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HIGHLY IMPORTANT: Fighting for the Last Three Days in Maryland; The Rebels Attempting to Escape into Virginia (9/15/1862)
New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 9/15/1862

Posted on 09/15/2022 4:49:40 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson

WASHINGTON, Sunday, Sept. 14 -- 10 P.M.

A gentleman who left Poolesville at 10 o'clock this morning says that heavy firing was heard there from daylight till the time he left, from the direction of Harper's Ferry.

Our latest accounts, through private channels, from Maryland, represent the rebels in retreat westward, and our troops in rapid pursuit.

It is believed that a conflict has taken place at Harper's Ferry, and that a rebel force has been ordered to that point from the South.

Our forces entered Frederick on Friday afternoon, between 4 and 5 o'clock, encountering the rebel cavalry under FITS-HUGH LEO, about three miles from the city, and attacking them with such impetuosity that they at once broke and fled. They attempted in vain to rally in the town.

About 450 of their sick and wounded was left behind.

Their horses are described as being, mere skeletons. The streets was strewn with old shoes and clothes, which the rebels had cast off and left.

The office of the Union paper, the Examiner, was partially destroyed.

The reception of our troops was most enthusiastic Ladies wore the National colors, and children were decked with maratime Union flags.

It appears that the rebels did not receive much encouragement there, and were somewhat disappointed, after having been invited over, and assured that the whole State would hail them as deliverers. LEE's proclamation had but little effect, and the whole number of recruits furnished by Frederick County was only about 70. Full one-half the rebel troops there are said to have been foreigners.

A speech was made in town by HOWELL COBB, who was very drunk and stupid.

Our forces are in fine spirits.

WASHINGTON, Sunday, Sept. 14 -- Midnight.

That the fight has been progressing in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: civilwar
Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4093234/posts

1 posted on 09/15/2022 4:49:40 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
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To: Homer_J_Simpson
1

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2 posted on 09/15/2022 4:51:28 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson ("Every nation gets the government that it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821))
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To: chajin; henkster; CougarGA7; BroJoeK; central_va; Larry Lucido; wagglebee; Colonel_Flagg; Amagi; ...

Highly Important: Fighting for the Last Three Days in Maryland – 2-3
Fighting in Western Virginia: Sudden Appearance of a Heavy Force of Rebels Near Gauley – 3-4
Important from Cincinnati: The Rebel Army Retreating in Confusion – 4
The War in Kansas: The Sacking of Olathe – 4
News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 4
Editorial: The President and the Country – 4-5
Editorial: The Rebel Retreat from Maryland – 5-6
The Rebel Opinion of Union Generals – 6
Editorial: Light in the West! – 6
Union Triumphs in North Carolina – 6
Confederate “Autonomy” versus Confederate Scrip – 6-7
A Strange and Unaccountable Delay – 7
Amusements – 7


3 posted on 09/15/2022 4:52:02 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson ("Every nation gets the government that it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821))
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To: Homer_J_Simpson

As the saying goes…”They ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”


4 posted on 09/15/2022 5:37:07 AM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: Vermont Lt

Almost time for McClellan’s last shining ignominious moment.

If he were alive today he would be running the FBI.


5 posted on 09/15/2022 6:22:56 AM PDT by DarrellZero
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To: Homer_J_Simpson

This is the prequel to Antietam / Sharpsburg where McClellan turns back Lee’s 1st invasion of the North. Of course saying that Maryland was Union stretches the facts somewhat strongly as the state remained a slaveholding plantation society. Also in this month, there was the battle of Harpers Ferry where Stonewall Jackson convincingly defeated the Union defenders.

Still, in combined casualties, this 17 September 1862, remains the single bloodiest day in USofA history, with a tally of 22,717 dead, wounded, or missing. While the Union had the larger death toll of 12k (vs CSA of 10k), it retained the battlefield and forced Lee to retreat back over the route he had already gleaned.

It would be just 9 months before Lee tries again through the Shenandoah Valley that gets him a mere 20 miles further north of Antietam to Gettysburg PA, where the CSA loses the big gamble.


6 posted on 09/15/2022 7:06:34 AM PDT by SES1066 (More & more it looks like Brandon's best decision was Kamala! UGH!)
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To: Homer_J_Simpson
Today ends the three day Battle of Harpers Ferry, Virginia, a CSA victory.

