Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-09-24
THE BATTLE. OF SHARPsBURG.
GENERAL MCCLELLAN AND THE ARMY
INCIDENTS ON THE FIELD.

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From the Baltimore Americana
The battle Of Wednesday last, near Sharps-
burg, certainly conclusive of tie question-
neither General Mcclellan is competent to
entrust with the armies OF the Republic and by
consequense;withsts destiny Nhate yer may
be said with reference 10 any battle that has
been fought previously by him, 1hereis no room
for debate as "a The merit of his splendid gener-
alship OH this last great occasion. The num.
hers engaged. the obs stina cy Ofti,e Rebel troops
the strength Of their position and the success
OF our army IN IA 8Ing II are all simply concln-
slye as 10 the military skill requisite TO The
critical occasion. But if we add TO all this the
Judgment volunteered by the most competent
military men who, have known him besI, the
implicit relfancc placed upon his talents and
courage by the whole army, from Generals 10
pTlyates all caNll hencefcrth ouhCtto be hu she'd,
for no one not the most noisy of his 'carping
critics or persistent newspaper assailants,
questions his unsullied patriotism.
No account that we have vet read-not even
the splendidly written one furnished by the
special correspondent Of the Tribune, and re.
published by uS-eXhaust the subject of so
memorable struggle. Indeed, like the great
battle OF Waterloo, il is destined to furnish
material for volumes in years 10 come, and thus
we are privileged in adding our quota now TO
what must be said of il, gathered in two days
solou1n We made on the battlefield.
The preliminary skirmishing Of the evening
betore-Thursday-h given ample warning
10 both sides OF what was 10 fellow the next
day. The Rebels driven from South Noun
tain, thirteen miles distant. on Sualiay were
closely followed by Mcclellan, and Were ap-
preaching the banks of Potomac which runs
some three miles 10 the rear of Sharpsburg,
which was 10 the left of their centre. The
Rebel General had halted here, well knowing
that TO pass the Potomac without annihilation
he must makes a desperate stand in ad vance. I,
would never do 20 attempt the passage of a
broad river, with high and sleeps banks, with
the formidable artillery OF Mcclellan PLAYING
upon the Rebel host at such fine advantage
The Rebel chief must aUtempt to give tbs.
and -:ha bt- i'm
breathing space 10 quit the soil Of Maryland,
The advance upon which had proved SO fatal TO
his hopes. rct... k-...-- 49,. s--
The position was certainly well chosen. II
was along plateau injerspersed with slight
depressions, and furnished excellent cover for
troopsln the shape of cornfields. stone walls and
patches OF forest. One or two lanes, or coun-
try roads,, served them admirably rs rifle .pits.
the rebels kneeling and firing without exposing
more than their heads. The line of hatrle was
some four or five miles long, portion of Autie.
iam creek, stream not easily fordable, and
crossed by substantial stone bridges. protecting
their right largely. The crossing of the creek
by the right wing had b. en- accomplished the
evening previously at KeItys Ford. and an ele-
waited position had thus been gained Well up TO
the Williamsport road. On the field, where
Burnside commanded, the creek had yet TO be.
crossed. -.-z
The battle commenced abou ut daybreak. Gen
Mcclellan having ordered General Sumner TO
push forward: Sedgwick's division led, fol-
lowed by French's in line Of battle, formed in
columns Of brigades three in line; Sedgwick on
the right, French on the left. The division of
French moved into wood and corn field, en-
countering sklrmlshers, and the engagement
became general. The enemy pressed heavily
on Sedgwick's left, causing it to fall back.
Sumner finding himself hardly pressed in the
center, directed French to charge the enemy
with his whole force on the left, which was
done in the most brilliant manner, and the
Heights were carried by Kimballs Brigade.
Whist this was going on the enemy threw "a
strong force towards Frenchs left flank which
was extended in. that direction to meet the
shock, whilst the right changed front to meet
an attack on the left by a strong column of the
where our troops had been forced back in that
direction. Covered by the houses and a stone
wall and the natural features of theSground,
Rulette's houses and farm constituted the Hon.
gomont of the field. About ten O'Clock, the.
enemy, after a desperate struggle. were driven
/, back to a considerable distance in that diree.
tion with great loss, About half-past eleven
the ammunition OF the first line of French,s, di.
vision was nearly exhausted, and q small sup
ply was procured from the dead and wound.
ed, who werethickly strewn around, the men
holding the position mainly with the bayonet.
+, Richardson's Division now pushed forward
TO reinforce and support French who was hold
ing his position stoutly against the rebel gene
rails Hill and McElaws. The battle was then
renewed with great fury, the rebels being
charged on every side. Richardson's division
was fresh and unhroken, and at this point Of
the lines, captured nine rebel flags, took some
500 prisoners, and about 1000 stand of arms
After occupying all their positions and pushing
them back some three.quarters of a mile to the
rear Of where the battle first begun, the troops
bivouacked on the field Comprised in this
portion of the battle field, there was long lane,
with a clover field on one side and a corn field
actaally piled upon one another by the rifiemsn
OF klmballs Brigade, most Of them being shot
in the head. Except at the bridge across the
Antietam, carried by Burnside, no more des-
perate ngmlng appears TO have been done in
the fleid than along the crest of this hill which
TINS lane traVersed. 1t being upon an average
some three or four feet deep, it formed an excel
lent cover for the enemy, although a retreat
across the ground 10 the rear exposed them to
severe losses.
On the left, where Burnside commanded, the
terrible loss, our side leaving some four hun.
dred on the ground and after gaining the crest
of the hill, they found the enemy in such heavy
force on both TANKS as well as in 'front.' that
10 fall back again. The enemy held their own
here until the general retreat the next day. 1t
was In this advance that the lamented Colonel
Kingsbury tell. s"
Upon walking over the field sohotly contest
ed, the evidences abound, especially near the
center and the right Of the center OF our lines,
OF the terrible carnage tha. occurred. Amongst
cSarred our ,sfees Wne,s e SsgnSs; mentioned
pulseo nom the woods, the slaughter was most
fearful-the ground, as far as bodies could be
distinguished, being thickly strewn with them.
To the LETT Of where Capt. FRANKS battery Of
French's division Was stationed-one OF the
most effective volunteer batteries in the ser.
vice-a large group of dead horses attracted al.
tention Wounded and turned loose At differ.
ent points where the fight was the hottest in
this part Of the field, they had herded together
in their fright and pain, to perish in every at
Itude mat makes the picturesque In Held OF
battle. One, especially, looked Is If in the act
OF rising up once more TO take part in the strife
On all sides was abundant evidences OF the
obstinacy Of the struggle in enc fmpromptu
breastworks which abounded. Wherever Afew
panels Of fence Afforded opportunity 10 do 90,
these were thrown down and then piled thickly !
together, perhaps two feet high, and from be- 4
hind them, and to the last moment possible, the
Rebels poured forth q deadly fre on their
assailanN Small lodges Of rocks also along
hillside which descended 70 the woods, 90 Iasal