The Courier's Bulletin -- #03 -- the Battle of Harper's Ferry

 Courier's Bulletin -- #03

- To the West, the Confederate line continues to shrink and shift without decisive action, but in the East, reports strongly encourage confidence in the integrity of the Virginia border. At Harper's Ferry, General Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah (S) - already well bloodied - is again struck by the Department of Pennsylvania (N) under General Patterson. On August 22, both armies again do battle, this time, at the strategic town of Harper's Ferry.

Strength Report:

The Union Department of Pennsylvanian (Patterson):

Men: 10,000 (estimated)

Cavalry: 0

Guns: 5

The Confederate Army of the Shenandoah (Johnston):

Men: 9,942

Cavalry: 248

Guns: 20

Telegram(s):

- J.E. Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah holds Harper's Ferry on the 22nd of August. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry reports Patterson's advance is close at hand, unobserved by the main body. 

- Afternoon: the Union advance is finally observed marching down the Shepherdstown Pike as anticipated. Johnston wheels to intercept north of Harper's Ferry. Entrenched along a picket line, Johnston deploys his force against Patterson's lead division: the Second. The hour is late as the Confederate artillery opens up. Light volleys are exchanged along the line. Bartow and Smith hold the left, Jackson and Bee hold the right. 

- Dusk: The Union launches a hasty, ill coordinated attack that Jackson/Bee withstand and repulse. Repulsing the Union forces, Bee launches a counter assault and overtakes the last Union brigade (commander unknown). Jackson and Stuart follow up Bee as there is too light time and light to waste.

- Night: The pursuit continues after dark, leading to the only significant Confederate losses. Advancing far beyond the main Confederate line, attempting to deepen the Union route, Stuart strays out of contact with Bee, stumbling into the First Union Division. Of his 289 troopers, the contingent is cut-down to a man. General Stuart has returned with only 38 troopers and exited the battlefield, heading for the rear.

- Dawn (August 23): the Union launches a second assault, hoping to dislodge the Confederates from their consolidated positions. The assault fails as the Second Division (N) tries to turn the extreme right flank of the Confederate line (Jackson and Bee). The First Division exchanges skirmish fire with Bartow and Smith, but without contesting the position. Jackson and Bee once again counter assault and rout Patterson's Second Division. Rather than repeat his failure to turn the Confederate line a third time, Patterson withdraws north towards Maryland.

Casualty Report:

- Union Casualties: Estimated 2,500 Men (299 killed)*

- Confederate Casualties: 635 Men (83 killed)

* Fifth Brigade, Second Division, Department of Pennsylvania, 900 men strong surrenders to General Jackson's Brigade.

- General J.E. Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah continues to hold the line at Harper's Ferry and is hard at work fortifying the location.