Here's the section on this out of the UT, for those who may not be grace with that tome...
Quote:
When Sauron learned of the repentance and revolt of Celebrimbor his disguise fell and his wrath was revealed; and gathering a great force he moved over Calenardhon (Rohan) to the invasion of Eriador in the year 1695. When news of this reached Gil-galad he sent out a force under Elrond Half-elven; but Elrond had far to go, and Sauron turned north and made at once for Eregion. The scouts and vanguard of Sauron's host were already approaching when Celeborn made a sortie and drove them back; but though he was able to join his force to that of Elrond they could not return to Eregion, for Sauron's host was far greater than theirs, great enough both to hold them off and closely to invest Eregion. At last the attackers broke into Eregion with ruin and devastation, and captured the chief object of Sauron's assault, the House of the Mirdain, where were their smithies and treasures. Celebrimbor, desperate, himself withstood Sauron on the steps of the great door of the Mirdain; but he was grappled and taken captive, and the House was ransacked. There Sauron took the Nine Rings and other lesser works of the Mirdain; but the Seven and the Three he could not find. Then Celebrimbor was put to torment, and Sauron learned from him where the Seven were bestowed. This Celebrimbor revealed, because neither the Seven nor the Nine did he value as he valued the Three; the Seven and the Nine were made with Sauron's aid, whereas the Three were made by Celebrimbor alone, with a different power and purpose.
[Skip notes on the Dwarven Rings]
Concerning the Three Rings Sauron could learn nothing from Celebrimbor; and he had him put to death. But he guessed at the truth, that the Three had been committed to Elvish guardians: and that must mean to Galadriel and Gil-galad.
In black anger he turned back to battle; and bearing as a banner Celebrimbor's body hung upon a pole, shot through with Orc-arrows, he turned upon the forces of Elrond.
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This passage is also interesting for another reason. The way that it is phrased, it sounds like Sauron personally fought Celebrimbor on the steps. If that is the case it is the only time in his entire history that he engaged in personal combat and won. Though in this instance he probably had considerable numbers of gibbering minions to help him.
[ June 11, 2002: Message edited by: Kuruharan ]