The Portland daily press., 1862-09-22
Surrender of Harper's Ferry.

I
Army correspondence of the New York pa
pers purport to give the truthful particulars of
the fight at and the surrender of Harpers
Ferry.
Col Dixon II. Miles, commanding at Har-
per's Ferry, from the 1st day of September,
when the rebels commenced the invasion of
Maryland, devoted every energy to strength
en- the place. His garrison consisted of the
18th New York militia, s7th Ohio, l26th New
York, 1l1th New York, lst Maryland brigade,
LIST Maryland cavalry, two companies of the
9Th New York artillery, the 18th Indiana, and
one or two other batteries. The force was
principally inexperienced.
The attack commenced on Friday morning,
Sept. 18th, and was continued until the sur
render. A correspondent says
Monday morning the rebels opened fire on
Bolivar Heights, which was replied to until 8,
when our ammunition gave out. The rebel
batteries were so arranged as to enfilade us
completely To hold out longer seemed mad
ness.
A few minutes after council of war was
held The brave Col. D'Utassy for one voted
never to surrender. and requested that he
out. White flags were run up in. every direc-
ton. and flag of truce was sent to inquire on
what conditions surrender would be accept
ed. Gen. A. =. Hill sent back word that ii
must be unconditional. Further pareying re-
suited in our obtaining liberal conditions,
which were accepted.
The officers were allowed to 30 out with
their side arms and private effects, the rank
and file with everything save arms and equip
ments. estf
murmur of disapprobation ran along the
whole line when it became known that we had
surrendered. Capt. McGrath burst into tears,
exclaiming, Boys, we have got no country
now" Other officers exhibited correspond
ing degree of grief, while the soldiers were de-
monstrative in their manifestations OF rage
Yet what could be done? Rebel batteries
were opened at us from seven different direc-
tions, and there was no hope of reinforcements
reaching us.
The same correspondent further says:
Who gave the order for their evacuation |
am unable to say. Certain it is that every sol
dier was ready to stigmatze its author, who
ever he may have been. as coward or traitor.
And yet it may have been best under the cir
cumstances.
The force that thus had to surrender num-
bered | 800 men, and included six batteries
All the cavalry but some 80 had cut their way
out. under command of Col. Davis. They
numbered 200o, and their capture of Long
streets train and more than 100 prisoners on
their way to join Gen. McClellan's army has
proved itself one of the most gallant, as well
AS most providential events of the war. Thir-
ty-elght guns were taken. Rations for l2000
men for six days were secured by the rebels.
The above were the principal captures of gov
ernment property.
On Tuesday morning large body Of rebels
passed the Ferry, in full retreat from the adj
yancing Union forces. Their number was es-
timated at 10000. Their rear guard destroy
ed the bridges, and our parolled soldiers had
to ford the stream.
Owing TO thick mist which hung over the
mountain, the artillersts failed TO see the white
flags for some time after they were displayed,
and continued throwing she'll whereby six
were killed. Col. Miles was fatally wound
ed by one of them. He had ridden back and
forth on the field a target for the enemy. but
fortunately met with no mishap until them
While standing with his aide-de-camp. Lieut.
Benning, on the left of Bolivar Heights, wait
ing for his horse the balls fell thick around
him. Turning 10 Lieut.. Benning. he remark
ed: We'll, Mr.. Benning, the ball is over. We
have done our duty, but ] don't understand
why the rebels keep shelng US" just then
piece of she'll, which burst close by, took away
portion Of his left calf. He Immediately fell,
exclaiming: MY God, believe am hit
Lieut.. Benning, who was standing close by,
escaped unhurt. He Immediately procured
blanket and succeeded in forcing some of the
frightened men TO assist in removing Colonel
Miles to an ambulance. While so engaged a
shell passed over the Colonel and cut the ofli-
Ger who had hold of the opposite side of the
blanket almost in two.
Discovering the signals, at last firing ceased
and Gen. White went out with flag of truce
"A a.
The last words of Col. Miles, spoken in his
delirium, were such as only loyal man would
be likely 10 speak.
Ii is asserted by the Frederick correspondent
of the Baltimore American that Harpers Ferry
was recaptured from the rebels by Gen. Burn
side at O'Clock on Tuesday evening. the rebels
flying with such precipitation as to cause them
to leave behind the most of the plunder they
had captured. Nearly all the guns and arms
were secured by our forces, together with
number of rebel prisoners.
Commenting upon the events detailed above,
the New York World says:
1t is quite time our rulers realized that the
appointment of drunken and incompetent gen
erals TO command important positions is an
outrage that can no longer be tolerated. The
loss at Harper's Ferry is the direct result of
keeping in command an officer who was guilty
OF gross misconduct at Bull Run, which should
have led TO his being cashiered or shot. This
want of military sternness-this cruel kind
ness to weak and worthless oflicers-is the
cause of most of our woes. The splendid com
binatons of Mcclellan have failed to produce
their full fruit by having a worthless COM
mander at Harper's Ferry, which it now seems
was the key TO the whole movement. JoHN
BROWNS body must have tnrned its shroud at
the weak hearted men who commanded our
forces at the scene of his former exploits: GER
tainly his soul has been marching on" to very
little purpose if it does not inspire more valor
and resolution on the ground he has rendered
historic.