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PROPOSITIONS FOB MACS. <
“P. W. A.,” the Army correspondent of the
Savannau Republican, in hie letter from Freder*
ick, Md., of Sept. 9th, gives intimations that an in
formal proposition from President Lincoln to
Gen. Lee for a cessation of hostilities and the
consideration of terms of peace, had been receive
ed by the latter.
Os course, every one would rejoice if the state*
ment was correct, but we fear tha.t it is not.
Indeed, "P. W. A.” merely "tells the tale as
>twas told to him,” and does not vouch for its
correctness. It would not be surprising, however,
if Lincoln should desire peace. His armies have
been defeated and demoralized'by Southern Gen
eralship and Southern valor ; his national debt is
increasing at a fearful rate; his prospects of sub
jugaling the South are less to day than they were
when he set out, 18 months ago, to finish the
work with 75,000 men ; and, in short, it he were
a sensible man, be would see every inducement to
make peace, aad none to continue the war. But,
we do not believe that such will be his policy.
He has already, we believe, intimated that he
would consent to no terms of peace but that
which would bring with it the unconditional sur
render of the rebels, aad the restoration of the
Union. Blinded by party rage and partizan fa
naticism, tt is not hkely that he will suddenly
change his policy, and propose terms of peace
which would involve the recognition of the
Southern Confederacy. The rapid succession of
Confederate victories, however, and other attend
ant causes, may have removed the film from his
eyes, and enabled him to see the hopelessness of
the task which he has undertaken.
If such is really the case, and the proposition is
made in good faith, we can see no good reason
why our Government should not accept the terms
proposed, viz.; the recognition of the Southern
Confederacy as such—the border States to be al
lowed the privilege of deciding their sta u> for
tnemselves at the ballot box. Tnis would be
tuu.amouut to giving ui all the territory that we
claim, so far as the States are concerned; for Mis
souri, Kentucky, and Maryland would, undoubt -
edly, seek a p isition with their sister Southern
States; while the Territories of New Mexico,
Arizona, and the Indian Territory would also have
to be reckoned in as apart of the Confederacy.
It will be time enough, however, to discuss this
question fully when the commissioners are ap*
pointed by the two Governments to negotiate the
terms of peace. In the meantime, let our people
seep in view the fact that we must conquer a
peace—and using all their energies, giving
iiberally of their means, and supporting the Gov
ernment to the best of their ability, bring about
that most desirable result as speedily as possible.
THE RECENT MOVEMENTS IN MARYLAND
AND VIRGINIA.
The brevity of the dispatches which were re
ceived and the rumors which were set afloat rela
tive to the late battles in Maryland, and the re*
crossing of our .army into V irginia, led many
persons to believe that the worst had not been
told-that we had met with terrible reverses, and
. had been forced to vyitlidraw our army across the
Potomac. This belief had a somewhat depressing
effect upon the people ; but we could see no good
reason for it; and the latest news from Richmond
should be sufficient to dispel all gloomy feelings
which may have been entertained on the subject.
The recrossing of. the Potomac was not from
any necessity growing out of reverses to our
arms ; but, evidently, a part of Gen. Lee’s plan of
operations. This will be apparent in future
movements; and, indeed, is already so in the sue
cess of Stonewall Jackson, at Shepardstown, on
Saturday morning last, when he routed a column
of the enemy, 10,000 strong.
It is stated that Gen. Lee crossed back into Vir»
ginia for the purpose of defeating a flank move -
ment on Harper’s Ferry, which Gen. McClellan
evidently contemplated. That his return to Vir*
ginia is only temporary, is shown in the recossing
of Gen. Jackson’s army imo Maryland. While
-this movement is going on, Gen. Lee will, doubt
less, obtain large reinforcements for his arrhy, and
strike a sudden blow at the enemy at some point
where they least expect it. He has proved him*
self one of the best strategists in this war, and
his present movement, no doubt, is a part of a
strategic plan which will work well for the
cause.
Our people must not be depressed at every lit*
tie reverse, or despondent at every unfavorable
rumor which they hear. It is but a few days
since they were called upon to render thanks to
God for the numerous victories and mercies with
which our arms and people have been blessed;
and, surely, we have every reason to hope for a
continuance of this favor and these blessings; and
to despond, at this time, would be unmanly and
even criminal. We want all our energies cons
centrated now for decisive blows, which, if suc
cessful, must tend to end the war sooner than it
otherwise would.
From the Hew Yoik Herald, Sept. 18. >•'
The battle fought yesterday, betwe- d Sharps
burg and Middletown, closed wU^ 114 a definite
result. ' 'Sc' . . B
This morning the recommenced at five
o’clock, near Gett”*' 1 ®- Jackson joined Lee’s
forces at Cs*-"' ,n cree *> while our forces were
reinforc**? thousand men from Wash*
Jackson’s reinforcements to Lee are re*
r vPted at forty thousand men.
