Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-22
: m inteiiigt bic Account of the Great
Battles in Maryland.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMACl
TnesdaY Sent L. (
OPERATIONS ON TUESDAY.

lueSudy, Sept ~
OPERATIONS ON TUESDAY.
During this afternoon information was received
from headquarters showing that the enemy were
recrossing the river, and concentrating their forces
ridge of hills outside the town of Sharps-
burg, within three miles OF the main body Ut our
army.
jackson left Harper's Ferry his morning, and
his troops were beginning to arrive in the alter
noon, when it became evident Lee was disposed
to engage our forces at this point.
Mcclellan sent for Franklin's corps and
COnch's divison who were seven miles distant
on the other side of Elk ridge.
There was considerable artillery firing during
the day on both sides, resulting IN loss To Us of
forty killed and wounded.
The disposition OF troops for the impending
battle was as follows:
Summers corps, with Banks's division in the
center; HOoker's corps, with Pennsylvania
serves and Franklln's corps on the right; Porter
and Burnside on the extreme left, with the view
of turning the enemy's right faux. PIeasanton
supported the center with $500 cavalry and four
batteries. Hooker in the afternoon crossed An
tictan creek, took position Oh the hills facing
Sharpsburg. three miles to the light of KeesvilIe.
His troops got into action at dusk. The battle
lasted two hours, during which the enemy were
driven half mile with considerable loss. The
Pennsylvania reserves in front suffered much.
their respective positions, while ammunition trains
and ambu ances were forwarded to the different
commands.
THE BATTLE OF WEDNESDAY.
September l7.-This has been an eventful day
in the history of the rebellion. A battle has ia
ken place in which the Army of the Potomac is
again victorious. 1t exceeded in extent any
battle heretofore fought on this continent AT
daylight the battle was renewed on the center and
right by Hooker and Sumner, who, after sharp
contest of two hours, drove the enemy mile.
The rebels rallied shortly, and with terrible loss
regained most of their lost ground. At this
time Hooker received a shot in the ankle and
was carried from the field. The command of his
troops now devolved upon Sumner, Richardson
! commanding his division wounded at the
same time. Sumner determined to retake the
lost ground, ordered the troops to advance,
which they did, driving the rebels before them
with great slaughter. They not only retook the
ground but drove the rebels quarter of mile
beyond In this action General Mansfield was
shot through the lungs and died soon after
During this time Burnside and Porter had not
bee idle. They drove the rebels from the line
Of Antctam creek, on the main road to Sharps-
burg, built bridge (the old one had been de
stroyed) and occupied the opposite bank. The
loss here was considerable. The troops now oc
cupied both banks of the creek. To get pos
session OF ridge, hill or right and left hand sides
of the road from which the rebels were thunder
ing away with artillery. task not easily ac-
complished. Sykes brigade, with the assistance
of Sumner, carried the right hand side, after con-
siderable loss. the rebels running ia all directions
Ii is now FIVE o'clock ALI the enemy's positions
IRE carried except one on the left hand side Of
the road.
To do this duty Burnside is assigned. Artillery
opened, infantry advanced, and the point is car
ried at a charge. but we forced TO retire be-
fore superior force. Knowing if they lost this
ridge, the complete rout Of their army would be
the result, they fought with great desperation.
Darkness now overlooked the two armies; hostil-
titles ceased by mutual consent. The battle last
ed from in the morning until at night, with
out moments cessation. The conduct Of the