Evening star., 1939-09-10
Battle Gave
Support for
City Defense
Civil War Incident
Had Picturesque
Background
Bv John CIaeen Proctor


ranges, and throughout the Middle
town Valley. The early bicyclists OF
Washington soon found this out,
and frequently included parts Of
this territory in their century runs.
But this strenuous work, of course,
only appealed to the sturdiest Of
riders, and the general pleasure
travel had to await the coming OF
the automobile before the glories of
this mountainous area could be seen
under conditions to be appreciated
by the millions of tourists who now
annually travel this way.
From the first, however, when
the automobile was still in its in
fancy, even the motorists had their
serious troubles in negotiating the
roads over the mountains through
out this part of Maryland, especially
in climbing such elevations as Brad
dock Hill and South Mountain, and
the older drivers can still see in the
minds eye the overheated cars of a
quarter of a century ago as they
reached the SUBMITS of these partic-
ular heights. How the boiling water
and steam spouted from the radia-
tors sometimes 10 or Is feet in the air
like some miniature geyser. But
this afforded time for cooling off, for
refilling the radiator and, best OF all,
for viewing the gorgeous handiwork
of nature that manifests itself in so
many ways in this part of the coun-
try.
Tires were not so good, either, Is
years ago. and then, and even more
recently, it was a familiar sight to
see some refined gentleman in his
shirt sleeves jacking up his car, far
away from home, in order to put a
patch on his inner tube. But, after
all, those were generally the happy
days, and though it was the begin
ming of automobiling, it was paving
the way for the many scenic attrac-
tions we are privileged to enjoy to-
day which otherwise would have
continued to be hidden from us.
New Garden Spot.
Old South Mountain is the same
now as when we first saw it, though
1t may have been explored more
closely and we may know more
about it. 1t overlooks the garden
spot of the world and is as quiet
and as peaceful as any place in the
universe. But it was not always so,
for history tells us big battle was
fought there on Sunday, September
IA, 1862. when many brave men OF
the North and South died for what
they deemed principle.
The second battle of Bull Run
was fought on August % and 30,
1862, and resulted in Confederate
victory. After this. Gen. Lee began
his invasion of Maryland, being
closely followed by Gen. Mcclellan
who had been restored to the Army
of the Potomac. The latter over
took the Confederate rear at South
Mountain, and here the battle OF
September IA was fought. the Union
Army being victorious. True, it was
not a major engagement, but, as
subsequent events proved, had the
Northern troops been defeated,
Washington and Baltimore probably
would have been attacked later.
The exact site of this battle, ac-
cording to Scharf in his History OF
Western Maryland" was at Turner's
Gap. with Boonsboro nearby. The
National Army was on the side of
the mountain nearest Frederick, the
Confederate Army on the side near
est Hagerstown The engagement
began about am. at the bridge over
Catoctin Creek.
Washington Interest.
The people of washington showed
more than usual interest in the
South Mountain battle, and the
battle of Antietam that followed
three days later, because, as before
stated, of their direct bearing on the
security of the Nations Capital
which, in all likelihood, would have
been soon attacked had these en-
gagements proved Confederate VIC
tories. And because of this par
ticular interest the writer sought
out The Star to see what it had
to say on the subject, and the fol-
lowing is taken from the issue OF
September 16. 1852:
Sunday" it says, is emphatically
the fighting day of the war, and
yesterday has added another to the
list of memorable battles that have
occurred on it. The scene of the
fight Yesterday was upon what is
generally called the Second Noun
tain of the Catoctin range, but or
the map it is called South Noun
tain. Our forces on Saturday drove
the rebel rear guard out of Middle
town, and our advance halted that
night a short distance beyond that
village.
Early on Sunday morning the
forward movement was resumed by
Gen. Mcclellan The rebels were
directly in front. and retreateo
slowly and resolutely, contesting ev-
cry foot of ground. Up to about
o'clock the engagement was princi-
pally with artillery. The rebels placed
their batteries on every advan-
tageous position and shelled our ad-
vance. Our artillery replied, and the
fire was at times very heavy, but the
advantage. from the higher ground
they occupied, being with the rebels
In this artillery practice, our gen.
erals depended more upon their in
fantry, and heavy columns were
pushed successfully forward, driv-
ing the enemy back until about
half the ascent of the mountain was
gained In doing this work some
splendid dashes were made by oul
troops, in which Burnside's ano
Hooker's corps formerly Nc
Dowell's) particularly distinguished
themselves.
THE MAIN BATTLE.
Between 2 and o'clock the rebels
were found drawn up in line of bat
tie, their left covering Turner's Gap
through which the pike to Hagers-
town passes, and their right ex-
tending to Champions Gap. Oul
right was led by Gen. Hooker ir
advance, with Gen. Franklin on the