A Union scout who left the battle field at 11
o’clock this morning, had reached Hagerstown.
He reports that the fighting has been perfectlv
terrific. J
The rebels have been desperately hard pressed
by our army. r
It is supposed that the rebels are making a most
desperate push to reach Williamsport and net
across the Potomac. s
A force has been detached from the Union army
to destroy the Williamsport Bridge, or to block
the ferry over the Potomac at that point.
Stragglers coming into Hagerstown report that
General Longstreet had been killed and that the
rebels bad been surrounded.
The stragglers also say that the ammunition
and provisions of the rebels have run completely
A dispatch from Harrisburg to Governor Curtin
states that the battle at Sharpsburg recom
menced early this morning, and raged with the
greatest fury up to a quarter to ten, A. M.
Our latest advices from Harrisburg say that the
State troops are pushing forward to the border,
BT* We take the subjoined items from the
Milledgeville (Ga.) Southern Recorder, of Sent
22d.
We are gratified to see that our friend, Captain
Miller Grieve, Jr., who was wounded at Manassas
bids fair to recover the use of his thigh, and to
survive other injuries which he received in battle.
His father, Col. Miller Grieve, visited Richmond
soon after the fight, and brought his gallant son
to the paternal roof, where good nursing will do
much for him.
Factory Yarns.—We have been info-med that
the Milledgeville Factory will furnish Yarns to
the citisens of Baldwin county, and especially to
the families of soldiers, at reduced price*.
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE-THE CAM*
PAIGN ACROSS THE POTOMAC-
from the Richmond ( Fa.) Dispatch, Sept. 23.
WINCHESTER, Sept. 20-
Having- arrived at Winchester on the evening
of the 18th, I proceed to give you a condensed
statement of the important events which have
occurred on, or near the upper Potomac, wi thin
the last few weeks.
On Saturday, the 6th of September, the Qpn*
federate army reached Frederick City, in Mary*
land, encamping, for the most part, a mile or
two Southeast of the city, on the side towards
Washington. But tew forces actually entered
Frederick until Tuesday, the 9th. On that day
and the next, our whole army took up the line
of march, passing through Frederick westward,
on the turnpike leading to Hagerstown. A part
of the army ptoceeded as far as the latter place.
A tew days after, one portion crossed the Poto*
mac at or near Williamsport, and marched to
Harper’s Ferry, via Martinsburg. The Yankee
forces at the latter place fell back to Harper’s
Ferry—which place was invested by our forces
on both sides of the river. The attack was begun
on Sunday, the 13tb, and on Monday morning,
tbe 14th, the entire Yankee army capitulated.
It was commanded by Gen. White. The Federal
General, D. S. Miles, was killed. We took over
11,000 prisoners, besides about 1,000 runaway
slaves, a large number of Union refugees, over
13,000 small arms, from 50 to 70 pieces of artite
lery, and stores and ammunition to the value of
several millions of dollars.
The prisoners, including officers, were paroled,
and the captured slaves, arms, and other pro*
perty, sent back to places of safety.
On Friday, the 11th, (two days after our .main
army had passed westward from Frederick,) Me*
Clellan approached Frederick with his grand
army from the direction of Washington, his first
object being the rescue of his army at Harper’s
’ Ferry.
In this he was completely foiled by the genius
of our noble chieftain, Gen. Lee. He had so ar
i ranged that Gen. Longstreet, with his command,
held "young Napoleon” in check until the Yankee
forces at tne Ferry had capitulated, and this
almost in night of McClellan! Longstreet then
(ell back to unite with Jackson ani Hill, who,
■ having finished their job at the Ferry, marched to
. join him.
On Tuesday, the 16th of September, the two
grand armies encountered each other near Sharps
' burg, in Maryland. The scene of Conflict was a
valley about two miles wide, running south from
Boonsboro’ to the Potomac river near Sharpsburg;
the latter place being near the Maryland side of
the Potomac, and some miles up the river from
, Shepherdstown. This valley is divided by the
Antietam creek, which runs down it into the
Potomac a few mjles below Shepherdstown. On
the east side of ihe valley and of the Antieiam
' lay McClellan, with the abrupt Biue Ridge meun*
' tain behind him. On the west side of the Antie*
i tam lay Gen. Lee’s army, with high mountains
rising in bis rear.,
The battle commenced on Tuesday afternoon,
was renewed on Wednesday, and was continued
I until tbe night of that day. At that time Jackson
had driven back the enemy’s right wing for sev
; era! miles, while Longstreet and Hill had also
forced back his centre and left—we holding the
battle field, but McClellan still holding a p isition
between the Antietam and the Blue Ridge.
