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SAMUEL WRIGHT, Editor and Proprietor.
VOLUME XXXIV, NUMBER 10.]
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OF AN ETAM.
l 3.' : .0 ' t z - :
Sit irtesm:Ra, MD , September 19
~ ni M. 11.1.11114311 fah:ilt near this
I I sit ,b,e„ h, write, so far as I
„„ hle account of the
• -ver fatght en the
ID er
,I•• ,t( It Alt
ti 0 01 1 , 1141.1. .tiler toe
1 • • i .....
1.
,•( , 1111 ,. 1. ••riii
l'St,arp.li;irg Ai'
will bear one, day's emitemplati , ifi and 01)-
% ..I .L i. 4,11 able to view the
o , 'lll V . l ...hit!
„1 : r:isk Tiir army
•iI.A.J. und there lia.4
,•; I•otti nit.:l-• 'hat it
it az.. 1 1411te twin e;1111111111.1111:1 di
ci4loll, lid Wild lolgade, It is imp,N s ible
to rtes- the ,rr,ance,:ttien of brigades—the
reziinento, the ha tiei ies, the cavalry. Com
mandern of division , i theme ye,. hardly knew
their commands. The line of battle was
four or live miles long, and the contest was
continued SU long a time that the general
features only can he ,ices. I shall attetiva
to make, the narration itindliAthle and truth
ful—la make it in its esseetial feature. hiQ•
711 ICdI, Cu tlia.t a stranger ri%iling
will at nova recognize the positions occu
pied by McClellan's corps.
OUR ADVANCE
On Sunday afternoon General.%Burnside
drove the enemy from the pass at S nith
Mountain. On Monday 11.3 advanced to
Boansboro.' On Tuesday Mansfield's, Hook
er's, Sumner's, Burnside's and Porter's
Corps were over the mountain, and advan
ced to the village of Kecdysville, three miles
from the battle-field. Franklin had gone
from Frederick to Harper's Ferry to relieve
Miles, but only to find with mortification
that he had surrendered. The enemy, with
the exception of L•"ngstreet's and A. I'. Rill's
Corps, wore in Virginia, and these com
manders evidently were about to retire to
the south side of the Potomac, but the sur
render of harpers Ferry filled them with
new hope and - expectation, and, instead of
retiring, the whole army was brought over
to meet McClellan on Maryland soil.
THE COUNTRY
The South Mountain is the easterly ridge
of the Blue ridge chain. The Potomac, cuts
it a. Harper's Ferry. It runs north to the
vicinity,:of Gettysburg. Directly west of it
commencing at the Ferry, is Elk ridge,
which is about ten miles lung. The village
of Keedysville, where I date this letter lies
ut the northern extremity of the ridge. It is
a wooded elevation, eight hundred or a
thousand feet high. The valley between
the South :lluuntain and Elk ridge is called
Pleasant Valley. An unfrequented road
runs over Elk ridge. The Sharpsburg,
Dagen:town and Iturper's Ferry turavike
runs west of the ridge, between it and the
P. , 1(11111te. The country along the turnpike
is exeellent farming la nd,and has been under
culture many years. It would be called an
open country—more fields than forests—
fi.•lds, pastures with oak groves, farm houses
tnirus, wheat stacks, corn fields, peach and
apple orchards.
The Potomac, is very tortuous and quite
rapid near the ferry. It can be crossed at
the ferry at Shenherdstown, which lies
southwest of Sharpsburg, and at Williams
port, which is seven miles southwest of
Llagerstown.
The ford at Shepherdstown is not a good
one, hut the enemy having possession of
Harper's Ferry was able to cross on our own
pontoon bridge.
The Potomac northwest of the upper end
of Elk ridge is about four miles distant,
where it ha- a sharp bend. At Shepherds
town it is about six miles distant, a little
south of west, while 'Elk ridge, as I have
stated, is ten miles long, extending south to
I.larper's Ferry. IVilliamsport, the best
crossing of all, was taken possession of by
our forces on Monday night—the cavalry.
which cut its way out from flarper's Ferry
on Sunday night, captured a portion of
Longstreet's ammunition, taking it to Penn
sylvania.
In addition to these main features there
is one other. Antietam river, which rises
near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, runs nearly
south, along the western slope of Elk ridge.
The Keedysville and Williamsport road
grows it a mile west from Keedysrille, by
a stone bridge.
A mile further down is a Beccond stone
bridge, on the Sharpeburg and Shepherds
town turnpike, and two miles below that a
third, which must be kept in special re
membrance, for there gallant deeds were
done.
The enemy selected the ground, choosing
&line where the two armies would be face
to face, with but little opportunity for Sank
movements; a line about four miles long—a
gateway four miles wide, where he put up
his batteries. Harper's Ferry was in his
possession, also Shepherdstown; Williams
port in ours, so that the enemy could not
Saul us in that direction neither escape
there if defeated. McClellan could not think
Lee, or get in big rear. Neither could Lee
outthink McClellan Neither was there an
opportunity for the cutting round policy
pursued against Pope. It m :at be, then, a
square fight-
Military criticism will have something to
-say of the safety and wisdom of the policy
pursued by Lee of recrossing the Potomac,
and taking a stand with but two chances for
retreat across a river liable at all times,
especially in the month of September, close
upon the equinox, to sudden freshets.—
What reasons there maybe for such a course
I cannot comprehend. But we have, on
Tuesday ofternoen, the Rebel army in line
between the Potomac, northwest of Sharps
burg, and the Antietam river, not crossing
the river, but holding to the lower stone
bridge.
