Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-09-25
Further Particulars of the Battle of
Antietam,

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2l.-The follow;po
has been received by special messenger
BATTLE FIELD OF ANTIETAM, Sent oo -
Yesterday our lines advanced toward tho
enemy, 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 gain
ing knowledge of their movements until
they had accomplished their purpose,-
Those LETT behind TO perform this duty gen.
orally surrendered as soon as our skirnisL.
ers appeared.
1t seems from tho statements of the resi-.
dents OF Sharpsburg and its vicinity, that
iebel relnforcements wore expected on Fri
day, but they did not arrive, and conse.
qiently 1t was decided to cross the river. as
they wero in no condition to stand another
such battle as that Of the 18th inst. so thew
commenced leaving at daik on THURSDAY
night, and the rear of the line passed on
through Sharpsburg just before daylight
yesterday morning. They crossed the river
at different points in the vicinity of Sbarps.
burg, as there re'several fords within two
miles,, though the contrary has been repre-
sented. Np''
Our cavalry started in pursuit as soon rs
the retreat was discovered, but beyond can u.
turing, few hundred stragglers they sue
ceeded in inflicting upon the enemy but lit.
tie injury. About mile from the river
quite contest took place between mart of
Gen, Porter $ corps, which were in the nd
vance, and tho enemy for the possession ot
guns which they seemed unable to move
fast enough, They were finally compelled
To- abandon them, one of which theg spiked
Their trains have all got off, notwitbstand.
ing 1t Is SAID their horses were completev
worn out. They seem to have taken n M.
sltion on the Potomac, but they did not re-
ply to our guns this ate noon, with the ex.
ception of three or four shots. An otternn,
was made to cross and flank them but they
were in too good position to be ATTEMPTED
with success.
A Union man named Hughes came in
from Wllliamsport this afternoon and re-
ports that large force of the enemy had
re-crossed the river at that point, but he
could not say how many. For fear he miobt
be caught, he left in haste, and tberefore
did not count them. He said at least ;. 600
cavalry and 200 infantry were on this s;de
and the column was still crossing over the
rear not being visible.
According to another report, it was only
u small party sent over to forage the conn.
try and harass the inhabitants,
With this exception, the soil of MARYLAND
is free from the invader, result which ali
expected at an early day, though Gaw
thought such thing possible before anotb.
or great battle. The retreat of an army so
large as that of the rebels in the face Of one
like our own, was certainly creditabe 70 lis
especially when il is consider
ed that they met with but slight loss while
it was being consummated.
One thing, however, was in their favor
which was that they had the Antietam in
their front about half the length of their
line over which our troops could cross only
at one point. Ii was at this bridge that
Pleasantons cavalry made such a splendid
dash across in the face of fire from several
batteries planted to sweep it from different
points, and which rained perfect shower
Of shell upon it while our troops were cross.
ing, most Of which, fortunatel', did not ex-
plode. As soon.as the cavalry crossed thew
were followed by Sykes regulars in support
Of three batteries, TidbalIs, Gibson's and
which after getting into position
silenced the rebels at this point and reliey.
cd Summers corps from fire under which
they would otherwise have been compelled d
to fall back. 4.e a -"
Some OF tae most desperate fighting ever
recorded on history took place on this field,
In passing over the ground to-day the eyi.
dence was manifest where the most deadly
contest occurred the dead lying thick and in
rows where they had fallen. In the enc.
my's centre three lines Of battle had been
forced from point west Of the Hagerstown
across the road and several fields
TO and ncar the Boonesboro turnpike, a dis.
tance Of about half a miles and these lines
we're almost as distinct as when the living
mass still formed them, the dead lying so
close rs 70 be nearly within reach Of one an
others hands along the entire distance
while in many places they lay one upon an,
other. 7s ''roG -
The enemy at this point were attack ed bv
Kings, Ricketts, and Sedgwick.s divisions.
and the Rebels, although ghmsintaininf their
pfOund Tor q short time wera connajIaJ -, |