1 The battle was one of the hardest fought of tbe
war. The Hon. Alex’r R. Boteler, in a speech
made here last night, just after Lis arrival from
the army, stated that it was estimated that our
loss would not exceed in killed, wounded and
( missing, 5,000 -while that of the enemy was esti*
mated at 20,000.
There was no fighting on Thursday. On that
1 night our army crossed, without molestation and
I in good order, to this side ot the river, near
i Shepherdstown. Os the plan for their future
. movements I know nothing. Whether we are to
recross after the equinoctial storms are over, or
whether this is to be the end, for this season, of
our trans-Potomac campaign, Gen. Lee knows,
i but not I.
If this is to be the end for the present, tbe two
weeks across the Potomac has been so full of suc
. cess and glory that every Southern henrt should
P feel full ot pride and joy. The capture of the
whole Harper’s Ferry army—the greatest capture
i of prisoners, Ac., ever made at one time on this
continent—was sufficient reward for the crossing
of the Potomac. •
One word as to the reception of our army on
the Maryland side. Many may be disappointed.
Recruits came by hundreds, when they were ex™
pected by some to have joined us by thousands.
But we must take into consid ration that tbe
army remained at Frederick but three days; that
the whole route through which we passed was
that part of the State considered most strongly
Union; that even the Southern men of that sec*
tion before joining our army and risking their all,
wished to know whether the movement was to be
a mere temporary raid, ot an effort for permanent
relief. When we consider these things we can
well understand whv it was idle to expect any
, more from Maryland than we actually received.
Even as things were, large numbers were on their
way to join our army at the very time it was
leaving. Since we left, every man who made any
, show of open welcome to the Confederate army
has been arrested by Lincoln’s minions. C.
> Winchester, Sept. 19th, 1862.
My last letter was from Giles county. Now, af
ter forty„eigbt hours’ staging, lam m Winches
' ter. Os course, you have heard all about the Har
' per’s Ferry affair. I met to-day hundreds of
negroes taken at Harper’s Ferry, going home with
their owners, and most them seemed in fine
' spirits, singing "Carry me back to Old Virginia,”
' Ac.
I have just se* 1 several gentlemen just from tbe
battle-field of Wednesday last, which is said to
■ have been /Oe severest fight of the war. It was
, fought r** l, Boonsborough, which is nineteen
milen west of Frederick city. The lines extended
six miles along Antietam creek, which runs
«nto the Potomac. It is said that we drove them
back several miles on the left, and held our own
on the right It was an all day fight, and tbe loss
on our side considerable—on the part of the ene
my immense. General Anderson says we must
have killed ten to one. We held the battle*field.
General Sumner and another Yankee General sent
a flag of truce for permission to bury their dead.
Jackson told them when their General-in-Chief
sent a flag of truce it would be listened to and an*
swered. Last night our whole armv recrossed the
Potomac, and by 9 o’clock this morning (without
losing a man of a dollar’s worth,) all were on the
Virginia side- The position of tbe enemy was
strong, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains,
where we drove them, which were filled wita
heavy batteries; and, besides, if we had followed
up our victory we could not have pursued the ene
my, because there was but one road, and that was
strongly fortified by the enemy, and we could not
follow them through the mountains.
While I am writing, loud calls are made for the
Hon. Mr. Boteler, who made a short but good
speech. He stated that he had just returned from
the battle field; that our victory was decided; that
our loss would not in all exceed five thousand,
and that of the enemy was at least twenty thou
sand; that we permitted the enemy to bury their
dead, and our men mixed with them and con
versed freely; that he supposed the reason Gen.
Lee re«crtssed the Potomac was to rest and get
his men m better condition, as many of them
had marched from Manassas without shoes; that
at this season of the year, when the equinox is
at hand, and a rise in the Potomac may be ex*
pected, which would cut off our supplies, it was
not prudent to remain on the other side; that he
had every confidence in General Lee and all our
General*; that the withdrawal frem Maryland is
only temporary, and that she must and would be
redeemed.
Loud calls were then made for ex Governor
Lowe, but he did not appear. He is here, but
seems much jaded. Most of our army is near
Shepherdstown, Virginia. Gen. Anderson was
wounded m the thigh—a flesh wound. General
loombs was also slightly wounded, Hets said to
nave acted gallantly, and with two regiments beat
oack an immense force, when he was reinforced
and routed the enemy.
