The whole of the brigade, with the 57th and | 66th New York regiments of Colonel Brooks's brigade, who had moved these regiments into the first line, now advanced with gallantry, driving the enemy before them in confusion into the corn-field beyond the sunken road. The left of the division was now well advanced, when the enemy, concealed by an intervening ridge, endeavored to turn its left and rear. Colonel Cross, 5th New Hampshire, by a change of front to the left and rear, brought his regiment facing the advancing line. Here a spirited contest arose to gain a commanding height the two opposing forces, moving parallel to each other, giving and receiving fire. The 5th, gaining the advantage, faced to the right and delivered its volley. The enemy staggered, but rallied and advanced desperately at a charge. Being reinforced by the 81st Pennsylvania regiment, these regiments met the advance by a counter charge. The enemy fled, leaving many killed, wounded and prisoners and the colors of the 4th North Carolina in our hands.

Another column of the enemy, advancing under shelter of a stone wall and corn-field, pressed down the right of the division; but Colonel Barlow again advanced the 61st and 64th New York against these troops, and, with the attack of Kimball's brigade on the right, drove them from this position.

York, having refilled their cartridge boxes, was again ordered forward, and took position in the centre of the line. The division now occupied one line in close proximity to the enemy, who had taken up a position in the rear of Piper's house.

Colonel Dwight Morris, with the 14th Connecticut and a detachment of the 108th New York, of General French's division, was sent by General French to the support of Richardson's division. This command was now placed in an interval in the line between General Caldwell's and the Irish brigade. The requirements of the extended line of battle had so engaged the artillery that the application of General Hancock for artillery for his division could not be immediately complied with by the chief of artillery, or the corps commanders in his vicinity. Knowing the tried courage of the troops, General Hancock felt confident that he could hold his position, although suffering from the enemy's artillery, but was too weak to attack, as the great length of the line he was obliged to hold prevented him from forming more than one line of battle; and, from his advanced position, this line was already partly enfiladed by the batteries of the enemy on the right, which were protected from our batteries opposite them by the woods at the Dunker church.

Seeing a body of the enemy advancing on some of our troops to the left of his position, General Hancock obtained Hexamer's battery from General Franklin's corps, which assisted materially in frustrating this attack. It also

Our troops on the left of this part of the line having driven the enemy far back, they, with reinforced numbers, made a determined attack directly in front. To meet this, Colonel Barlow brought his two regiments to their position in line, and drove the enemy through the corn-assisted the attack of the 7th Maine of Frankfield into the orchard beyond, uuder a heavy fire lin's corps, which, without other aid, made of musketry, and a fire of canister from two an attack against the enemy's line and drove in pieces of artillery in the orchard and a battery skirmishers who were annoying our artillery further to the right, throwing shell and case- and troops on the right. Lieutenant Woodruff, shot. This advance gave us possession of Pi- with battery "I," 2d United States artillery, reper's house, the strong point contended for by lieved Captain Hexamer, whose ammunition the enemy at this part of the line, it being a de- was expended. The enemy seemed at one time fensible building, several hundred yards in ad- to be about making an attack in force upon this vance of the sunken road. part of the line, and advanced a long column of infantry towards this division, but, on nearing the position, General Pleasanton opening on them with sixteen guns, they halted, gave a desultory fire, and retreated, closing the operations on this portion of the field.

To return to the incidents occurring still further to the right.

Between 12 and 1 P. M. General Franklin's corps arrived on the field of battle, having left their camp near Crampton's pass at 6 A. M., leaving General Couch with orders to move with his division to occupy Maryland heights.

The musketry fire at this point of the line now ceased. Holding Piper's house, General Richardson withdrew the line a little way to the crest of a hill, a more advantageous position. Up to this time this division was without artillery, and in the new position suffered severely from artillery fire, which could not be replied to. A section of Robertson's horse battery, commanded by Lieutenant Vincent, 2d United States artillery, now arrived on the ground and did excellent service. Subsequently a battery of brass guns, commanded by Captain Graham, let United States artillery, arrived, and was posted on the crest of the hill, and soon silenced the two guns in the orchard. A heavy fire soon It was first intended to keep this corps in reensued between the battery further to the right serve on the east side of the Antietam, to opeand our own. Captain Graham's battery was rate on either flank or on the centre, as circumbravely and skillfully served, but, unable to stances might require. But, on nearing Keareach the enemy, who had rifled guns of great-dysville, the strong opposition on the right, er range than our smooth bores, retired by order of General Richardson, to save it from useless sacrifice of men and horses. The brave general was himself mortally wounded while personally directing its fire.