EM
A WALK ALONG THE LINES
Before we notice the features of the con
test, walk with me along the line from the
bend in the Potomac to the lower bridge.—
It is a mile Iron the turnpike to the Poto
mac; measuring from Joel Paffenburgh's
house, which stands east of the turnpike.—
Right behind Pafienburgh's house is a ridge
of land—a cleared field running nearly par
allot with the turnpike. Standing on this
ridge and looking west we see first a mown
field of ten or twelve acres, then a corn
field on the eastern slope of a parallel ridge,
which is crowned with an oak grove. The
distance between the two ridges is about
one half mile. Just belowlPaffenburgh'e ie an
old toll house and gate. Walking south
east we find that we are gradually crossing
the ridge—that there isa slope east towards
the Antietam. and a gentle slope with hills,
knolls and ravines west toward the Poto
mac; that the ;urn pike is on the high ground
between the two streams. A short distance,
through a beautiful oak grove, and we come
to a large plowed field.
The grove extends along the turnpike a
half mile. East of the plowed field is an
other grove—the distance between the two
groves half a mile. Continuing our walk
we find the slope more abrupt as we gradu
ally near the lower stone bridge. The eas
tern slope is bare of tree*, but mottled with
corn fields, the stalks beginning to wear the
russet hues of autumn. There are a few
farmhouses with white-washed ontbuild-
jogs. Conspicuous in tho panorama is the
house of IVilliam Roulet. Numerous fences
smoth fields, a few apple-orchards a burial
ground. with the white head stones stand
ing in pleasent contrast against the green
sward.
sO:3 .
Looking, east we have the valley of the
Antietam—this winding stream, sparkling
in the suntight, fringed with willows, the
village of Keedysville (so spelled by a res
ident), undulating lands, from roads with
the Elk ridge green to its summit, and the
Smith Mountain lying beyond.
Crossing the upper stone bridge into the
village, and along the base of Elk ridge op
posite the lower bridge, then turtling tow
ard the west we have a view of two thirds
the entire line—freitu the ridge near Pollen
burgh's to a mile below Sharpsburg,. light
before us, a mile and a half distant from
the river, is the town, pleasantly situated—
two church steeples piercing the sky above
the horizen—but a shabby village, as I after
wards found. North of the town is a con
siderable elevation, alao south of it. if we
should go up there and look toward lieedys
villa WO should behold the valley like an
elongated basin below us. in a great meas
ore commanded by the two elevations.—
There is a ford, between the lower and turn
pike bridge. It was not used however, as a
crossing for our troop., till after our line of
battle was formed. With this view of the
ground we are prepared to see how General
McClellan disposed his army corps.
OUR LINE OF BATTLE
It is not easy to give the line of battle
with distinctness—that is, the disposition of
the different corps. Let it be kept in mind
that the nature of the ground was such that
there was necessarily wide gaps between
some of the corps. Gen. [looker was as
signed the extreme right near Paffenburgh's
house. Next Gen. Mansfield, commanding
Banks' army corps, next Sumner, next
Franklin, next Richardson. All of these
were west of the rice", extending from the
Sharpsburg; and Booriesboro' turnpike
bridge to the Potomac. East of the Antie
tam was Porter and Burnside, the latter nt
the lower stone bridge. Franklin did not
arrive on the ground till Wednesday fore
noon. He came up Pleasent Valley, cross
ed the upper bridge, turned in column to
the left, moved over the fields and took his
position partly between Richardson and
Sumner, his right overlapping Sumner's
left.
You are to imagine an elevation in front
of Sumner's left, crowned by the grove be
fore mentioned. Between Franklin and
Richardson, and between the Rebels in
front of Richardson, three•fourths of a mile,
is an unobstructed sweep of ground. The dis•
tame between Sumner and the Rebels in
front of hint is not more than a third of a
mile. Sumner is in a western border of a
grove, the Rebels in an eastern—the Rebels
on ground fifty to seventy-five feet highest.
In front of Mansfield is a grove. in front
of Hooker the mown land, the corn-field,
and the wood-crowned ridge beyond, already
mentioned occupied by the Rebels. The
batteries in front of Richardson are fifty
feet above hint, on the highest land in the
vicinity, and were turned at times upon
Sumner, Franklin, Richardson, Porter and
Burnside. The Rebel batteries ut Sharps
burg played upon Richardson, Porter and
Burnside. Burnside also had a heavy Rebel
battery in front and on his flank.
It will be seen that the lines were near
together in the centre, opposite Sumner.
but more widley separated on the flanks.
The centre was the Rebel stronghold.
Hooker took the extreme right, having
Doubleday's, liickett's, and ;geode's Di
visions. lie did not know that the enemy
were in full force. Jackson, when last
heard from, was at Harper's Ferry, with
only Longstreet's, A. P. Hill's and Ewell's
Corps in the vicinity of Sharpsburg. I do
not think our Generals comprehended that
Lee had chosen the locality for a great bat
tle till the batteries began to play on Tues
day afternoon.