Q ii r WI " T nte y° u a g a * n to-morrow, and tell you
t ‘ \? an earn of the killed and wounded. About
o tnousatKj wounded will be here by to morrow
ni « ht - Accomac.
MOVEMENTS OF OUR ARMY IN MARYLAND-
From the Richmond [ Ya-] Enquirer, Sept. 2 •
Intelligence was received last evening
ing the account of the recent Confederate vie < y
at Sharpsburg, but adding that onr army «-
wholly withdrawn to tbe Southside ot theJ
mac. The condition of our army on either side
is excellent, and the spirit of troopß ’, fl ?*
with victory, high and warm. The reports .ni the
Northern newspapets prove to have been sheer
and shameless lubrications, and tbe fears ot many
ot our timid citizens, which were based princw
pally upon them, were consequent y as causeless
us tbeir toundation was mythical. McClellans
army was too badly used on Wednesday to renew
the contest or to perform any rapid movement tor
strategic effect- The movement of a portion ot
our forces to the Southside was purely a matter
of precaution, to provide against possible contin
gencies.
Thb Battle of Wednesday.—We have succeed
ed in obtaining, from the most reliable sources,
the following details of the great battle of
Wednesday:
On the a ternoon of Tuesday, the 16tb, the ene
my opened a light artillery tire on our line. Early
I the next morning it was renewed more vigorous-
I ly, and large masses of tbe Federate who had
crossed the Antieiam above our position, assem
bled on our left. They advanced in three com
. pact lines. The di vis ons of Generate McLaws,
, R. H. Anderson, A. P. Hill and Walker, who
f were expected to have joined Gen. Lee on the
previous night, had not come up. Generate Jack*
son’s and Ewell’s divisions were thrown to the
, left of Generate Hill and Longstreet. The enemy
advanced between the Antietam and the Sharps*
j burg and Hagerstown turnpike, and was met by
, General D. H. Hill’s and the left of General Long*
j street’s divisions, where tbe conflict ruged, ex*
t tending to our entire left. The enemy was re*
3 pulsed and held in check; but prior to the arrival
of the divisions of McLaws, Anderson and Walk*
er, who had been advanced to support the left
s wing and centre, as soon as they had crossed the
” Potomac on the morning of the 17th, that portion
> of our line was forced back by superior numbers.
e As soon, however, as these forces could be
3 brought into action a severe conflict ensued. Tbe
1 enemy was driven back, our line was restored,
’ and our position maintained during the rest of
3 the day.
In the afternoon the enemy advanced on our
3 right, where Gen. Jones’ division was p isied, and
he handsomely maintained his position. Tbe
1 bridge over the Antietam creek was guarded by
3 Gen. Toombs’ brigade, which gallantly resisted
i the approach of the enemy; but their numbers
1 enabling them to extend their left, they crossed
3 below the bridge and forced our line back in some
3 confusion. Just at this time, between 3 and 4P.
3 M.. Gen. A. P. Hill, wiih five of his brigades, hav
-1 ing reached the scene of action, drove the enemy
3 immediately oack from the pos tion they had
• taken, and continued the contest until datk, re*
' storing our right and maintaining our ground.
3 When the battle doted, after having raged
furiously during the entire day, we retained pos*
. session of the field and the enemy retired to his
1 former position. The conduct of many of our offi
-1 cers is reported by Gen. Lee to have exhibited the
• most conspicuous and brilliant courage. Our loss
' was considerable, and we have to deplore the fall
• of Gens. Branch and Starke, who died as soldiers
i love to die. in defence of their country.
Generate R. H. Anderson, Lawton, Ripley,
» Armistead, Gregg and Wright, are reported to
i have been wounded—none, of them, however,
j dangerously. In addition to the above, we learn
r from persons who have arrived from the field,
1 that on the following day General Lee, who re*
, mained in possession of the field, took measures
to renew the engagement; but the enemy had
t disappeared from his front; audit is further re*
1 ported that after the removal of his wounded and
r the burial of the dead, General Lee determined to
} cross the Potomac, and had established his head
, quartersat or near Shepherdstown.
r Thb fight at Sharpsburg.—We have received a
f letter from an officer in the army dated Winches
ter, September 19, from which we make the follow
’ ing ex Tact:
On Wednesday (17th) the fight was terrific,
• tremendous losses on both sides, though the ad*
• vantage was decidedly tn our favor, we holding the
1 battle field. Yesterday there was a suspension of
> hostilities. Our loss in general' officers is par
-5 ticularly severe, and is as follows:
1 Maj. General R. H. Anderson, severely wounded
' in hip.
Brigadier General Starke killed, shot in four
1 places.
Brigadier General Wright, in breast and leg,
flesh wounds.
• Brigadier General Branch, killed.