General Smith's division led the column, followed by General Slocum's.

developed by the attacks of Hooker and Sumner, rendered it necessary to send this corps at once to the assistance of the right wing. On nearing the field, bearing that one of our batteries ("A," 4th United States artillery), commanded General Hancock was placed in command of by Lieutenant Thomas, who occupied the same the division after the fall of General Richard-position as Lieutenant Woodruff's battery in son. General Meagher's brigade, now com the morning, was hotly engaged, without supmanded by Colonel Burke, of the 63d New ports, General Smith sent two regiments to its

skill.

relief from General Hancock's brigade. On in- ing to the right, I found that Sumner's, Hooker's specting the ground, General Smith ordered the and Mansfield's corps had met with serious losses. other regiments of Hancock's brigade, with Several general officers had been carried from Frank's and Cowen's batteries, 1st New York the field severely wounded, and the aspect of artillery, to the threatened position; Lieutenant affairs was anything but promising. At the Thomas and Captain Cothran, commanding bat-risk of greatly exposing our centre, I ordered teries, bravely held their positions against the two brigades from Porter's corps, the only availadvancing enemy, handling their batteries with able troops, to reinforce the right. Six battalions of Sykes's regulars had been thrown across the Antietam bridge, on the main road, to attack and drive back the enemy's sharpshooters, who were annoying Pleasanton's horse batteries in advance of the bridge. Warren's brigade of Porter's corps was detached to hold a position on Burnside's right and rear, so that Porter was left at one time with only a portion of Sykes's division, and one small brigade of Morell's division (but little over three thousand men) to hold his important position.

Finding the enemy still advancing, the 3d brigade of Smith's division, commanded by Colonel Irwin, 49th Pennsylvania volunteers, was ordered up, and passing through Lieutenant Thomas's battery, charged upon the enemy and drove back the advance until abreast of the Dunker church. As the right of the brigade came opposite the woods, it received a destructive fire which checked the advance and threw the brigade somewhat into confusion. It formed again behind a rise of ground in the open space in advance of the batteries. General French General Sumner expressed the most decided having reported to General Franklin that his opinion against another attempt during that day ammunition was nearly expended, that officer to assault the enemy s position in front, as porordered General Brooks, with his brigade, to tions of our troops were so much scattered and reinforce him. General Brooks formed his bri- demoralized. In view of these circumstances, gade on the right of General French, where after making changes in the positions of some they remained during the remainder of the day of the troops, I directed the different commandand night, frequently under the fire of the ene- ers to hold their positions, and, being satisfied my's artillery. It was soon after the brigade of that this could be done without the assistance Colonel Irwin had fallen back behind the rise of the two brigades from the centre,. I counterof ground that the 7th Maine, by order of Colo-manded the order which was in course of exenel Irwin, made the gallant attack already referred to.

The advance of General Franklin's corps was opportune. The attack of the enemy on the position, but for the timely arrival of his corps, must have been disastrous, had it succeeded in piercing the line between General Sedgwick's

and French's divisions.

cution.

General Slocum's division replaced a portion of General Sumner's troops, and positions were selected for batteries in front of the woods. The enemy opened several heavy fires of artillery on the position of our troops after this, but our batteries soon silenced them.

