son. this preliminary report nothing more than a nently retaken. The divisions of French and sketch of the main features of this great engage-Richardson maintained with considerable loss the ment, reserving for my official report, based upon exposed positions which they had so gallantly the reports of the corps commanders, that full gained, among the wounded being Gen. Richarddescription of details which shall place upon record the achievements of individuals and of particular bodies of troops. The design was to make the main attack upon the enemy's left-at least, to create a diversion in favor of the main attack, with the hope of something more-by assailing the enemy's right, and as soon as one or both of the flank movements were fully successful, to attack their centre with any reserve I might then have on hand. The morning of the sixteenth (during which there was considerable artillery firing) was spent in obtaining information as to the ground, rectifying the position of the troops, and perfecting the arrangements for the attack. On the afternoon of the sixteenth Hooker's corps, consisting of Ricketts's and Doubleday's divisions, and the Pennsylvania reserves, under Meade, was sent across the Antietam Creek, by a ford and bridge to the right of Kedysville, with orders to attack, and, if possible, turn the enemy's left. Mansfield, with his corps, was sent in the evening to support Hooker. Arrived in position, Meade's division of the Pennsylvania reserves, which was at the head of Hooker's corps, became engaged in a sharp contest with the enemy, which lasted until after dark, when it had succeeded in driving in a portion of the opposing line, and held the ground. At daylight the contest was renewed between Hooker and the enemy in his front. Hooker's attack was successful for a time, but masses of the enemy, thrown upon his corps, checked it. Mansfield brought up his corps to Hooker's support, when the two corps drove the enemy back, the gallant and distinguished veteran Mansfield losing his life in the effort. Gen. Hooker was, unhappily, about this time wounded, and compelled to leave the field, where his services had been conspicuous and important. About an hour after this time, Sumner's corps, consisting of Sedgwick's, Richardson's and French's divisions, arrived on the field-Richardson some time after the other two, as he was unable to start as soon as they. Sedgwick, on the right, penetrated the woods in front of Hooker's and Mansfield's troops. French and Richardson were placed to the left of Sedgwick, thus attacking the enemy toward their left centre. Crawford's and Sedgwick's lines, however, yielded to a destructive fire of masses of the enemy in the woods, and, suffering greatly, (Generals Sedgwick and Crawford being among the wounded,) their troops fell back in disorder; they, nevertheless, rallied in the woods. The enemy's advance was, however, entirely checked by the destructive fire of our artillery. Franklin, who had been directed the day before to join the main army with two divisions, arrived on the field from Brownsville about an hour after, and Smith's division replaced Crawford's and Sedgwick's lines. Advancing steadily, it swept over the ground just lost, but now perma The condition of things on the right toward the middle of the afternoon, notwithstanding the success wrested from the enemy by the stubborn bravery of the troops, was at this time unpromising. Sumner's, Hooker's and Mansfield's corps had lost heavily, several general officers having been carried from the field. I was at one time compelled to draw two brigades from Porter's corps (the reserve) to strengthen the right. This left for the reserve the small division of regulars who had been engaged in supporting during the day the batteries in the centre, and a single brigade of Morell's division. Before I left the right to return to the centre, I became satisfied that the line would be held without these two brigades, and countermanded the order which was in course of execution. The effect of Burnside's movement on the enemy's right was to prevent the further massing of their troops on their left, and we held what we had gained. Burnside's corps, consisting of Wilcox's, Sturgis's and Rodman's divisions, and Cox's Kanawha division, was intrusted with the difficult task of carrying the bridge across the Antietam, near Rohrback's farm, and assaulting the enemy's right, the order having been communicated to him at ten o'clock A.M. The valley of the Antietam, at and near the bridge, is narrow, with high banks. On the right of the stream the bank is wooded, and commands the approaches both to the bridge and the ford. The steep slopes of the bank were lined with rifle-pits and breastworks of rails and stones. These, together