New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-20

aruSUn, Wnllo BtlidntIy ieaulIg feS"ho"S ~~'
heavy fire, was severely wounded in the shoulder
Gen. Meagher was wounded at the head OF his brig
AIDE. The loss in general officers was becoming
frightful.
At O'Clock affairs on the right had gloomy
look. Hookers troops were greatly exhausted, and
their General away from the field. Mansfield
were no better. Summers command had lost heavi
ly, but two Of his divisions were sl comparatively
fresh Artillery was yet playing vigorously in front
though the ammunition Of many Of the batteries
was entirely exhausted and they had been compelled
10 retire.
Doubleday held the right infexibly. sumners
headquarters were now in the narrow Held where
the night before, Hooker bad begun the fight. All
that bad been gained in front had been lostl The
enemy's batteries, which if advanced and served
vigorously might have made ssd work with the
closely .massed troops were fortunately either par
tally disabled or short of ammunition. Sumner was
confident that he could hold bis own; but another
advance was out of the question. The enemy on
the other hand, seemed to be too much exhausted TO
attack.
At this crisis franklin came up with fresh troops
aud formed Oh the left. Slocum, commanding one
division Of the corps, was sent forward along the
slopes lying under the frat ranges Of Rebel billie.
Wilde Smith, commanding the other division, was
ordered to retske the corn-felds and woods which
ell day had been 30 holly contested. 1t was done
in the handsomest style. His Maine and Vermont
regiments and the rest went forward on the ruo and
cheering an they went, swept like an avalanche
through the corn.6elds fell upon the woods, cleared
them in ten minutes, and held them. They were
not again rotakcn.
The field aud It's ghastly harvest which the reaper
had gathered in those fatal hours remained finally
with us. Four times it had been lost and won. The
dead are strewn 80 thicky that as you ride over 1t
you canno, guide your horses steps too caIoially.
Pale and bloody faces are everywhere uptursed.
They aye sad and terrible but there is nothing which
makes ones heart beat SO quickly as the imPlorng
look Of sor,ly wounded men who beckon wearily for
help which you cannot stay to give.
Gen. Smiths attack was 70 sudden that his sue
ces was accomplished with no great loss. He had
gained point, however which compelled him to ex'
pect every moment an attack, and 70 hold which If
the enemy again brought up reserves, would take bib
best energer snd beet troops Butt long strife the
heavy losses incessant fighting over the Same ground
repeatedly Lost and won inch by inch, and more than
all, perhaps, the fear of Burnside on the eft and
Porter In front. held the enemy in check. For two
or three hours there was q ul even in the cannon.
AIDE on the hight which hitherto had been incesssnt.
Mcclellan had been over OH the Geld after Summers
rePu,e but had speedily returned to his headqaar-
tiers. Sumner again sent word that be was able to
bold lis position but could not advance with his own
corps.
Meantime where was Burnside and what was he
doing On the right where l had spent tho day
until two o'clock, little was known Of the general
fortunee Of the field. We had heard Porters guns
in the ner but nothing from Burnside on the LEFT.
The distance WAS TOO great 10 distinguish the soubd
Of bis artillery from Porter's leit. There was no
immediate prospect Of more lighting on the right, and
! len the field which oil day long bad seen the
mo- obstinate CONTEXT Of tie war, and rode over to
McClslL,n's headquarters. The different battle
fields were shut ont from each others view, but all
partially visible from the central nil which General
Mcclellan bad occupied during the day. Bu. wa'
more than ever impressed returning with the
completely deeci,ful appearance Of the ground the
Rebep had chosen when viewed from the front
Hookers and Summers struggle bad been carried
on over an uneven and wooded surface, their own
line of battle extending in a eemcirele not less than
a mile and BALI Perhaps better notion OF their
position can DO got by considering thei. right center
and eit A. forming three sides OF square, So long
therefore either wing was driven back, the center
became exposed 10 very dangerous enfiading hre,
and the further the center was advanced the worse
off il Wa unless the liues on its side and rear were
firmly held This formation resulted originally from
the efforts Of tho enemy turn both tanks. Hooker,
al the very outset. threw his column 10 far into the
center OF the Rebel lines that they were compeiledto
threaten him on the flank 10 their own center.
Nothing of all this was perceptible from the hills
in front. Some directions Of the Rebel lines had
been disclosed by the smoke OF their guns, but the
whole interior formation Of the country beyond the
hills was completely concealed When Mcclellan
arranged biz order Of battle it must have been upon
information, or have been left to his corps and dvis-
ion commander to discover for themselves
Up to o'clock Burnside had nado little progress.
II 10 a,tack Oh the bridge had been successful, but
the deLy bad been 20 great tha. 10 tho observer it
appeared as if McClellaUs plans must nave been
seriously dsarranged. 1t is impossible not to sup
pose that the attacks right and left meant in
a measure to correspond, for otherwise the enemy
had only to repel Hooker on the enc hand, then
trlnsfer hi, iroops and hur them against Burnside.
Here was the difference between Smith and Burn
side The former did his work at once, and lost ali
his men at once-thst IL, all whom he lost at all;
Burnside seems to have attacked cautiously in order
TO save his men, and sending successfully insufficient
forces against position Of strength distributed his
loss over greater period Of time but yet ost none
tine less in the end.
Finally, at 4 o'clock, Mcclellan sent simulta-
neons orders to Burnside and franklin; to the for
mer 10 advance and carry the batteries in bis front