On the morning of the 17th, General PleasanGeneral Franklin ordered two brigades of ton, with his cavalry division and the horse batGeneral Slocum's division, General Newton's and teries under Captains Robertson, Tidball and Colonel Torbert's, to form in column to assault Lieutenant Haines, of the 2d United States arthe woods that had been so hotly contested be- tillery, and Captain Gibson, 3d United States arfore, by Generals Sumner and Hooker; Gen- tillery, was ordered to advance on the turnpike eral Bartlett's brigade was ordered to form as a towards Sharpsburg, across bridge No. 2, and reserve; at this time General Sumner having support the left of General Sumner's line. The command on the right, directed further offensive bridge being covered by a fire of artillery and operations to be postponed, as the repulse of sharpshooters, cavalry skirmishers were thrown this, the only remaining corps available for out and Captain Tidball's battery advanced by attack, would peril the safety of the whole army. piece, and drove off the sharpshooters with canGeneral Porter's corps, consisting of General ister sufficiently to establish the batteries above Sykes's division of regulars and volunteers, and mentioned, which opened on the enemy with General Morell's division of volunteers, occupied effect. The firing was kept up for about two a position on the east side of Antietam creek, hours when, the enemy's fire slackening, the upon the main turnpike leading to Sharpsburg, batteries were relieved by Randall's and Van and directly opposite the centre of the enemy's Reed's batteries, United States artillery. About. line. This corps filled the interval between 3 o'clock Tidball, Robertson and Haines returned the right wing and General Burnside's command, to their positions on the west of Antietam, Capand guarded the main approach from the ene-tain Gibson having been placed in position on my's position to our train of supplies. the east side to guard the approaches to the

It was necessary to watch this part of our bridge. These batteries did good service, conline with the utmost vigilance, lest the enemy

centrating

should take advantage of the first exhibition of about their fire on the column of the enemy

to attack General Hancock's position, compelling it to find shelter behind the hills in rear.

weakness here, to push upon us a vigorous assault for the purpose of piercing our centre and turning our rear, as well as to capture or destroy General Sykes's division had been in position our supply trains. Once having penetrated since the 14th, exposed to the enemy's artillery this line, the enemy's passage to our rear could and sharpshooters. General Morell had come have met with but feeble resistance, as there up on the 16th and relieved General Richardson were no reserves to reinforce or close up the on the right of General Sykes, and, continually gap. under the vigilant watch of the enemy, this Towards the middle of the afternoon, proeeed-corps guarded a vital point.

Other troops were then thrown over and the opposite bank occupied, the enemy retreating to the heights beyond.

The position of the batteries under General | teers. Pleasanton being one of great exposure, the battalion of the 2d and 10th United States infantry, under Captain Poland, 2d United States infantry was sent to his support. Subsequently, four battalions of regular infantry, under Captain Dwyer, 4th United States infantry, were sent across to assist in driving off the sharpshooters of the enemy.

The battalion of the 2d and 10th United States infantry, advancing far beyond the batteries, compelled the cannoneers of a battery of the enemy to abandon their guns. Few in number and unsupported, they were unable to bring them off. The heavy loss of this small body of men attests their gallantry.

The troops of General Burnside held the left of the line opposite bridge No. 3. The attack on the right was to have been supported by an attack on the left. Preparatory to this attack on the evening of the 16th, General Burnside's corps was moved forward and to the left, and took up a position nearer the bridge.

:

I visited General Burnside's position on the 16th, and, after pointing out to him the proper dispositions to be made of his troops during the day and night, informed him that he would probably be required to attack the enemy's right on the following morning, and directed him to make careful reconnoissances.

General Burnside's corps, consisting of the divisions of Generals Cox, Wilcox, Rodman and Sturgis, was posted as follows: Colonel Brooks's brigade, Cox's division, on the right, General Sturgis's division immediately in rear. On the left was General Rodman's division, with General Scammon's brigade, Cox's division in support.

General Wilcox's division was held in re

serve.

The corps bivouacked in position on the night of the 16th.

Early on the morning of the 17th I ordered General Burnside to form his troops and hold them in readiness to assault the bridge in his front, and to await further orders.

At 8 o'clock an order was sent to him by Lieutenant Wilson, Topographical engineers, to carry the bridge, then to gain possession of the heights beyond, and to advance along their crest upon Sharpsburg and its rear.