! Brigadier General Lawton, wounded in leg, not
I dangerously.
’ Brigadier General Armistead, wounded in
’ foot.
1 Brigadier General Ripley, wounded in neck.
> Brigadier General Ranscm, slightly wounded.
! Col. Alfred Cummings, (commanding Wil«
I cox’s brigadepfcounded slightly
1 It is also reported that Col. Lee (son of tbe
’ General) is killed, but it is only a rumor, and, I
• sincerely hope, incorrect.
• It was by far the most terrible battle of tbe
1 war, and it is impossible to approximate to the
’ killed of the Yankees. They lie in vast heaps on
’ the field, and are counted by thousands.
As soon as possible, I will send you a list of
the casualties on our side.
Another correspondent writing from Winches
‘ ter under the same date says :
’ Since I wrote you, we have marched seven sue*
• cessive days, and been engaged in seven battles
and skirmishes. We fought the enemy in Mary-
‘ land tor several days. Tbe taking of H rper’s
; Ferry was a grand achievement. Our battery
(Crenshaw's) had a good position and did good
execution. The fight of Thursday was a very
> hard contested one. Our battery was closely
> engaged with tbe enemy for some two hours or
i more.
i We lost one noble fellow. Charles Pemberton.
I He was struck in the left side, near the heart, on
i the 17th, and died in the hospital on the morning
of the 18th. We had two others wounded at the
same time, John T. Gray and W. E Hardgrove.
The former was only struck by a spent ball on
the arm, near the wrist. He te still performing
duty. Hardgrove was injured by bis horse being
killed and tailing on him. Ned Lyn ham was
also struck on the head by a spent ball, but he is
all right now.
H. Lee Wells, belonging to the 15tb Virginia
regiment, I hear, was slightly wounded in the
fleshy part of the arm. The "Y'oung Guard,” the
"Grays,” and tbe other companies of the 12th
and 15th regiments, I hear, suffered quite badly.
We had yesterday heavy rains and the
weather to-day is much cooler than at any time
last week.
We fear that the change has been rather inju
rious than otherwise. Tbe damp, depressing,
half-chilly sensation now prevailing, seems more
hkely t ■ promote the progress of disease than to
check it.
On enquiry we learn from Mayor Dawson that
seven new cases of yellow fever have been re
ported since our last. The fever must be very
malignant in its character for we hear of no re
coveries One of the recent cases is a colored
women, the first we have yet heard of.
Wilmington I2Y. G'.j Journal,
The credence to which the report of Major
General John Pope, concerning the recent battles
in Virginia, is entitled, is appreciated when it is
known that the President of tbe United States
remarked on a late occasion that Pope was among
the greatest of living liars. As a matter of fact,
it is said that it is impossible for him to tell the
truth. He is a constitutional falsifier. All bis
dispatches have borne on tbeir face evidence of
this infirmity, and this evidence on the face of
his last report is pervading.
It appears that the government had refused to
tet this report be printed, and that Major General
John Pope sent it to the press in contempt of
this refusal.— Chicago Times.
The Liverpool Mercury announces the
arrival of Hon. George N. Sanders in the steamer
Jura at that port, as bearer of despatches to the
Confederate Commissioner* Messrs. Mason and
Slidell.
Army Correspondence of the Savannah Republican.
PROPOSITIONS FOR PEACE.
Nr ah Frbdbricktown, Maryland, I
September 9tb. 1862. )
I have reason to believe that the Federal gov«
ernment has solicited a short armistice, which
General Lee bus very properly declined to grant,
since no guarantee could be given by a toe so false
and tieacherous that it would not be abm-ed. I
have reason to believe also, that an intimation
has been givea bv Mr. Lincoln, covering our re
cognition uy the Federal Government and a pro*
position to allow tbe bolder States io decide lor
tiJemselves whether they would elect to go with
tbe North or the South, and that it has been fa
vorably received by General Lee. In other words,
I am credibly informed that a prominent citizen
of Maryland, known, to be friendly to tue Confed
erate States, arrived at General Lee’s hiadquar*
ters from Washington city, within the last twenty
four hours. . _
This personage, though not anthonz >d to otter
terms or submit propositions < f settlement, has,
nevertheless, suggested, in an informal way. that
it we would renew our offer of peace (made at an
eurty period last year,) upon the basis of the re
cognition of our independence by the Federal
Government, coupled with a proposition to allow
the border States to determine for themselves
their future relations, it would be agreeable to the
Government of the United States and receive their
favorable consideration. Gen. Lee, it is believed,
though distrustful of the iaith ot the adversary,
has acted upon the intimation thus conveyed to
him, and has, probably, ere this, submitted propo
sitions of the character just suggested. Should
his offer be accepted, then an armistice will,
doubtless, be agreed upon and the terms of set
tlement at once drawn up. Until the armistice
shall be granted, however, the informal prelimin
ary negotiations, whether undertaken in good
faith or not, will not be allowed to interfere with
our military movemets.
