The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-09-26
HEADQUARTERS Army or PoroxAc, !
Sent lg-I0 IN A NJ
ny Special Messenger to the Associated Press)
From tho Battlefield in Maryland.

From tho Battleuelu In mary lunu.
BATTLEFIELD OF ANTiErAN, Sept. 20.
Yesterday our lines advanced toward the
eLemy, when the discovery was made that
the army had retrcated during the night.
leaving their pickets along the entire line, so
MS to prevent us from gaining knowledge
Of their movements until they had accom-.
plished their purpose. Those left behind to
perform this duty generally surrendered as
soon rs our ssirmishers appeared.
Ii seems from statements made by residents
of Sharpsburg and vicinity. that rebel rein.
forcements were expected on Friday, but they
did not arrive, and consequently 1t was de.
cidcd to cross the river, us they were in M
condition for such n battle asthat OF the 18th
inst. so they commenced leaving at dark on
Thursday night. and the rear Of the line
passed through Sharpsburg just before day
light yesterday morning. They crossed the
river at different points in the vicinity OF
Sharpsburg. rs there are several fords within
two miles Of that place. although the con.
trary has been represented.
Our cavalry started in pursuit ~ soon as
the retreat was known, but beyond capturing
few hundred stragglers, they succeeded In
inaicting but little injury upon the enemy.
About mile from the river quite q con.
test took place between part OF Gen. POr-
ters corps and the enemy for the possession
of two guns, which they seemed unable to
move fast enough. They were finally com
PEELED to abandon them, ono OF which they
spiked. Their train have oil got OF not
withstanding 1t Is said their horses were com
pletely worn out.
They seem to have taken q position on thu
other side Of the Potomac, but they did moi
reply to our guns this afternoon, with The
exception of three or four shots.
An attempt was made to cross the river
and flank them, but they were In too good q
position to be attacked with success.
A Union man named Hughes came in from
williamsport this afternoon, and reports that
large force of the enemy had crossed thin
morning at that place, but he could not say
how many. For fear he might be caught he
left in haste, and therefore could not count
them. He said about 1000 cavalry and 1000
infantry wsre on this side, and the column
was still coming over, the rear not being Wis
IDLE.
According to another report 1t was only a
small party scnt over TO forage and harrass
the Inhabitants. With this exception the
soil of Maryland Is free from the inyaders-a
result which all expected at an early day,
though few thought such thing possible be-
fore another great battle.
The retreat of an army 80 large rs that OF
Al 4 T. Al. r.. II /; ta
was certainly crcditable to it's commanders,
especially when it is considered they met
with hut slight loss while it was being con.
summated. One thing, however, was 10 It's
favor, which was that they had Antietam
Creek in their front, about halt the length
of their line, over which our troops could
not cross but at one point. Ii was at this
point that Gen. Pleasanton's cavalry made
such u splendid dash across. in the face Of q
fire from several batteries planted to sweep II
from different positions. and which rained n
perfect shower Of shell upon It while our
troops were crossing, most OF which, iortu-
nately did not explode.
As soon rs the cavalry crossed, they were
followed BY Gen. Sykes division OF regulars,
in support OF three Enthusiastically Glib.
sons and Robinson 's-which. alter getting
into position, sienced the rebels at this point
and relieved Gen. Summers corps from fire
from which they would have otherwise been
compelled to fall back.
Some OF the most desperate fighting ever
recorded In history took place on this field.
In passing over the ground to-day the oyi-
dence was manifest where che most deadly
contests occurred, the dead and dying lying
thick and in rows where they had fallen on
the enemy's centre. Three lines Of battle
had been formed from point west OF Ha.
gerstown turnpike across the road and sever
al fields TO near the Boonesboro' turnpike, q
distance OF about half mile. and these lines
were almost M distinct as when the Lying
masses formed them, the dead lying 30 close
as to DO nearly within reach Of one another's
hands along the entire distance. while in
many places they lay one on another.
The enemy at this point were attacked by
Kings, Ricketts, aud Sedgwick's divisions,
and the rebels. althoug maintaining their
ground for time. were compelled to give
way, their loss being frigbtfully large. Dur
yeas brigade which opened this attack, lost
about half Of its force. but maintained its
position until relieved by fresh troops. This
brigade lost 432 in killed and wounded out
of about $50 who went into the action.
The enemy's loss in killed ut this part OF
the field was at least two to our one. and
many were Of the opinion that II would nv
erage the same all over the battle ground
This Is accounted for by the fact that our
men FIRE high while tho rebels seem to DO
particularly instructed to fire low.
The prisoners say that they always like to
meet regiment Of Zouaves with red trows-
ers, as these serve as distinctive marks. In
evidence of this take the Casualties OF the
l4th Brooklyn and 5th New York regiments,
three-fourth Of the casualties occurring among
them in every battle being In tho lower
limbs.
Ar n niece of woods where they made
stand alter being driven back. Gorman's brig
ade of Scdewick's division, suffered heavy
lac. having S94 killed and wounded, about
half Of their entire number. One regiment,
the 18th Massachusetts,, had GOO on going IN
10 the Gcht, and were only able to muster
oOS after they came out OF Ii.
The division succeeded In driving the enc
nv from the woods and held the position for
moro than an hour, but werc finally CON-
PEELED to abandon the position and fall back.
This is thc only part Of the field we gained
from which our troops were compelled to re-
tire. Those who fell NJ this spot were found
stripped Of their clothes by the rebels. some