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


ers fell back, the whole Division was formed
| in line and after moving forward short dis
tance further, the left commenced fling across
| ravine to the left, while, at the same time,
the right of the line wheeled round to the left
and commenced advancing diagonally up the
| side of the mountain. In this ravine the first
| line of the rebels met them, and sharp firing
commenced; but the rebels soon fell back on
| their second line which, after short but de-
| term ined resistance, also gave way-and then
commenced an iudiscriminate scrambling fight
| mp the rugged, rocky sides of the mountain.
While this was going on the LIST Brigade, of
Ricketts, division filed in column up the ra-
| vine, to the rear of the Reserves, and succeed
ed ia reaching the top of the mountain with
out any resistance, and fanked the enemy on
| his left. About the same time the second
| Brigade of the same Division passed up to the
left of the Reserves and to the right of Kings
Division, which had advanced up the side of
the mountains from the Junction of the main
with the other road. Thus, the Reserves and
Kings Division were now completely connect
| ed and thus formed, they poured into the reb-
els, as they fell back over rocks and fallen
| trees. most CALLING fire. They were driven,
step by step, till about O'Clock, when our
forces were masters of the field. By the
flank move of Ricketts, first Brigade, many
prisoners were taken, and had they had two
hours more of daylight the greater part of the
rebels must have been captured. The rebels
lost heavy in the fight on the right of the road,
while cur loss is also heavy. They also suf-
| tered terribly on the left of the road, where
they were most beautifully whipped by Gen.
Reno. 81 Is
| The Reserves laid on the field on Sunday
night, and Monday by 10 O'Clock they were
ordered forward in the direction of Boonsboro.
The artillery was not in the engagement, ow-
ing to the nature of the ground and the diff
Guilty of finding such position as would be of
damage to the enemy. Capt. Brady OF the
llth was killed while braveiy leading his COM
pany up the hill. Col. Ga llagher of the same
Regiment, acting Brigadier General of the I'd
Brigade, was seriously wounded in the arm
and Capt. Irwin of the Bucktails was badly
wounded in the back of the head, as I am in
| formed, while in advance of his men waving
| his sword, and encouraging his men to the
| charge. This company suffered somewhat se-
verely, but the names of the unfortunate
cannot now recollect. We reached BooDsboro
| about three O'Clock and found many of the
houses and barns filed with the rebel wound
| ed left to their fate-many of them suffering
| terribly from their wounds, which had not yet
been dressed. At Boonsboro we turned to the
left and took the road leading from there to
1
brought us to the little village OF Keedysville,
or as it is now called, Centreville. There we
| again turned to the right from the main road,
and crossing the Antietam creek, proceeding
half mile down the west side of that stream,
| encamped for the night. The next morning,
| the 18th, report came, that our forces under
| Burnside and Porter had moved down on the
east side of the creek and had offered the en-
emy battle, but he was disposed to fall back
towards Williamsport. Accordingly we form
ed in line on the hills and rema ined there till
| two p. m.-anticipating an attack. But as
the enemy did not move as was expected, we
commenced 10 advance. We bore off to the
| right on the Wiliamsport road for about II
| miles when We turned to the left, through the
fields, and proceeded mile, in nearly the di-
| rection of the road. One section of Battery
A was ordered to m owe forward and she'll the
road in the direction of Williamsport. Some
dozen shells were thrown in that direction,
but getting no response, it was conclusive that
the rebels had not yet moved into that quar-
ter. While we were shelling the woods, the
| infantry was already moving to the east, to-
wards the creek. The Artillery now moved
in that direction. Battery G (Regular) and A
lst Penn'a on the right of the infantry, while
Battery took the left. We proceeded about
! a mile, when our skirmishers suddenly came
up with those of the enemy, and Immediately
opened upon them-the Bucktals, as they
ever are, in the lead. 1t was but few min
utes till we came up to the main body OF the
| rebels, and Battery B Immediately opened up
| on them, and in short time Battery went
to Its support, while was held in reserve.
While IN this position we were subjected to a
cross IRE from the enemy's Batteries, which
had now opened briskly upon us. We observ-
ed the location of one of them, and immedi-
ateiy took position on an eminence few
rods to the rear, where we had fine view of
it, as We could determine by the fire, as it was
nov quite dark. The enemy thought it pru-
dent to retire a short distance, but this fact
was not known to us till we had already OPEN
ed upon them. While leading bis Regiment
forward, Col. McNiei of the Bucktails was
killed. He was brave and gallant officer
and his place will be difficult to fill. Our Bat
terry lost horses by shell from the enemy.
fha. fall fha