There can be uo impropriety, therefore, in
making such an offer as I have alluded to. We
are the conquering party, and any proposi ions
that look to an adjustment of existing difficulties
should proceed from us. Nor can we object to
the suggestion to leave it to the bolder S'Wtes to
say wnether they will cast tbeir lot with the
North or with the South. This right each one of
the Comederate Staies exercised for itself when
it severed the bonds that bound it to the old
Union. If they don’t desire to go with us, we
certainly cannot want them. There can be but
little doubt, however, toat Maryland, Kentucky,
and Missouri will unite their fortunes with ours
by large majorities of the people. The Terri
tories of New Mexico and Arizona, and the Indian
Territory, we already have. The Ohio river
belongs entirely to Virginia and Kentucky, from
its mouth to the extreme Northern point of the
Panhandle District of Virginia. This boundary
was reserved by Virginia at the time Kentucky
and the North-western States were carved out of
her territory and erected into States. We c< u d
not desire a better boundary on the North than a
wide, deep and navigable river like the Ohio. The
Doundary line between Missouri and Illinois is the
middle of tbe Mrs.-issippt river.
It may be that this diplomatic movement of the
Federal Government is merely a ruse to gain
time. The precarious position of the government
is such, however, that one mayjwelt be excused
for giving it credit for sincerity. The demoral
ized condition of its army, the lead Os debt un*
der which it is now staggering, its inabil ty to
enforce the act authorizing a draft, and our re*
cent successes in Kentucky, Tennessee and Vir
ginia, leave Mr. Lincoln no alternative but to
grant us peace upon our own terms. Baltimore
and Washington are within our power, and one
more victory will open to our advancing hosts the
gates of Philadelphia and New kork.
Should it appear, therefore, that I have been
correctly informed, Gen. Lee’s proposition can do
no harm, even if it be rejected. A refusal by the
Federal Government to accept it, would only
further unite the South and divide the North, and
at the same time strengthen us in the border
States and throughout the world. The New York
Herald, it is eaid, has already come out in favor
Gos peace. It considers tbe thing all over so tar
as the North is concerned.
«
LATEST NEWS FROM THE NORTH.
From the Richmond [ Fa.] Examiner, of Sept. 92.
Our very kind friend, Mr. P. P. Seay, has again
placed us under obligations for late Northern pa
pers, comprising dates from New York of tbelfßh
and 17th. The news is highly important and
exciting. The following is a summary of its
most prominent features:
capture of harper’s ferry and all ths stores
AND SUPPLIES OF THB GARRISON—THE WHOLE
FEDERAL FORCE MADE PRISONERS—GEN. MILES
KILLED, AC.
Baltimore, September 16.—Harper’s Ferry sur
rendered on Monday morning, after a most deters
mined defence, and tbe death of Genera) Miles,
who was killed by a shell, cutting off one of his
legs. The officers and men, supposed to be about
3,000 strong, were paroled. From them the fol
lowing particulars are derived:
Ihe rebels commenced the attack on Friday
noon on our forces at Maryland Heights. Skirs
mishing continued throughout tbe day and was
renewed on Saturday. The enemy was driven
back with considerable loss. They came up sev
eral timesand were reputeed, when it was dis*
covered they were approaching in overwhelming
force. Order was given to spike the guns and
throw them down the mountain.
The whole force from the Heights then returned
in safetv, the guns from Camp Hill shelling the
enemy when they attempted to pursue our retreat
ing men.
On Sunday morning a party of our men again
ascended the Heights and brought away their
field pieces which-they had left unspiked. Sun
day, at noon, the rebels appeared in great force
on Louden Heights. Miles shelled them from
point to point. Some of their guns were dis
lodged, but they still managed to keep up a
brisk fire from some of their batteries, which
were run back out of sight and loaded.
The cannonading was kept up all day Sunday
without doing much damage. The firing ceased
at dusk on Sunday evening, and was resumed
again on Monday morning at daylight, and kept
up till 9 o’clock, when Miles ordered the white
flag to be raised.
There was considerable fog and smoke, and tbe
enemy either did not see the flag or would not see
it, and kept up a heavy tire lor three-quarters of
an hour.
About ten minutes after the flag was up a shell
struck Col. Miles, shattering bis right leg. It was
amputated before the prisoners were paroled.
