Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-09-26

About q mile from the river quite a con
tee, took place between 9 part OF Gen. Por
ter's corps, which was In the advance, an
the enemy, for the possession of two gun
which they seemed unable 10 move fas
enough. They were finally compelled Il
abandon them. one Of which they spiked. -
their trains have all got 81, notwIthstandin,
II lie said, their horses were completely worn
. out. Tbey aeem to have taken position on th,
other side Of the Potomac, but they did moi
reply to our guns Saturday, With the excep-
! ton Of three or four shots. An attempt
was made TO cross and flank them, but they
were in too good q position TO be attacked
with success. A few hundred cavalry are be
] eyed to be all Il the rebel army now IL
Maryland.
The retreat of an army SO large as that oil
she rebels in the face Of one like our Own,
was certainly creditable To its commanders,
especially when 1t is considered they met
with but slight loss while it was beng con-
snmmsted. One thing, however, was in lis
favor, which vas, that they had Antietam
Greek in their front about hall the length OF
their line. over which our troops could not
cross at but one point. 1t was at this bridge
that Gen. Plessanto 8 cavalry made such a
splendid dash across in the face OF FIRE from
several batteries planted to sweep 1t from
different points. and which rained perfect
shower Of shell upon it while our troops
were crossing. As soon as the cavalry had
crossed, they were followed pY Gen. Sykes
division of regulars in support Of three bat
teries, TIdball's, Gibson's and Robinson's s.
which, after getting into position. slenced
the rebels at this point and relieved General
Summers corps from fire before which they
would have been compelled TO fall back
Some OF the most desperate fighting ever re-
corded in history took place 10 this h.ld.-
10 passing over the ground next day the evIs
dence was manifested where the most deadly
contests occurred, the dead and dying living
thick and in rows where they had fallen, on
the enemy's centre. Three lines of battle
had been formed from point west Of Ha-
gerstOwn turnpike across the road and sew
eral fields to near the Boonsboro turnpike, a
distance of about half mile, and these lines
were almost as distinct as when the living
masses still formed the dead lying so close
as to be nearly within reach Of one snother's
hands along the entire distance; while in
many placer they lay one upon another
The enemy at this point were attacked by
mug hACkGlNr duu OC1kNlCA
and the rebels, although maints ming their
ground for a time, were compelled to give
way, their loss being frightfully large. Dur
yeas Brigade, which opened TINS attIck.
lost sbove halt of its fore, 6, but maintained
lts position until relieved by fresh troops.
Inc enemy's loss 10 killed at this part Of
the field was at least two 10 our one, and
many were of the opinion it would average
the same all over the battle ground. This Is
accounted for by the fact that our men Erred
high, while the rebels seem TO be particular
" instructed 10 FIRE low. The prisoners say
they always like TO meet a regiment Of sou-
sves with red trousers. as these serve as dis
.inctve marks. In evidence Of this take the /
OF the l4th Brooklyn and 5th n. .
Y regiments, three-fourths OF the Casualties
among them in every battle being in the low
sr limbs.
At a pieee Of woods where they made
A stand alter beng driven back, Germans |
brigade of Sedgevick e division suffered much |
oss. having s01 killed and wounded, about |
lalf Of their entire number. One reg ment,
he 18th Mass, had 6O0 on going int the |
light, and were only able 10 muster eos after
hey came out Of it.
Our men took one Georgia regiment entire. |
Toe total number Of rsbel prisoners captured |
; at least 1900. One IIece OF woods after
icing desperately fought for four hours Was |
It last gained By our troops. IL contains at
east 1900 dead Of both sides, and presents
errible spectacle. Our WOUNDED are being |
AIRED for in the best way possible, but there
s nothing like enough OF doctors here. Capt |
Flyers of the lith NY. regiment was wound
d. The l4th Conn. regiment lOst largely. |
five color bearers were shot while 1t was e.
aged. Capt Willard was killed. The reg
ment held their position for half an bOur
lnder heavy cruss fire, and finally fell back
o a better position. The s0th y Y. regi- /
nent was hanked by two rebel regiments,
nut succeeded in cutting their way ont, al
hough losing many men In doing 50.
The loss Of the rebels in this battle was
Tery heavy, and evidenuy,exceeded ours. A |
wounded soldier Of the p y. c., said his 1
egiment left Richmond month ago 200 |
trong. and on Thursday morning could only
muster 200.
A negro who was captured, and who
Knows Jackson well, says that he saw him
Fitn he arm IL a sling on Friday upon the
ield.
One Of the prisoners states that Gen. Joe
Johnston died recently at Richmond OF
wounds received at Fair Oaks.
There is no evidence that either Longstreet
,r Lee was wounded in the battle Of Wednes-
lay.
The 4th Michigan. with lew men from
Sykes brigade crossed the river at Shepherds
.own ford late Saturday afternoon, for the
purpose Of making a reconnaissance. They
met with stout resistance from the enemy,
but succeeded in reaching this side Of the
river. with but slight loss, bringing with
them four pieces of artillery which they .ook
from the rebels.
The occupation Of the Virginia shore was
attempted again Sunday morning, with less
success. Acting Brigadier General Barnes,
with his own and portion OF Sykes brig
sde, some cavalry and two batteries, crossed
the river and took position on the Virginia
shore. Shortly after the troops had been
placed in position. the enemy emerged from
under the cover of woods with line of To-
fantry nearly mile long. Both troops soon
became engaged when the order was gwen to
retire. which was done in good order. the
enemy following closely behind. When the
enemy came within rang ), fire was opened by
20 pieces Of our artillery posted on the Mary
land bank with such effect that they were
forced to retire out of range. Their loss from
our artillery ere N ust have been heavy, ss
the explosion 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.
Gov Curtin telegraphs to Philadelphia
from Hagarstown. noufying all military or
CARNATIONS TO wait at home for further Or
ders.
Friday the last OF the rebels took their de
parture from HArper's Ferry. alter having
burned all the Government property they
found there that they could not carry OF,
including the pontoon bridge and the store
houses. They made FIVE distinct attempts to
blow up the five piers Of the railway bridge
there, all Of which proved unsuccessful. The
superstructure upon them, however. was
much damaged by this yandRl attempt.