The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-10-08
ARMY CORRESPONDENTS

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not dangerous. for me TO keep you posted
with reference to the movements Of this ar
my, Matters ofgeneral interest and impOr.
tance, alter becoming facts Of history, should
not be withheld from the public. In the
early part Of the present month the Army Of
the Potomac lett Washington to undertake
the campaign Of Maryland. The rebels were
reported to be in large force under General
Lee somewhere on the Maryland side of the
Potomac, the exact locality was not known
Our ordnance guard came up with and en-
gagged portions OF the enemy's cavalry al
Darnestown, PocleVille and Rockville, moths
ing occurring but skirmishing until we came
in sight Of the gap through the Blue Ridge
Mountains. This gap Is the principle
one between Frederick and Boonsboro. The
rebels determined to contest our passage at
this point; a large force had been stationed
to guard another gap which is located about
1--WE miles south Of this one. Gems. Burns
side and Hooker were charged with the stor>
ming Of the first pass. while General Frank
lin had charge Of the second. The Ohio
troops under Gen. Cox were ordered by
Gen. Burnside to move forward and storm
the heights on the left OF the road, while the
Pennsylvania Reserves under Gen. Hooker
were to carry those on the right, they were
met with determined resistance by the ene~
my. The fighting was severe along the ems
tire crest, but the rebels were forced back
and compelled to abandon their strong posts
tion. Night put an end to the conflict and
when morning arrived the rebels had fled
leaving their dead and wounded strewn ever
the battle ground. Their entire loss in kill
led, wounded and prisoners was at least five
thousand. The rebel general Garland was
slain in the battle. Our loss did not exceed
two thousand, but we lost valuable officer
ia Major Gen. Reno who fell mortally woun--
ded during the latter part OF the engagement.
Our cavalry and horse batteries started ear
ly in pursuit OF the flying foe, and were sue
cessfal in harrassing the rebels as they re-
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uamber Of prisoners and two cannon.
After crossing the Antietam, small trib-
utary OF the Potomac, the rebels halted and
formed in order Of battle, determined to risk
every thing in a general engagement. 1t
was about two o'clock ia the afternoon Of
the 10Th that our advance under Gen. Rich
ardson came in sight Of the enemy's line Of
battle. 1t was grand sight, one without
an equal during the war. No woods or
hills interviewed to obstruct the view. We
were upon ridge or elevated plateau, at the
base OF this ridge flowed the Antietam which
was fordable at but few points, the bridges
were undestroyed owing to our rapid pur--
suit, but were well guarded by artillery pos
sed on the opposite side. The ground be-
yond the Antietam rose to quite an elevated
height, and on this ridge the enemy had made
sdispositon to dispute our passage, and if we
persisted in crossing it was here that the
great battle OF the war was to be fought.
The enemy had chosen we'll his ground
and his troops were formed ready for action
when the head OF our column first came in
sight. A line OF rebel troops fully one and
half miles in length was in open view, and
yet we could not see his extreme right or
left. Gen. Richardson, who commanded
one division OF flooker's corps, Immediately
made his dispositions for attacking the enc
my. and had progressed so far as to engage
the enemy's artillery with the few batteries
at his disposal. At this moment Gen,
Hooker arrived on the ground and taking in
at q glance the condition of affairs, ordered
Gen. Richardson to Immediately suspend the
attack. saying at the same time, "Why Gen.
eral, there are enough rebels over there to
eat up your entire division"
A courier was dispatched to Gen. McClel
Ian informing him ofwhat had transpred.-
He approved Of Gen. Hooker's action in de
fsrring the attack until all our forces could
be made available. Gen. Mcclellan rode
sapidlyt to the front, first giving orders to the
different commanders to hurry forward their
commands. II soon became evident that
the great battle would not come off that day.
Night set in with the rebel army still facing
US, while but small portion Of our own had
arrived. Early next morning reconnoisan
css we're made with view to learn as mnch
~ possible concerning the ground in front
1t was between two and three O'Clock in the
AFTERNOON when the first demonstration was
made by us, this was by Gen. Hooker, who
marched his corps by road to the right and
succeeded in etfecting crossing over the
Antietarn unobserved by the enemy. Gen.
NcClellan and staff accompanied the force oil
Hooker.
The enemy made but little resistance un.
ill nearly sundown, but it was then too late,
our force which had crossed was too large TO
be driven back. A brisk cannonade was
kept up until night with but little damage to
sithsr side. All night long our troops con.
tinued to cross and vera placed in position
tobs ready for the work which was to be
done next day. Every one was confident
that the rising sun would witness the com.
mencement ofthc greatest battle which had
yet been fought on the Western Continent.
Gen. Mcclellan did nor 60 to his camp that
night but remained on the ground 80 as to
be Abls personally esuperiutend any move.
nent which might become necessary.
Atprecisely ten minutes before five on
che morning Of tho 18th the first gun was
fred which was the commencement oi The
battle Of Sharpsourg. The fighting began
On tho right in front OF Hooker. who drove
the rebels nearly half mile, but being
hssvily reinforced they checked his advance
end we're nearly successful tn regainiDg lheii
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