There were about 2,300 cavalry in the command,
ail of whom, but 40, escaped about 8 o’clock on I
Sunday night, and cut tbeir way through to Green
castle, with but little loss. The balance of the
troops, numbering from 6,000 to 8.000, with Gen.
White’s command from Martinsburg, were all
surrendered.
Ihe following is from a special dispatch from
Frederick to the Baltimore American:
The combined forces of Loring and Jackson
stormed the works at Hai per’s Ferry on Monday
morning, and captured the position. Miles is said
to have made a desperate resistance. Tbe attack
on Sunday was successfully repulsed, but on Mon
day morning the enemy opened from seven differ
ent directions, and after two hours firing Colonel
Miles displayed the white flag. About the same
time a piece of shell struck him in the leg, and
the member was soon amputated, from the effects
of which he died last night. Our loss was light,
less than two hundred killed and wounded The
forces captured amounted to about six thousand.
Tney are the eighty-seventh, sixteenth and thirty
second Ohio, ninth Vermont, thirty*ninth, one
hundred and fifteenth and one hundred and
twenty~sixth New York, twelfth New York State
militia, and anjlndiana battery, besides the Mary
land home brigade.
Maryland Heights were evacuated by our forces
on Saturday, atter but little fighting. Twenty*
three hundred of the cavalry, under Col. Davis,
of the tighih New York, cut their way out, and
escaped to Hagerstown. They have sinje joined
McClellan.
The rebels do not intend to hold Harper’s ber
ry. They were crossing last night on our pontoon
bridge, and were making rapid preparations for
leaving.
A dispatch from Washington says;
The feeling in Washington to»day has been
anxious and desponding, in view ts the fete Os
Harpers Ferry, tne uncertainty in regard to tbe
situation of Maryland, and the continued silence
o f the government.
From the Times’ special correspondent, we leartr
that General Miles was killed while carrying a
flag of truce to surrender Harper’s Ferry—both
bis legs being shot away. Eight thousand of our
troops were taken at Harper’s Ferry, and imme
diately paroled.
FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC -CON
FLICTING REPORTS AS TO 118 WHERE
ABOUTS.
From, the Richmond Dispatch, Sept. 23.
We confess ourselves at a loss to determine
the precise locality of our armv under General
Lee. The reports received yesterday are so con-.
tradictiiry in their nature, that in the absence of
any official statement, we know not whether the
aymy of the Confederacy is ou the Northern or
Southern bunk of the Potomac. In our iesue of
yesterday, we stated upon the general reports
that bad reached us, ttfat our forces had recrosa
ed the Potomac ai Snepherustowu and Williams
port subsequent to the battle of Wednesday.
Later information, however, leads os to question
this statement, made upon the authority of those
who seemed to be conversant with the fact, and ‘
we now have reason to believe that only a uor
tion of our foices have let t Maryland and tbatpor
tion for a specific purpose. Ot the fight of Wed*
nesday, which was doubtless one of the most
desperate and bloody of tbe whole war, we know
but little, but that little satisfied us that at
nightfall the advantage remained with our forces.
In confirmation of this, we append an extract of
a letter from an intelligent and discreet gentle*
man of Winchester, whose statements we believe
to be entitled to credit. He says, writing under
date of Thursday' evening, tbe 18th :
•‘We have reports (reliable) of the battle of
yesterday, and r.p Tts of the state of affairs up to
10 oteiock this morning. The banieof yesterday
was more general than any yet—the loss very
heavy on our side, and equally so on tbe part of
the enemy. The result was favorable to us. The
enemy were driven back after figh’ing all day,
but it was hard work with us. At one time our
centre bad been broken, but Gen. Jackson re*
trieved the day with his corps, 'i h’S morning we
were advancing upon the enemy beyond the bat
tle field ou yesterday, and :ucy were retiring be*
foie us without replying to our artillery. All
this fighting has been near Sharpsburg, about
three miles North of Shepherdstown.”
This letter, as stated, was written on Thursday
night, and contains information to 10 o’clock of
Thursday. Up to that lime the advantage re
mained with our arms. We have no information
of any subsequent conflict.
Passengers by the Central train yesterday after
noon were unable to furnish us anything authen
tic from the army. The impression created by
the intermation brought by them was, that only
a portion of our forces had recrossed the Potomac,
and these with the purpose of protecting our
supply trains, which were threatened by the
enemy from the direction of Harper’s Ferry. The
most singular part of the information is that those
furnishing it could not tell whether or not the
enemy had reoccupied Harper’s Ferry.
LATEST.
Our correspondence received last night, from
Winchester, dated Saturday, the 20th, announces
that our army is now on tbe South side of the
Potomac, having crossed without losing a mao or
any of our commissary stores.