with the woods, were filled with the enemy's infantry, while their batteries completely commanded and enfiladed the bridge and ford and their approaches. The advance of the troops brought on an obstinate and sanguinary contest, and from the great natural advantages of the position, it was nearly one o'clock before the heights on the right bank were carried. At about three o'clock P.M. the corps again advanced, and with success, driving the enemy before it, and pushing on nearly to Sharpsburgh, while the left, after a hard encounter, also compelled the enemy to retire before it. The enemy here, however, were speedily reenforced, and with overwhelming masses. New batteries of their artillery, also, were brought up and opened. It became evident that our force was not sufficient to enable the advance to reach the town, and the order was given to retire to the cover of the hill, which was taken from the enemy earlier in the afternoon. This movement was effected without confusion, and the position maintained until the enemy retreated. Gen. Burnside had sent to me for reënforcements late in the afternoon, but the condition of things on the right was not such as to enable me to afford them. During the whole day our artillery was everywhere bravely and ably handled. Indeed, I can The signal corps, under Major Myers, rendered during the operations at Antietam, as at SouthMountain, and during the whole movements of the army, efficient and valuable service. Indeed, by its services here, as on other fields elsewhere, this corps has gallantly earned its title to an independent and permanent organization. The duties devolving upon my staff during the action were most important, and the performances of them able and untiring. At a later day I propose to bring to the notice of the department their individual services. my, after having been passing troops in the latter part of the day from the Virginia shore to their position behind Sharpsburgh, as seen by our officers, suddenly formed the design of abandoning their line. This movement they executed before daylight. Being but a short distance from. the river, the evacuation presented but little difficulty. It was, however, rapidly followed up. A reconnoissance was made across the river on the evening of the nineteenth, which resulted in ascertaining the near presence of the enemy in some force, and in our capturing six guns. A second reconnoissance, the next morning, which, with the first, was made by a small detachment from Porter's corps, resulted in observing a heavy force of the enemy there. The detachment withdrew with slight loss. I submit herewith a list of the killed, wounded and missing in the engagements of the fifteenth, and of the sixteenth and seventeenth. The enemy's loss is believed, from the best sources of information, to be nearly thirty thousand. Their dead were mostly left on the field, and a large number of wounded were left behind. With the day closed this memorable battle, in which, perhaps, nearly two hundred thousand men were for fourteen hours engaged in combat. While it gives me pleasure to speak of the galWe had attacked the enemy in position, driven lantry and devotion of officers and men, generalthem from their line on one flank, and secured a ly displayed throughout this conflict, I feel it nefooting within it on the other. Under the de-cessary to mention that some officers and men pression of previous reverses, we had achieved a victory over an adversary invested with the prestige of former successes and inflated with a recent triumph. Our forces slept that night conquerors on a field won by their valor, and covered with the dead and wounded of the enemy. skulked from their places in the ranks until the battle was over. Death on the spot must hereafter be the fate of all such cowards, and the hands of the military commanders must be strengthened with all the power of the Government to inflict it summarily. The night, however, presented serious ques- The early and disgraceful surrender of Harper's tions; morning brought on grave responsibilities. Ferry deprived my operations of results which To renew the attack again on the eighteenth, or would have formed a brilliant sequence to the to defer it, with the chance of the enemy's re- substantial and gratifying success already related. tirement after a day of suspense, were the ques- Had the garrison held out twenty-four hours tions before me. A careful and anxious survey longer, I should in all probability, have captured of the condition of my command, and my know- that part of the enemy's force engaged in the atledge of the enemy's force and position, failed to tack on the Maryland Heights, while the whole impress me with any reasonable certainty of suc- garrison, some