The latest dispatches.
A dispatch from
Hagerstown Sept. 17th, though not later in date than some others, is given by the
Northern papers as containing the ‘"very latest."’ --The following is the dispatches:
‘
A battle has been raging furiously for the past two days on the
Autistam Creek, a tortuous stream, having its source in the mountains and running down to the
Potomac midway between
Rohrersville and Sherpsburg.
The rebels, cut off from the iron bridge at
Harper's Ferry by the advance of
General Franklin's corps, and fearing to cross the
Potomac at any of the fords, with
Gen. McClellan pushing down hard upon them, took this creek for a line of defence.
During yesterday the battle raged with great spirit, and the firing on either side was very heavy until-towards sundown, when the rebels were flanked by
Hooker and
Porter, and were being severely punished.
Their firing became desultory, and it was evident that their ammunition was giving out.
This morning the battle was renewed by the rebels with redoubled vigor; they acted as if they had been reinforced and furnished with fresh ammunition.
The battle lasted until four o'clock this afternoon, when the rebels retreated, leaving
Gen. Longstreet and the remnant of his division in our hands as prisoners of war.
Our victory is sure, but it has cost us many officers and men.
Major Gen. Hooker was wounded in the foot by a Minnie ball while leading a second brilliant bayonet charge to-day, and
Gen. Mansfield is either killed or taken prisoner.
He fought most heroically during the entire affair to the time he was missed.
The loss of the rebels was much greater than ours.
Longstreet's division of 10 brigades cannot muster 7,000 men.
The entire rebel army will be captured or killed.
There is no chance left for them to cross the
Potomac, as the river is rising, and our troops pushing them continually, and sending prisoners to the rear by scores.
Stonewall Jackson is now in command of the rebel forces in
Maryland.
It is reported here that
General Miles re-enacted his
Bull Run scene, at
Harper's Ferry, which was surrendered to the rebels in a shameful manner.
Six batteries of artillery, belonging to
Longstreet's division, were captured yesterday and to- day; and it is said we have taken nearly 15,000 prisoners since Sunday.
Jackson's army, with
Lee and other distinguished wounded officers, will be forced to surrender in a day or two, at the farthest.
Our immense army is all in motion, and our
Generals are certain of ultimate and decisive success.
Stores for our army are coming by way of
Harrisburg and
Baltimore.
Gen. Burnside has taken possession of
Harper's Ferry, and is advancing on a special mission with his corps.
Every one here is jubilant over the news, and people talk about seeing the "beginning of the end"
’
Harrisburg, Sept. 17--Nothing has been heard from
Harper's Ferry since I dispatched last.
Gen. Longstreet is wounded and a prisoner.
All the news that can be got over the wires from
General McClellan is ‘"Glorious Victory,"’ although every inch of the field has been warmly contested by the enemy, who must have near 40,000 killed and wounded. Many of our wounded are now at
Hagerstown, Maryland.