After two hours' cannonading both par
ties ceased as if by mutual consent, and
prepared fur the morrow—sleeping on their
arms, the lines within musket shot. It was
high land, owned by William lioulet. It
was a pivot on which the varying fortunes
of the day turned and trembled like the
mariner's compass in.a tornado. The right
and left wavered, swung backward and for
ward, but the centre was stationary. Mr.
Roulet's house is in a ravine, three-fourths
of a mile northeast of Sharpsburg. A road
runs up the ravine towards the turnpike.
northwest; beyond it is a large corn-field.
TU6BDAT AFTEZNOOY
When our advance reached Keedeyville.
it was found that a Rebel force disputed
the passage nt the lower stone bridge; and
pickets occupied the ground west of the
Antietam. No attempt was made on Toes-•
day by Burnside to force the bridge. There
being no obstruction at the other bridges.
the corps of hooker, Mansfield and Sum
"NO ENTERTAINMENT SO CHEAP AS READING, NOR ANY PLEASURE SO LASTING."
COLUMBIA, PENNSYLVANIA, SATURDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 4, 1862.
ner, crossed, spread out over the fields, rtqcend
ed the slope, nod found the enemy in front in
strong force. After heavy cannonading
and some skirmishing, they retired to their
lines and both parties prepared fur the ap
proaching conflict.
RIDE TO TUE BATTLE-FIELD
I was nine miles distant, at Hagerstown,
when the booming of the cannon startled
me from sleep. Not many minutes elapsed
before I was in saddle. A ride directly
down the Sharpsburg pike would have
brought me in rear of the enemy. It would
have been a new and interesting experience
to have witnessed the fight from this stand
point, but unpleasant consequences might
have followed, and I pushed for our own
lines, down the Buonsboro' road. I gained
the rear of the right wing, just as Hooker
was pushing his column into position. By
the roadside was an emaciated Confederate
soldier, exhausted, too weak to raise his
bead as I passed He had straggled from
the army, had lust all hope, and was waiting
the canting on of death. evidently not ex
pecting tender mercies at the hands of the
people. Striking off from the main road,
through fields and farms, and forests, I
came to the Antietam, found a ford and
reached a pathway, where a line of ambu
lances was winding down the slope. At
the ford were a half dozen Zouaves, with
their guns upon their shoulders. 'They in
quired the way to Hagerstown, and were
particularly anxious that I should under
stand that their division had been sent
round there. They had glowir ' , deserip
dons to give of the fight. They had been
in it, had slain their men, when they were
ordered away to flank the enemy at Hagers
town. I had seen such men before, and
knew that fear had overcame them. Reach
ing the fields above the ford, I found a
squadron of cavalry pa.ted, to hold strag
glers in check, who performed efficient ser
vica by turtling back the few who, having
brought down wounded men to the hospitals,
were inclined to go further. I may say
here that there were but few of that char
acter. The troop+ were ready for the light,
and had been hotly engaged all the merit
ing.
In the first ambulance I mot I descried
a silver - star, and was sorry to see. as I
scrutinized the countenance, that it was my
old friend, General Iti3hardson, with whom
I had my first experience of battle scones at
Blackburn's Ford. A bullet had pierced
his breast.
Several farm houses in that vicinity were
already filled with wounded, and a long line
of men with stretchers were bringing in
other hundreds. As fast as they were
brought from the field straw was littered
upon the ground, awl the sufferers laid in
rows, awaiting their turns at the Surgeon's
hands.
Here was Lieutenant Colonel Dwight. of
the 21 Ma•sachosets, General Mansfield,
General Hooker, General Sedgwiek, Gen
Ricketts. There had been a teritic fire. It
had rolled like the breakers on the beach,
like angry thunder in the clouds, the low
continuous growl you •inmetimes hear, like
the fall of a great buildin ••; nut like the
voice of many waters, for that is deep,
solemn, peaceful, the symbol of the song of
the Redeemed, which will ascend before the
Throne of God when all war shall have
ceased, and all its wild uproar shall be
hushed.
Strange, mysteri,us Providence, that
through blood, through carnage and desola
tion we arrive at redemption! A year's es
perience—n year's itpdght hasn't reconciled
me to such scenes. More than eter I hate
the pomp and glory of war. I caa accept
only a stern necesity.
TILL CONTEST
The fire was raging fearfully in front of
Sumner; but Lloacr's and Mansfield's can
non were silent, cooling their brazen lips
after the morning's fever. In the hollow
behind the ridge east of Paffenburgh's
house, the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps—
what were left of them—were lying, sad,
yet not disheartened. How changed from
what they were a year ago, when I witness
ed them, fifteen thousand strong, at Ten
nalyrown, in review—now a mere remnant!
"We cannot lose many more," sail one.
as I talked of the morning's action. Gib
bon's brigade, of lln,dter's elrps, had cross
ed the turnpike, and was h.dding the ground
in the woods between it and the river.
Ascending the ridge, I came upon Bat
tery B. 4th Artillery, also Cooper's and
Easton's Pennsylvania batteries, the New
Hampshire Ist and the Rh Jde Island sth—
thirty pieces bearing on the corn-field and
the wood crowned hill, where, alas! a thmi
sand of as bravo men as ever breathed, were
lying, who, an hour before, had moved to
meet the enemy.
The firing was hot and heavy a few rods
south, but here both parties were exhausted
—resting awhile. The batteries overlooked
Paffetiburg,'s buildings. Battery B, of the
4th Artillery, was on the extreme right.