twelve thousand strong, could have cess, if I renewed the attack without reënforcing been drawn to reenforce me on the day of the columns. A view of the shattered state of some decisive battle-certainly on the morning of the of the corps sufficed to deter me from pressing eighteenth. I would thus have been in a position them into immediate action, and I felt that my to have destroyed the rebel army. Under the duty to the army and the country forbade the same circumstances, had the besieging force on risks involved in a hasty movement, which might the Virginia side at Harper's Ferry not been result in the loss of what had been gained the withdrawn, I would have had thirty-five or forty previous day. Impelled by this consideration, I thousand less men to encounter at Antietam, and awaited the arrival of my reenforcements, taking must have captured or destroyed all opposed to advantage of the occasion to collect together the me. As it was, I had to engage an army fresh dispersed, give rest to the fatigued, and remove from a recent, and to them a great victory, and the wounded. Of the reënforcements, Couch's to reap the disadvantages of their being freshly division, although marching with commendable and plentifully supplied with ammunition and rapidity, was not in position until a late hour in supplies. the morning; and Humphrey's division of new troops, fatigued with forced marches, were arriving throughout the day, but were not available until near its close. Large reënforcements from Pennsylvania, which were expected during the day, did not arrive at all. The object and results of this brief campaign may be summed up as follows: In the beginning of the month of September, the safety of the National capital was seriously endangered by the presence of a victorious enemy, who soon after crossed into Maryland, and then directly threatDuring the eighteenth, orders were given for a ened Washington and Baltimore, while they ocrenewal of the attack at daylight on the nine-cupied the soil of a loyal State, and threatened teenth. On the night of the eighteenth, the ene- an invasion of Pennsylvania. The army of the On the eleventh, the Boston having returned, tire works on the bluff. On first occupying the bluff, Capt. Steedman, with his gunboats, pro-I embarked myself, with the last remaining porceeded immediately to Jacksonville, for the purpose of destroying all boats and otherwise intercepting the passage of the rebel troops across the river. On the fifth, leaving the work of removing the guns from St. John's Bluff to Colonel T. H. Good, Forty-seventh regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, my second in command, I proceeded up the river as far as Jacksonville, in the Ben Deford, with 785 infantry. tion of my command, except one company of the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania volunteers, left to assist and protect the Cosmopolitan, for Hilton Head, S. C., on the twelfth instant, and arrived at that place on the thirteenth instant. The captured steamer Governor Milton I left in charge of Capt. Steedman, United States Navy. It is evident that the troops in this portion of the country, from their being in separate and distinct I observed a large quantity of corn and other companies, have not sufficient organization or crops on the banks of the river, which it was at determination, to attempt to sustain any one pofirst my intention either to remove or destroy.sition, but seem rather to devote themselves to a This purpose I afterward abandoned as imprac- system of guerrilla warfare, as was exemplified ticable, not having either forces or transportation in our advance on St. John's Bluff, where, even sufficient to remove it, and seeing from the com- after the evacuation of the fort, they continued to munication of the Major-General Commanding appear on our flank and in our front, but as they that he did not desire the delay necessary to de- seemed to fear a too near approach, their fire was stroy it. The rebels had a light battery of eight never effective. The gunboats rendered great pieces, and a position in readiness to receive seven and valuable assistance during this expedition, heavy guns at a place called Yellow Bluff, which and high praise is due to their commander, Capt. they appear to have lately evacuated. Jackson-Charles Steedman, United States Navy, for the ville I found to be nearly deserted, there being prompt and energetic manner in which he entered but a small portion of its inhabitants left, chiefly old men, women and children. On our first arrival some few rebel cavalry were hovering around the town, but they immediately retired on my establishing a picket line. From the town and its neighborhood I bring with me several refugees and about two