Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-09

carried the mountains and position TO make de
tachment for its relief The ef therefore, ordered
Ito move through Jefferson to the South Mountains al
Cramptons Pass in front OF Burkettsye. while the GEN.
tre and right moved the main Turner'S Pass
front OF Middletown During these movements had mol
Imposed long marches the columns The absolute
y OF reftting aud giving little rest to troops worn
down by previous long continued marching and h
log, together with the the position
strength and intentions OF the enemy read II incum
bent upon to slowly and cautiously until the head
quarters reached Urbana where first obtained reliable
information that the enemys object was to upon Hsr
pers Ferry and the Cumberland Valley, and not upon Bal
hmore, Washington, or Gettysburg.
In the absence OF the full reports of corps commanders
simple outline Of the brilliant operations which resulted
the caig OF the two passes through the South Noun
ans is oil that can, at this time, with justice to the oops
and commanders engag be furnished The South Noun
an range, Turner'S Pass, averages perhaps thou
sand feet in ght and orms strong natural military BAR
fier The practicable passes not numerous, and are
readily deensble, the gaps abounding 10 fine positions.
nrners Pass s the more prominent being that by which
he national road crosses the mountains II
ry ndicsted as the route Of advance Of army
fhe carrying of Cramptons Pass, Ave miles
below was also important to furnish hs Of reach
ing the flank of the enemy, and having lateral
men direct relations to the attack the principal pass
while it at the time presanei the most direct prac
iicable route for the relief of Harper's Ferry.
Early IN the morning ofthe Ia Gen Prasanton with
cavalry force recnnnotered the position OF the enemy
whom be discovered to occupy the cress Of commanding
hills at the gap either side of the national road and
upon advantageous ground in the centre upon and
hDprOacleR
their position whether that by the main road or those
the country roads which led around up to the crest
upon the right and left At about o'clock A. NJ Coxs
division Of Renos corps portion Of Burnsde's column
in cooperation with the reconnosssnce, which by this
time had become attack moved the mountain by the
old Sharpsburg road to the left Of the road dividing
Scammons and Cooks brgades) handsomely carried the
enemy position on the crest in their 'front.' which gave
possession OF an important point for further operations
Fresh bodies OF the enemy now appearing, Coxs position
haId atnhh nd hafu
aud o'clock p NJ. Wilcoxs division, of Reno's corps
sent forward by Gen Burnside to support Cox and
between and r. NJ. Sturgls's division sent up.
he contest maintained with perseverance, uutil
dark the enemy having the advantage position and
lighting with obstinacy: but the ground was fully
maintained The loss in killed and wounded here
siderabe both Sides and it here that Major Gene
raj Reno who had gone forward tn observe the
Of hs corps and to give such directions
ry fell pierced with musket ball. The loss Of this brave
and distinguished Ocer tempered with sadness the exua
tions Of triumph. gallant soldier, able General en-
to his ror ps and associates his death is felt
rrepsrabie misfortune.
About O'Clock p. NJ, HOokers corps, Of Burnsde's
column, moved up to the right Of the main road by
ty road which, bending to the right then turning up TO
The left, circutousy wound its wsy beyond the crest of
he p,ss to the Mountain House, on the main road Gen
Hooker ent Meade with the division Of Pennsylvania re-
TO at ack the emnence to the right of this
to the gap, which was done most Handsomely and sue
cessfuly.
Patrcks Brigade of Hatch's DIVISION was sent-one
portion up around the road to turn the hill on the left
while the remainder advanced skirmshers-up the hui,
and occupied crest supported by Doubledays and
Phelpss brgades The movement, after sharp contest
the crest and in the fields the depression between the
crest and the adjoining hill, was fully successful.
Ricketts, division pressed up the mountain about FIVE
p NJ arriving the crest with the left of bis command
IN time TO participate in the closing of the engage
ment- Relieving Hatchs division Ricketts, remained on
the ground. holding the battlefield during th- night
The mountain sides thus Raauy passed over by Hookrr
on the right OF the gap and Reno the left ct ep and
icult IN the extreme. We could make but little use ,f
our artillery, while our troops subject 10 a warm
artillery fire. well to that OF infantry IN the woods
and under BY order Of Gen. Burnside, Gibbons
brigade OF Hatchs DIVISION late in the afternoon advanced
upon the centre Of the enemys position on the main road
Depoyng his brigade Gbbon actively engaged superior
fce OF the enemy, which though stubborny resisting
wns steadily pressed back until hours after dark
when Gibbon remained IN undsturbed possession of The
field He was then relieved by brigade of Sedgwicks
division Finding themselves haHked both the right
and left, the enemy abandoned their position during the
night leaving their dead and wounded on the field and
hat ly rstreaed down the mountain.
In the engagem mt at Turner's Pas loss was three
hundred and tweutyeght Killed. and Que thousand four
hund ed and ixtytre wounded aud mssig that of the
enemy estimated t. be. in all, about three thousand
Among wounded, regret to say, Brigader Gen.
eral j. Z Hatch and other valuable officers
The carrying Of Champions Pass by Fra kiln was exc
cuted rapidly snd dec svely Slocums dvson form
ed upon the right of the road leading through the gap
Sun tbs upon the left. line formed Of Bartett's and
rorbtts brigade, supported by Newton, whose activity
conspicuous Gall of Slocums dvision) advanced stea
cHemy az charge on Tue right enemy
driven from their position at the base Of the
tain where they protected by a stone wall, and
steadily forced back up the until they reached
the ostion of their battery the road well up tbe
mountain Here they made stand, They WERE however
driven back retiring their artillery in echeios until af er
sn action OF three hours the crest gained and the
enemy hastily fled down the mountains on the other eide
On the left OF the road Brookss and Irwins brgade OF
smiths DIVISION formed for the protection OF ocum's
flank charged the mountain in the steady manner
diving the enemy before them unit. the ere was carried
l.sa in linz .I-ol
hi led four hundred and sixteen wounded aud two missing
The enemys loss about the same One piece OF srt
lsry and four coors captured and knapsacks and
even haversacke, were abandoned 40 the euemy were
| driven up the hill. a1
! On the morning II the 18th was informed by Union
civilians living the side Of he mountains the enemy
retrratinR In the greatest and in dsordere
10 tie river. There such currence OF
mo,y this point that there seemed 10 doubt ~ to the
fact The hasy retreat OF the enemy's forces from the
mountain, and the withdrawal of the rema ming troops
IL IN between Boonsboro aud Hagerstown to position
where they could resist attack aud the Shepbe
town ford and receive the expected from
Harpets Ferry for time interpreted as evidences
Of ihs enemy disorganif on and demoraization
As sooo as It WAS definitely known that the enemy had
abandoned the mountains the cavalry and the corps OF
sumner, Hooker. and Manifold ordered to pursue
them, via the turnpike and Boonsboro promptly as poe
sbie The corps of Burnside aud Porter (the latter bay
ing but weak division pres-n were ordered 10 move
ny The old Sharpsburg road and Franklin to advance no
Peasant Valley occupy Rorefsyie and 10 endsavor tD
relieve Harpers Ferry Burnside aud Porter upon reach
my the Road from Boonsboro to Rohrersyle 10
nfnrce Franklin or to Sharpsburg according To
circumstances Franklin moved towards Brown.v .vie aud
ound there force largely superior in numbers TO biz own