The New York herald., 1862-09-18
THE SIEGE OF HARPER'S FERRY.
The Three Days Fighting---Esr'ps Of the
Union Cavalry,

OUR FREDERICKSBURG CORRESPONDENCE
FRsDuRIcx, Nd, Sept. 10, 1862.
STATEMENT PARoIxD PRISONERS.
Tho following statement OF n. j. Coble bugier in
Captain Hunters company Of the First Maryland battalion
OF cavalry, and Peter J. Caughiin private in Captain
Coles company OF the battalion, who taken
prisoners a. Harper's Ferry yesterday morning and
paroled-
! suassR ee orl FORCES Al HARrER's FERRY.
They state that Harpers Ferry numbered
from eight 10 ten thousand infantry and cavarymost or
the latter Of whom there about three thousand
making their escape before the surrender OF tho place.
OVERWHELMING REBEL FORCE.
They state that the rebel force which first advanced
upon Harper's Ferry about twenty thousand under
the command OF General Hill. They. had large supply
Of artillery with them.
DEFENCE HARPERs FERRY.
Colonel D. s. Miles. Acting Brgadier eneral, in
command Of our forces at Harper's Ferry and made
good fight notwithstanding the overwhelming numbers Of
the enemy. He retained the command until about eight
o'clock yesterday (Monday) morning. when he
verey not mortaly wounded by piece SHE'LL in the
left leg. After this Gen. White, present and
gagged in the contest throughout took the command. 1t
understood that Colonel Miles rendered the command
to Gen. White who Of course, his superior in rank
but he declined to take it, preerrng to under tho
gallant colonel who acted nobly and fought bravely
throughout this whole affair.
THE UNION BATTERIES
Our batteries occupied both Bolivar and Maryland
Heights Upon the latter three large siege guns and
Ave six smaller pieces There were breastworks
and sarthworks upon Maryland Heights but, as they
originally intonded to repulse attack from the
Virginia side Of the river they not in very good
condition to repe attack from tho opposite shore
There also earthworks and ntrenchments at Bolivar
Thus matters stood when the ball opened.
THE FIGHT OPENS.
On Friday evening there some artillery practice
made from the Maryland Heights and from Camp Hill at
Harpers Ferry but this the enemy did not reply,
being ready yet accept the challenge TO battle ten
dered him.
ATTACK MARYLAND HEIGHTS.
On Saturday morning however, they were prepared
and commenced attack batteries on the Mary
land Heights and forces thore with artillery and
strong force OF infantry. Fighting continued at this
point through tho day and there good many killed
and wounded both Sides rho rebels say that they had
brigade OF infantry engaged thore Ny informant
could recolect whose brigade 1t was. On sde
there engaged the One Hundred and Twenty sixth
New York tho Garbadi Guard, tho Thirty second Ohio
and the First regiment Of the Maryland Home Guard
The Garibald Guard said have distinguished them
selves by their galantry this occasion Other regi-
M9ntS were there, out were Dut ~ engaged
THE REBErs REINFORCED.
About four p. NJ the rebcls largely reinforced,
and were then in such overwhelming numbers that We
were obliged to abandon tho Maryland Heights and
trsat across river This done In good order the
guns were spiked and the wounded taken with them.
The ammunition Of both parties s said TO have partially
given before the conclusion Of the 0ght and that
stones were used instead OF balls for the artillery Tho
colonel of tho One Hundred and Twenty New York
was wounded but whether dangerously not my nfor
mants could not tell.
TIE REBEIs rHs IouDoN HEIGHTS
During the day tho robcs made their appearance upon
the Ioudou Heights, upon the Virginia side Of the
river, with thoir signal corps. which attempted TO
their operations from the top OF the Block
House. They were shslled from Camp Hill, and o..
tho third shell they disappeared, and the signal officers
were again The rebels, however, not
tirsjy dislodged, and could be at intervals They
engaged in placing batteries upon these heights
which command both Bolivar Heights and Harper's
Ferry.
CHARLESTON TURNPIKE OCCUPIED.
During the afternoon the rebels made their appearance
In force the Charleston turnpike. They shellsd
from Bolivar Heights, but did not return the fire.
Saturday night passed comparative quiet, forces
lying on their arms and only occasional muskct shot
breaking the stiffness OF the night and assuring
forces Of the presence OF the enemy near our pckets
RENEWED SUNDAY.
AT daylight on Sunday morning troops were
aroused supplied with their breakfasts, and placed in
their respective positions. AT early hour skrmish
ing began on the Charlcstown pike, but without
serious results either side. Our forces maintained
m 'front.' and gave not an inch before the advances
Of the rebels The rebels also commenced at about the
same time artillery practice from the direction
which promptly and with spirit responded 10 from
such OF our guns could cover tho Geld in that
direction. As is usual but little damage done on
either side, although the rebel shells exploded In
rather close proximity to our forces.
During all this time Colonel Niles was In command
General julius White also present. and participated
in the engagements but is understood that be declined
TO assume the command from Colonel Miles.
BATTERIES LoupoS HEIGHTS.
At about two O'Clock p. NJ. the enemy succeeded in
getting their batteries in position Ioudon Heights
the Virginia side and opened upon position. Bat
teos also opened upon forces from the Nary
Heights but rather weakly and also from the direc
| ton OF the Charlcstown pike.
cANYoSADE
The cannonading from this time was terrific. Our bat
tories from Bolivar Heights, Harpers Ferry and Camp
Hin in full play In response and the very
tans rocks aud valleys seemed to alive with the deto
nations Of heavy artillery The mountains seemed 20
shake with the deafsnng roar and the battle smoke
hung ike pail over anu ABOUT tne comDatants Every
gun that had at work sharply and efficiently, ~
the list Of dead ana wounded OF The rebels will sufficiently
| attest
ADVANCE REByrs.
| Under this fierce cannonade the rebcs advanced In
force down the Chaesown pike and essayod tho capture
| Of our position by coup main.
RkpuIsE op ENEMY.
The fighting was sharp and severe this approach
Nearly all the available infantry force engaged
battle The rebels in very strong force-not less
| than fifteen thousand men-and the engagement wa.
desperate and continuous until about sundown the
enemy rspulsed and beaten withdrew from the Ggh,
| and retired to position out Of range.
GALLANT rEAr ON rHy eARIBAIDi GUARD.
| Meanwhile; the Garibald Guard Colonel d'Utassy
crossed the river the Maryland Heights and in the face
or wary and powerful foe, brought of the artillery