Virginia Engagements. 1861 - 1862 to date

DateEngagementMilitary UnitsLossesVictor
May 18-19Sewell's Point, VAUnion naval squadron vs Confederate shore artillery10 totalinconclusive
May 29- June 1Aquila Creek, VAUnion naval squadron vs Confederate shore artillery10 totalinconclusive
June 1Fairfax Court House, VAdetachments from CSA & USA armies8 on each side, 1 each killedinconclusive
June 1Arlington Mills, VAdetachments from USA ( ~200 McDowell) & CSA (~9 Bonham) armiesUnion 2-total (1 killed); CSA 1 woundedinconclusive
June 10Big Bethel, VAUnion (Butler) -3,500, CSA (Magruder) -1,400Union 71-total (18-killed); CSA: 10-total (1-killed)CSA (CSA outnumbered)
June 15Hooe's Ferry (near Mathias Point) VAUnion schooner Christina Keen; CSA Farmer's Fork Graysnone -- Christina Keen captured and burnedCSA
June 17Vienna, VADetachments from both Union & CSA armiesUnion: 12-total (8 killed); CSA: none reportedCSA
June 27Matthias' Point, VAUnion gunboats ~50 vs. Confed garrison ~500Union: 1-killed, 4-wounded; CSA noneCSA
July 18Blackburn's Ford, VA (pre-Manassas)Union Department of NE Virginia (McDowell, Richardson) -3,000 vs. Confederate Army of VA (Beauregard, Longstreet) -5,100Union: 83-total; CSA 70-total CSA
July 21Bull Run/Manassas, VAUnion Department of NE Virginia (McDowell, Patterson) -54,000 (18,000 engaged) vs. Confederate Army of VA (Beauregard, Longstreet) -34,000 (18,000 engaged)Union: 2,708-total (481-killed); CSA 1,897-total (387-killed) CSA
Aug 7CSA burned Hampton, VAUnion (Butler) vs. Confederate Cavalry (Magruder)Union unknown; Confederates unknownCSA
Aug 8skirmish at Lovettsville, VA Union vs. Confederate Union unknown; Confederates 6-totalUSA
Aug 25Mason's Hill, VAUnion (Lowe's observation balloon) vs. Confederate Army NVA (Longstreet, Stuart)Union unknown; Confederates unknownUSA
Aug 31Munson's Hill, VAUnion Army of the Potomac vs. Confederate Dept of Northern VAUnion 5-total; Confederates unknownUSA
Sep 3Bailey's Cross Roads, VAUnion & Confederat detachmentsUnion 8-total; Confederates noneCSA
Sep 11Lewinsville, VA (McLean, Fairfax County) Union 79th NY Highlanders (Stephens ~1,800) & Confederate 1st & 13th VA (JEB Stuart ~400)Union 12-total (3-killed); Confederates noneCSA (CSA outnumbered)
Oct 21Ball's Bluff, VAUnion MA, NY, MI, MN & CA Infantry, RI Artillery (Stone -1,720) & Confederate VA & MS Infantry, VA cavalry & artillery (Evans -1,709)Union 1,002-total, including Lt. Oliver Wendell Holmes (223-killed including US Senator Edward Baker R-OR)), Confederates 155-total (36-killed) CSA
Nov 26Skirmish at Hunter's Mills, VAUnion 3rd PA Cavalry (Bell ~94) & Confederate 1st NC Cavalry (Ransome ~120)Union 33-total (1-killed), Confederates unknown 0? CSA
Dec 20Drainsville, VAUnion Pennsylvania Volunteers (Ord ~5,000) & Confederate VA, KY & NC Volunteers (Stuart ~4,000)Union 71-total (?-killed), Confederates 230-total (?-killed) USA (1st larger Union victory in VA)
Jan 3, 1862Cockpit Point, VAUnion gun boats (Wyman ) & Confederate shore battery (French ~50)noneInconclusive
Mar 8-9Hampton Roads, VAUnion Navy (Marsten, Worden, USS Monitor +11 ships) & Confederate Navy (Buchanan, Jones CSS Virginia +5 ships)Union 369 total (261 killed, 7 ships sunk), Confederate 24 total (7- killed)Inconclusive (Strategic USA)
Mar 23Kernstown, VAUnion Army of Potomac V Corps (Kimball ~9,000) & Confederate Stonewall Division (Jackson ~4,200)Union 590 total (118-killed), Confederate 718 total (80- killed)USA tactical, CSA strategoc
April 5 - May 4Yorktown, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (McClellan ~103,000) & Confederate Army (Magruder, JE Johnson ~72,000)Union 182-total (unkn-killed), Confederate 300-total (unkn killed)Inconclusive, Confederates retreated
May 5Williamsburg, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (McClellan ~41,000), Confederate Army of Northern VA (JE Johnston, Longstreet ~32,000)Union 2,283-total (~342-KIA), Confederates 1,682-total (~252 kia)Inconclusive (Confederates withdrew)
May 7Eltham's Landing, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (Franklin ~11,300), Confederate Army of Northern VA (GW Smith ~11,000)Union 194-total (~29 killed), Confederates 48-total (~7-killed)Inconclusive (Confederates withdrew)
