Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-09-22

even and strong positions, sheltered BY
ridges and hills, and especially strong on
the TANKS Antietam Greek, a stream too
deep to be forded except in very few places,
sweeps by the base of their position and
protected it from assault.
McClellan's forces were first formed in
front, afterWard thrown TO the right and
left There is little or no ground on our
sideequal in hight to the Rebel position.
Hooker sustained, unaided, the attack
on the Rebel left force nearly four hours.
His line had been formed the night be-
fore and fought to-day in the same order.
Ricketts, Division was on the left, Meade's
Pennsylvania Reserves in the center,
Doubleday's on the right These terms
are, Of course, to be understood as re-
ferring only to Hooker's line, not to the
whole field. There was artillery at all
points. Meade gained in his first attack.
Ricketts, also went forward through the
woods in his front, and Doubleday, with
his guns, held front against a heavy
cannonade. Meade advancing, finally
met heavy body of fresh troops thrown
suddenly and vigorously against him
and was driven back over part of the
ground he had just won. Ricketts, line
was at the same hard pressed and be-
came deserted. Mansfield, who had come
over the creek the night before, was or
dered into the woods to Ricketts, support,
and Hartstutfs Brigade, part Of Double
days command, was sent to sustain
Meade. Mansfield took the greatest part
of his troops to Ricketts, help, but they
were unable to extend their line, and in
the effort to push forward his men, Gen
eral Mansfield was mortally wounded
General Hartsuff advanced to the relief Of
Meade with the 18th and 18th Massachu-
sets and another regiment. The Penn
sylvania troops were retiring in haste and
some confusion. Hartsuff seized bridge
in front of the field over which the Rebels
were pressing, and held it in splendid
style for more than half an hour against
a greatly superior attack. His men be-
haved most gallantly, standing on this
exposed ground firing steadily and never
wavering once.
General Haftsuff was soon severely
wounded. His troops retained their posi-
tion, and finally, by the precision and ra-
pidity Of their fire, compelling the enemy
TO retreat instantly, advanced in pursuit,
while they had been engaged. Hooker
ordered up Crawford's and Gordon's brig
ades to their support. Hartsuf retained
the advance, and Crawford and Gordon
followed in support. A Rebel battery on
the right, which had been most annoying
by an enfilading fire, was about the same
time silenced by DOubleday's guns, and
Hooker ordered his whole line forward.
The Rebels were driven through the
corn field again into the woods beyond
where they could not easily be dislOdged
without artillery. General Hooker, who
all the morning had kept himself under
fire and generally in the hottest Of it, rode
forward to examine theground in front IN
order to plant battery. As he rode up
the hill he became a conspicuous mark for
the Rebel sharpshooters their fire increas-
ed very suddenly and General Hooker was
wounded in the left foot, a bullet passing
entirely through it. The wound was eX-
cessively severe and painful, and he was
compelled to leave the field. Three men
were shot down by his side at the same
moment he was wounded.
Up to this time the attack has been a
success. The hardest fought ground was
in the undisputed position of HOOker's
troops, and his last order, as he was borne
from the field was, that Crawford's and
Gordon's Brigades should Immediately
advance and carry the woods to the right.
The whole line had gone forward with the
widest cheering, and everything looked
like a complete and speedy success. At
this fortunate moment, General Sumner
arrived on the field at the head of his vet
eran corps. Pursuing the forward move
ment, he led his men Immediately against
the Rebel line and to the support Of Craw-
ford. Sedgwick's division, the flower of
the Peninsula army, advanced on the right,
Richardson and French at & considerable
interval on the left. The first vOlley from
Sedgwick's troops was tremendous, but
it was answered bya heavier one.
Crawford had found the Rebels in great
force in the woods, and was already in
need Of assistance. SedgWicks flank also
became exposed on the left in consequence
Of the distance between him and the other
divisions.
The Rebels perceived their advantages,
and at the same time pressing Crawford
and attacking on Sedgwick' 8, broke Craw-
ford's line, which fell back in confusion
on Sedgwick The 34th New-YOrk on the
left was forced to give way at the same
time, and the woods we're yielded to the
enemy.
General Sedgwick was severely wounded
in the shoulder, leg and wrist but refused
to leave the field till his division retired.
General Howard then took command,
and ordered the division in the rear.
Many of the regiments suffered most Sc
yerely. The 18th Massachusetts lost nine
out of seventeen officers. Colonel Kinks
of the 10Th Massachusetts, was killed
Colonel Wistar, 1st California, was severe
ly wounded. The 34th New-York could
gather but thirty-four men when rallied.
French and Richardson meantime held
a position well to the left and less in ad-
vance, and kept it. General Richardson,
not long after, was severely wounded in
the shoulder while leading a boiling regi-
ment General Dana Of Sedgwick's divis-
ion was wounded but not severely. Gen
eral Sumner found himself obliged by this
reverse to withdraw his lines to their first
position, where he held them firmly He
had been exposed during all the action to
the hottest of the fire. Colonel Revere Of
his staff was wounded in the arm; Captain
Audenried in the leg.
General Franklin arrived with his corps
about l o'clock, sending General Slocum's
division to the left and in front. Gene
raj Smiths was advanced over the same
ground which had just been lost, His gal
lant Maine and Vermont troops went in
at double quick, driving the Rebels before
them, and on the fences and beyond the
woods, and again took the point, this time
mt In he piven m This was cOmnlishnd
by o'clock.
Meanwhile the forces in front of the
whole line had been gaining some ground.
Hard fighting all along the line has con-
tinued at intervals through the day.
French and SlOcum were we'll toward the
center. Il was time TO hear from Burn