The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-01-27
NO 2I7-
The suoess.or d MuneAaussn

From The Cincinnati Cofametelai.
JupAn T. BRxiAhls, tha rebel Sscr.
tAry Of State, has been noted, from boz.
hood as lisr--magmiilcent liar. His COB.
legiate history is memorable for nCthine
In particular but meannsss and diahoa.
esty. His constitutional tendency -
fAlsshoOd, 10 sptly illuaifatsd in hin let
ter 10 Mr. sLrDE1t, dated At Richmond,
September 20, 1891, in which he sums
up the Federal losses up 70 that time. Ia
referring % the attempt 10 cross The
Potomac after the battle Of Autietam, be
says;
General Lee Withdrew his arms
across the river to Shepherdsiown, for
rest, and for tho purpose o. gathering a
large number Of strsggIerH yet on The
road from Richmond; aud no sooner was
the fact known, than General Mcclellan
claimed victory, and was tempted By
the frantic exultation of the Northern
papers into what was called q pursuit OF
q flying foe. On the 21st instant, diyis.
ion Of she army, in attempting to cross
the river, was dceoyed by foigned re-
treat Of jackson, until they were too Far
advanced fer retreat, and iceye roeis.I ,ciA
appalling slaughter, The 1per soas tsotef
,cih their dead, who tel bV Osouaaaas a,,3
oh Of one regiment Of about 6feeH h,.aSraf
men, ioho ATTEMPTED the passage, bR obo,g one
hundred and Gty are believed b haze es-
capped.
We have before rs the official renotC a
made by acting BrigAdier General James
Barnes, which gives a lengthy account Of
the affair. IL shows what long bow
the Secretary draws, and how wonder
fully nature has adapted him 20 he the
successor Of Baron Munchausen. Frop.
this report we learn that the 1st BRIGADE
OF MurrelPs division, Of the 5th Army
Corps, consisting Of the 18th Massaohu.
setts, 25th and 18th New ycssAI lahh-
Pennsylvania, lst Michigan, ap3 Nassa.
chusetts and I'd Maine Reeimerts num.
bering, Ia all, but LII men. inclu lima
officers, crossed the river on the 20th OK
September. After a sharp action, the
details Of which hare been Published.
the order to retire was given, the enemy
being found in overwhelming force ea
our front. Gen. Barnes says:
"The brigade being thus withdraw.
the several regiments rscrossed the river
In good order and with but little loss IA
crossing; few however, were fatally
wounded on the passage. After crossing,
the brigade was reformed 10 rear OF
second brigade, on this side OF the river.
but after remaining in their position lhs
greater part Of tho day, and no further
attempt being made by the enemy, with
the view Of crossing, The several regi.
ments withdrew to their several eneamp.
ments"
And the report concludes
81 have already submitted In -dSEIl
the loss in killed, wounded, and missing.
10 which | beg leave 10 refer. A summary
Of the list shows as follows:
"Killed, OF; wounded, 1871; missing,
lO9. "
This etfectuAlly disposcs Of the cap.
palling slaughter" the river "choked
with their dead, who fell by tho thou
sands" and the other glowing colors OF
this tragicol picture, and exhibits she
rebel Secretary in his old character of
liar extraordinary 10 anf body who will
pay him for the exercise Of hiG lively inn
aginatiOn.
In the same estimate Of our .0ssss the
rebsl Secretary puts down the A.
General hOrgan = army - 81, . +
Gap ct 5000, when il is anthe
known that we did not lose
hundred, reckoning all who 81
from the ranks on the famous re
the Ohio river. But BeRjamin
trouble himself about triGss, and
on making up q summary Of lOsssl
ing the snormoaa total Of 949, 500