The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-12-18

l z Tn the evening OF bUe SIlH, 0Ob oPO "
dered Gen Porter to be at Bristow's station D.
4 daylight on the morning of the 28th,with Nor
Iell's, and also directed him to communicate t.
Banks the order to move forward to Warrentol
function. All trains were ordered this side o
E Cedar Run, and to be protected by regimen
of infantry. and section of artillery. For some
4 unexplained reasons Porter did not COMP.
with this order, aud his corps was not IN thu
battles of the 28th and 29th.
The Battle Of Manassas.
| Heintzelman's corps passed forward to ma
nassas OH the morning of the 28th, and forced
f Jackson to retreat across Bull Run by the Cen
lterville turnpike. Mcdowell had succeeded II
checking Lee at Thoroughfare, but the lattel
took the road from Hopeville to N'"marKe
and fastened to the relief of Jackson, who was
already in rapid retreat. portion OF mellow
ellis corps encountered the retreating column
on the afternoon of the 28th, near Warrenton
turnpike, and a severe but successful engage
ment ensued. Jackson was again attacked on
the 18th. near the old battle ground OF July
1861 Knowing that Longstreet was not DIS
| iant he made most desperate stand. The
fight continued nearly all day. and was teFmh~
| ated only by darkness. We had gained con-
! siderable ground but nothing was decided
when the battle closed. 1t was renewed the
next morning, and after other days hard
| fighting, our forces fell back behind Bull Run,
the enemy not attempting any pursuit. Two
DAYS later, however, he threw considerable
| force between Chantily and Germantown to
turn Pope right Hooker dislodged Them al
ter short but severe engagement, In whicn
| Brigader Generals Kearney and Stevens, two
! of our very best officers, were killed Pope S
army had been reinforced by the corps OF Frank
| lin and Sumner, and no further apprehensions
were felt for It's safety.
Nm h n x,
of which we received very favorable but not
trustworthy accounts, every effort was made to
push forward supplies and achievements 10
Gen. Popes army. The troops from the Pe'
uinsuia we're Of dered not TO wait tor transp0rta-
ton, but to march Immediately to the held OF
battle. Some of the corps moved with becom-
ing activity. but the delays of others were
neither cceditable nor excusable. Our losses
i'll these battles very heavy, both IN lie
and materials, but as no official reports nave
been received except brief sketch from Gen
Pope, marked Exhibit No. 4, have no means
of ascertaining their extent Gen. Pope, was
transferred to another department before the
reports of his subordnates could be received
probably they will soon be handed IN Most OF
the troops actually engaged i'll these battles
fought with great bravery, but some OF them
could not be brought into action at all Many
thousands struggled away from their commands
and it is said that not "a few voluntarily surren>
dered to the enemy so as to be paroed as prls~
oners OF war.
In order to reorganize the different corps
get the stragglers back into their ranks, and
10 supply deficiencies of ammunition, clothing,
&c. caused by the recent losses, zen. Pope re-
quesled and received directions to bring his ar
my within the deiences of Washington, whlch
was the under the command of Gen. McCiel~
ian. This movement was executed on The hlSht
vi the Sd, without loss Gen. Pope beng now
second in command of the united forces, appli-
ed 10 he relieved, aud was transferred TO anoth>
er department Although this short and active
campaign was from causes already referred to-
less successful Than we had reasons to expect,
it had accomplished the great and important
object of covering the capital till troops could
be collected for its defence. Had the army OF
the Potomac arrived few days earlier, the reb-
u army could have been easily defeated and
perhaps destroyed.
The Campaign IN Maryland.
Seeing that an attack upon Washington
would now be futile, Lee pushed his main
my across the Potomac for raid into Siary-
land and Pennsylvania. Gen. Mcclellan was
directed to pursue him with ali troops which
were not required for the defence Of Washing
ton. Several corps were Immediately thrown
out iii observation atDarnestown and Leesboro
of September. A portion entered Frederick
on the 18th As the campaign was 10 be car
ried on within the department commanded by
Major Gen. Wool, | directed Gen. Mcclellan co
to assume control of all troops within his REACH
without regard to departmental lines The gar
risous Of Winchester and Martinsburo had been
Withdrawn to Harper,s Ferry, and the command
iug officer of that post had been advised by my
chef of staff to mainly cOnfine bis defence, IN
| n,sa he una attacxa nv suDnrinr forces. the
position of Maryland flights, which could rave
been held long time against overwhelming
numbers. To Withdraw him entirely from that
position, with the great body of Lees forces
between him and our army, would not only ex~
pose the garrison 20 capture but all the artlie-
ry and stores collected at that place must eth
er be destroyed o. left to the enemy. The on
| ly feasible plan was tor him to hold his position
until Gen Mcclellan could relieve him, or open
a communication SO that ne could eVacuate 1t
| in SAFETY. These views were communicated
both o Gen. Mcclellan and to Col. Niles
The eft of Gen. Nc Clellan's army pursued
part ofthe enemys forces to the South Noun
tains, where, on the 14th, he made stand.
severe battle ensued, the enemy being defeated
an driven from his position With heavy loss.
Lees army then fell back behind Antietam
Greek, a few miles above its mouth, and took a
position admirably suited for defense. Our ar
my attacked hlni the 18th and holly con-
tested battle was fought on that and the ensu~
ing day, which resulted in the defeat of the reb>
ell forces. On the night of the Nth our troops
slept on the field which they had so bravely
won On the 18th, nelthef party renewed the
attack, ana IN the night Of the 18th and 18Th,
Gen Lee withdrew his army to the south side
of the Potomac Our loss in the several battles
on South NJ Juntains and at Antietam was TAP
killed 1906 wounded, and 9l3 missing making
| IN o(1 atI a toe he
enemy's loss at nearly 10000 but their OWE
accounts give their loss at shout $4,000 in kill
| ed and wounded -ar.
! Surrender Of Harper'S Ferry.
! On the approach of the enemy to Harper's Fer
r., the officer in command on Maryland flights
DESTROYED his artillery and abandoned his post.
and OF, the 18th, Col. Miles surrendered Harper's
Ferry. with only slight resistance, and within
hearing of the guns of Gen. McCelsn's army.
As this whole mater has been investigated and
! reported upon by military commission 1T Is un>
NECESSARY for me TO discuss the disgraceful sur
render of the post and army under Col. Miles
command Gen. McCellan's preliminary report
of his operations in Mary land including the bat
,las If South Mountain and Antietam is submit
red herewith marked Exhibit NOD No report;
,f his subordinate oEcers have been submitted
Gen MeCleitan's Strange Delay After h'
Battle Of Antietam
From the 18th OF September till the 26th o.
October. McCleans main army remained on
h. north bank OF the Potomac in the vicinity
Of Sharpsburg aud Harper's Ferry. The lone
Iiuactivity Of so large an army in the face OF
81 defeated foe, and during the most favorable SCI"
son for rapid movements and vigorous cam
! paign, was a matter Of great disappointment
and regret. Your letter of the 9th and my re-
: tnlv on the 23th of Octoberi in regard TO the al
unit the sf teegrsphc order Of the 9Th Of October
to Gen Mcclellan disapproyed Of IL the me Par RIa
Of crossing the Potomac south OF the blG'
P;daa and said that he,would cross at Harper
e Ferry and advance upon Winchester he
i however, did not begin to cross till the 2oth
: October. and then at Berlin.