hundred and seventy-six contrabands, including men, women and children. into every scheme for the reduction of the enemy, and the destruction of their works; and the zeal and activity with which he personally superintended every detail of his portion of the duties; and further for his generous assistance in relieving the transport Cosmopolitan. I ascertained at Jacksonville that the enemy commenced evacuating the bluff immediately after the surprise of their picket near Mount Pleasant Creek on the third instant. It affords me pleas good feeling existed between the two branches of the service, in every respect, doubtless owing to the gallant and gentlemanly conduct of the commander of the naval forces. The troops under my command showed great energy, zeal and activity, and a desire to meet the enemy, but the latter were too fleet for them. I doubt not they will give a good account of themselves when the opportunity offers. On the sixth, hearing that some rebel steamers were secreted in the creek up the river, I sent the Darlington, with one hundred men of the Forty-ure to state that the most perfect harmony and seventh regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, in charge of Captain Yard, with two twenty-four pound light howitzers and a crew of twenty-five men, under the command of Lieutenant Williams, United States Navy, and a convoy of gunboats, to cut them off. This party returned on the morning of the ninth with the rebel steamer Governor Milton, which they captured in a creek about two hundred and thirty miles up the river, and about twenty-seven miles from the town of I am much indebted to my Staff, Captain L. J. Enterprise. Lieut. Bacon, my Aid-de-Camp, ac- Lambert, A. A.G., Capt. I. Coryell, A.Q.M., Lieucompanied the expedition. Finding that the Cos- tenants J. V. Germain and G. W. Bacon, Aidsmopolitan, which had been sent to Hilton Head de-Camp, for their zeal, energy and attention to for provisions, had so injured herself in returning their duties during the entire expedition, particuacross the bar as to be temporarily unfit for ser- larly the three latter officers, who were always vice, I sent the Seventh regiment Connecticut ready at all times for any duty. To Capt. Coryvolunteers to Hilton Head by the steamer Boston, ell, A.Q.M., the Quartermaster Department owes on the afternoon of the seventh instant, with the much for his untiring energy and activity in givrequest that she might be returned to assist in ing his valuable assistance to the transport Costhe transportation to Hilton IIead of the remain-mopolitan after her accident. I am also under ing portion of my command. On the return of obligation to Capt. A. P. Rockwell, First Connec the successful expedition after the rebel steamers, ticut light battery, who acted as additional Aidon the ninth, I proceeded with that portion of de-Camp, and to the officers of the signal corps, my command to St. John's Bluff, awaiting the Lieutenants G. H. Hill and F. E. Town, who perreturn of the Boston. On the eleventh instant I formed their duties with great satisfaction to me embarked the section of First Connecticut light and to the expedition. battery, with their guns, horses, etc., and one company of the Forty-seventh regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, on board the steamer Darlington, sending them to Hilton Head via Fernandina, Florida. I have the honor to be, Colonel, most respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. M. BRANNAN, Brigadier-General Commanding. CAPTAIN GODON'S OFFICIAL REPORT. UNITED STATES STEAMER VERMONT, } PORT ROYAL HARBOR, S. C., October 5, 1862. SIR: The Department is doubtless aware that an attack by the rebels had been made some time since on the gunboats employed on the inside blockade of St. John's River. A battery had been erected on the St. John's Bluffs, and heavy guns planted, which kept those small vessels in the immediate vicinity of Mayport Mills. Commander Steedman, with a large force, had been ordered by Admiral Du Pont to look to this. Having approached the fort and felt its troops, he urged that troops might be sent to aid in securing the garrison when the battery should be silenced by the gunboats, and to alter the insolent tone of the rebel military authority in that quar ter. Gen. Mitchel, with his characteristic promptitude, detailed a suitable force for the purpose, under Gen. Brannan, which sailed hence on the thirtieth ultimo. I have now the honor to inform the Department that I have just received the report of Commander Steedman, in which he informs me that the cooperation force under General Brannan having arrived and landed with great promptitude, the gunboats advanced, and after a spirited, and, as it seems, well-directed fire, silenced the battery, which was then occupied by our force. The rebels seem to have retired in much haste, leaving guns, (nine in number, some of which were eight-inch, and two four and one half inch rifles,) munitions, provisions, and camp equipage. This success has been without loss on our STEAMER BEN DEFORD, ST. JOHN's River, Fla., The military portion of the expedition, under command of Brig.