The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-09-27

tantry, and attacking with energy the Rebel
batteries immediately opposite to him. His
movement was Il success, so far as it went,
the batteries maintaining their new ground,
and sensiby affecting the steadncss of the
Rebel FIRE. That being once accom- iished,
and all hazard Of the right being again forced
back having been diSpellcd, the movement
Of burnside became at once the turning
point of success, and the fate of the day
depended on him.
How extraordinary the situation was may
be judged from u moments consideration of
the facts. 1t is understood that FROM the
outset Burnsides attack was expected to be
decisive, as it certainly must have been if
things went well elsewhere, and if he sue
ceeded in establishing himself or the Sharps-
burg road in the Rebel rear.
Yet Hooker, and Sumner, and Franklin,
and Mansfield were all sent to the right three
miles away, while Porter seems to have done
double duty with his single corps in front,
both supporting the batteries and holding
himself in reserve. With all this immense
force on the right but Ii, 900 men were given
to Burnsde for the decisive movement Of
the day.
Still more unfortunate in its results was
the total failure of these separate attacks on
the right and left to sustain, or in any man
ner cooperate with each other. Burnside
hesitated for hours in front of the bridge
which should have been carried at once by
coupe dc main, Meantime Hooker had been
lighting for four hours with various fortune,
but final success. Sumner had come too
late to join in the decisive attack which his
earlier arrival would probably have convert
ed into a complete success and Franklin
reached the scene only when Sumner had
been repulsed. Probably before his arrival
the rebels had transferred considerable
number of troops to their right to meet the
attack Of Burnside, the direction Of which
was suspected or developed.
Attacking first with one regiment. and
then with two, and delaying both for artil
lcry, Burnside was not over the bridge be.
fore ? o clock-pcrhars not till 8. He ad-
vanced slowly up the slopes in front, his
batteries in rear covering, to some extent,
the movements Of the infantry. a despcr
ate fight was going on in deep ravine on
his right, the rebel batteries were in full play
and, apparently, very annoying and de-
structiye, while heavy columns Of rebel
troops were plainly visible, advancing as if
careless Of concealment, along the road and
over the hills in the direction Of Burnsidc's
forces. 1t was at this point of time that
Mcclellan sent him the order above given
Burnside obeyed it most CALAMITY. Get
ting his troops well in hand, and sending a
portion of his artillery to the front, he ad-
vanced them with rapidity and the most
determined vgor, strait up the hill in front,
on the top Of which the rebels had maintain
ed their most dangerous battey. The move
ment was in plain view Of McClcllan's posi-
ton, and as Franklin, Oh the other side sent
his batteries into the field about the same
time, the battle seemed to open in all dircc
tons with greater activity than ever.
The fight in the ravnc was in full pro-
gress, the batteries which Porter supper cd
were firing with new vigor, Franklin was
blazing away on the right, and every hill
top, ridge and woods along the whole line
was crested and vailed with white clouds of
smoke. All day had been clear and bright
since the early cloudy morning. aud now
this whole magnificent, unequaled scene
shown with the splendor Of an afternoon
September sun. Four miles Of battle, its
glory all visible, its horrors all vailed, the
fate Of the Republic hanging on the hour
could any one be insensble Of its grandeur
There arc two hills on the left Of the road,
the furthcst the lowest The rebels have
batteries on both. Burnside is ordered to
carry the nearest to him, which is furthest
from the road. His guns opening first from
| this new position i'll front soon entirely con-
troIled and silenced the enemy's artillery
he infantry came on at once, moving rap.
idly and steadily up long dark lines, and
broad, dark masses, being plainly visible
without glass as they moved ever the green
| hill side.
| The next moment the road in which the
rebel battery was planted was canopied with
clouds of dust swiftly descending into the
valley. Underneath was q tumult of wag-
| ons, guns, horses, and men flying at spcud
down the road. Blue flashes of smoke
burst now and then among them, horse or
Il man or half dozen went down, and then
the whiriwind swept on.
The hill was carried, but could 1t be he'd?
| ! he rebel columns, before seen moving to
the left. increased their pace. The guns,
or the hill above, sent an angry tempest of
| shell down among Burnside S guns and men.
! He had formed his columns apparently in
the near angles of two fields bordering the
road-high ground about them everywhere
| except in rear.
! In another moment a rebel battle-lne APP
pears on the brow of the ridge above them,
moves swiftly down in the most perfect
| order, and though met by incessant dis
charges OF mosEetrv, OF which We plainly
see the flashes, does not hre a gun. White
spaces show where men arc falling, but they
close up instantly. ana stlt the line advances
| The brlgades OF Burnside are III heavy col
umn they will not give way before a bay
! Cnet charge in Inc. The rebels think twice
before they dash INTO these hostile masses.
There IS halt, the rebel left gives way
and scatters over the field, the rest stand
| fast and fire More infantry comes nm