May 8McDowell, VAUnion OH & WVA infantry (Milroy, Schenck ~6,500), Confederate Virginia Infantry (Stonewall Jackson, E Johnson ~9,000)Union 259-total (~28 killed), Confederates 532-total (~146-killed)CSA
May 15Fort Darling, VAUnion VA River Squadron (Rogers 5-river warships), Confederate fort (Farrand, Mahone -fort artillery)Union 27-total (14-killed), Confederates 15-total (7-killed)CSA
May 23Front Royal, VAUnion Dept of Shenandoah (Kenly ~1,063), Confederate Army of the Valley (Stonewall Jackson ~3,0000)Union 773-total (83-killed), Confederates 36-total (unkwn-killed)CSA
May 25Winchester, VAUnion Dept of Shenandoah (Banks ~6,500), Confederate Army of the Valley (Stonewall Jackson ~16,0000)Union 2,019-total (62-killed), Confederates 397-total (68-killed)CSA
May 27Hanover Court House, VAUnion V-Corps (Porter ~12,000), Confederate NC Infantry (Branch ~4,0000)Union 397-total (62-killed), Confederates 930-total (70-killed)USA
May 31 - June 1Seven Pines / Fair Oaks, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (McClellan ~34,000), Confederate Army of Northern VA (JE Johnston ~39,000)Union 5,431-total (790-killed), Confederates 6,134-total (980-killed)Inconclusive (both sides claimed victory)
June 6Good's Farm, Harrisonburg, VAUnion PA Inf, NJ Cav, Confederate Steuart's VA Inf (Ashby+)UnknownCSA
June 8Cross Keys, VAUnion Mountain Dept, (Fremont ~11,500), Confederate Army of the Valley (Ewell ~5,800)Union 684-total (114-killed), Confederates 287-total (42-killed)CSA
June 9Port Republic, VAUnion Dept of Rappahonnock (Tyler ~3,500), Confederate Army of the Valley (Stonewall Jackson ~6,000)Union 1,002-total (150?-killed), Confederates 816-total (122?-killed)CSA (CSA outnumbered)
June 25 - Jul 1Seven Days, near Richmond, VAUnion Army of Potomac (McClellan ~115,000), Confederate Army of N VA (Lee ~92,000)Union ~18,000-total (2,100-killed), Confederates ~19,000-total, (~3,200-killed)CSA
July 3Evelington Heights, VAUnion Army of Potomac, Confederate Army of N VA -- monor skirmishno casualties reportedUSA
Aug 9Cedar Mountain, VAUnion Army of VA (Banks -8,030, Confederate Army of NVA ("Stonewall" Jackson -16,868)Union 2,353-total (314-killed), Confederates ~1,338-total (231-killed)CSA
Aug 23-25Rappahannock Station, VAUnion Army of VA brigades (Pope), Confederate Army of N. VA brigades (Longstreet)Union ~180-total, Confederates ~90-total Inconclusive or CSA Victory?
Aug 26-27Manassas Station, VAUnion Army of VA (Taylor-killed, Pope), Confederate Army of N. VA (Stonewall Jackson, Ewell)Union ~450-total, Confederates ~173-total CSA
Aug 28Thoroughfare Gap, VAUnion Army of VA, (Ricketts -5,000), Confederate Army of N. VA (Longstreet -28,000)Union ~50-total, Confederates ~50-total CSA
Aug 28-302nd Bull Run, Manassas, VAUnion Army of VA, (Pope ~62,000), Confederate Army of N. VA (Lee -51,000)Union ~14,462-total (1,747-killed), Confederates ~7,298-total (1,096-killed)CSA (CSA outnumbered)
Sep 1Chantilly, VAUnion Army of the Potomac, (Kearny+, Stevens+ ~6,000), Confederate Army of N VA (Stonewall Jackson, JEB Stuart -20,000)Union 1300-total (195-killed?), Confederates 800 total (120=killed?)CSA
Sep 12-15Harper's Ferry, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (Miles+, White ~14,000), Confederate Army of N VA (Stonewall Jackson, AP Hill ~25,000)Union 12,636-total (44-killed), Confederates 286-total (39-killed) CSA (fort held)

This was the 143rd engagement, with 63 Confederate victories versus 60 Union victories bringing, by my count, total casualties to over 193,000 including 22,000 killed in action.

Summary of Civil War Engagements as of September 15, 1862:
Engagements in Confederate states:

StateUnion VictoriesConfederate VictoriesInconclusiveTotal Engagements
South Carolina2215
Virginia7251143
North Carolina5106
Florida1001
Louisiana3104
Tennessee5319
Arkansas4015
Georgia1001
Mississippi1102
Total Engagements in CSA29331476

Engagements in Union states/territories:

StateUnion VictoriesConfederate VictoriesInconclusiveTotal Engagements
Maryland1012
West Virginia93214
Missouri1212124
New Mexico58013
Kentucky45211
Oklahoma0303
Total Engagements in Union3130667
Total Engagements to date606320143

7 posted on 09/15/2022 8:10:57 AM PDT by BroJoeK (future DDG 134 -- we remember)
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