The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-09-20
The Victory of "Wednesday.

Wednesday last was an eventful day III
the history of the Rebellion. a battle has
taken place in which the army Of tht Poto-
mac has again been victorious, and which
exceeded in extent. any battle heretofore
fought on this continent.
At the dawn of day the battle was re-
sumed on the centre and right by General
Hooker and General Sumner who, after n
sharp contest of two hours, dove the enemy
about one mile.
The rebels, however, rallied shortly after
wards, and, with terrible loss, regaincd
most of the ground. At this time the fear
less and indomitable General Hooker re-
ceivcd shot in the ankle, and was carried
from the field, the command Of his troops
dcvolving upon General sumner. General
Richardson, commanding his Division, was
severely wounded at the same time.
General Sumner, determined to retake
the lost ground, ordered the troops to
advance, which they did with a will, driving
the rebels before them with great slughtcr.
They not only retook the ground, but drove
them quarter of mile beyond.
In this action General Mansfield was
shot through the lungs and died soon after.
The troops under General Burnside and
Porter had not been idle. They drove the
rebels from the line of the Antictam creek
On the mann TOtu w SHiifpSDuIS. anu
built bridge (the old one having been
burned by the Rebels) occupied the oppu.
site bank. The loss here was considerable.
To get possession of the ridge of hills on
the right and left hand side of the road from
| which the rebels were laundering away with
artillery, was task not easily accomp-
| ishel.
General Sykes brigade carried the ridge
on the right hand side, with the assistance
Of General Sumner, after considerable
trouble and loss, the Rebels running in all
directions.
| 1t was now five o clock, and all tho enc
my's positions had been carried except the
one on the left hand side of the road. 70
do this duty General Burnside was assigned.
The artillery opened and the infantry adj
vanced. The point was carried at a charge,
but our troops were forced to retire before a
superior force, the rebels knowing that If
they lost this ridge complete rout of their
army would be he result; they fought with
great desperation.
Darkness now overlook the two armies,
and hostiitics ceased as though by mutual
| consent.
| The battle lasted from five O'Clock in the
morning until seven at night, without q mo.
ment $ cessation.
The conduct of all the troops, without
exception, was all that any General could
wish. Several regiments of new troops.
who were in action for the first time, be-
havcd admirably,
Hundreds OF Marylanders were present
to witness the battle, which could be seen
from any of the Surrounding hills. The
sharp rattle of 81, 900 muskcis, and the thun-
der Of IA hundred pieces of artillery is not
often heard, nor the consequent excited
movements of such large armies witnessed.
Ii is impossible, At this writing, to form
any correct idea Of our loss or that of the
/ enemy. 1t is heavy on both sides. Ours
will probably reach ten thousand in killed
and wounded. and that of the enemy will,
| perhaps, not exceed it.
| The enemy dead, which nearly all fell
into our hands, were thickly strcwn over the
| fields, in many places lying in heaps.
| Our wounded were Immediately carried
| from the field, and the best possible attcn-
ton given them.
When Gen. Hooker fell, General McClal-
Ian proceeded to the right, where he was
enthusiastically received, and by his pres
cnce added much to our success in recover
ing the ground lost. He WAS in the center
and on the left anxiously watching the pro-
gress of the battle, and giving directions as
to the manner of attack.
he was III his tent tonight, Tor the first
time since he left Frederick city.
We took some 1900 prisoners during the
day, while the enemy obtained but few.
special despatch from Frederick to the Philadelphia
| Inquirer, dated the 18th, says:
A tarrble battle fought yesterday. between
kcatesve and SharpSburg. The carnage both sides
was fearful The rebels fought with great obstnancy
| but were driven before our forces from the field
Our losses must be quite four Thousand killed and
| r,,rns :lt I,ltpll
some fifteen hundred strong accustomed by the retiring
Of IL Minnesota regiment md the Regulars who had
| been ovsrpowered by numbers.
General Sumner Immediately effected mcnt by
closing his line ON the enemy and succeeded in captur
ing the whole body. The Pennsylvania Reserves fought
nuby, and have susta mol considerable loss. General
Meade led them. The mortality Of the army officers has
been fearful Gen. Hooker is woael in the right foot
u very painful wound.
Gen Rcnos division of Banks corps advanced on the
enemy abouy five O'clock About two hours previous
this they had been diminishing.
After advancing short distance they chpfhrcd the
cnenys pckets. They finally up to the r.sn por-
ton OF the army, when engagement took place.
The enemy finally fled leaving their cannon on the icLl.
This took place on the right Of the army. The enemy
ut this point tried to turn flank but were filled
The victory our Part is coIapeta. Prisoners by
hundreds have been captured The fight lasted all
day aud 1t wts regular stanip ttfr, and rebels were
whipped without the aid Of gAhhoats To-day is jeff.
Davis Fast Day. The SiNy-frst New York is badly
cut up large FIRE vas seen, last evening back Of the