-Gen. J. M. Brannan, embarked at Hilton Head, on the afternoon of September thirtieth, on the steamers Ben Deford, Cosmopolitan, and Boston, accompanied by a smaller steamer, the Neptune, which transported scows and boats for landing purposes. Before leaving the wharf the troops listened to a few pithy words from Gen. Mitchel, in which he reminded them that this was the first movement of his planning in this department, and that they were complimented in being chosen to carry it out. He expected them to accomplish all that they undertook, and, no matter how insignificant might be If the object to be achieved, when it was a matter of duty, it became of great importance. Glory, to any great depth, might not cover them if they were successful; but an infinite amount of disgrace would attach to them should they fail. possible, the enemy was to be captured and brought back; but on no account must they return without bringing back or destroying the guns. Fourteen hours of pleasant weather and slow steaming carried us to St. John's bar, where we were delayed until midday of the first for highwater-the detention allowing the Cosmopolitan to run back as far as Fernandina for the little steamer Darlington, which was needed to assist in debarking the troops, and also affording an opportunity of consultation as to the plan of attack between Gen. Brannan and Capt. Steedman, of the gunboat Paul Jones, commanding the naval force. And here I may as well enumerate our strength. Gen. Brannan's command was made up of the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania regiment, Col. Good; the Seventh Connecticut, Col. Hawley; a section of the First Connecticut battery and a company of cavalry; and Capt. Steedman had the gunboats Cimerone, Water Witch and Uncas, besides his own vessel, the Paul Jones. In the afternoon, carly, transports and gunboats were all inside the bar, anchored in the mouth of the river, directly opposite Mayport Mills, a small timber village, situated upon a bluff. A couple of miles beyond, up the stream, where the ground is still more elevated, we saw the rebel flag, indicating the position of their batteries, and the Cimerone, Water Witch and Uncas were despatched to reconnoitre, executing their work handsomely, drawing the enemy's fire from three points; the former vessel planting some shells directly into the batteries, in return for the heavy shot they sent very near, but not near enough to strike. This "feeling" process was undertaken upon the supposition that the enemy had skedaddled, it having been observed that in the morning as soon as our transports came in sight, a flag of distress was hoisted from one of the batteries, which brought down a steamer from Jacksonville, and she soon went back with what looked to be a portion of the garrison. Finding that a fight was offered, the work of landing the troops was at once begun, by means of the scows and boats-a very tedious and difficult labor. A portion of the force was sent by water through Buckhorn Creek, where they debarked on the mainland, under the protection of the gunboats, with a view of intercepting the enemy's retreat, and the remainder stopped at Mayport Mills. It was not until the afternoon of the third, in spite of most determined hurrying, and in the midst of a continued rain, that the troops, horses, and artillery, were got safely ashore, including two twelve-pound howitzers from the Paul Jones, and one from the Cimerone, worked by marines, which were placed under Gen. Brannan's orders. Early on the morning of the second we made prisoner of a Mr. Parsons, owner of the Mayport lumber-mill, and one of his negroes, but Parsons was so thoroughly a rebel, that no threats could induce him to give information. Just as the landing was finished, and the troops were about to move to the attack, word came from the gunboats, which had gone on a second reconnoissance of the batteries, that the rebels had vacated. The soldiers were pushed forward, however, and soon reached the works, finding them already in possession of Lieut. Snell, commanding the Hale. As I have before mentioned, there were eight guns mounted-all heavy columbiads, and two rifled pieces-in perfect condition, loaded and ready for use. Another columbiad was not yet upon its carriage. Besides the guns were a quantity of good ammunition, small arms, etc. It is conjectured that the