The New York herald., 1862-09-21
the BATTLE OF ANTIETAM.
another Account OF This Great Battle by One
sf Our Special War Correspondents.
yAiTIs f,n.p or ASIIyras YAIIrf, Gn., I
THussoAy, Sept, Is, 1852.


THURSDAY, Sept. Is, 1852. j
aHs PREPARATIONS YoR TIN RATYrx.
The battle or Antistam in Western Maryland fought
yesterday Wednesday the l7th inst between the main
bodies of the rebel and Union armies, the forcest
grsndsst, aud bloodiest battle of tho Tho close
pursuit OF the rebel forces by NcCie.lsns army, the
several skirmisLes with the guard OF the enemy
and the positions assumed by the csntendng armies
Tuesday, rendered apparent 10 observing military men
that Tremendous battle must speedily De fought tha,
vicinity Accordingly, Tuesday afternoon and during
thai night both parties busy engaged in arsha
Ing their men and making uicios or their
troops preliminary to The Of the battle
Mcclellan had pushed forward his several army corps
with great a!acry and Tuesday evening advance
composed OF ooker's corps, drove back tho enemy
the right and seoed favorable position The oTeIug
Of tho gTe; battle II The dawa OF day rext morning T.
was with great reluctance that the enemy surrendered
that favorable point tho right and several scparaic
occasions during the night ho appeared 10 10 attempting
30 regain il before morning Cor sharp picket lriug
mas continued from lark I'll daylight but wherever the
pcke.s of the enemy cndeayored under cover
OF the darkness they were promptly repnhsd by nnr
own
Con. Lee, Chief OF the Confederate forces
and his prcmnen; generals were also actively employ
ell forming their nes 70 meet and resist the anticipated
attack and placing their columns in position ready 20 hc
buried against infantry, sent 10 storm batteries
as opportunities during the shifting OF tte battle
might aord OF the minds OF skdl commanders might
suggest The enemy received large genoreeneuts from
the Virginia side Of the Potomac. The captured prisoners
said that Jacsson's, HIS aud NsIaw's divisions,
which bad participated IN tho ATTACK Harpcrs Ferry
era the troops that bad len that place tuesday
fhcy recrossed tie rvor marched 81 night aud arrived
In TING 10 participate IN tins battle OF tho valley of
Aniie,srn All Tho ,v0ilsple forces o tho enemy
TO resist hi. grand assit and i was be-
llevod that with the exception of some snsl dctsfh
,u.nis the whole OF the rsbe army " Virginia. under
the immediate comnand OF Is abst generals confronted
Acl lellans sTmy the battle bold Of Wednosday.
General Mcclellan psnued tue battle and gave nstruc
tons 10 the lnsrcnt corps commanders what rar their
troops wsro expected 70 perform IN tie approaching
oonnct while he himself the field all day yisitlng
different pofiions Of the lines and directing al the ore
ratons from me commencemont oT the 10 It's
close
us p.rfS yRTs
The battle field, i would appear, was sna ncst mssni-
pcsnt that could have been selected On the continent for
contest Of much magnitude. The valley of Antit'sn
s one Of the most uxurant sections Of the state &C Mary
land The ground admirably adapted 10 tho success
full msssing Of troops Ia reserve, where ihey were
shielded behind tho knslls frow she arts
\ ry arc from either side, as well M 10 the
free and TAR engagement VI knc SVItthAi1k
when the line. came close proxmity the uDdulatnS
4 nature OF tho ground furnished fine positions 70 both
parties for artillery while tho beauty Of the surrounding
sccncryths beginning 10 show their rich hautumna
iinses--,hrew halo Of enchaniment over what
at once the garden spo, aud tho battle ground Of Mary
/ land On cur left heavily wooded mountains rose 70 .
considerable height enclosing the valley on that side ara
Antietsm creek wound ts way through tho gorge and
Aong tho yerdant valley boncalh Away In every dfeo.
ton hills crowned with spends and clover fields,
vales ricn with the harvsss of The eummey and plentiful
plantations with orchards sf ripenins fruit, spread
\ out before our view. II almost seemed AZ
times during cessa,ions IN tho srng that many sppro
oatiye soldiers would lose for moment all thoughts OF
the battle field In contemplation Of the lovely valley aud
| iw surrounding scsnery.
Posinos rMor Foncss
| General McClelans order of battle sploodidly
arranged. Hookcr's corps-fcfmery Mcpowclls-which
had made the ADVANCE occupied the extreme rish, Of
The Union line, where the battle begun. Mansfield
osrps-ihst formerly uujer Bsnkswas acting in con-
junction with that ct Hooksr. rrankiAs corps came
m IN tAas vicinity during the afternoon ard acted
reserve at Ars bot was pushed ~ the fr0Gt later the
Ssy su.ner cor.p held The centre OF tte line, shsc
ssnc v- sossras, aga'ra took rlece Fits Jobs Porter