TUE REMIT WIN(
Leaving personal adventure, let me no
tice the facts of the morning. I cannot as
certain which party fired the first shot. It
began with the pickets in the night and was
taken up by the artillery at daylight. The
Rebels had concentrated a heavy force on
their left, we on our right, because the na
ture of the ground demanded it, the right
being our strongest ground, and their left
their weakest. The ridge behind PatTon
burgh's house was at the door post on which
our fortunes hinged. Not so with them—
theirs was a double door, its hinges being
in the centre, in the woods bordering the
turnpike south of the toll-house.
Hooker gave Meade, with the Pennsyl
vania Reserves, the right, Ricketts the left
and placed Doubleday in support in rear.
Mansfield joined his left, but was a little
behind. Sumner was still further behind,
almost down to the Antietam. Hooker ad
vnnced, drove in the Rebel picket+, found a
Rebel battery on his extreme right, which,
as soon as he came in range began to plow
him with a flanking fire. Meade obliqued
to the right, poured in a few volleys, and
drove the enemy across the turnpike. This
was the extreme left of the enemy. They
crossed the turnpike a few rods north of
Paffenburgh's through the fields to the
ridge by the corn field. Having obtained
possession of the ridge east of Paffenburgh's.
planted his batteries and opened a
fierce c moon ,de upon the Rebels, who re
plied. Paffenburgh's buildings were be
tween and were riddled by the shot. His
peach trees were torn. his bee hives upset.
one end of his bows blown out by a burst
ing shell. his walls knocked down,. fences
broken by the terrible storm which raged,
hour after hour. around the locality.
In Ettekett's Division was Hartstaffs
Brigade—the 12th and 13th Massachusetts,
9th New Turk and the 11th Pennsylvania;
also, Duryea's Brigade of four Ponllt•ylvania
regiments. Williams' and Green's Di
visauns were under Mansfield. Gen. W il
liams had Gordon's Brigade—the 2d Massa
chusetts; 3d Wisconsin, 27th ludimin, 13.0
and 107th New York, also Crawl ,rd's Br,
gade, composed of the 25th, 128th, 46th,
124th Pennsylvania, 28th New York and
sth Connecticut. These Divisions formed
the right wing.
As hooker advanced the Rebel skirmish
ers fell back slowly, holding their ground
with commendable bravery. The word was
given to follow on, and the division moved
with a rush—too impetuous, probably, when
we consider that we had hardly ascertained
the force of the enemy. The Rebels fled
past Pofferiburgh's house, down the hill
through the garden, across the turnpike,
through the woods and the corn-field to the
ridge beyond.
Ricketts' Division led the way, accom
panied by Meade. Mansfield being further
behind at the commencement, had not come
up. The fight was opened, therefore, by
Meade and Ricketts. The troops moved
willingly and engaged the dnemy in their
strong positions at short range. The volleys
of mussetry were incessant, rolling like a
drummer's call, with the heavy cannonade
skaking the earth with its concussions.
The nature of the ground was such that
Hooher's batteries found it difficult to ad
vance. Two batteries succeeded in pushing
through the woods, crossing the turnpike a
few rods south of PaCfenburgh's and ascend
ing; s:ight elevation about four rods west
of the road, within close canister range of
the enemy.
This was a bold posh upon the enemy's
flank. If Hooker held his position, they
would have his lire enfiLtding their strong
hold n few rods further south, of which more
by and by. If they allowed him to hold it,
their centre would be in danger, and if that
was once broken, the nature of the ground
behind it—all cleared land—would make it
impossible for them to form a new lino. I
can understand all this now that we hove
possession of the ground, although it was
not so clear at the time.
It because with the enemy a necessity
that Hooker should be dislodged. They
rallied for that purpose a brigade which had
a position a few rods further south, brought
up additional batteries and. advanced.
General Hooker saw that the storm was
coming. He nerved his men, moved along
the lines with as much coolness ns if at
parade—every nerve thrilling, with a feel.
mg in his soul that a great struggle was at
hand, on which, perhaps, might hang the
destinies of the Union. Unceasingly the
fires rolled from his line, but equally terrible
was that from the enemy, before which
flooker's line melted like the first hoar
frosts of autumn before the rising sun. His
men were wasting; his nmmunithm was
running low: his strength failing.
Ile sent for Doubleday, who came with
his splendid brigade, but still the contest
was unequal. We haul driven the enemy,
should we yield the ground? Ilartstufr
Brigade was ordered up by Doubleday. It
went firmly, powerfully, to strike a stagger
ing blow. It. formed in close order under
the terrible fire. It moved up the hill,
reached its crest, and stood face to face with
the enemy. They held this position nearly
half an hour, repelling a furious onslaught
of the Rebels. General llortstuff was
wounded—three-fourths of the troops were
disabled. !looker sent for aid from Mans.
field, who went up with Gordon's and Craw
ford's Brigades. They crossed the turn
pike. moved past a farm house into the
woods, and attacked the enemy in front,
while hooker tried them again in flank. All
the while our batteries um the ridge oast of
Rtlferiburg*s had been pouring a deodly fire
over the heads of our troops. The •roods
and corn fields flamed, bla%ed, flashed and
smoked like a furnace. All the while, too,
men were falling by hundreds. Mansfield's
Brigade came back, Ilartstuff came back,
Meade had already given way. Ricketts
held out. but it was a useless effort, and he
too moved back 'cross the turnpike—not
back to the first position of the morning,
but to the place where the Rebels had open
ed the fight. Something haul been won, t
a great deal had been lust—three thousand
gallant men.
