The following articles are transcribed from the New York Times, dated September 17, 1862:
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From Maryland.
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We have this morning the intelligence that the bulk of the rebel army in Virginia crossed into Maryland yesterday, and effected a junction with the force already in that State. A battle, of which we have yet no details, was fought between our army under Gen. McCLELLAN and these combined forces, at Sharpsburgh, a few miles from the line of the Potomac. What the result of the battle may have been, we shall doubtless know in the course of the day. While the rebel army in Maryland was thus reinforced after the battle of Sunday at Hagerstown Heights, we are glad to learn that our army also received reinforcements. The rebel movement has been rapid and daring, but Gen. MCCLELLAN's we believe was no less so; and we confidently trust that a glorious victory rested upon our arms. Sunday's battle was evidently a very sharp and well-contested engagement between some 30,000 of our men and the rear guard of the rebels, reinforced by a portion of their main body, in which the latter were driven from their position and compelled to retreat. Gen. HOOKER seems to have had the principal brunt of the battle -- as he generally has had wherever any battles have taken place, -- and in this case, as in every other, he appears to have fought with conspicuous personal gallantry and with the utmost steadiness, good judgment and command of his troops. He is one of the noblest, most devoted and skillful Generals in our army, and deserves the respect and confidence of the whole country, as he enjoys most thoroughly that of the soldiers under his command. Our special correspondent does not estimate the loss of the rebels at so high a figure as Gen. MCCLELLAN attributes to Gen. LEE. He thinks ours will not exceed 2,000 in killed and wounded, and that the rebels did not lose more than we. This, however, was but the prelude to the great battle, for which the rebels were, it seems, prepared, and for news of which we await with the intensest anxiety.
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The Battle of Hagerstown Heights.
The clear and graphic account of a special correspondent of the TIMES, in our columns this morning, of the recent battle between the forces of Gen. McCLELLAN and the retreating rebel army, removes all doubt as to the character of the engagement. It was a deliberately-planned assault by the Union army upon the rebels in force, holding the most formidable position known in war a mountain pass, overlooked and flanked by heavily wooded heights. The enemy held this pass, had planted his batteries in the gorge, and the woods on the mountain tops and sides were filled with his infantry. He had evidently chosen this stronghold with a view to administer a bloody repulse to the pursuing army. The Union troops were organized for the assault under the immediate eye of Gens. MCCLELLAN and BURNSIDE, who were on the ground. And, after a preliminary artillery duel of several hours, in which we effectually felt and discovered the enemy's position, the assault in line of battle was led by the gallant HOOKER and RENO. It is truly inspiriting to read of the impetuous dash and steady valor of our volunteers in scaling the dangerous heights, pouring volley after volley into the foe, driving him up the mountain sides, over the top, and, finally, in rout down its last slope, which left our army master of the position, and opened the enemy's rear to still more damaging pursuit and assault. But we are sorry to record an event that must moderate the general joy on this auspicious victory. While our victorious legions were driving the enemy's rear guard from Frog Gap fastnesses, his advance, many thousands strong, under Stonewall JACKSON, were pressing in overpowering force upon the brave band of Col. MILES at Harper's Ferry. And although that excellent officer resisted their onsets with heroic courage and consummate skill, he was forced, it seems, to surrender Monday morning, before the victory of the day before could operate for his relief. But he made the triumph of the rebels one of their most dear-bought victories of the war. If, on yesterday, we beat the rebel army in Maryland, Harper's Ferry will again fall into our hands almost without a struggle.
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The Battle Yesterday
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"The whole rebel army in Maryland will be annihilated or captured this night," was the inspiriting dispatch that came to us over the telegraph wires last night, just as the City Hall clock indicated the hour of twelve. We learned then that yesterday Stonewall JACKSON had recrossed the Potomac, that Gen. MCCLELLAN had engaged him with "tremendous force," and that the result would be as already quoted. We earnestly hope that this day will bring us confirmation of the prophecy. There seems to be little doubt that the enemy on Monday and yesterday threw into Maryland the great bulk of his army, and, knowing Gen. MCCLELLAN's strength, assaulted him with a hope of his destruction. We hope that Gen. HALLECK has seen to it that Gen. MCCLELLAN was provided with forces sufficient for the contingency. We do not see why the Pennsylvania volunteers might not have gone forward to temporarily aid Gen. MCCLELLAN until the rebels were driven across the Potomac. By this only can Pennsylvania be rendered safe.