29
HEADQUARTERS VALLEY DISTRICT,
Sentemher 18th. 1862.

COLONEL LSSCcIudy you CIOWHcu OGF
arms with another brilliant success on the
surrender, at Harper's Ferry, of Brigadier
General White and II, 900 troops, an equal
number of small arms, 70 pieces of artillery
and about 200 wagons.
In addition to other stores, there is c large
amount Of camp and garrison equipage.-
Our loss was very small. The meritorious
conduct Of officers and men will be men
toned in a more extended report.
am, Colonel, your obedient servant.
T. ]. JACKSON,
Major General.
Col. r. II. CHILToN, A. A. General.
The force which surrendered at Harper's
- Ferry consisted of twelve regiments of in
fantry, three companies Of cavalry and six
companies of artillery.
BATTLE AT sAARPsBURsH.
Since the date of the events referred to
above, we have reports of a great battle in
front of Sharpsburgh on Wednesday, the
18th instant, where it is understood that
General LEE had retired to unite his whole
army to confront the still advancing forces
of Mcclellan, which, having obtained pos
session of Champions Gap on the direct
, road from Frederick City to Sharpsburgh,
were pressing our forces and seemed deter
mined on a decisive battle. Sharpsburgh is
. about ten miles north of Harper's Ferry, and
about eight miles west of Boonsboro'.
From Northern journals W. learn that the
Yank ees were ~exultant in the prospect Of
the humiliation or surrender of our army,
and were entertaining themselves with a
number of extraordinary reports Of disaster,
death and irretrievable ruin to the Confsder-
ates. There is no doubt but that a great
battle has been fought and decided at SharPs-
burgh, and that, if as expected, the junction
of Jackson's forces with Lee was effected on
Tuesday evening, the whole strength OF both
armies was engaged in the fight.
All reports seemed to. be agreed yesterday
that our victory had been purchased by
heavy and conspicuous losses. Generals
Starke, Manning, and Branch are reported
to have been Killed, and Generals D. 4
Jones, Ripley, and Lawton to have beer
wounded.
LATER.
From an officer who left Sharpsburgh las
Thursday at one o'clock, P. NJ, anG arrived
in this city yesterday evening, we have som
authentic intelligence from the army G
Northern Virginia. After the capture o
Harper's Ferry, General jackson, %leavin:
General A. P. Hill to hold the position ali
guard the captured property, set out imme
diately for Shepherdstown, at which poin
he recroSsed the Potomac into Maryland OF
Tuesday. During the forenoon of that da,
he r%ejoined the main body of our forces un-
der General Lee, then confronting the enc
my at Sharpsbough, taking position on tn
left. Longstreet's division constituted GU
right wing. andD H. Hill our centre. A
5 o'clock, P. NJ, the enemy made a gener'
attack, accompanied with an attempt t
turn our right flank, but was repulsed a
every point. The fight lasted until min
o'clock, p. NJ, and skirmishing and desulto
nv cAnnonading was kept up throughout th
remainder of the night. The troops Of bet
armies lay upon their arms.
At daylight, Wednesday morning, the ba
|. tie was renewed by a general and simulta
nsous attack upon eur whole line, the en'
nv at the same time continuing his efor
begun ON the evening before, to %cut-fan
US on the right. The battle ragged all d:
with a fury u~nsxamplcd in this war. Aga
and again rspulsed, the enemy rallied h
columns and returned to the charge wi