The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-10-08

ing but suffered q terrible loss. The battl
now waxed warm both on the right and tn
left. POrter's Corps held the centre and &C
ted as reserve, no fitting opportunity haV
ing arrived to employ his command. Burn
side continued to advance and carried b.
storm the secondary range or crest in hi
| front. Sumner had command OF the righ
wing which consisted of the Pennsylvania
Reserve under Meade on the right, mex
came Sedgwick's division on the left of tn
Reserves, then French's and Richardson
ordered forward and made simultaneous at
tack with Burnsides The rebels fought
with desperation, but it seemed as if nothing
could check the advance of our troops. M
battlefield, perhaps, ever possessed greater
advantages for artillery than did this one
The rebels were aware Of this and had taken
advantage oft; every knoll, every elevated
piece Of ground was covered with field pie
ces. Our artillery could not be made effec
tive until we had acquiredssossession OF this
high ground, and it was ,.fsthis object that
Sumner pressed forward his eager columns.
Our loss, like that OF ths enemy mad already
been severe. Gen. Mansfield had fallen
mortally wounded, Gems. Hooker, Sedgwick,
Hartsef, Richardson, Dana, and number o.
other officers OF lesser note were carried from
the field disabled. Several gallant charges
were made, in one OF which Richardson's di
vision alone captured ten rebelgags. loo
The rebels now determ med to make last
and final effort to regain what they had lost
and for that purpose hurled all their availa.
BILE troops against Sumner. Our soldiers
met them CALAMITY and for the most part
successfully; our right, or more properly
speaking, Summers extreme right consisting
Of Sedgewcks and Meade's divisions were
compelled to give way--Sumner's centre and
left, however, standing Arm. Our artillery
poured grape and canister into the advance
columns of the enemy, while our infantry
sent voleys OF musketry into the rebel ranks
The enemy was repelled and driven back,
and the ground which had been wrested from
our right was again taken possession OF.
Burnside on the left, after securing the
first range Of hills, advanced upon the Sec
ond; here be met the most determined resis.
tance both from the enemy's infantry and
artillery. He succeeded IN establishing him
self upon the second ridge, and compelled
the enemy to leave II; but they brought Sew
eral batteries to bear upon it, and marched a
heavy column of infantry to dislodge him.
which they were partially successful in do.
ing. Burnside sent an aid to Gen. McClel.
Ian for reinforcements, but our right being
sorely pressed at that time, Gen. Mcclellan
sent back word that he could not reinforce
him, but if he was forced from the advanced
ridge, to fall back on the first ridge and hold
it at all hazards. This Burnside succeeded
in doing, Notwithstanding the enemy made
vigorous efforts to drive him from his posi-
ton. 1t was now getting late in the day
Gen. Mcclellan was on the right, conversine
with Gen. Sumner, when an aid of the latter
galloped up and reported that the enemy was
advancing in overwhelming force to drive
back his right. Summers only reply was
"Very well, | am ready for him" Our
right was well protected by several batteries
admirably posted, and they in turn were well
supported by in'antry. On came the columns
Of the enemy. No sooner, however, were
they well under our range, than perfect
sheet Of flame opened from our batteries and
infantry. No troops in the world could have
advanced under such fire, and the rebels
were driven back in disorder. Our troop:
followed until ordered to halt.
We had now driven the enemy two miles
from the position they held in the morning
Night setting in, the contest was ended
The battle lasted until Z, P. NJ. making, in
all, fourteen hours OF continuous hard fighting
The slaughter had been dreadful. Many o
our regiments lost over half the number
with which they entered the fight. Gen
Mcclellan asked each corps commander re
specting the condition of his troops, ant
each reported that their men were too mucl
exhausted 10 renew The battle next morning
Nor is it to be wondered at, when we think
Of what they had gone through during th'
day. The next day was spent in collecting
the wounded of both sides, and in burying
the dead. In passing over the battle ground
which was now in our possession, it was ev
ident that the loss OF the rebels greatly ex
cesded our own. The rebels still showed
their batteries and pickets in our front. The
next morning our entire army again advan
ced in order Of battlo to attack or captur
what portion of the rebel force might b.
found, but they had taken advantage of tn
darkness to escape across the Potomac, aban
doning artillery, arms Of every description
and large amount Of stores. Their deea
had been complete. Their loss in the battl
Of Sharpsburg, in killed, wounded and miss
ing, is estimated at 1900. We captured
several field pieces, ten thousand stand {
arms and twenty-five rebel flags. Our en-
tire loss will not exceed 10000.
The rebels were certainly disappointed il
tho people of Maryland, thousands of whom
they supposed would take up arms and join
them. But on the contrary, ninety men ou
OF one hundred are staunch Union men.
Your fellow townsman, Lieut.. Vincent, Q
the Regular Artillery, had command of
section Of artillery in the battle OF Sharps
burg, and behaved with the greatest coolnes
and bravery. He sIlenced rebel batter,
by the precision with which he fired hi
guns. +" 5."' n .-'t ,A
A portion Of our army occupies Harper
l W. q.