New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-19


the enemy had moved the greater part of his guns
Pleasonton captured two and q caisson then came
down by q cross-road to Keedysville and joined
SINNERS advance under Richardson. This column
had turned off at Boonsborough, taking the road to
Keedysville Sharpsburg and Sheppardstown. BY
this road the retreatng forces under Longstreet and
Hill had passed, moving at midnight from Turner
Gap. and reaching Keedysve with the rear OF their
column by nine in the morning.
Rebel troops had been brought down also from
aqerstown, and from all points along the Potomac,
and all concentrated at Sharpsburg. Three miles
beyond, at Sheppardstown, is practicable ford be-
tween that and WilliamspOrt none. II the kebeis
then. are to cross the Potomac they must cross at
these two points. No one longer doubts that their
plan is to cross, that their invasion Of Maryland is
failure, that no movement into Pennsylvania Is In
tended or possible unless our army is first defeated.
They have found scanty supplies in Maryland, and
instead of rcvolutionizing the State and sweiling
their army by thousands Of fresh troops as they
hoped and believed have found the people loyal
and have not gained three hundred recruits in all
their progress Thee counties are true to the union
Further south they may not be, but an advance IN
this direction, rpite of UTpers Ferry, is signal
and disastrous failure, and the Rebel chiefs fly from
the State disheartened and respondent.
The remaining uncertainty is whether they will
fly without battle or after defeat. Every soldier
in this army hopes for battle. Our troops ARE no
longer demoralized-they never were demoralized IN
lie rioht sense Of the word. If tine enemv know
anything about this army they will not hight A.
looked this morning as if they meant to hazard bat
tlc At Sharpsburg, but as the day wears on the
doubt of their purpose increases.
Richardson led the advance by way Of Boonsborough
and Keedysvile. lie had not single gun nor
cavalry soldier, yet the enemy was just In front,
running away as fast as he could. If cavalry aud
artillery had been sent early this morning, on this
road, tne retrea, Of the enemy might lave been
severely harasse1. A it was, Richardson followed
with rapidly, but when the Rebels were discovered
could only halt and send back Tor guns. The 'th
New-IIampshre Col. Gross, was Richardsons al
vance guard with four companies ont IA ssirmlsl-
els on either flank. Rebel camp-ires were still
burning in the fields aud woods as our columns al
yanced and their vanguard skirmshers covered toe
hill tops in front, and occasionally sent back shot,
must not forget mention the Inequalities Of the
people of Boonsborough. They were all at the open
doors of their houses with water, and food and fruit
for our soldiers-giying cheeriuily and eagerly all
that Rebel rapacity had left them.
Al Keedysvillc. the citizens seemed not TO have
recovered from their alarm at the passage Of the
Rebel troops, whose column WAS not two hours gone
their rear-guard not gone when our advance en-
tered Yet they all sad that the Rebel officers kept
their starved and angry troops in perfect order
would allow them to take nothing, took nothing
themselves without payment, and then not unless
the people were willing TO sell. One man was asked
to sell the corn and Hour with which bis mill was
filed lie refused, and said they should have moth
ing, unless they broke open bis doors. 1--WE break
no locks, Sir was the reply, and the column
marched on. Their general policy in Maryland has
been the same. All the people testify to the admira-
BILE discipline OF the Rebel troops-their complete
subsection to their officers. 9TH. men dared not
pick up so much All apple under tree
The Rebel pickets were the end of the street az
the head of richardson column reached the center
OF the town. Col. CROSS skrmishers went straight
forward, and they fell back ut once. Two miles
and half beyond Keedysville, stream crosses the
road and a range of bills rises both sdes. Here
the Rebels had halted and were forming their Ines.
a Hill which the road surmounts halfway between
the village aud the stream gave plain view Of their
position. We had arrived before their line Of battle
was complete. Columns were moving aud depoy-
ing in all directions and positions-almosl all upon
open ground, or ground covered only with growing
corn. Az spectacle it was magnificent. As an i'll
dcation that the Rebels meant 10 fight this side the
river, II WAS hailed with delight. The hills sweep
around on both sides the road III crescent shape aud
slope from the summits broadly down into lowlands
and meadows. The Rebel line was visible along
the crest and down the faces of these hills, forming
in triple front for not less than mile either side
aud then lost in the WOODS which covered their
nanks There could not be less than forty thousand
trOops-might be eighty; said the Generals. AZ last
II seemed rs if there TO be great battle on
open ground.
As for the advance column, it must wait for artil-
lery to come up. Rebel guns in plaiu sight on
the bills, IN position without cover. The bolduess
OF their movements WAS Unprecedented, and led one
to suspect they were only Disgusting retreat with
al this display. Columns Of dust along the road TO
the rear confirmed the suspicion, and there We're
movements also all along the line, If behind the
covering lines the strength OF their army gradu.
ally melting away aud passing TO the le. all
day long their line has held the hills, and though
after It once was formed, many troops disappeared
lehind the brow of every ridge, that was only
natural mincuvor to protect them from exposure.
Without waiting for artillery, Richardson moved
bis dyisionsver the hill from which the Rebel line
lrst became ysible. and marched taem straight
down into the hollow, where, though screened from
view by intervening ridges, they were completely
under fire. Still not gun from the Rebels. In nall
an honr battery came up, WAS ordered forward
INTO tosi,lon and opcued lts fire Before lis r Gun