A halt was then made by General Burnside's advance until 3 P.M., upon hearing which I directed one of my aides-Colonel Key-to inform General Burnside that I desired him to push forward his troops with the utmost vigor and carry the enemy's position on the heights, that the movement was vital to our success, that this was a time when we must not stop for loss of life if a great object could be thereby accomplished. That if in his judgment bis attack would fail, to inform me so at once, that his troops might be withdrawn, and used elsewhere on the field. He replied that he would soon advance, and would go up the hill as far as a battery of the enemy on the left would permit. Upon this report I again immediately sent Colonel Key to General Burnside, with orders to advance at once, if possible, to flank the battery or storm it and carry the heights, repeating that if he considered the movement impracticable to inform me so, that his troops might be recalled. The advance was then gallantly resumed, the enemy driven from their guns, the heights handsomely carried, and a portion of the troops even reached the outskirts of Sharpsburg. By this time it was nearly dark, and strong reinforcements just then reaching the enemy from Harper's Ferry, attacked General Burnside's troops on their left flank, and forced them to retire to a lower line of hills nearer the bridge.

If this important movement had been consummated two hours earlier, a position would have been secured upon the heights from which our batteries might have enfiladed the greater part of the enemy's line, and turned their right and rear. Our victory might have been much more decisive.

The following is the substance of General Burnside's operations, as given in his report.

Colonel Crook's brigade was ordered to storm the bridge. This bridge, No. 3, is a stone structure of three arches, with stone parapets. The banks of the stream on the opposite side are precipitous, and command the eastern approaches to the bridge. On the hill side immediately by the bridge was a stone fence running parallel to the stream, the turns of the roadway as it wound up the hill were covered by rifle-pits and breastworks of rails, &c. These works and the woods that covered the slopes were filled with the enemy's riflemen, and batteries were in position to enfilade the bridge and its approaches.

General Rodman was ordered to cross, the ford below the bridge, From Colonel Crook's position it was found impossible to carry the bridge.

After some time had elapsed, not hearing from him, I despatched an aide to ascertain what had been done. The aide returned with the information that but little progress had been made. I then sent him back with an order to General Burnside to 'assault the bridge at once, and carry it at all hazards. The aide returned to me a second time, with the report that the bridge was still in the possession of the enemy. General Sturgis was ordered to make a detail Whereupon I directed Colonel Sackett, inspect from his division for that purpose. He sent or-general, to deliver to General Burnside my forward the 2d Maryland and 6th New Hamppositive order to push forward his troops with- shire. These regiments made several successive out a moment's delay, and, if necessary, to carry attacks in the most gallant style, but were driven the bridge at the point of the bayonet, and I back. ordered Colonel Sackett to remain with General Burnside and see that the order was executed promptly.

The artillery of the left were ordered to concentrate their fire on the woods above the bridge. Colonel Crook brought a section of After these three hours delay, the bridge was Captain Simmon's battery to a position to comqarried at 1 o'clock by a brilliant charge of the mand the bridge. The 51st New York and 51st 51st New York and Blat Pennsylvania volun-Pennsylvania, were then ordered to assault the

bridge. Taking advantage of a small spur of the hills which run parallel to the river, they moved toward the bridge. From the crest of this spur, they rushed with bayonet fixed and leared the bridge.

gineer then in person directing their operations. We had driven them from their line on one flank, and secured a footing within it on the other. The army of the Potomac, notwithstanding the moral effect incident to previous reverses, had achieved a victory over an adversary invested with the prestige of recent success. Our soldiers slept that night, conquerors, on a field won by their valor, and covered with the dead and wounded of the enemy.

The night, however, brought with it grave re

The division followed the storming party, also the brigade of Colonel Crook, as support. The enemy withdrew to still higher ground, some five or six hundred yards beyond, and opened a fire of artillery on the troops in the new positions on the crest of the hill above the bridge. General Rodman's division succeded in cross-sponsibilities. Whether to renew the attack on ing the ford, after a sharp fire of musketry and artillery, and joined on the left of Sturgis; Scammon's brigade crossing as support. General Wilcox's division was ordered across to take position on General Sturgis's right.

