three hundred men; and this small force, for at least three hours, maintained their position and held the enemy in check without assistance of any description from General Semmes, who, Colonel Munford reports, held the next gap below, and witnessed all that took place. General Cobb finally came with two regiments to the support of the force holding the gap. At his request, Colonel Munford posted the new regiments, when the infantry which had been engaged, having exhausted their ammuntion, fell back from their position. The enemy took advantage of this circumstance and suddenly advanced, and the fresh regiments broke before they were well in position. General Cobb made great efforts to rally them, but without the least effect, and it was evident that the gap could no longer be held. Under these circumstances, Colonel Munford (whose artillery had exhausted every round of ammunition and retired) formed his command and moved down the mountain on the Boonsboro' road to the point where the horses of the dismounted sharpshooters were stationed. The enemy were at the forks of the Harper's Ferry and Boonsboro' roads before many of the cavalry reached it—the infantry having retired in great disorder, and the cavalry were the last to give up their position. In this hot engagement, the Second and Twelfth Virginia cavalry behaved with commendable coolness and gallantry, inflicting great injury with their long range guns upon the enemy, and their exertions were ably seconded by the troops under Colonel Parham, who held his position most gallantly until overpowered.
Hearing of the attack at Crampton's gap, I rode at full speed to reach that point, and met General Cobb's command, just after dark, retreating in disorder down Pleasant valley. He represented the enemy as only two hundred yards behind, and in overwhelming force. I immediately halted his command, and disposed men upon each side of the road to meet the enemy, and a battery, which I had accidentally met with, was placed in position commanding the road. The enemy not advancing, I sent out parties to reconnoitre, who found no enemy within a mile. Pickets were thrown out, and the command was left in partial repose for the night. The next morning, more infantry and a portion of the cavalry having been brought up to this point, preparations were made to repulse any attack—Major-General R. H. Anderson being now in immediate command at this point. The battle of Boonsboro' or South Mountain having taken place the evening previous, resulted unfavorably