The Rebels, elated with their success.
formed to drive heck Hooker from his posi
tion on the eastern ridge. If they succeed
ed in flanking him, they' could drive Mc-
Clellan's army pell mell into the Antietam.
! They massed an ianunsase force for the nn
set, moved up to the turnpike, but there
they met the iron hail of sixty pieces of
artillery. They dashed against Hartstuff,
intending to capture the batteries behind
l'affenburgh's, but unable to stand the ter
rible fire, waverel,_ broke andevent back to
their defensive line on the western ridge.
There was for a little while silence and
calm. Then the thunder rolled again all
along the line. Hooker endeavored to si
!once the Rabe! cannonade, and moved with
Gordon and Crawford up to the turnpike,
but, while making the attempt, was wound-
ed. Mansfield, Duryea, Ilartstuff, all gun
oral officers, had been wounded on the right
wing. lie still urged his men to hold out.
Sumner was at hand and would pierce the
enemy's centre, and all would 1)0 well.
The auspicious moment had passed. A
little more strength at the time would have
turned the enemy's left, folded it back upon
the centre, let us in rear, and changed the
whole aspect of affairs.
TUE CENTME
While the storm was thus raging along
Hooker's lines, Sumner came up. floor
rived at an opportune moment, fur Hooker
was being borne from the field, and the
enemy was rallying fur a grand attack.
Gordon and Crawford were in the woods
south of Paffenburgh's, liartstuff was on the
hif, behind the house. Meade w. 1.9 in the
hollow behind the hill, Doubleday far out
on the extreme right, with Gibbon's Bri
gade thrown across the turnpike, waiting
the onset.
The Rebels were rapidly reinforcing their
right. SeAgwick, commanding the right
of Sumner's Corps, came up and joined
Gordon and Crawford, a little to the left of
the ledges. Ile had three brigades—Gar
man's, Dana's and Howard's. Gorman had
the Ist Maine, 15th Massachusetts, 34th
New York and 821 Nov York, Volunteers.
Dana had the 19th Massachusetts, 20th
Massachusetts, 421, New York, 7th Michi
gan, and 50th New York. Howard had
the 724, 105th. 60th and 71st Penneylvaoht
Regiments. These three brigades
to the right for the purpose of sustaining
:11ansaeld, while Freach's D.cisiont moved
to the left to support Richardson, who wa•
advancing across Armlet's farm further
south. French's and Kimball's, Morrison's,
Mengher's and Max Weber's Brigades; Kim
ha!: tht: 1.1:2d
7vli 1 irgiui t, Sth 0:tio 31.11 d I dla 1.1;
M Orr ' S
I have nut been able to übtain.
Sedgwick advanced through a piece of
woods and came out into a plowed field,
southeast of the ledges where the Rebel
batteries were in position. Sedgwick's bat
teries had been pounding an hour at that
stronghold, but it had not been shaken.
Gordon and Crawford were pouring leaden
rain upon it from the northeast, but it still
held out- Sedgwick advanced rapidly, the
men dropping from his ranks before the
storm. Ile saw, as he came in view of the
enemy, that ho was too far from Gordon
and Crawford, and made a movement to
close up the gap. It was a difficult move
ment to attempt under a-galling tire, and
the 34th New York was thrown into con
fusion. The enemy seized upon the auspi
cious mement, advanced with cheers, made
the movement which Sedgwick had feared
would be made, and threw Crawford's left
into disorder.
The gallant commander did all in his
power, by word and action, by noble ex
ample. to rally the troops; and while thus
engaged received three wounds, in shoulder,
leg and wrist. His Adjutant, Major Sedg
wick, fell mortally wounded. In vain were
the efforts to carry the position. The Itegi•
ment was all but annihilated. It was im
possible to bring the :ine into order under
the tire of the enemy, and it fell back across
the plowed land to the woods, nut in a panic
but disordered.
General Sumner ordered the lino to be
relorir ed. The batteries were put to work,
and poured so terifie a lire upon the enemy
that they did not attempt to follow up their
advantage. They had had enough to do
in front of Crawford and Gorman to save
themselves from confusion. Gen. Sumner
committed to General ILiward to taskof ro•
forming the line. The duty was performed,
I need not say how admirably. I passed
along the line soon after, and was surprised
to so how cheerful the men were. They
were not disheartened, but ready for a sec
ond onset. They were lying down, eating
dinner, with their arms lying on the ground
—but all ready for the word of command..
heaving now this central spot—the ene
my's stronghold—the pivot on which the
fortunes of the day vibrated and trembled,
let us pass still farther south to the farm of
Mr. Roulet, where French and Richardson
are playing their part, end whose Franklin
is coining in with his Corps.
It was nt.t far from twelve o'clock when
the arrangements wero completed fur a
movement of the two divisions.
The artillery prepared the way for the ad
vance, by pining, in a heavy lire from • all
directions. The configuration of the ground
admitwd of this. The corn-field sloped to
ward the Antietam, and by careful scrutiny
the rebels could be seen lying down to avoid
the shot and shells. It was a moment of
anxious expectatiou to us who beheld the
ni,,vement from the hill behind Richardson.
