South Mountain Crampton Gap, Turner
Gap, Fox Gap Maryland
American Civil War
- September 14, 1862
After invading Maryland in September 1862,
Gen. Robert E. Lee divided his army to march on and invest Harpers
Ferry. The Army of the Potomac under Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan
pursued the Confederates to Frederick, Maryland, then advanced
on South Mountain. On September 14, pitched battles were fought
for possession of the South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's,
and Fox's Gaps. By dusk the Confederate defenders were driven
back, suffering severe casualties, and McClellan was in position
to destroy Lee's army before it could reconcentrate. McClellan's
limited activity on September 15 after his victory at South Mountain,
however, condemned the garrison at Harpers Ferry to capture and
gave Lee time to unite his scattered divisions at Sharpsburg.
Union general Jesse Reno and Confederate general Samuel Garland,
Jr., were killed at South Mountain.
Result(s): Union victory
Location: Frederick County and Washington
County
Campaign: Maryland Campaign (September 1862)
Date(s): September 14, 1862
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. George B.
McClellan [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 4,500 total
Official Records of the War of the Rebellion
Volumn XIX/1 - Page 423
Mouth of Antietam, Md., September 20, 1862.
The commanding general announces to
the corps the loss of their late leader, Maj. Gen. Jesse L. Reno.
By the death of this distinguished officer the country loses
one of its most devoted patriots, the army one of its most thorough
soldiers. In the long list of battles in which General Reno has
fought in his country's service, his name always appears with
the brightest luster, and he has now bravely met a soldier's
death while gallantly leading his men at the battle of South
Mountain. For his high character and the kindly qualities of
his heart in private life, as well as for the military genius
and personal daring which marked him as a soldier, his loss will
be deplored by all who knew him, and the commanding general desires
to add the tribute of a friend to the public mourning for the
death of one of the country's best defenders
By command of Major-General Burnside:
LEWIS RICHMOND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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