Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-17
sHARPsBURG (oR ANTIETAM).

the 9th and 6:h of September, 1862.
The battles OF Second Manassas and Ok
Hill road had hsen fought and woD,
two federal generals having been killed
In the latter battle, Kesrney and Ste
yens. Pope's army had been sent fly
ing back upon the strongholds OF Wash
ington considerably reduced 10 number
aud greatly demorsllzed. General Nc
Clellsn, the hero of Richmond, bad
again been called 10 the command OF
the federals, and he and Lee were sgaip
to meet in deadly COL Fl ct.
Proc eeding to Frederick, Nd, Gen
Lee received the information that Har-
per's Ferry was still in possession OF the
enemy. To leave so strong point 10
his rear, and on his line Of communica.
tion, could not be thought Of. and he
concluded to capture IL. On the 10 b,
Jackson, with bis own corps and TWO
divisions OF LoDgstreet was instructed
to return and take such steps as were
necessary to surround and seize the gar
risoD. With his usual promptitude these
orders we're strictly carried out. Two
days before the fall OF Hsrper's Ferry
(which occurred on the morning OF the
10Th, when over eleven thousand men,
seyenty.three guns, thirteen thousand
stand of arms, and numerous military
stores fell into our hsnds), the position
of orr troops was as follows: ID ID.
Hill, with one division was sf South
Mountain; LongstIeet, with two div
isious was at HagerstowD, thirteen
miles distant; while Jackson, with the
remainder of the army, seven divisions,
was advancing on Hsrper's Ferry,
from seven 70 ten miles away. The
Federal army had concentrated and
moved up the eastern slope OF the
mouutslns, and on the 14th began to
feel for our position. Coming In con-
tact with Mumford's cavalry, supported
by Mahone's brigade Of infantry, In
Champions Gap, fierce battle ensued,
which was continued into the night,
the enemy being held 10 check.
On the same day strong demon
strstion was made against D. Fl. Hill al
South Mountain, (or Boonsboro) and q
ssnguinary conflict followed. Hill was
REINFORCED by LoDgstreet's two divis.
ions, who fastened from Hegerstown
t, give support. The fighting became
terrific and was carried far iuto the
night. Ia this battle the Seventeenth
Virginia regiment, Alexsndr;a's p ide
and glory, bore conspicuous part.
These two battles saved to the Oonfed-
crates the stronghold Of Hsrper's Fer
~, which Jackson was about 10 force
from the enemy's hands.
Having accomplished his design OF
keeping his rear open, Immediately af'
ter the surrender of the army at Har-
per's Ferry General Lee concentrated
bis army at Sharpsburg, By the morn
ing OF the lob, our lines were In resdi-
ness. Longstreet held the right and cen.
ter, supported by d. II. Hill; jackson
held the left and Stusrt's cavalry had
position on the extreme left. The
enemy, during the 16sh, felt our position
with his artillery, and later in the day
made strong attack with his infantry
on Longstreet's left. This was hand
somely repulsed after several hou's
hard fighting.
The 17tb, just forty years ago this
date, was the day OF the great oaltIe,
the greatest that had ever been fought
on this Continent. 10 this sapguinary
conflict the Alexsndrians covered
themselves with glory. To give full
description would take too much space;
suffice it to say that both armies fought
with desperation; first one and then
the other were forced back, and when
the terrible contest ceased, considerably
after dark, neither side was In oondi.
ton to renew 1t. The 17th Virginia
when counting up their losses found
seventy six per cent OF their number
absent. All had fallen on the field, or
were counted with the missing. Only
a corporal's guard was left to tell the
tale.
From Septemt ,r 18th to Goth, inclu-
slve, the total losses OF both armies sg-
gregated 80 1902. Confederate, 11,S0S:
Federal 27, 1894.