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South Mountain (1862)
 
War:   American Civil War
 
Also known as:   Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps
 
Date(s):   14 Sep 1862
 
Location:   Frederick & Washington Counties, Maryland, US
 
Outcome:   Union victory
 
Principal   Commanders:   Confederate: Robert E. Lee
Union: George B. McClellan
 
Description:   Each army managed to get Corps-sized formations into action. The Union had a large edge in numbers available.

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 re-concentrate. 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.


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