Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-10-01
INTERESTING WAR NEWS.

NEAR SHARPsBURG, Sept. 10, 1862. This
morning opened again with heavy artillery f.
ring, but the enemy made no reply. The,
had left during the night, crossing the Poto
mac near Harper's Ferry at some old ro,
works. 1t seems that all the other fords wer,
well guarded, but this one being entirely un
known to the people along the lines, the wi
~ enemy succeeded in escaping.
Another visit to the extended battle field
satisfies me that the enemy has not lost les.
than fifteen thousand, and believe that to be
| low estmate. The wounded have nearly al
oeen removed. met one poor rebel lyiDe
! under a tree, shot through the head. One Of
our men was bathing his head with water, and
he gave him some to drink. To a question
whether he wanted more, he replied, yes He
gave his name as Peter Baker, from Alaba ma
AS soon as it was discovered that the rebels
had made hasty retreat during the night.
our army was ordered to move at once. The
rebels must have lost at least thirty thousand
men from their ranks during their raid into
Mary land, while on the other hand they have
gained but few recruits. Our forces captured
another batch of prisoners this morning who
had been left behind.
While the rebels were acting under flag of
truce yesterday, they stripped the dead Union
soldiers OF nearly all their clothes, and they
seemed particularly anxious to get shoes, as
our dead men were invariably found to be
shoeless. The wants of their army must be
great.
The rebels have been driven from Maryland,
and that with loss of killed, wounded and
deserters of not less than thirty Thousand
men. General McCle Han established his head
land, and jackson with his army has made the
most miraculous escape from annihilation
Our forces are still pursuing him, but his rag
ged and barefooted rascals are good at run
ming. His army is now perfectly demorali-
zed, and if our Generals do not rest too long
he can never recruit his broken forces Great
disappointment is felt, however, at his escape
but we must not expect too much from one
battle. The rebels entered Maryland with a
view OF gaining large number OF recruits,
and they expected also general uprising of
the people. In all this they were mistaken,
and they have paid dearly for the attempt
SATURDAY EVENING, Sept. 2O.-The Fourth
Michigan regiment, with few men from
Sykes's brigade, crossed the river at Shep.
herdstOwn ford late yesterday afternoon for
the purpose of making a reconnaissance.
They met stout resistance from the enemy,
but succeeded in reaching this side of the
river with but slight loss, bringing with them
four pieces of artillery, which they took from
the rebels. The occupancy of the Virginia
shore was attempted again this morning with
less success. Col. Barnes brigade, with a
portion of Sykes's brigade, some cavalry, and
two batteries, crossed the river ard took po-
sition on the Virginia shore. Shortly after
the troops had been placed in position the en-
envy emerged from under the cover of woods
with a line of infantry nearly mile long. All
the troops soon became engaged, when the
order was given to retire, which was done in
good order, the enemy following closely be-
hind. When the enemy's forces came within
range they were opened on by twenty pieces
OF artillery, posted on the Mary land bank,
with such effect that they were forced to re-
tire out of reach. Their loss from our artil-
lery hire must have been heavy, as the explo-
sion of our shells was seen to make large gaps
in their lines. Our loss in killed, wounded,
and prisoners will reach one hundred and if-
ty. The troops safely returned to Maryland,
bringing their wounded with them.
SUNDAY EVENING, Sept. 2l.-The firing
heard last evening in the directio of Will
Transport turned out to have been a raid of
Stewart's rebel cavalry. He crossed on FRI |
day night into Maryla land, at that point, with
his cavalry, one regiment of infantry and sew |
enteen pieces of artillery. The force sent up
to drive him back, arrived near the town late |
cipaIly from the rebel guns. During the |
night, they re. crossed into Virginia, and this !
morning had disappeared no one was hurt. |
The burying of the dead is still continued at
the rate of about ], 900 per day. To morrow
will probably finish it. Mary land heights was |
occupied by federal force. The
Indications are that the rebels are continuing |
heir retreat into the interior of Virginia,
leaving the line of the Potomac. Divine wor-
'hip was held at headquarters this evening,
Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, officiating.
MONDAY EVENING, Sept. 2.-The following
is the special report OF our loss in Summers
corps, at the battle of the Antietam
Richardson's Division-Killed, 2l2; woun-
led, SS9; missing, "a. f
Sedgwick's Division-Killed, ss5; wounded,
1877 missing. 321. 1855
French's Division-Killed, 29S; wounded,
1921; missing, 208.