Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1862-09-16
rur RATTLE OF SUNDAY IN MARYLAND.


The following is extracted from accounts
eiyen by the special correspondent OF the Bal
tinore American:
Sunday is emphatically the fighting day Of
this war, aud yesterday has added another to
the list of memorable battles that have occur.
red on it. The scene Of the fight yesterday was
upon what is generally called the Second Noun
tain Of the Catoctin range, but on the maps is
called South Mountain. Our forces on Satur-
day drove the Confederate rear guard out OF
Nliddletovn and the Federal advance halted
that night short distance beyond that village
Early on Sunday morning the onward move
ment was resumed by Gen. Mcclellan. The
COnfederates were directly III front, and retreat
ed slowly and resolutely, contestlng every foot
of ground Up to about two clock, the en-
oagement was principally with artillery. The
Jonfederates placed their batteries on every al,
yantagoous position and shelled the Federal
advance. The Federal artillery replied, and the
fire was at times very heavy, but the adVan-
tage: from the higher ground, being with the
Contederates in this artillery practice, the Fed
eral Generals depended more upon their lnfan-
trv, and heavy columns were pushed success
fully forward driving the enemy back until
about half the ascent was gained. Burnside
and Hooker's corps formerly Mcdowell 81 par
ticularly distinguished themselves.
Between two and three clock, the Conted
crates were found drawn up in line of battle;
their left covering Turner Zap, through which
the pike to Hagerstovn passes and their right
extending to Crunpton's Gap. The Federal
right was led by Gen Hooker in advance, with
Gen. Franklin on the left and Gen Burnsldes
corps III the centre. Gen. Heintzelman's corps
was pressing upin the rear, and was / beheVe
in reserve, Some portions Of it may have par
ticipated in the fight.
'EWhen the Confederates were thus found
drawn up in line Of battle on their chosen posi-
iion, the engagement &c once became general
and fierce. The musketIy fire, as described to
me by officers wounded in the battle, and now
here, was the most continuous and sustained OF
the war. It rolled rapidly and fercely from
right to left, and back and forward, with ire
sistible fury For two hours this continuous
exchange Of musketry and artillery continued,
until the enemy began to show signs OF waver-
inc. The Federal extreme right had been gra-
;lually but surely pushing the enemy, croWdlng
him toward the Gap, and threatening his flank.
At five 0 clock a general charge was ordered. -
The Confedcrates fell back. endoavored to again
bring their disordered columns into line OF bat
tle but failed
*'Wilaly checrii,g, the Federal lines pushed
forward, drove the enemy from point to point,
and as the last rays Of the sun gilded the
mountain reached the summit. The Pass was
won. and the enemy were in rapid and disor
dered retreat down the slope towards Blooms
boro' The pursuit was continued for two miles
down the mountain: uutil darkness put an end
10 the contest.
The Federal army bivouacl1ed for the night
on the battlefield, whilst its pickets extended
some three miles forward and beyond the little
VILLAGE ., Bolivar mot the l'oivar Of Harpers
Ferry. The Confcderates left their killed and