CUMBERLAND GAP EVACUATED—GEN. STE
VENSON IN PURSUIT OF IHE ENEMY.
From the Knoxville (Tenn ) Register, Sept. 17.
We have at last tbe satisfaction ofaunuouncing,
upon official information, that the Federal force
h«s evacuated Cumberland Gap, and that strong*
hold is again in possession of our troops. The
Federals a r e endeavoring to make tbeir escape
through Kentucky, and Gen. Stevenson is m hot
pursuit of them.
Before leaving the Gap, the Federal force is
reported to have spiked tbeir siese guns, and
burned and destroyed everything that would im-»
pede their mtreh. They also blasted large quan
tities of rock into tbe road in order to blockade
it, and prevent pursuit. A large body of General
McCowan’s forces, however, bad previously got
possession of Baptist Gap, and by that route are
probably by this time close upon the track of the
retreating foe, and will either capture or demol*
ish him.
Our borders are now free from invasion, we
trust forever, and with the last lingering hope of
aid to the Tories of East Tennessee from Lincoln’s
despotism removed, we may expect to witness soon
either a very great change in their sentiments
and conduct, or either regular exodus from our
midst.
Pursuit of the Enemy by McClellan.—Accord*,
ing to the Yankee iaccounta, Gen. McClellan was
at his longi-promised woik of "driving the rebels
to the wall.” The Baltimore Amer c-n says:
After the battles ot South Mountain Gap on
Sunday, tbe enemy having been driven from their
position, fell back rapidly to Boonsboro’, and
thence Southward to Sharpsburg. Notwith
standing tbe bad news from Harper’s Ferry, Gen
McClellan was puroumg them with a vigor moat
destructive to the enemy. McClellan pursued the
enemy on Monday morning with his reserves and
a large body of fresh troops.
The enemy took the road toward the river at
Harper’s Ferry’aud.at Shepherdstown, and he was
pursuing, them and shelling their retreat with
great loss. lu several contesis, on Monday, where
they made a stand, our troops charged on them
with such vigor that they fell back from point to
point in great haste. At daylight, Gen. Pleasan
ton, with tbe eighth Illinois cavalry and Captain
Fitchall’s battery, came up at Boonsboro’ with
the binth Virginia cavalry, with a battery acting
as a rear guard. Tbe Illinois cavalry charged
after them through the town, and two miles out
on the Hagerstown turnpike, capturing two or
three guns, and killed, and wounded, and took
prisoners about thirty of their cavalry.
Gen. Richardson’s division being in advance
took the road from this place towards Sbarps
burgh, two and a half miles from which town be
came up with the euemy in large force, who oc*
cupied a long ridge of hills. They showed a line
of battle one mile and a half long.
The afternoon was spent in ascertaining the po
sition and force of the rebels, not a sufficient
number of our troops having come up to bring on
an engagement.
McClellan was pushing on them last evening,
however, very close, and had already sent to the
rear B,ouo prisoners and four batteries.
In the battle of South Mountain Gap, Howell
I Cobb was wounded and taken prisoner, and will
be back to Frederick sooner than he boasted he
would.
Drayton’s South Carolina brigade is entirely
gone—either Killed, wounded or prisoners. The
seventeenth Michigan, a new regiment, "done
up” this brigade, first with bullets, and finally
with bayonets' Col. James, of the third South
Carolina Dattalion, was killed.
Thursday last Jackson crossed the Potomac at
Williamsport, and marched toward Harper’s
Ferry, which place he invested. On Saturday he
ciptured Maryland Heights on the north, and
Loudon Heighis on the south side of the river.
On Sunday he attacked the Ferry, but was res
pulsed. On Monday morning, at daylight, he re«
sumed the attack, aod tbe place was surrendered
by General Dixon G. Miles at 7 o’clock. This
disaster will enable the rebels to cross the Poto*
mac with the greater portion of their force.
We clip the following items from tbe
Savannah Republican, of Sept. 22d :
Personal. —Gen. Beauregard, accompanied by
bis Aids, Col. Roman and Capt. Beauregard, and
also Maj. Gen. Pemberton and staff officers, Capt.
Sanders and Lieut. Taylor, arrived in Savannah
Saturday afternoon by a special train from
Charleston. Col. A J. Gonzales, Chief of Artil*
lery. is also of the party.
Bad as was the weather, the rain pouring
. throughout the day, Gen. Beauregard was engaged
through the whole of yesterday in inspecting the
defenses of the city, which we hope he found
fully up to his expectation.
Transfer of a Georgia Regiment.—The 18th
Georgia regiment, Col, Wofford, has been trans
ferred to Hood’s Texas brigade, and is known in
the brigade as the "Third Texas.”