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CHAPTER XXX.

THE BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN-POSITION OF THE COMBATANTS-TROOPS OF GENERAL RENO INCIDENTS OF THE ENGAGEMENT-HEROISM OF GENERAL HOOKER-VICTORY OF THE FEDERAL ARMY-RETREAT OF THE REBELS-DEATH OF GENERAL RENO-SKETCH OF HIS CAREER-ATTACK OF THE REBELS ON HARPER'S FERRY-FORCES COMMANDED BY COLONEL MILES-INCIDENTS OF THE BOMBARDMENT-SURRENDER OF THE WORKS TO THE ENEMY-DEATH OF COLONEL MILES-RETREAT OF THE REBELS TOWARD THE POTOMACTHE GREAT BATTLE OF ANTIETAM-POSITIONS ASSIGNED THE FEDERAL FORCES-DESPERATE FIGHTING OF HOOKER'S DIVISION-INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE ON THE RIGHT WING-OPERATIONS OF BURNSIDE ON THE LEFT-EVENTS IN THE FEDERAL CENTRE-CONCLUSION OF THE ENGAGEMENT-RETREAT OF THE REBEL ARMY ACROSS THE POTOMAC-SKETCHES OF GENERALS HOOKER AND SUMNER-BATTLE AT MUMFORDVILLE, KENTUCKY-ITS RESULTSFEDERAL TROOPS ENGAGED-BATTLE AT WASHINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA THE REBELS DEFEATED-EXPLOSION OF THE GUNBOAT PICKET-CIVIL ASPECTS OF THE WAR-PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S PROCLAMATION OF SEPTEMBER, 22d, 1862-ITS CONTENTS-ITS INFLUENCE

UPON SLAVERY AND UPON THE REBEL GOVERNMENT-MR. LINCOLN SUSPENDS THE HABEAS

CORPUS ACT, ON SEPTEMBER 24TH, 1862.

THE Confederate forces, commanded by General Robert E. Lee, had reached the range of mountains known as the Blue Ridge, in the vicinity of Middletown, Maryland, in their flight toward the Potomac, when they were overtaken by the army under General McClellan. Then ensued the battle of South Mountain, on the 14th of September, 1862. The enemy selected their position with their usual skill, on the sides and summit of this portion of the Blue Ridge, and on both sides of a gap through which the turnpike from Middletown to Hagerstown passed. The Federal army being posted in the ground below, fought with some disadvantage, and even as they advanced and drove back the foe, during the progress of the day, they continued to labor under the same misfortune. The Rebels seemed eager for the encounter. They opened their fire at seven o'clock in the morning. Robinson's battery of four light field-pieces responded to the salute. It was not, however, until the division of General Cox advanced toward them, that they seriously commenced the work of the day. Gradually, battery after battery opened their fires from different points along the spurs and sides of the mountain, where they had been stationed This operation called out the response of the guns of the several batteries commanded by Haynes and Cook. The latter posted his guns in advance, in a somewhat exposed position. Scarcely had he opened his fire when his cannoniers were assailed by a tremendous volley of musketry from infantry concealed in the brush wood, which was several times repeated with marvelous rapidity. This assault overpowered the men with a sudden panic, the result of which was that they retreated from their guns, leaving them exposed to the enemy. Two companies of

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cavalry, who had been placed as a support to this battery, followed their example, and plunged into a disgraceful retreat, rushing through the lines of infantry stationed in the rear. At the same time the Rebels advanced to take possession of the abandoned artillery. The twenty-third Ohio and one hundredth Pennsylvania regiments were ordered forward to resist this attempt. A desperate combat then ensued around the guns. While the issue yet remained undecided, and after a number had fallen on both sides, the forty-fifth New York came to the assistance of the Federals. After a furious resistance, the Rebels were driven away from the guns, and retreated in confusion to their main lines. The victors intensified the bitterness of their defeat by filling the air with their exultant cheers. After this incident, the battle was continued for two hours by the artillery of both armies alone. Several times the enemy changed the position of their chief batteries, but at the expiration of the time named, they were all silenced. At two o'clock, the front of General Hooker's division reached the scene of conflict, to reinforce the troops of General Reno, which had thus far been those engaged. At three o'clock the whole line. of battle was formed from right to left. The first brigade of Rickett's division occupied the extreme right. The Pennsylvania Reserves came next. The second regiment of United States sharpshooters were posted near the Middletown turnpike. Then came the remainder of Rickett's division; then General King's division. General Reno's troops occupied the extreme left, about two miles distant from the opposite end of the line. The batteries were distributed at proper intervals, according to the varying nature of the ground.

