New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-23
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
The Pursuit of the Enemy-IIlness OF Gen.
McCleiian-The Rest on Thursdny-The
Casualties Roth Sides-The Gallant
Conduct Of Our Army.
From Our Special Correspondent.
NORTH BANK OF TIE PoroMAc,

NORTH BANK PoroMAc
Friday, sept. l9, le62-midnish,)
The Rebel army in Virginia-the National army
in Maryland-between them, the Potomac. Across
tonight the enemy replied slowly to the few shots
from our bstieries-fant, dying echoes OF the Great
Battle.
To-day the General Commanding the Army of the
Potomac looked worn aud haggard. Through the
afternoon he was Frustrated with weariness to-
night be les sick at Sbarpsburg. Until this day,
wherever be appeared, the troops gave him uproari
Gus welcome; you might trace his route through the
camps by the resounding cheers. To-day, while he
sat in bis carriage, two entire corps passed by.
There were few faint cheers; but they were the
veriest skeletons the fitting ghosts even, of the
shouts Of yesterday. The troops were on a double
quick: perhaps that was the reason.
The enemy has ended his Maryland campsgn.
At South Mountain he left us many prisoners Here
he leaves us the debris Of hs late camps, two dis
abled pieces Of artillery, few hundred Of his strag
glers perhaps two thousand Of his wounded, and ar
many more of his unburied dead. Not sound field
piece or csisson, ambulance or wagon; not tent, a
box of stores or pound Of ammunition. He takes
with him the supplies gathered in Maryland, and the
rich spoils Of Harpers Ferry.
Wednesdays battle was closed by the darkness.
Our troops expected we would renew it in the morn
ing; bat we did not An attache of headquarters
states that every corps commander advised against
it, deeming our forces too much exhausted. His
statement shall be recorded but our reserves, both
Of infantry and artillery which Ind not been in the
battle, were very heavy; considerable re-eniorce
ments bad come up, and men were in the best
4 L.. n.
calm determination. They seemed to regard it as q
time upon which the destiny Of the Republic might
depend. They talked Of the fearful scenes they had
passed through,
with deepened eye and bs,ed breath
Like one who somewhere bad met DEATH"
but they said " We are pressing back the enemy;
che river s in his rear; we will utterly defeat him
DOW, when defeat is annihilaton."
The morrow came, but no attack. Thursday was
the supreme moments we spent it resting upon our
arms, bringing in the wounded, burying the dead.
Accounts differ as to the time when the Rebels be-
gan their retreat-I lacing it variously between
Wednesday night and Thursday night. But they
concur that nearly if not quite all their troops
fhis SIDE Of the river on Thursday morning.
Our REINFORCED army not precipitated upon
them, and we have nothing left but to close up the
record OF the battlethe fercest bloodest most in
decisive OF the war. At Pittsburg Landing the
enemy took many prisoners, here he took very few
bat this aggregate ioss will overop that Our first
estimates were far too small think our killed and
wounded will largely exceed 10000.
OF the enemys wounded we canno, indoe 40 the
most have been taken away. His dead certainly
outnumber ours. Between the fences Of a road To-
day, in a space Of 100 yards long, counted more
ihsn 200 Rebel dead, lying where they fell. Over
Aefes and acres they are strewn, singly, u grouns
and sometimes in masses piled up almost ike cord
wood.
They he-some with the human form indstin-
goishsble. others with no outward indication of
"ners the life went outin all the strange positions
Of violent death. All have blackened faces. There
are iorms with every rigid muscle strained in fierce
.gony and those with hands folded peacefully upon
we bosom, s9me still clutching their guns, others
WIZ arm nprased, and single open finger pointing
70 heaven Several remain hanging over fence
winch they were climbing when the fatal shot struck
them.
Inc more we learn Of the battle the better appears
We conduct Of our army, both officers and men, You
As'' already our VI Of general officers who, fore.