The New Student's Reference Work/South Mountain, Battle of

South Mount′ain, Battle of, an engagement of the Civil War precipitated by Lee's first invasion of Maryland in Sept., 1862. The battle occurred on Sept. 14th on South Mountain, a continuation of the Blue Ridge north of the Potomac, and near Boonsboro, Washington Co., Md., when the Federal army under McClellan fell upon the Confederates under Lee at Turner's and Crampton's Gaps in the mountain-range. There was stubborn fighting all day, as the Union forces pressed the rebels back and finally compelled them to withdraw, leaving their dead upon the field. At Turner's Gap there was a loss of about 1,500 on each side, while 1,500 Confederates were taken prisoners. At Crampton's Gap the losses were close upon 500 on each side, besides 400 Confederates taken prisoners. The engagement is known in the north as the Battle of South Mountain, while in the south it was called the Battle of Boonsboro.