Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-09-22
Latest from McCleIlan's Army.
OPERATIONS ACROSS THE RIVER

the enemy still in position upon the opposite
side of the Potomac. Opposite to them our
guns were fronting them menacingly. Our
first crossing was effected by force of cavaI-
ry but our batteries were not in position to
protect them, and they were forced to with
draw. The infantry, however, succeeded bet
ter, and after fording the river they threw out
pickets, or rather skirmishers, for a mile,
without meeting with opposition By this
movement six guns of the rebels were captur-
ed, which were taken across, and are now
placed in position to harass their late own
ers. The rebels at first replied with consid-
cradle vigor to our artillery; but, as they
merely designed to cover their retreat they
were more anxious to prevent our crossing
the river than to annoy or silence our batter
les"
FREDERICK, Sept 2I.-Morning.-
headquarters, Saturday evening, we learn
that the 4th sMichigan, with few men from
Sykes brigades, crossed the river at Shop
ardstown ford, late yesterday afternoon FOR
the purpose of making reconnaissance.
They met with stout resistance from the en-
envy, but succeeded in reaching this side of
the river with but slight loss, bringing with
them four pieces of artillery which they took
from the field.
The occupation of the Virginia shore was
attempted again this morning, with less sue
cess Acting Brig. Gen. Barnes, with his
own and a portion of Sykes brigade, some
cavalry, and two batteries, crossed the river
and took a position on the Virginia shore.
Shortly after the troops had been placed
in position the enemy emerged from
under the cover of the woods, with a
line of infantry nearly a mile long. Both
troops soon became engaged, when the order
was given to retire, which was done in good
order, the enemy following closely behind.
When the enemy came within range fire was
opened by twenty pieces of our artillery post
ed on the Maryland bank with such effect that
they were forced to retire out of reach of it.
Their loss from our artillery must have been
heavy, as the explosions of our shells were
seen to make large gaps in their lines. Our
loss in killed. wounded, and prisoners, will
reach about $50. The troops safely returned
to Maryland, bringing their wounded with
them.
Information was received to-day of the evac-
uation of Harpers Ferry by the rebels.
Their artillery was removed from the line of
the Potomac last night and it is believed that
their army is falling back in the direction Of
Charlestown and Winchester. Iu the action
to-day Col Provost of the llSth Penn, was
wounded also Capt. Ricketts, and Lieut. Nc
Kean. Among the killed were Capt. Lander
and Lieut. White. 1t was reported that a
the direction of Williamsport, and force was
sent in that direction this morning. Heavy
firing was heard in that direction tonight,
which shows that they have become engaged.
HOW THE REBELS RAN AWAY.
BATTLE FIELD OF ANTIETAM, Sept. 20.
Yesterday our lines advanced toward the enc
my, when the discovery was made that the
entire rebel army had retreated during the
night, leaving their pickets along the entire
line, so as to prevent us from gaining a
knowledge of their movement until they had
accomplished their purpose. Those left be-
hind to perform this duty generally surren-
dered as soon as our skirmshers appeared.
1t seems from the statements of residents
of Sharpsburg and vicinity that rebel rein
forcements were expected on Friday, but did
not arrive, and consequently it was decided to
cross the river as they were in no condition
for such battle as that of the Nth inst. So
they commenced leaving at dark on Thursday
night. and the rear of the line passed through
Sharpsburg just before daylight yesterday
morning. They crossed the river at different
points in the vicinity of Sharpsburg, as there
are several fords within two miles Of that
place, although the contrary has been repre-
scented.
Our cavalry started in pursuit as soon as
the retreat was known, but, beyond capturing
u few hundred stragglers, they succeeded in
indicting but little injury upon the enc
my. About a mile from the river
quite a contest took place between a
part Of Gen. Porters corps, which were in
the advance, and the enemy, for the posses
sion of two guns which they seemed unable
to move fast enough. They were finally
compelled to abandon them, one of which
they spiked. Their trains have all got off,
Notwithstanding it is said their horses were
completely worn out. They seem to have
taken position on the other side of the Po-
tomae, but they did not reply to our guns this
afternoon, with the exception Of three or four
shots. An attempt was made to cross and
flank Them but they were in too good posi-
ton to be attacked with success.
A Union man named Hughes came in from
Williamsport this afternoon, and reports that
a large force of the enemy had crossed this
morning at that place, but he could not say
how many. For fear he might be caught, he
left in haste, and therefore did not count them.
He said about 1000 cavalry and 1000 infantry
were on this side, and the column was still
coming over, the rear not being visible. Ac-
cOrding to another report, il was only small
party sent over to forage and harraSs the in
habitants. With this exception the soil Of
Maryland is free from the invader-a result
which all expected at an earlier day, though
few thought such thing possible before an
Other, great Datule.
The retreat of an army so large as that of
the rebels, in the face of one like our own,
was certainly credtable to its commanders,
especially when it is considered that they met
but with slight loss while it was being con-
summated. One thing, however, was in its
favor, which was that they had Antietam creek
in their front, about half the length of their
line, over which our troops could not cross,
but at one point.
THE BATTLE OF SEPTEMBER 18TH.
1t was at this bridge that during the battle
of the 18th, Gen. Pleasanton's cavalry made
such a splendid dash across in the face of a
fire from several batteries planted to sweep it
from different points, and which rained per-
feet shower of shell upon it while our troops
were crossing most of which, fortunately,
did not explode. As soon as the cavalry
crossed they were followed by Gen. Sykes
division of regulars, in support of three bat
teries,-Tibbets', Gibson's and Robinson's,-
which, after getting into positioc, silenced the
rebels at this point and relieved Gen. Sum
ner's corps from fire from which they would
have otherwise been compelled to fall back.
Some of the most desperate fighting ever re-
corded in history took place on this field.
In passing over this ground to-day, the evl-
dence was manifested. Where the most dead
ly contests occurred the dead and dying were
lying thick and in rows where they had fallen
on the enemy's centre. Three rebel lines of
battle had been formed from point west OF