the 18th, or to defer it, even with the risk of the enemy's retirement, was the question before me. After a night of anxious deliberation, and a full and careful survey of the situation and condition of our army, and the strength and position These dispositions being completed about 8 of the enemy, I concluded that the success of o'clock, the command moved forward, except an attack on the 18th was not certain. I am Sturgis's division left in reserve. Clark's and aware of the fact that, under ordinary circumDarell's batteries accompanied Rodman's divis- stances, a general is expected to risk a battle if ton; Cook's battery with Wilcox's division, and he has a reasonable prospect of success; but at a section of Simmon's battery with Colonel this critical juncture, I should have had a narCrook's brigade. A section of Simmon's batte-row view of the condition of the country had I ry, and Mullenburgh's and McMullin's batteries been willing to hazard another battle with less were in position. The order for the advance was than an absolute assurance of success, At that obeyed by the troops with alacrity. General moment-Virginia lost, Washington menaced, Wilcox's division, with Crook in support, moved Maryland invaded-the national cause could af up on both sides of the turnpike leading from ford no risks of defeat. One battle lost, and althe bridge to Sharpsburg. General Rodman's most all would have been lost. Lee's army might division, supported by Scammon's brigade, on then have marched as it pleased on Washingthe left of General Wilcox. The enemy re-ton, Baltimore, Philadelphia or New York. It treated before the advance of the troops. The 9th New York, of General Rodman's division, captured one of the enemy's batteries, and held it for some time. As the command was driving the enemy to the main heights on the left of the town, the light division of General A. P. Hill, arrived upon the field of battle from Harper's Ferry, and with a heavy artillery fire made a strong attack on the extreme left. To meet this attack, the left division diverged from the line of march intended, and opened a gap between It and the right. To fill up this, it was necessary to order the troops from the second line. During these movements, General Rodman was mortally wounded. Colonel Harland's brigade, of General Rodman's division, was driven back. Colonel Scammon's brigade, by a change of front to rear on his right flank, saved the left from being driven completely in. The fresh troops of the enemy poured in, and the accumulation of artillery against this command, destroyed all hope of its being able to accomplish any thing

more:

could have levied its supplies from a fertile and undevastated country; extorted tribute from wealthy and populous cities; and nowhere east of the Alleghanies, was there another organized force able to arrest its march.

The following are among the considerations which led me to doubt the certainty of success in attacking before the 19th:

The troops were greatly overcome by the fatigue and exhaustion attendant upon the long continued and severely contested battle of the 17th, together with the long day and night marches to which they had been subjected dur ing the previous three days.

The supply trains were in the rear, and many of the troops had suffered from hunger. They required rest and refreshment.

One division of Sumner's, and all of Hooker's corps, on the right had, after fighting most valiantly for several hours, been overpowered by numbers, driven back in great disorder, and much scattered; so that they were for the time somewhat demoralized.

It was now nearly dark. General Sturgis was In Hooker's corps, according to the return ordered forward to support the left. Notwith-made by General Meade, commanding, there standing the hard work in the early part of the were but 6729 men present on the 18th; whereday, his division moved forward with spirit. as, on the morning of the 22d, there were With its assistance the enemy were checked 13,098 men present for duty in the same corps, and held at bay. showing that previous to, and during the battle, 6364 men were separated from their command.

The command was ordered to fall back by General Cox, who commanded, on the field, the troops engaged in this attack beyond the Artietam. The artillery had been well served during the day. Night closed the long and desperately contested battle of the 17th. Nearly two hundred thousand men, and five hundred pieces of artillery, were for fourteen hours engaged in this memorable battle. We had attacked the enemy ir a position selected by the experienced en

General Meade, in an official communication upon this subject, dated Sept. 18, 1862, says: "I enclose a field return of the corps made this afternoon, which I desire you will lay before the commanding general. I am satisfied the great reduction in the corps since the recent engagement, is not due solely to the casualties of battle, and that a considerable number of men are still in the rear, some having dropped out on

During the 18th orders were given for renewal of the attack at daylight on the 19th. On the night of the 18th, the enemy, after

the Virginia shore to their position behind Sharpsburg, as seen by our officers, suddenly formed the design of abandoning their position and retreating across the river.

the march, and many dispersing and leav ing yesterday during the fight I think the efficiency of the corps, so far as it goes, good. To resist an attack in our present strong posi-passing troops in the latter part of the day from tion, I think they may be depended on; and I hope they will perform duty in case we make an attack, though I do not think their morale is as good for an offensive as a defensive movement. One division of Sumner's corps had also been ●verpowered, and was a good deal scattered and demoralized. It was not deemed by its corps commander in proper condition to attack the enmy vigorously next day.

