The New York herald., 1862-09-18

THE SITUATION.
The progress Of General MoClellan's army for the
last two days has been a succession of victories,
which, 1t is not too much to say, must culmnate
in the total destruction of the invading army of Ma
ryland and the speedy subugaton of the rebellion.
All the news which reaches us from Harrisburg
and other quarters confirms the story that the
rebels are baffied, demoralized, and utterly
routed. The pursuit by our troops on Tuesday
was murderous affair, as the account of dead
left on the field to be buried by our men
will show. Five hundred of them were
found yesterday morning, uncared for by their
friends in their fight, and consigned to their
mother earth by the soldiers OF our army az
early as nine o'clock, and the work was not
yet finished. The records Of yesterday show
still more desperate contest in which It
is evident the whole force Of the rebels was en-
gagged. The battle field was in the direction of
Sharpsburg, near Antistam creek, on the roads
connecting Williamsport with Middletown. It is
reported to have been the most fearful battle of
the campaign, and continued during the en-
tire day. The rebels were reported yesterday
evening to be driven towards Hagerstown, as
though their passage across the Potomac was cut
Oh. On the Pennsylvania border the State Militia,
10000 strong, were Fastening down to meet them.
II was said that Jackson had made . junction with
Lee. while our army at the same time was rein.
forced from Washington with 30, 900 men.
There is no doubt that the rebel forces at Lees.
burg have been sent across into Maryland to sup.
port Lee. There was serious fight at Centre.
vile maryland not virginia) yesterday, near Kit.
toctan creek, between large bsdy Of our troops
and the rebels, in which our side gained
complete victory. II il not improbable that
the rebels engaged were the fresh troops from
Leesburg, who were endeavoring to get into the
rear of McClellan's army. No particulars Of this
battle have reached US, however.
Our last dispatches from Harrisburg, at ten
O'Clock last night confirm the reports Of
an earlier part Of the day that the rebel
army has been annihilated. They say:-"A
great battle has been fought, and we are vic.
torious. The carnage on both sides was awful.
General Longstreet was wounded and taken
prisoner. Dispatches just received at head
quarters from Hagerstown say that we have
achieved glorious victory. LoDgstreet is
not killed, but wounded and prisoner.
General Hooker was wounded in the foot. The
rahay Canorat r;ll Ia ranorfad L;IIad
1t is said that General Mcclellan has destroyed
the aqueduct at the mouth Of the Antietam creek,
and the bridge across that creek upon
the road leading to Sharpsburg, thus
cutting OF the retreat Of the rebels in the direction
of Shepherdstown. Later reports from Hagers-
town state that on last evening the rebels
were retrsating in great disorder, and
that subsequently heavy and rapid firing
was heard in the direction Of wilamsport,
Ghch induces the belief that General Mcclellan
Jas pursued the rstrsating rebels to that point,
lnd that they made stand there to cover their
slssase over the Potomac.
All these facts intimate that yesterday was the
most important day Of the entire campaign.
The extent Of the battle may be imagined from
the fact that call for additional surgeons to
Washington and New York was made last night
rom General McClellaa's headquarters. The
wounded were being removed TO Rohersville, to
which point the surgeons are requested TO repair.
The recspture Of Harper's Ferry and its occu
patton by portion Of General Burnside's division
seem to be confirmed by dispatches last night
from Frederick. The original statement that
the rebels did not attempt TO hold the
plsce, but abandoned it almost Immediately
Is repeated. This statement comes from some
Of the Twelfth New York regiment who formed
part of the garrison, who state that they met the
Union forces marching towards the Ferry as they
were coming away, and positively assert that oul
troops we're in possession on Tuesday evening
The forces under Colonel Miles at Harper's Ferry
consisted Of the Twelfth New York State Militia
Eghty.seventh Ohio, Eighth New York cavalry
One Hundred and Eleventh New York Volunteers
One Hundred and Twenty sixth New York volun
tesrs, two companies Of the Fifth New York ar.
tIllsry, and one Maryland regiment.
We give map to-day Of the vicinity Of Nun.
asvils, Ky., the scene of the late battle, to.