The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-05-06
(coNcLUDED.}
pArTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN.


went forward and found Gen, Burn
side engaged on the south side OF the
road with HE batteries, and with Renos
corps forming TO attack the enemy on the
mountain. Cox's corps had already been
engaged, and | judged, from the numbers
that passed in going to the advance, that
they were retiring from the attack.--
From the point ct which the batteries
were planted had good opportunity to
ice the formation of themountain and the
position OF the. enemy.
While in that position / received or
ders from Gen. Mcclellan to advance with
INV corps on the north side Of the road,
for the purpose Of making a feint in favor
OF Burnside's troops. AT that time
belonged TO the right wing, OF which
Gen Burnside had been placed IN COM
Inand. Feeling that an attack on the
Iouth side Of the road would not result Ia
vorably 10 us, after putting my column in
motion | directed my troops to advance to
the base of the mountain on the north
side of the road, and as rapidly as the d.
visions arrived had them deployed for
battle. As soon as they were deployed |
directed IN advance, which resulted incur
gaining possession of the spiral ridge OF
The mountain that night, where directed
my troops to remain until further orders.
1t was dark when we gained those heights.
IN the morning the skirmishers took pos
session of the road, which enabled our
army to advance.
THE PURSUIT.
As coon as this was communicated to
Gen. Mcclellan ! was instructed to follow
up the retreatlng army, and, if my troops
required rest, to let Richardson's divi-
sion, which had been sent to report to
me, take the advance, while my men
we're making coffee and getting some
thing to eat. They followed up the
pursuit vigorously, taking prisoners
all the way. and about 10 O'Clock
that day came up to the position which
the enemy had taken to make stand
This was about midway between Antietam
Greek and Sharpsburg, on the road lead
ing to the ford Of the Potomac. The en-
envy were found in two lines, each Of
which Judged to be about six miles long
They were formed perpendicular to the
Sharpsburg road, directly across the road;
about three miles of the line on one side
OF the road and about three miles on the
other, Judged that they had in those
two lines about SO 600 men. Ii seemed
TO me at the time that they were drawn
up and displayed for effect. was al
ready informed that they had fallen back
from South Mountain hastily and in dis
order. At that time only Richardson's
division, come of Pleasanton's cavalry
and one brigade of my corps, Gibbons,
had arrived within about mile and a
half of the enemy The creek was be-
tween me and the enemy.
About o clock | saw that the rear of
the enemy's line was breaking into col
umn and marching to the rear, in the d.
rection OF Williamsport, where there was
another ford across the Potomac. / fully
expected that they were on the retreat. |
immediately sent an officer of the Engiu-
eer Corps-Major Houston-to ascertain
ii there we're any fords across Antietam
Greek BY which could cross, when the
rebel forces should be 80 much reduced
that 1t would be safe for me to attack.
was prevented from crossing Antetam
bridge by reason of the batteries which
the rebels had planted to defend it,
Probably not less than 80 guns could
have swept the bridge had attempted to
cross there BY 5 o'clock that day,
think, the balance ofmy corps had arrived
and the other corps were coming up
About that time Gen. Mcclellan arrived
That was before the force in front of me
f. had been sufficiently reduced to Justify m
attack by me. When he arrived, oil
course. 'cas not at liberty to make the
attack.
HooKKL's ADVANCE AT AETIETAM.
We remained in these positions unit
about o'clock on the 10th, when / re.
ceived orders to cross Antetam creek
near Cadysville-that is, some three OF
four miles above the road leading Ia
sharpsburs. Immediately put my corps
In motion. and, after proceeding about
Two miles, fell upon the outposts of the
enemy and drove them in drove them
ahead OF me until dark that night. When
night came | had as much resistance in
front OF NE as ! could well stand up un.
der.
HE TAKES THE RESPONSIBILITY.
AS soon as had established my lines,
with view to make my camp secure du.
mig the night. Informed General Nc.
CteStan that should attack the rebel ar
nay At the earliest darn. Idesired I, tax.
"e '"'t'at'ee. was aware tina, the enc.
my was already in great strength in from,
Vi me ana that in all probability they
y Wou'a DC reinforced during tho might
when | had left with nv CORPS 10 MAKE
tins attack, ! had been assured that 81.
muitaneous with my attack, there shout
De an attack upon the rebel army in thu
center and on the left next morning.
ssT cord 70 Bic Clclian uLen pyo,,ose.
% aeaek' a order thai he NIGH directD.
osAsf attacks TO be made at lie same Tim.
BATTLE OF AsnrrAA.
AT dawn made the attack and o.;n.,
the high ground which Commando ~
position which the enemy had taken an
which they held at the time oamman 90
the movement. Al o'clock that mor,
ing | advanced steadily, but securely .
the point that desired. had =, n,
tims battery Of howitzers on thi. hiD