Confederate Forces

On September 14, 1862, as the Sixth Corps of the Army of the Potomac approached, Colonel T. T. Munford's cavalry fell back through Jefferson and Burkittsville and prepared to contest the passage of South Mountain. Mahone's Brigade, under Lieutenant Colonel Wm. A. Parham of the 41st Virginia, marched over Crampton's Pass from Pleasant Valley and took position behind a stonewall and rail fences running north from this point, while the dismounted cavalry was placed on either flank of Mahone's infantry. Chew's Battery and two guns of Grimes' Portsmouth Battery were placed about halfway up the mountain, and five guns of Manly's Battery and Macon's Battery were placed in Brownsville Pass. At about 3 P.M. Munford was attacked and held his position for nearly three hours, but then his line began to give way. As it withdrew up the mountain, making several stands, it was reinforced by the 10th Georgia of Semmes' Brigade and later near the top by Cobb's Brigade, but the entire line broke and retreated in disorder into Pleasant Valley.

Maryland · United States