As soon as this arrangement was completed, the Federal right, centre, and left, commenced to advance against the enemy. The latter received them as they approached with discharges of artillery. But their shells for the most part passed over the heads of the Federal troops harmlessly. The vast line of advancing troops steadily approached nearer and nearer to the position of the foe. The right wing, under Rickett, first became closely engaged. A vigorous fire of musketry from both sides ensued. In this part of the action the gallant Pennsylvania Reserves specially distinguished themselves by their coolness and their fortitude. Thirty minutes were occupied by the action here, the result of which was that the Confederates were forced back from their position, and driven up the mountain to its summit. In accomplishing this result General Hooker displayed his superior qualities as a commander, and assisted materially in gaining the victory. The troops in this part, of the field moved on steadily, advancing forward and upward, pouring volley after volley into the masses of the enemy, until at last they broke and ran with precipitation to the top of the mountain.

The engagement on the left was more protracted and more desperate. This continued an hour and a-half before the Rebels were driven from

their position. General Reno fought his troops here with great skill and heroism. He was slain while directing their movements, and cheering them on to victory and glory. Every foot of ground was fiercely con tested; but the foe at last gave way, and abandoned the contest. The centre of the Federal line was the last to get into action. It advanced while the two wings were driving the Rebels over the top of the mountain, and rendered the victory complete. At six o'clock, after a battle of three hours' duration, the enemy were driven over the summit of the Blue Ridge. The Federal victors bivouacked during the night upon the airy spot which their valor had won, while the discomfited foe pursued his flight under the friendly covering of the darkness of night.

The Federal loss in this battle was four hundred and thirty-three killed, eighteen hundred and six wounded, seventy-six missing. But one of the most lamentable incidents connected with it was the death of General Reno. This officer, whose services contributed so materially to the success of the Federal arms on this occasion, was a native of Virginia, but was appointed from Pennsylvania to West Point in 1842. He graduated in 1846, and was breveted second lieutenant of ordnance. He accompanied the American army to Mexico, and was present in every battle which was fought between Vera Cruz and the capital. He was breveted first lieutenant for his gallantry at Cerro Gordo. He was breveted captain for his valor at Chapultepec, where he commanded a battery, and was wounded. After the close of the Mexican war he served for six months as assistant professor of mathematics at West Point. He was afterward employed in various capacities by the Government-as secretary to the artillery board, on the coast survey, and in topographical and military duty in the West. He was on duty at Leavenworth, Kansas, when the Rebellion commenced. When General Burnside organized his expedition to Roanoke, he selected General Reno as one of the officers to accompany him. He distinguished himself in all the engagements which took place during the operations of that expedition. When General Burnside was ordered to join the army in Virginia, General Reno accompanied him, and commanded a division in the battles which subsequently occurred near Washington. He had already won a high place among the rising generals of his country, when the missile of death terminated his brilliant career.

Nearly cotemporary with this success of the Federal arms was a reverse at Harper's Ferry, which tended very considerably to diminish the gratification caused by the victory. This famous locality, which had so often been the scene of conflict and of disaster during the progress of the Rebellion, had been entrusted to the command of Colonel Dixon H. Miles. In additional to its natural advantages, important artificial defences had recently been erected upon it. A heavy line of earth intrenchments, protected by a deep trench in front, had been constructed on the summit of Harper's Ferry, extending from the Potomac to the Shenandoah. Earthworks had

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also been thrown up on Bolivar heights, intended to protect the infantry from the musketry of the enemy. On the left of these heights, hedge intrenchments had been interposed, which would prevent a sudden approach or a surprise from that direction. Immediately after the Rebels entered Maryland, Colonel Miles made preparations to resist any attack which might be made upon him. The troops placed under his command numbered about eleven thousand men.* The conquest of Harper's Ferry formed an important item in the programme which the enemy had adopted in reference to the recovery of Maryland. Accordingly, they made their appearance in the vicinity of the place on Monday, the 8th of September, on Maryland heights, three miles distant. They employed the ensuing week in constructing a barricade of trees four hundred yards in front of the look-out. Colonel Ford was appointed by Colonel Miles to guard the heights from the attack which was apprehended.

