The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-09-26
Gbe a0lm.
Direct Information from tho Battle
Field. .
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or PoroMAc. !
Sept. l6, via Frederick 18th. {

quarters showing that the rebel army were
recrossing the river, and concentrating their
forces on the ridge OF hills outside Of tho
town Of Sharpsburg, TO within three miles Of
the main body Of our army.
jackson left Harper's Ferry this forenoon.
his troops commencing to arrive during the
afternoon. When il became evident that
Lee was disposed to engage our force in bat
tic at this point, Gen. Mcclellan sent for
Frankln's corps and COUGHS division, who
were about seven miles distant, on the other
side Of Ed Ridge. There was considerable
artillery firing during the day on both sides,
resulting In our having about 40 men killed
and wounded.
The disposition Of the troops for the inn
pending battle was as follows: Gcn. Sum
ner's corps, with Gen. Banks division, to
occupy tho centre. Gen. lockers corps.
with the Pennsylvania reserves and Frank.
Inns corps, on the right. Gems. Porter and
Burnside on the extreme left, with the view
Of turning tho enemy's right flank. Gen.
Pleasinton supported the centre with $500
cavalry and four batteries.
Gen. Hooker, In the afternoon. crossed An
tietam Greek. and took position ON the hills
facing Sharpsburg. and three miles to the
right of Kectsyilie. His troops got into ac-
tion about dusk. Tho battle lasted two
hours, during which the enemy were driven
about half mile with considerable loss.
The Pennsylvania reserves. who were In
front. suffered much. Tho night was occu-
pied in getting tho troops In their respective
positions, while ammunition trains and am-
Ii II, a
inands.
HEADQUARTERS Army or PoroNAc
Sept. IL, via Frederick 18th.
This has been an oventiul day IN the his
tory Of tho rebellion. A battle has taken
place In which the army Of the Potomac has
again been victorious, and which exceeded
in interest any battle heretofore fought on
this continent. At the dawn OF day tho bat.
tie was renewed on the centre and right by
Hooker and Sumner, who, after sharp con-
test OF two hours, drove the enemy about one
mile. Tho rebels rallied shortly afterwards,
and with terrible loss regained most OF the
ground.
At this time the fearless and indomitablo
Hooker received shell in the ankle and was
carried from the field. Tho command Of his
troops now deyol,ed upon Sumner. General
Richardson, commanding division, was Sc
yercly wounded at the same time.
Gen. Sumner, determined to retake the lost
ground. ordered the troops to advance, which
they did with will. driving the rebels be.
loro them with great slaughter. They not
only retook the ground, but drove them u
quarter of mile beyond. In this action
Gen. Mansfield was shot through the lungs
and died soon after.
During this time the troops under Burn.
side and Porter had not been idle. They
drove the. rebels from the line Of Antietam
Creek on the main road to Sharpsburg, built
bridge (thc old one having been dcstroyed)
and occupied tho opposite bank. The loss
here was considerable. The troops now hold
both banks Of the creek.
To get possession OF the ridge OF hills On
the right and left hand side Of the road Iron
which the rebels were laundering away with
artillery, was task easily accomplished.
Sykes brigade, with the assistance Of
Sumner, carried the ridge on the right hand
side after considerable trouble and loss, tho
rebels running in all directions.
Ii Is now five o'clock. and all the enemy's
positions have been carried except tho one ON
the left hand side Of the road. To do this
Burnside wasassiSned. The artillery opened
and the infantry advanced. the point was
carried at a charge, but wo were forced 10
retire before superior force. Knowing that
il they lost this ridge complete route Of
their army would he tho result, they fought
with great desperation. Darkness now over
looked the two armies, and hostilities ceased
us if by mutual consent. r... ..I
The battle lastei from 8 O'Clock In the
morning till I at night, without q moments
cessation. ett
The conduct Of all troops, without excep-
ton, was all that any General could wish.-
Several regiments Of new troops who wcro
in action for the FIRST time, behaved admiri-
bly,.
Hundreds Of Marylandcrs were present to
witness the battle, which could bc seen from
many OF the surrounding hills. The sharp
rattle Of $4,000 musketry, and the thunder
OF 100 pieces OF artillery, Is not often heard,
nor the consequent excited movements Of such
armies witnessed. ....r
It is impossible at this writing to form any
correct idea of our loss or that OF the enemy.
II is heavy on both sides. Our loes will prob
ably reach. in killed and wounded, 10 900,
that OF the enemy will not exceed II.
Tho eneiny's dead. which nearly all fell
into our hands. were thickly strcwn over tho
field in many places, lying In heaps.
Our wounded were Immediately carried
from the field, and the best possible atten.
ton given them.
When Gen. Hooker fell, Gen. Mcclellan
Immediately proceeded to the right, whero
he was enthusiastically received, and by bis
prcsencc added much TO our success in recov-
erinp the ground lost. and he was Ia the GEN.
trc and Left, anxiously watching the progress
of the battle, and giving directions ~ 10 tho
manner of attack. lie is in his tent TO night
for the frst time since he LEFT Frederick city.
we took some 1900 prisoners during tho
day. while the enemy took but few.
The following officers wcro among tho
killed and wounded: ..s.. -,
Gen. llartrud. wounded Gen. Duryes,
wounded; Gen. Sedgwick wounded In tho
shoulder: Col. Childs. llth Conn. seriously
wounded; 1t. Col. Parisen. 57th n. York,
killed Capt. Andcnraid, Aid TO Gen. Sum-
ner. wounded Major Sedgwick. killed: Col.
Mcneil. of the Bucktails. and 1t. Allen.
killed; Col. Polk. 2d U. s. sharrshooter,
wounded; Major Burbank 10Th Mas. wound
ed. Several other prominent officers were
reported killed and wounded. but nothing
positive Is known concerning them.
HAKRIsBrRo. Sept. is.
Information received here this morning d.
rect frum the hattie field. represents that the
ba,tle would undoubtedly be resumed to-day.
but up to this hour no firing had been heard