Some of the new troops on the left, although many of them fought well during a part of the battle, and are entitled to great credit, were, at the close of the action, driven back and their morale impaired.

As their line was but a short distance from the river, the evacuation presented but little difficulty, and was effected before daylight.

About 2,700 of the enemy's dead were, under the direction of Major Davis, assistant inspectorgeneral, counted and buried upon the battlefield of Antietam. A portion of their dead had been previously buried by the enemy. This is conclusive evidence that the enemy sustained much greater loss than we.

On the morning of the 18th, General Burn- Thirteen guns, thirty-nine colors, upward of side requested me to send him another division fifteen thousand stand of small arms, and more to assist in holding his position on the other than six thousand prisoners, were the trophies de of the Antietam, and to enat le him to with- which attest the success of our arms in the batdraw his corps if he should be attacked by a su-tles of South Mountain, Crampton's gap, and perior force. He gave me the impression that Antietam. Not a single gun or color was lost if he were attacked again that morning, he by our army during these battles. would not be able to make a very vigorous re- When our cavalry advance reached the river sistance. I visited his position early, deter- on the morning of the 19th, it was discovered mined to send General Morell's division to his that nearly all the enemy's forces had crossed aid, and directed that it should be placed on into Virginia during the night, their rear escapthis side of the Antietam, in order that it mighting under the cover of eight batteries, placed cover the retreat of his own corps from the other in strong positions upon the elevated bluffs on side of the Antietam, should that become neces- the opposite bank. sary, at the same time it was in position to rein- General Porter commanding the 5th corps, force our centre or right, if that were needed. ordered a detachment from Griffin's and Barnes's Late in the afternoon I found that although he brigades. under General Griffin, to cross the had not been attacked, General Burnside had river at dark and carry the enemy's batteries. withdrawn his own corps to this side of the An-This was gallantly done under the fire of the tietam, and sent over Morell's division alone to hold the opposite side.

enemy. Several guns, cassions, etc., were ta ken, and their supports driven back half a mile. A large number of our heaviest and most ef The information obtained during the progress ficient batteries had consumed all their ammu- of this affair, indicated that the mass of the enenition on the 16th and 17th, and it was impos-my had retreated on the Charlestown and Marsible to supply them until late on the following tinsburg roads towards Winchester. To verify day. this, and to ascertain how far the enemy had Supplies of provisions and forage had to be retreated, General Porter was authorized to debrought up and issued, and infantry ammunitiontach from his corps, on the morning of the 20th, a reconnoitering party in greater force. This Finally, reinforcements to the number of 14.- detachment crossed the river, and advanced 00 men, to say nothing of troops from Pennsyl- about a mile, when it was attacked by a large of a vania, had not arrived, but were expected du-body of the enemy lying in ambush in the ring the day. woods, and driven back across the river with considerable loss. This reconnoissance showed that the enemy was still in force on the Vir ginia bank of the Potomac, prepared to resist our further advance.

distributed.

The 18th was therefore spent in collecting the dispersed, giving rest to the fatigued, removing the wounded, burying the dead, and the necessary preparations for a renewal of the battle. It was reported to me on the 19th that Gem Of the reinforcements, Couch's division,eral Stuart had made his appearance at Wimarching with commendable rapidity, came up liamsport with some four thousand cavalry and Into position at a late hour in the morning. six pieces of artillery, and that ten thousand inHumphrey's division of new troops, in their anxiety to participate in the battle, which was raging when they received the order to march from Frederick, at about half-past 3 P. M. on the 17th, pressed forward during the entire night, and the mass of the division reached the army on the following morning. Having marched more than twenty-three miles after 44 o'clock on the preceding afternoon, they were of course greatly exhausted, and needed rest and refreshment. Large reinforcements expected from Pennsylvania never arrived.

fantry were marching on the same point from the direction of Winchester. I ordered General Couch to march at once with his division, and a part of Pleasanton's cavalry, with Franklin's corps within supporting distance, for the purpose of endeavoring to capture this force. General Couch made a prompt and rapid march to Williamsport, and attacked the enemy vigorously, but they made their escape across the river.

I despatched the following telegraphic report to the general-in-chief: