The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-10-04
Graphic and Interesting Partic-
lllars. ~
Correspondence Of N. Y. Tribune.


Fierce and desperate battle between 2o0,-
900 men has ragged since daylight, yet night
closes on an uncertain field. 1t is the
greatest fight since Waterloo-all over the
field contested with an obstinacy equal even
to Waterloo. If not wholly victory to.
night, | believe it is the prelude to vi;tory
tomorrow. But what can be foretold OF
the future of fight in which from in the
morning till 7 in the evening the best
troops of the continent have fought without
decisive result?
/ have no time for speculation-no time
even to gather details of the battle-only
time to state its broadest features-then
mount and spur for New York.
After the brilliant victory near Middlctown,
Gen. McClellan pushed forward his army
rapidly, and reached Keedysvllle with three
corps on Monday night. That march has
already been described. On the day follow
ing the two armies faced each other idly, un
til night Artillery was busy at intervals
once in the morning opening with spirit, and
continuing for half an hour with vigor, till
the rebel battery, as usual, was silenced.
Mcclellan was on the hill where Benja-
minis battery was stationed and found him
self suddenly under rather heavy FIRE. 1t
was still uncertain whether the rebels were
retreating or reinforcing their batteries
would remain in position in either case, and
as they had withdrawn nearly all their
troops from view, there was only the doubt
full indication of columns of dust to the
rear. sg-y,>a,- rs
On the. evening Of Tuesdays Hooker was
ordered to cross the Antietam Creek with
his corps. and, feeling the left ofthe enemy,
to be ready next morning. During the day
Of apparent inactivity, Mcclellan had been
maturing his plan of battle, of which Hook
er's movement was one development.
The position on either side was peculiar.
When Richardson advanced on Monday he
found the enemy deployed and displayed in
force on a, crescent shaped ridge, the, out
lice Of which followed more or less exactly
the course Of Antietam Greek. Their lines
were then forming, and the revelation of
force in front of the ground which they
really intended to hold, was probably meant
to delay our attack until their arrangements
to receive it were complete.
During that day they kept their troops
exposed and'dM notSmove them even to
avoid the artillery fire, which must have
been occasionally annoying. Next morning
the lines and columns which had darkened
corn aelds and hill crests, had been with
drawn. Broken and wooden ground be-
hind the sheltering hills concealed the rebel
masses. What from our front looked like
only narrow.summit fringed with woods
was broad tabie-iand of forest and ravine ],
cover for troops everywhere, nowhere easy
access for an enemy. The smoothly slop-
ing surface in-front- and the sweeping cres-
cent Of slowly mingling lines was only de-
lusion. It was all . rebel stronghold.
Under the base of these hills runs the
deep stream called Antietam Greek, forda-
ble only at distant points. Three bridges
cross it, one on the Hagerstown road, one
on the Sharpsburg. pike. one to the left in a
deep recess Of steeply falling hills. Hooker
passed the first to reach the ford by which
he crossed, and twas held by pleasanton
with reserve If cavalry during the battle.
The secoud was close sunder the Rebel cen.
ter, and no way important to yesterdays
fght. At the third, Burnside attacked and
finally crossed Between the first and third
.laysmost Of the battle lines. They stretched
four miles from right to left. s.ss7 s
E Unsided attack in front was impossible
McClellan's forces lay behind low, discon.
nected ridges, in front Of the Rebel SUBMITS
all or nearly all unwooded. They gave
somsacover Cor artillery. and guns were
therefore massed on the center. The enemy
had the Shephetdstown road and the Hag'