The divisions moved past the cemetery,
past Roolet's house, the left of Frenche's
and the right of Richardson's joining in the
ravine. A few rods beyond the house the
Hebei skirmishers opened a galling fire.—
Our troop.; advanced rapidly, drove them in
through the nearest Coin-field. They fled to
the road, and the field beyond.
Time road is narrow, and by long usage
and heavy rains, hits become a trench—a
naiural rifle pit about two and a half feet
deep. The IZehels had thrown off the top
rails of the fence in front, and strengthened
the pas ti m by making them into abailis—
imitat Mg; the example net by General Stark
oa the northeastern slope of Bunker Hill, in
1775.
Th • r, ad way W:l9 their fir.; t Bro.; theit
Qrconti waq in the corn, fire or six rods fur
titer west.
Our troops came in front of the road,
when up rose the first rebel line. The fence
became a line of (lean and smoke. The
corn.-lieid heyonil—on higher ground— wa.
a sheet of lire. Meagher's lino and %Veber's
melted like lead in a crucible; there Ireland
bled for her adopted there Delaware
poured out loyal lii , el; there Maryland
proved lter I ive for the grand old Stars and
Stripes: there Itiehurdiotes veterans fought
as they had fought before. With a wild
:midi and cheer they moved up to the fence,
plowed through and through by the attter
iea cut and gashed by the leaden
114i1, and p lured their volleys into the Rebel
ranks, thrusting the muzzles of their guns
into the enemy's facesihrough the fence.—
Then and there they proved that they were
a match for the enemy in the open field.
The first Rebel line was almnst annihi
lated, and the dead lying beneath the tas
seled corn were almost as nurnernus'as the
golden cars upon the stalks. Visiting the
spot when the contest was over, I judged
from a little counting that h thousand of the
enemy's dead were in the road and the ad.
joining corn•field. A shell had thrown
cocci into one heap—some on their faces,
some on their hacks—fallen as a handful of
straws would fall when dropped upon the
ground. But not they alone suffered. The
bloody tide which had surged through nil
the morning between the ridges above, along
the right, had flowed over the hill at this
noontide hour. The yellow soil became
crimson. The russet corn leaves turned to
red as if autumn had put on in a moment
its richest glory. How costly! Five thou
sand men, I think I do not exaggerate,
wounded and dead lay nlong that pathway
and in the adjoining fields! The gods of the
ancients drnuk human blood, but no richer
libation was ever poured more willingly,
freely or bravely, than this on the heights
of Shorpsbarg.
The enemy's reserves came down the hill
through the corn. We had none at hand.
Porter; was across the creek. Honker's
Mansfield's and Sedgwiek's commands had
been engaged all the morning. The in•
spirer for the hour—the brave man who
once moved up the heights of Cherubuseo,
who was first in at Bull Jun, who has seen
as much hard fighting as any other cum
mender—Richardson—was under the sur
geon's hands with a hell in his breast.—
Meagher was wounded, Sedgmiek, Mans
field, Dana, Hartsuff, Booker, Ricketts,
Meade, Crawford, Duryea, and a hundred
regimental officers were gone. Who should
sustain them? Gradually the line gave way
—retraced its steps, in order, back to its
original position.
FRANKLIN'S ARRIVAL..
When Burnside advanced ea South Moun
tain by Middletown, Franklin moved to the
left to Burkitsville Gap, where !le engaged
11 , ,we1l Cobh and routed him. Ite pulsed
on - into Pleasant Valley. where he rested his
men. according to orders—guarding against
anyuleok ignivomPat.Jacksou might make
up the Valley. Ile was eight miles distant
$1,50 PER YEAR IN ADVANCE; $2,00 IF NOT IN ADVA
in camp at daylight, when the battle began.
At eight o'clock an order from Gen. McClel
lan reached him to march with all possible
despatch. lie was prepared fir such an
order. His tro ips were ready, and at once
were in column, their pulses quickened by
the increasing uproar. They moved rapidly,
and arrived just in season to recover in the
centre what it had cost so much to win, but
which had been snatched away. We had
achieved success on the extreme right. but
had lost it. We had tried in the right cen-
Ere to take the enemy's stronghold, but had
failed. We had heroically driven him from
his cover in the corn, on the left centre, but
had been driven back. We had expected to
hear from Burnside at the bridge two miles
further down on our left. His cannon had I
roared through the hours, but the enemy
was still firmly fixed in their position. The
fortunes of the day were evidently turning
against us.
There was a feeling of relief when Frank
lin was seen moving up the slope toward
Sumner's position. Slocum's and Smith's
Divisions were there—Couch was on his
way. Slocum and Smith had six brigades.
Smith, with Hancock, Brooks and Davison,
moved up on the left next to Richardson,
and Slocum took the right next to Sumner.
The Rebels had repossessed their ground,
and were rifling the pockets of our dead and
wounded. The brigades formed in line.
went over the ground where Richardson
and French had been, stepping over their
fallen comrades with a determination to re
cover all that had been lost. It was done.
The Rebel lines broke in an instant and fled
up the hill, through the corn, coming out
upon the cleared field beyond in confutdon.
It was not prudent to follow further than
the road, now gory with blood, for beyond
the Rebel batteries would sweep them down.
It was decisive work which Vermont per
formed under Smith, and New York under
Slocum. I mention these States because
they were largely represented, but there
was no faltering—old and new troops alike
fought like veterans.
