New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-23
The Army on the Defensive Again-dncit"on
Driven from maryland IA Second Time.

port. All last night cavalry, infantry and artillery
were dashing through this village, in the direction
of Williamsport, in order to check the enemys
entrance into Maryland the second time. The prompt
ness, however, with which Mcclellan moved his
forces to the menaced point compelled Jackson TO
make hasty retreat to the sacred soil OF Rebel
Virginia. Gen. COUGHS division now Lies close TO
the corps of Franklin and Duncan, and within easy
supporting distance. With this force in addition to
the 30 900 Pennsylvania troops under Gov. Curtin,
all the soldiers in the Southern Confederacy could
not cross at that point.
Gen. Port still lies up on this side Of the Poto-
mac, overlooking Shepherdstown. No attempt what
ever that can learn has been made to-day al any
point to cross the river.
Gen. Bankss old corps, now under the command OF
Cen Williams, is reported 10 be near lIarpers
Ferry. Gen. Burnside, with the divisions of Gess.
Cox Wilcox, Redman, and Siurges lies about mid
way between Sharpsburg and Harpers Ferry.
From present appearances no offensive movements
will lie made in several days. 1t is the opinion Of
many officers that tie campaign Of Maryland has
closed--vctoriousl closed Not an armed Rebel now
tresds the soil of this loyal State.
True, we have not crushed snnihilated the
Rebel army, dc many have demanded OF the Com
handing General, but we have whipped him upon
ground admirably selected By himself, and compelled
him to make preciptate retreat from the State he
came to dragoon into the service OF bis Rebel Con
feder4cy. Perhaps all was not done that could have
been done, but we have met with 30 many reveses
Of late that we should not only be satisfied with even
a crumb, but should rejoice aud render thanksgiving
when two brilliant victories within week by our
brave soldiers under the command Of their favorite
General have been added to the already long list
which are to make forever glorious the history of
this Republic.
1t is now ascertaned from official reports that we
captured about 1900 wounded Rebels, who were
lett behind in the hospitals between Sharpsburg and
the river and also recaptured $50 OF our own men
who were wounded and taken prisoners during the
fight Since last Saturday We must have more than
made up for our loss at Harpers Ferry in prisoners.
Among the Rebel wounded, we have about 300 OFF,
cers-three wounded colonels, and the rest majors,
captains and lieutenants. l have conversed with
many of them, and have not found one who does not
admit defeat TO their arms. They cay that
il Longsreet and Stuart had fought Jackson they
, would have completely routed army. Long
street promised Gen. Lee 10 hold the stone bridge at
all hazards, hut did not do it, and suffered terrible
defeat at the hands of Gen. Burnside. But their
successful retreat is the subec Of great congraua-
ton among these Rebel officers. When you make
retreats" said one of them to me to-day, 1--WE
always obtain quartermaster and commissary stores
enough TO supply us a month"; but doubt if you
obtain enough IRON us TO fill the kDapsacks OF City
men. could not reply to this; for, having paItei-
paed in several retreats, | knew ii TO be true.
The disaster Of yesterday TO be laid entirely
at the door Of the General commanding the corps.
Gen. Mcclellan had 10 intention of crossing the
river al that lime III force, and was | understand
,urursed 10 learn that the enterprise had been IN
deytaken If the attempt isagsin made which
much doubt, it will be entirely slcces.id for move
ments are on foot at other points which will compel
the Rebels to abandon, very quickly, tie line Of the
Potomac
With the rect Of the past two or three days, the
troops are becoming refreshed and invgorated, and
are eager for another battle with Gen. Lee. The
new troops are doing much better than many officers
prophesed Of them. They are very superior class
of men, and, with Fix months drilling, predict, If
this war continues they will make the finest soldiers
in the world.
Three regiments have been occupied since Thurs
day morning in buryng the dead. 1t if beyond all
question, and challenge any one who has been
upon the battlefield TO deny it, that the Rebel dead
are almost three 10 one. On the other hand, we
lost more in wounded. This If accounted for by
officers from the superiority OF our arms. Many Of
our solders are wounded with buck-shot, which dis
figures the body terribly but seldom produces fatal
wound.
Nearly all the Inhabitants Of Sharpsburg have re-
turned TO their dwellings. The work Of removing
dead horses from the streets and repairing the dam
ages to the buildingshss commenced Two churches
were nearly destroyed and will have to be rebuilt.
Fortunately, the mansions Of the rich Rebels
suffered the most severely. The dwelling Of Mr..
Grover, notorious Secessonist, almost
destroyed. shell from one of our guns passed
directly through his portrait hanging upon the wall
in his parlor, and tore out bis nose his eyes and his
mountaineering but bis bald head neck aud
shoulders remains within the frame. During the
can1onade the women and children were hudded
together for three days in the cellars one cellar
under large stone mansion contained more than
sixty. They entertained themselves with prayer
and psalm singing, and curslng the Rebels or the
Yankees, as their sympathies leaned with one Or
the other belligerent.
One can imagine how furious the cannonade must
have been, FROM the fact that but five dwellings in
village containing 800 Inhabitants escaped unin-
jured.
About one hundred Rebels were killed and
wounded IN the streets and about as many horses
belonging to the citizens and Rebels Several barns
containing the COWS of the citizens, locked up for
safety, were set on lire by exploding shell and con-
sumed. Mp.
/ hand you list Of the wounded In lie affair nf