NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
September 1862
From The Missouri Democrat, Wednesday, September 17, 1862.
THE VERY LATEST.
OUR EXCLUSIVE DISPATCHES.
FROM WASHINGTON.
[Special Dispatch to Missouri Democrat.]
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16.—It is believed at the War Department, that Harper’s Ferry was surrendered to the rebels at 9 a. m., yesterday, after Colonel Miles had been mortally wounded. Accounts to that effect, none of them official, have been received, both via Chambersburg and Point of Rocks. If it be true, nothing can prevent the mass of the rebel army from making good its retreat to Virginia.
Miles’s cavalry force cut its way from Harper’s Ferry on Sunday night, and started for Chambersburg, capturing Longstreet’s ammunition and other wagons, to the number of 60, in all, on his way. The commander of the cavalry reports that Colonel Miles declared he could not hold Harper’s Ferry longer than yesterday morning, unless relieved. This fact, doubtless, does much to induce the Government to give credence to the unofficial accounts of the surrender.
Nothing made public from McClellan since his official dispatch of Saturday. The general feeling here in consequence is discouraging. News from Harper’s Ferry, and McClellan’s silence construe rather gloomy.
Our loss at Harper’s Ferry is at least 4,000, and a million dollars worth of stores.
Cincinnati takes another Eastern General. General Quincy Gilmore has been ordered to report to Gen. Wright.
There seems no doubt now that Cassius M. Clay goes to New Orleans.
Major General Hunter arrived here, and it is believed that he will promptly be assigned to an important command in the army here.
At 12 o’clock our troops at Harper’s Ferry, after surrendering to the rebels were promptly parolled, for the reason, it is explained here, that our troops were pressing the rebels too hard to permit them to take the prisoners along with them. The parolled prisoners have already arrived at Baltimore and Frederick.
It is stated that Col. Miles was killed while carrying a flag of truce to surrender. Both legs shot away. Near 8,000 of our troops were taken.
AGATE.