Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-09-24
IMPORTANT WAR NEWS.
Affairs on Tuesday.

BATTLE FIELD THREE MILES FROM BooNs-
BoRo, Mp., Sept. 16. 1867 pa id visit, this
afternoon, to the bait le field OF Sunday, where
the rebels attempted to check our march. The
field is located upon the top of steep noun
tain on the road to Frederick, Mary land, where
the rebels had planted very heavy park OF
artillery, in order to sweep our forces if they
attempted to climb the hill. They would have
succeeded effectually, if our forces had taken
the regular route, but instead OF doing SO,
they outfanked the rebels on the left and came
on them unexpectedly, while a great force of
them were lying in large field concealed be-
hind a high stone fence Here our forces came
on them through the woods, and while they
were getting over the fence they were dread
fully slaughtered. / counted myself, in a
space of ten feet square, twenty seven dead
rebels, while the field and the roads were COW
cred with the remains of others. All along
the road from the mountain, and even several
miles below Boonsboro, saw remai.s of
re bells on the road side. The slaughter must
have been terrible, and the sight of the poor
mortals most horrible. / hope never to
witness scenes like these again. 1 wish some
of your secession sympathizers could have
witnessed the sight, know it would have con-
vrrted them.
Position on Wednesday.
BATTLE FIELD OF KEETYsvLLE, MILES TO
THE RIGHT OF BooNsBoRo', ON THE SHARps-
BURG ROAD, Sept. 17.-Eary this morning
the booming of heavy canDons announced that
an engagement had commenced between the
forces of Gen. Mcclellan and the rebels un-
der Gems. Lee and Longstreet, and rebel pris-
oners also state that jackson had evacuated
Harper's Ferry the day before, and arrived
this morning to reinforce them. The regular
cannonading commenced this morning at six
O'Clock. The booming of the artillery was
most terrific. The balls were whizzing through
the air and their sound had the shril tone of
locomotive whistle. The rebels replied but
slowly, which was attributed to their want of
ammunition.
About nine O'Clock in tie morning a regu-
lar musketry engagement took place. You
cannot imagine the rapit ity with which they
fired, and the slaughter severe. The
rebels attempted several times to outflank cur
troops, but they failed in every instance. A
bout half past nine the fire was awful, and the
rebels began to fall back in terrified disorder.
The rebels had the advantage of position all
day-the country on which the fight took place
being very hily, with deep ravines, tolerably
we'll wooded. They would always stay in the
woods, and orr forces had to shell them out
or drive them back at the point of the bay onet.
AT half past eleven the command was given
to charge on the rebels, who were located be-
hind large barn in piece of woods and
cornfield. The men gave loud hurrah and
ran up the hill in double quick tme We
could plainly see the rebels fly in disorder
The rebels were completely driven from the
ground, with loss of not less tn an three thou
sand. The field was literally covered with
the dead and wounded, which were all left in
our hands. 1t was reported that Gems. Hook
er and Frank lin We're slightly wounded but
not to such extent that they had to leave
the field. A rebel battery of eighteen guns
was captured, and any number of rebel flags.
About twelve O'Clock an entire regiment of
about one thousand rebels were taken prison
ers and escorted back to the lines of the cav
| airy. large number of officers were among
them. A rumor was also spread throughout
the camp that Gems. Lee and jackson were
wounded, but nothing positive could be as
certained. Brig. Gen. Meagher. OF the Irish
Brigade, is also reported as slightly wounded
About one O'Clock the ambu ances came on
the battle ground, and the wounded were re-
moved rapidly to the different hospitals at
| Boonsboro, Hagerstown, and nearly all the
large farm houses along the route. l estima.
ted the wounded and killed at about five thou
sand, but others put them at ten thousand.
believe my estimate the most correct. | am
satisfied that the rebel loss is three to one in
comparison. Capt. Geo. Brooks, of Harris
burg, of the 46th Penn'a, was shot by min
ME ball in the early part of the morning. The
ball entered the top of his head, and he lived
about two hours after he received the fatal
wound. He was brave officer, and his death
will be mourned by large number of friends
and relatives. Col. Knipe is safe. The 46th
suffered very severely; there are scarcely so
men left in the Regiment.
About one O'Clock the firing ceased during
which time our troops laid on their arms,
ready for any emergency. AT about two o.
clock the heavy guns were again heard in
laundering discharges. We had distinct
view Of the Union guns, could see the flash of
fire every time and hear the ball flying through
the air. The rebels were occupying a mound
not two miles distant, and we could plainly
hear the breaking of branches from the trees.
The guns used by our forces were of the heav-
lest calibre, and the execution must have been
terrific. The rebel shells done very little if
any injury to our men. A great many fell