New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-17


On stretcher too badly broken and plnngled to
lay in an ambulance is extended wounded soldier,
borne on The shoulders OF four Others and as regiment
after regiment filed past, fastening forward to re-
enforce those above, saw hin lean ever the side OF
the sirecher and exhort them 10 stand firm, but to
60 in aud fight, for the day our own, aud they
must not lose it at ito closing TIE wounded were
taken to Middetown and placed in the Lutheran
German Reform, Protestant Methodist and Protestant
Episcopa, Churches. And while they are removing
the wounded from the battlefield 10 the hospitals, l
will so and see how the battle ii going.
And now am at the top Of the mountain, where
cur pieces are planted. There are large number,
and as each one with its loud, sharp report, belches
forth lis fire and smoke, and sends the whirring,
whining. whis;ing shell rushing through the air,
turn around to gaze upon the scene below. And
what scene that is Far far further than the eye
could reach, extends a lovely valley, each side
guarded as it were by giant hills, their huge dark
forms standing forth in bold relief against the clear
blue sky. Tue sun, which has been hidden all the
day by muTky clouds, now shines gloriously forth,
illuminating all around with its brightness. The
whole plain appeared as level as sheet Of glass,
with farm-houses and cottages, and now and then a
small village, the church spires rising white and
beautiful in the distance.
The picture is completed by the clear waters OF the
Mouocacy, which, running through the center Of the
valley, sparkle in the rays Of the sun, the whole
forming scene of surprising loveliness, such as
never witnessed before AS i again turn my gaze
toward the mountains where the battle il raging, a
cloud passes between these mountains and the sun,
and thew are enveloped in gloom. These towering
mountains, with their sable hue, jagged rocks, and
frightul precipices, form striking contrast to the
scene below, where the sun stl smies brightly on
the landscape, and all is beautiful as before.
can gather no further news, but before / close
this letter | mutt not forget the good. kind
Maryland ladies', and more especially the ladies Of
Middetown. In scores they assembled in the hospi-
tails and soothed and comfored the poor sufferers by
their kindness and attention remaining to assist them
day and night.
| learn that on Saturday last considera-
BE engagement took place near Harpers Fer
~. between the forces under Gen. Wool and
those under Gen. Jackson Before proceeding fur
ther, should mention the fact that at an early hour
on Thursday morning last, jackson broke up lis
camp at Frederick, and by forced march oftwenty-
e right miles, arrived that night at Wllamspor, Nd,
and crossed over there with bis whole force, some
fifteen or twenty thousand, into Virginia.
Up TO yesterday morning it was supposed that this
was ell Of the Rebel army which had re-entered
Virginia, but learn that Jackson wss largely re-
enforced, and at last accounts had 49, 600 men,
and that our whole force, from II 900 TO H. 900 men,
were surrounded. Gen. Wool is now at Baltimore
or was at the last accounts, lie being unable TO join
his command az the Rebels in possession of the
route toward the Ferry.
Our men, ii appears bad become short Of rations,
and Jackson being aware Of this fact, determined to
surround our troops, starve them out and capture
the whole their positions being too strongly fortified
to tempt Jackson, even with overpowering force,
TO attack them. The rear approach Of our army,
however, determined him to do so at all hazards,
and at an early hour on Saturday morning he COM
menced Smelling our position, but was answered In
such lively manner that he determined TO change
his tactics, and take our batteries by storm.
Our force under command Of Col Miles, Acting
Brgsder, had possession Of two Of the highest noun
,ains on Maryland Hghts, the infantry with portion
Of the artillery on one, and tie remainder Of the
artillery Save Is pieces on the other. The enemy
made charge, but were repused with great loss
They tried again and again TO storm our batteries
but were az often repulsed, the excellent aim OF our
gunner, and the position Of the enemy as they adj
yanced up the mountain, driving them back with
great slaughter.
Jackson now determined to take our batteries and
nd he. cd le
top Of the mountain, they were advancing with an
empowering force and this time would not be re-
pulled, though the grape and canister made huge
paps in their ranks which were instantly filed up,
and the columns continuing to advance the whole Of
our gums were spiked and sent rolling down the
mountain as we had not sufficient force TO hold
them. Our men then started for the adjoining noun
tlin under the Of our artillery and shaTpshoo,-
crs, arriving there without further difficulty. The
Rebels finding that all their desperate charges and
los, Of life were now made for few worthless guns,
were wild with rage
They attempted to plant their own cannon Oh the
ground which our forces had just occupied, but were
unable 70 do 50 amid the shower Of shell which fell
amoag them. They then attempted 10 place their
batteries Of Bolivar flights and other eminences in
the nelghborhood, but were unable, and night ap-
preaching, they finally gave up the attempt in de-
spair Willie this vas going on there was infantry
firing, but The enemy fell back. At last accounts we
still held our position, and my informant states that
we have been strongly re'enforced.
should state that before the heavy firing com
menced there was some very brisk skirmishing.
Our loss was not more than 80 killed and wounded.
The enemy must have been very large, and is csti-
mated at 1900. Firing resumed early yester-
day ro ming, but with what result it is impossible
10 state. a gentleman who has just come from that
direction says that the firing yesterday continued
until the afternoon.