South
Mountain
Crampton Gap, Turner Gap, Fox Gap, Maryland
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 and Washington Counties
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
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