The enemy having completed all their preparations, commenced the assault upon the position on Friday, September the 12th. They began with skirmishing, at half-past three in the afternoon, which they continued until sundown. The decisive action was expected to occur on the ensuing day. During the night, the Federal line of battle was formed three hundred yards in front of the barricade. At seven o'clock, on the following day, the Rebels commenced a vigorous onslaught upon the defenders of the place. They soon attempted to drive them from their position by several charges. But all of these were handsomely repulsed. The fighting then became general between the combatants. After a contest of one hour's duration, the Rebels were reinforced, and advanced toward the Federal lines with yells of rage and fury. They intimidated the one hundred and twenty-sixth New York regiment so completely, that they broke and fled behind the barricades. There they were rallied, principally through the exertions of Colonel Sherrill, and afterward took part in the engagement. Soon afterward the enemy succeeded in turning the left flank of the Federals, which compelled them to fall back. The Rebels themselves retired soon after, and at about four P.M. again advanced to the contest, but made no vigorous attack, and night soon put an end to

* His force consisted of the twelfth New York State militia, Colonel Ward; eightyseventh Ohio, three months' regiment, Colonel Bannine; one hundred and twenty-sixth New York, Colonel Serrill; one hundred and eleventh New York, Colonel Segoine; first Maryland Home Brigade, Colonel Halsby; eighth New York cavalry, Colonel Davis; first Maryland cavalry, Colonel Russell; a detach..nent of first Maryland cavalry, (Home Brigade); two companies of fifth New York artillery, commanded by Captains McGrath and Graham; fifteenth Indiana, and one or two western batteries. All the infantry, with the exception of the three months' men, were raw troops. General White retreated about this time to Martinsburg, via Harper's Ferry, leaving a portion of his command at that place. On Thursday evening, being obliged to evacuate Martinsburg, in consequence of the approach of "Stonewall" Jackson, the remainder of General White's brigade fell back to the ferry.

the contest. It was evident that, unless reinforcements arrived to the Federals, the following day would witness their defeat, and the entire evacuation of the place. Such dispositions as could be made to oppose the enemy, were promptly effected during the night. At four o'clock on the morning of Saturday all the Federal troops posted there were ordered to retreat down the mountain, and thus Maryland Heights were abandoned to the enemy; but they did not occupy them till the afternoon of Saturday. The line of battle was again formed on the breast works behind Bolivar Heights, very nearly as it had been on the previous day. Colonel D'Utassy occupied the extreme right, Colonel Trimble commanded on the left, General White held a position on the heights, and Major McIlvaine directed the operations of the artillery. The Federals were disappointed in being attacked early in the day. It was not till two o'clock that the enemy renewed the assault. At that hour, however, they opened a furious and simultaneous cannonade from Maryland Heights, Loudon Heights, and Sandy Hook, and from batteries posted on the Sheppardstown and Charlestown roads. The Federal guns responded with spirit during the day. As night approached, however, the Federal lines were contracted somewhat, in consequence of the fact that the Rebels had succeeded in turning their left flank. At eight o'clock the enemy attempted to take Rigby's battery by storm, but were repulsed with signal slaughter. The second day's struggle had produced no very decisive results either way— its final issue still seemed uncertain. During the following night, the Rebels improved their position, and planted new batteries, which were so skilfully placed as to enfilade the Federal forces completely. On Monday morning the enemy renewed the contest with increased energy at five o'clock. It soon became evident that they had been reinforced, and now possessed the advantage of superior numbers. In vain had Colonel Miles implored General McClellan, on Sunday, to send him assistance. The enemy had been threatening to attack Harper's Ferry during a whole week; and yet it had not been defended by a competent force. To add to the desperate nature of the situation, the ammunition of the Federal troops became exhausted at eight o'clock. Colonel Miles immediately summoned a council of war. The result of their deliberations was, that he determined to capitulate, as further resistance could only lead to greater and more superfluous loss of life. White flags were then hoisted over the intrenchments, and a flag of truce was sent to General Hill, the commander of the Rebel troops, to propose terms of capitulation. The only conditions allowed by the Rebel general were, that the Federal officers would be permitted to go out with their side-arms and private effects, the rank and file with every thing except their arms and equipments. The entire number of men who thus became prisoners of war, and were afterward paroled, were eleven thousand five hundred and eighty-three. The cannon captured were forty-seven, of various calibre. Previous to the capitulation

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