rebels were twelve hundred strong, and they held the fort, expecting reenforcements, until, finding our troops getting in their rear, they fled at the last moment. Texas a volunteer lieutenant, J. W. Kittredge, with the bark Arthur, the little steamer Sachem, and a launch, with which force he said he would take Corpus Christi and the waters adjacent, from whence we heard of so many small craft running to Havana. He succeeded very well, took the place, made several captures, and compelled the enemy to burn several of their vessels; but on one occasion, venturing on shore with his small boat, he was surrounded and taken prisoner and carried to Houston, where they paroled him on condition that he should go North and not serve until regularly exchanged. He returned here in the Arthur, and I shall send him North in the Rhode Island. I next sent the Kensington, Acting Master F. Crocker, commanding, with the Rachel Seaman, and a launch, with a howitzer, to Sabine Pass. He, too, succeeded well. He found at the bar one of the mortar-schooners-Henry James, ActThe Paul Jones and Hale at once steamed with- ing Master Lewis Pennington, commandingout opposition up to Jacksonville, where they whom he invited to take part with him, which he anchored, remaining all night. The citizens most- did, and, according to Acting Master Crocker's ly continued at their houses, but no intercourse report, performed his duty with great credit, as was had with them. After destroying the ferry will be seen by the report herewith enclosed. at the town and taking the ferryman prisoner, the They took the fort and are still going ahead finePaul Jones returned, leaving the Water Witch, ly, having taken several prizes, one of which ar which had come up later, and the Hale to inter-rived here yesterday with despatches. cept the rebel escape in that direction. I send this to Hilton Head by the steamer Cosmopolitan, whose departure hence is unexpected, and leaves me with only time to send you a hurried letter. I may have to inform you in my next of the capture of an entire Georgia regiment and many guerrillas, who still remain, we suppose, on the south side of the river, and cannot cross, as our gunboats command every ferry, and have destroyed all the boats, excepting those we require ourselves. The rebels were commanded by Finegan, of Fernandina, owner of considerable property there, and very jealous of the more prosperous town of Jacksonville. It is thought by the people of Jacksonville that he "got up" the batteries and made show of fighting in order to provoke the destruction of the town, and thus increase the value of his own village lots. Such patriotism is the growth of rebellion. Signal-Officers G. H. Hill and F. E. Town accompanied Gen. Brannan, and the usefulness of Myer's admirable system of telegraphing was again demonstrated by prompt communication be tween the naval and military commandants. X. L. T. Doc. 7. THE OPERATIONS IN TEXAS. REAR-ADMIRAL FARRAGUT'S REPORT. FLAG-SHIP HARTFORD, SIR: I am happy to inform you that Galveston, Corpus Christi, and Sabine City, and the adjacent waters, are now in our possession. A short time since I sent down the coast of I next sent Commander W. B. Renshaw, with the gunboats Owasco, Harriet Lane, Clifton, and Westfield, to take Galveston, which he did in the shortest time, and without the loss of a man. It appears that the first shot from the Owasco exploded directly over the heads of the men at and around the big gun, (their main reliance,) and the enemy left. A flag of truce was hoisted and the preliminaries arranged for a surrender, which took place on the ninth instant. The reports will give you all the particulars. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. G. FARRAGUT, Rear Admiral, Commanding West Gulf Squadron. HON. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. ACTING MASTER CROCKER'S REPORT. U. S. STEAMER KENSINGTON, PENSACOLA BAY, October 24, 1862. SIR: In continuation of my reports from Sabine Pass, sent by the prize schooners Adventure and West Florida I have the honor now to state that on the thirteenth instant I sent the Kensington on her way to the Rio Grande, under command of Acting Master Taylor, there to water the Albatross, in obedience to your orders, and also to water the other vessels blockading on the Texan coast. The next day I commenced to prepare an expedition to destroy the large railroad bridge at Taylor's Bayou. The expedition I had before sent, under command of Acting Master Pennington, of the mortar-schooner Henry Jones, having failed, at which the newspapers above exulted, while the enemy's troops immediately occupied it, and between two and three hundred men were placed there to guard it. I put the Rachel Seaman's twenty-pound Par |