Tae LErr Wi
To Burnside was assigned the duty of
carrying the stone bridge, two miles below
the turnpike, and taking the batteries which
were in position south of Sharpsburg. It
was n difficult task. A high banked stream,
bordered by willows; a narrow bridge; a
steep bill; cleared lands, with no shelter
from the batteries in front and on both his
flanks, after lie should have succeeded in
crossing the stream. Undoubtedly there
was a grand object to be gained by carrying
the bridge and gaining a foothold on the op
posite shore, but not being a military stu•
dent, the object is not plain.
Burnside planted his cannon on the high
hills or ridges east of the river, and kept
them in play a long time before any attempt
was made on the bridge by infantry. The
Rebel batteries replied, and there was a
continuous storm of shut and shell.
The road crossing the Antietam farthest
south, runs diagonally to Sharpsburg, up
the hill. The ground is undulating, or ly
ing in ridges or swells, with dry ravines be
tween—all cleared land, beautiful fields of
corn and clover, or newly plowed for the
WI wheat sowing. The batteries of the
enemy wore posted advantageously in posi
tion, by which any force crossing either
bridge or advancing directly open the town
would be cut up by a cross-fire. I do not
wonder that Burnside hesitated to move.—
Ito has a great affection for his men, and he
knew there would be a tornado sweering
from the heights upon his troops whenever
he attempted to cross the bridge. The de
scent on the eastern side of the Antietam is
very abrupt and the road winding. It was
discovered that the infantry must advance
without the aid of the batteries, to bear upon
the bridge and the rising ground in front.
Under the circumstances not mach could be
expected of Burnside's movement.
The road on the eastern side winds down
a ravine to the river, which is an hundred
feet below the summit of the hills where li i
artillery was posted. It is a narrow path,
with a natural embankment on the rig t
hand, which is covered with oaks. There is
a piece of bottom land eight or ten rods on
the eastern aide of the river. The bridge is
narrow and about seventy-five feet lung.
After crossing the stream the road runs di
agonally up the bank toward the north, just
below the bridge. Oo the side are willows
fringing the stream with their graceful
branches bending down to the waters, and
covering the opposite shore. The bank is
very abrupt. A small force on either side
can hold the bridge against a large body of
men.
Col. Kingsbury of the 11th Connecticut,
a new regiment with a noble commander,
was ordered to carry the bridge, to operate
against it as his judgment should dictate.
Col. Kingsbury w. nt down the road, fol
lowed by the 48th Pennsylvania. 51st New
York, 51st Pennsylvania, and 21st Massa
chusetts. Beneath the willJws and upon
the hills swarmed the Rebels. A brisk
musketry ensued, in which the 11th Con
necticut suffered severely—its Colonel re
ceiving n mortal wound in the brea.t. It
was withdrawn, and the 48th Pennsylvania
took its place, to receive a like cutting up.
The matter was becoming serious. Gen.
Burnside ordered up the other three regi
ments, bound to carry it at all hazards. It
was but the work an moment. They rushed
over the bridge. as Napoleon's veterans at
Arcola, routed the Rebels, and took posses
son of the first range of hills nearest the
river. The entire command then passed
over. and moved against the batteries on
the hills. His troops moved readily to the
attack. There was bravery and daring
equal to that on the right and in the centre,
but be could not advance. Ile could only
maintain his position—keep his foothold.
That was done.
TIIE CLOSE Or TOE CONTEST.
The day was waning. Through the hours
from early morning the roar bad been un
ceasing. Four hundred cannon had shaken
the earth, two hundred thousand men had
struggled for mastery. At times the storm
had lulled, dying away like the wind at
night, then rising again to the fierceness of
a tornado. It was evident by mid afternoon
that the contest was likely to be indecisive.
On the right we were too much exhausted to
attempt .a turning of their flank. In the
morning the fever tied been high, but now,
like an invalid, we must be quiet. Any at
tempt to carry the position when we had al
ready expebded so much strength, would be
disastrous. In the intervals of the cannon
ade, low moans came up from the hollows
between the ridges, like the wail of the
night wind on a lonely shore—it did not
dishearten, it nerved them to stand unflinch
ingly to the last. That they were deter
mined upon, but they could not advance.
In the centre for ten hours, the fiery surges
[WHOLE NUMBER 1,676.
had rolled around the little hillock in front
of Sumner. Sedgwick M 1.9 gone. Mare
field bad received his death wound; nod
thousands of bravo men were lying in front
of the enemy's cannon, which were still in
position, unmoved by all the assaults we
had made. Burnside was struggling to
keep his feet upon the western shore of the
Antietam. Such was the views of the hour.
Porter lied been held in reserve, and all
through the day his men had been silent
but interested spectators. Would they'be
called in at this hour, and with one ponder
ous stroke, ono furious onset, break the line
of the enemy and win the day? We had
one hundred and fifty cannon in reserve,
, which through the day had been silent,
could they nut speak for the country in this
hour? It scorned that if that central point,
the rocky stronghold could be carried, if we
could but force back the batteries at that
spot the day would be ours. It was the
strong joint of the vertebra. If we could
disjoint it by one grand effort, by the con
centration of fifty additional cannon, then
forevermore it would be a turtling point in
history.
