The New York herald., 1862-09-20

overy ton minutes ride which way you Will SharpsDarR
lies on the western side Of the valley, and tte 10 tho
south from point Of view. Right across the valley
from the northeast the turnpike from Boonsboro 70
Sharpsburg. Two little vilagos-Porsrs,own and Kee
tsrsvillc, or Keedysves on the eastern aide OF the
valley at the foot Of the South Mountains. Numerous
fine farmhousss dot the valley in every direction
standing out plainly and boldly the hiops, others
half hidden down the little slopes and with the large
comfortable barns about them, and their orchards Of
fruit trees, these hitherto happy and quiet homes
greatly enrich the view, at least 10 the eyes
OF old campaigners Nearly every part Of tho valley ID
under cultivation, and tho scene thus varied into
squares Of lhe light green Of nearly rpencd eora the
deeper green Of clover, and the dull brown OF newly
poughed fields Toward the north where right lay
dense woods. Imagine this sceno spread 10 the
hollow Of an snphtheatre Of hills that rise terraces
around H. and you have tha ned Of last Wednesday 9
battle.
WHERE ygE ARMIES WE'RE.
Our position had been taksn--in outline as II were
on Tuesday and was filed up to its proper strength
as fast as the troops arrived and ssreamed down the
mountain by tho road from Middleton This they
tnued the greater part of Tuesday and Tuesday
night. II magnificent sight 10 sec tho men Of our
country poured forward across the field 70 different
points in long, shning nes like living threads that wont
10 weave themselves into the glorious tapestry Of
nations history sight that will not easily be forgotten
by those who saw II.
TIs pogr7oss THx VARIOUS ceaps.
Durnsido's men turned short TO the south, passed
across the OF The Xix Ridge Mountain and took
ston on our extreme left. Porter held commanding
emineace TO the right Of Burnside, though Warrens
brigade Of Poriers corps subsequently posted in tho
woods on our left in support Of Burnrdos men. Sum
ners corps was on an eminence next TO the rgh,
north ror Porter and General Hooker had the extreme
rci Ia and behind the woods Of which have spoken
ard on tho Antolam. our left Elk Ridge Noun
tain and our lire OF battle stretched TO the northwest
acrss tho sharpsburg road Tho line was between four
and ayo miles long. Tho rebel left was In the
woods directly in front Of General Hooker,
ara their forco vcs psted across tho valley
be,N cen us and sharpsburg in line very nearly prae
with our own Though have spoken Of our men as on
erneaces il be understood that thoy were care
uly cove cd every case just below the cress Of The
hills ,hey held.
U,s also carefully posted beand the crests Of the hills
roaly 10 oe run up aud 90 blaze away at Moments
no,icc Nearly every hill had battery on Il, and the
graer plumber Of the batteries looked fields that
! extended 10 the limit vi thor range.
WHO hFcAx HaBr.
ensrel HOOKER hid the nor open chs great com
hat lie commanded She corps formerly uader General
Mcdowell supposed Of Ricketts, division, Meads INC
Cans Formerly and Kings divisions. Many Of tnese
men came up the nigh, aud there vas perhaps LITTLE
ccnfus ion IN posting them. Mcad's men say thai the,
Acpt among ,hs rebels. Owing 70 this negh.
suhood the picSets got al ~ the night ana kept up
scattering frc until the hattie began Geooral Ncad wh,
was ths uesrsst the iobsls rciicTcd Daylight by
Csners Ricketts, division, which also wmela,oy nd
vanced ayafnst tho suomy, supported ~ tho
division Of oencrd King, which evencsiy became
enssgcdon tLe right of Genera Rckri,s, an also " the
division OF 0eIerai Mead. lbe line adsarcsd tough
piece or woods, corntlcsd and piece of I.opgbel
aud, and ino another piece wocdy, vhers found tn
epeloy u line az bste and received with bot 10
use which told very severely onr nsn. I,ot they
steadily advanced into t's aerco Gre, giving hac mo
sqsly destructive. while batteries, particularly .
Pennsylvania battery. under Captain Hatthcwe and
Captain rhompsons F,rst Maryland battery, r'syod
splcndidly upon the enemys line. Thus pressed tia
reb.l forces gayo way, though they certainly dil
nos "skedaddc.n siowy, ard in very fair order
they fell back, tsputing every fooi that .he,
save up viii the greatest clsth or. Slal sgs