Newbern weekly progress. [volume] (Newbern, N.C.) 1858-1863, 1862-09-27
SURRENDER OF HARPER's
FERRY.
Heroic Defence $f she Place BY CeIenel.
miies--Twe Days yszara Righsincss6se.
wAsulNo4os, Sept. ia, fstS.

Great anxiety has been manifested all day to
learn the fate Of Harper's Ferry and its gallant
defenders. II was known that they were
completely surrounded by the rebel forces,
and had been sustaining fierce apd unequal
conflict foF two whole dayd and that no rein
torcements, except those from Martinsburg
had arrived. Those who knew we'll the brave
old soldier Miles, refused to believe that he
had surrendered, but even the government
had no definite informatIon on the Subject.
Harper's Ferry was surrendered to the rebels
at ten o'clock Monday forenoon. All the pri-
soners-officers and men-were paroled. The
cavalry, about twenty-five hundred in number,
on Sunday evening crossed the Potomac on
pontoon bridge to the Maryland side, and cut
their way through the enemy's lines, making
their escape. The rebels report that they
(the cavalry had severe fight, and lost two
or three hundred in Killed. wothded and pri.
soneys in the operation.
About eight thousand men were captured by
the rebels in an at the fnal surrender.
| cannot learn the numbers Of the. Tebels,
but they were very large. The fight was
commenced on Friday afternoon, our batteries
on the Maryland heights and Camp Hill, at
Harper's Ferry, opening upon the rebels on
the Maryland side. To this they did not
reply, not being yet ready TO- commence the
contest.
On Saturday the rebels made an attack with
artillery on our forces on the Maryland Heights.
This was supported by large infantry force,
aud the fighting continued through the day.
There were good many Killed aud wounded
Hn A;,nt k.f siI .hala
say they had only one brigade Of infantry
engaged in this battle. Upon our lside the
Infantry engaged was the 1brty-sccond Ohio,
One Hundred and Twenty sixth New York,
the First regiment Maryland Hons Guards,
Colonel Mosely aud the GariLaldi Guards, OF
New York. Oth,r regiments were there, bu,
the above named sustained the brunt Of the
fight. s- /:
About fonrP P. N. our forcts abandoned
Maryland Heights, the rebels having been
largely reinforced and overpowering them
The retreat wss made in good order. The
artillery was spiked and our wounded taken
away. During the day the rebels made their
appearance on Loudon Heights, which is on
the Virginia side, about mile and half from,
Harper's Ferry. Their signal corps appeared
on the Block House, and commenced opera
tons. They were shelled from Camp Hill,
and at the third shell disappeared. They,
hewover, continded to appear at this point al
intervals through the day, Notwithstanding
our fire.
During Saturday they were planting batteries
there, which would command both Bolivar
Heights and fIaiper's Ferry, During Saturday
afternoon the rebels also made their appearanc.
in force on the Charlestc VII turnpike They were
.helled hosi Bolivar Heights, bu, did not return
the fire during all this time It is understood
that Colonel Mills was L.. command all this lime
General White was present and sngaged in the
contest, bnt DECLINED to take command, although
it was rendered to him by Col. Miles
On Sunday morning there was infantry skir
lnishing OH the Challestown turnpike. Therebels
also used artillery from the same direction but
little damage was done. and for two Or three
hours tie fighting was almost entiely suspen-
ied About two P. NJ the eremy succeeded in
getting their batteries in position on Loudon
Heights. and heavy artillery fire was com
menced by them simultaneously from Loudon
and Maryland Heights, and from the direction
Of Charlestown turnpike. The cannonading from
this time unlil about sunset was terrific Our
batteries from Bolivar Heights, and, in met, ev
~ gun that could be brought to bear upon the
enemy replied. While this was taking place
there, was n general infantry engagement on the
Charleston turnpike Nearly our whole force
WAS engaged in this battle, The rebels were ia
very strong force aud the fighting was desperate
While this. was going on the Gnribaldi Guard
crossed the river and brought Of the artillery
left on the Maryland Heights except the three
seige guns
During'the night Of Sunday the rebels had
placed additional batteries in position. and at
daylight Monday morning opened from se5en or
eight different points. They, in fact, completely
surrou, ded the nion forces.
About eight A. NJ. Colonel Miles was severely
wounded in the left leg by piece Of shell. AZ
ter this the command was assumed by General
White Renforeements not con ing up as ID
been anticipated it was thought useless to tur.
her continue the fight, and the wo.ks, with all
the forces, &c, were surrendered ut ten A NJ, by
General White to General Hill.
The officers and privaIes were parolled, and
the above account is from NJ. j. Gable, bugler,
and Peter Cangh in, private in the Mary land
cavalry. who were paroled, and arrived here this
morning.