Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-09-19
Press Dispatches from the Field.
An Account of the Battle

L
Press. During this forenoon information
was received at headquarters, showing that
the enemy were recrossing the river and con-
centrating their forces on the ridge of hills
outside of the town of Sharpsburg. to within
three miles of the main body Of our army.
jackson left Harper's Ferry this morning, his
troops commencing to arrive during the af-
ternoon, when it became evident that Lee was
disposed to engage our forces in battle at this
point. Gen. Mcclellan sent for Franklin's
corps and COUGHS division, who were about
seven miles distant on the other side OF Elk
Ridge. There was considerable artillery firing
during the day on both sides, resulting in our
having about forty men killed and wounded.
Among the seriously wounded was Major
Arnott of the LIST New York artillery, who was
struck in the side by piece Of shell.
The disposition of the troops for the i'm.
pending battle was as follows Gen Sum-
ner's corps, with Gen. Banks division, to oc-
cupy the center, Gen. Hooker's corps, with
the Pennsylvania reserves and Franklin's
corps on the right, Gems. Porter and Burn
side on the extreme left, with view of turn
ing the enemy's right flank. Gen. Pleasanton
supported the center with $500 cavalry and
four batteries.
Gen. Hooker in the afternoon crossed An
tietan creek, and took position on the hills
facing Sharpsburg, and three miles to the
right of Keetsville. His troops got into ac-
ton about dusk The battle lasted about two
hours, during which the enemy were driven
about half mile, with considerable loss.
The Pennsylvania reserves, who were in front,
suffered much. The night was occupied in
getting the troops in their respective posi-
tons, while the ammunition trains and ambu-
lances were forwarded to the different COM
mands.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
WEDNESDAY,, Sept. 17.-This has been an
eventful day in the history of the rebellion.
A battle has taken place in which the army of
the Potomac has again been victorious, and
which exceeds in extent any battle heretofore
fought on this continent. AT the dawn of day
the battle was renewed on the centre and
right by Hooker and Sumner, who after Il
sharp contest of two hours, drove the enemy
about one mile. The rebels rallied shortly
afterwards, and with terrible loss regained
most Of the ground. AT this time the fearless
and indomitable Hooker received Il shot in
the ankle and was carried from the field
The command Of his troops now devolved
upon Sumner. Gen. Richardson command
ing a division, was severely wounded at the
same time.
Gen. Sumner determined to retake tina
lost ground, and ordered the troops to adj
vance, which they did with a will, driving the
rebels before them with great slaughter.
They not only retook the ground, but drove
them quarter of a mile beyond. In this ac-
ton Gen. Mansfield swas shot through the
lungs, and died soon after. During this
time the troops under Burnside and Porter
had not been idle. They drove the rebels
from the line of Antietan creek on the main
road to Sharpsburg, built a bridge, the old
one having been destroyed, and occupied the
opposite bank. The loss here was considera.
Bile.
Our troops now held both banks of the
creek To get possession Of the ridge of hills
on the right and left hand sides of the road,
from which the rebels were laundering away
with artillery, was task not easily accom-
plished. Sykes brigade, with the assistance
of Sumner, carried the ridge on the right
hand side, after considerable trouble and loss,
the rebels running in all directions.
1t is now o'clock P. NJ, and all the enc
mys positions have been carried, except the
one on the left hand side of the road. To do
this, Burnside was assigned. The artillery
opened and the infantry advanced. The point
was carried at a charge, but we were forced
to retire before a superior foe. Knowing that
if they lost this ridge complete rout OF their
army would be the result, they fought with
great desperation. Darkness now overlooked
the two armies, and hostilities ceased as
though by mutual consent. The battle lasted
from o'clock in the morning till at night,
without moments cessation. The conduct
of all the troops, without exception, was what
any general conld wish. Several regiments
of new troops, who were in action for the
first time, behaved admirably.
Hundreds of Marylanders were present to
witness the battle, which could be seen from
many of the surrounding hills. The sharp
rattle of $4,000 muskets and the thunder of a
hundred pieces of artillery is not often wit
messed. 1t is impossible at this writing to
form any correct idea of our loss or that of
the enemy. 1t is heavy on both sides. Ours
will probably reach in killed and wounded
10000. That of the enemy will not exceed it.
The enemys dead, which nearly all fell into
our hands, were thickly strewn over the field,
and in many places lying in heaps. Our
wounded were Immediately carried from the
field, and the best possible attention given
them.
When Gen. Hooker fell, Gen. Mcclellan
Immediately proceeded to the right where he
was enthusiastically received, and by his pres
ence added much to our success in recovering
the ground lost. He was in the center and on
the left as well, anxiously watching the pro-
gress of the battle, and giving directions as to
the manner of attack. He is in his tent to-
night for the first time since he left Frederick
city. We took some fifteen hundred prison
ers during the day, while the enemy obtained
but few.
The following officers are among the killed
and wounded Gen. Hartsuff' wounded, Gen.
Duryea wounded, Gen. Sedgewick wounded
in shoulder, Col. Childs, 18th Conn. serious
ly wounded, Lieut.. Col. Parisen, 57th N. Y,
Killed, Capt. Audennid, aid to Gen. Sumner,
wounded, Maj. Sedgwick killed, Col. Mcneil,
of the Bucktails, and Lieut.. Allen were killed,
Col Polk, second United States sharpshoot-
ers, wounded, Maj. Burbank, 18th Mass,
wounded. Several other prominent officers
were reported killed and wounded, but moth
ing positive is known concerning them.
LATEST FROM THE BATTLE FIELD,
ANOTHER BATTLE AT HAND.