Wellington looked upon the little hillock
of llougomont as the all important point,
the possession of which, would give him the
victory of Waterloo. So Napoleon saw its
value and strived to obtain the spot. Leo
and Jacicson evidently regarded that spot
beneath the forest trees as the all-important
portion of their line. They held it fiercely,
defiantly.
Burnside, after his partial success, •sont
word that he could do no more without re
inforcements. The enemy was massing
troops to push him into the river, It was
not a pleasant prospect.
It was evident that at so late an hour,
with our forces exhausted, there was but
little hope of routing the enemy; but all
looked for decisive results on the 'morrow.
They knew that twenty-five thousand veter
ans:were behind them, and would be ready
in the morning to join in a renewal of the
contest against an enemy already showing
signs of exhaustion from his wavering fires.
"To-morrow" was evidently in the thought'
of all. .
It was at this hour the enemy made-a de.•
tnunstration as if to turn our right flank. I.
was near General Howard, in command-of;
the right wing after the sad loss et. general.
officers, when an Aid brought word that the
enemy had commenced a movement tollankl
him. "Concentrate the heaviest fire possi--.
ble into the woods At the right of the cora.;
field," he said, pointing to the lot:talky where
!looker had fought so desperately in • the
morning. The officer rode along the lines'
and issued the instructions.. Thirty cannon
obeyed, filling the woods with :bursting•
shells. A fire so terrible could not be en
dured, and the enemy, foiled in hispurpose,
disappeared behind his battle lines of• trees:
and hills.
Hastening down to the left, to see what.
Burnside was doing, I had an opportunity
to view the closing scene. Stand with' me
on the high ridge where Porter had been
stationed through the day. Both - parties
have put on new vigor at the sunset hour.
The tiro kindles along the line. There is.
almost nn unobstructed view. Far upon the.
right is the smoke of the thirty cannon, still
rising in a white sulphurous cloud. The
woods opposite where the rebel batteries
have been stationed smoke like a femme.
A. little nearer Sumner's artillery is rolling .
its thunder and hurling its bolts against the
limett me ledges, which answer that Frank—
lin is fresh. Ayers' battery was pouring ii
rapid, deadly fire on the corn-field, west of:
lioulet's, where the Rebel line is lying un
der cover. Above them, on the highest hil
lock, a half-mile from Sharpsburg,tt.heary,
li.obel battery is in flame. Richardson's 'ar
tillery, immediately in front, is replying,
sending shells upon the bill nod. beyond,
into Sharpsburg, where hay-stacks, boases - :
and barns are burning, rolling up tall pH. ,
lore of cloud and flame to Heaven. At our
left hand Burnside'e heavy guns are than,:
daring, answered by the opposing batteries.;
All the country is smoking, as if duellist
great day had come, and lightning was leap•
inc., from the earth. It is a continuous roll•
of thunder. The sun goes down, reddened.
in the smoky haze. Ayers' Battery is..di
reedy in line with the descending orb r and‘
the sharp swift flashes seem to issue:from
its angry face. The musketry has ceased,:
sive a few volleys rolling from beyond the
willows in the valley, and a little dripping,
like rain drops after a shower, in front and
on the right where the skirmishers. are in
lino. Words utterly full to convey an idea
of the grandeur of the scene. It hawmumed
from sight, but it will remain in memory
one of the grandest pictures of the arar..' :
The thunder died away; the flashes be
came low and fainter, ceased and all was
still upon the bloody field. Thirty thou.
sand, full of life at the dawning, were bleed
ing this evening hour. The sky was bright
with the lurid flames of the burning build
ing.; and they who went out with a cop of
cold water to the wounded needed no to rch
to light them on their errands of mercy. A
thousand camp fires gleamed alongthe
sides, no if a great city had lighted ttelhmpe:
The ambulances were winding on in the
morning over the fields. Along all roads
supply trains came. Troops poured' In—
twentv-five thousand men reedy for the re
newel of the contest in the morning. Car;
airy clattered along the streets. Additiffnai
artillery came up, and the army, notwith
standing the gory harvest of the day, had
full ranks for the ensuing morning. •
The slightly wounded were pouring into
the village of Keedysville. Itundreds with
bandaged arms, heads and feet, seeking*
place to lie down in houses, barns, or under
hay-stacks. It was a sorrowful sight.' Yet
the'e were but few complaints. The good
people, kind and christian, opened their
houses, homes and hearts to the sufferers.
It was cheering—almost the only redeeming
feature of the hour. So the day closed, re
minding one of the sweet lines of Whittier
on the Angels of Buena Vista:
“Not wholly too. oh Father: is this evil world of au r 5
Upward. throttch /IS blood nod ashes, spring afresh;
the I:deo dower,
TffI:I2PDAY MORNING
Ali listened, especting to hear the can=
nonade begin again at daybreak, Worthen*
was no renewal of the contest. :Leaking
across the valley from Keedysvilfe,"ttould
see our army in line, the Rebels awls
their pcsitione. Riding to the . rigAik.pest
Ilooker's and Mansfield's batteries, Lreaeb.
el the turnpike at PaEfenburgb's bottle.—
Our pickets were in the road, Just beyond,
in the woods were the Rebels, walkiertiller
the dying and the dead. - Paffenbtugden
house was riddled by shot. A shell had
burst in the attic and one . gable was gape.
Two noble horses were lying in the Grad,
both killed by a round shot , tbronglidieir
heads. Riding down the turnpUte testis
=MEE
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