New-York tribune., 1877-09-03

be emuous Of each other in their eaerness to learn my
"i''''' ' GArDES CRY IL n Y. July %. 1877.
The foregoing report Is what Ihad written preparatory
TO my reoining the Army Of the Potomac then III con-,
nand OF Cen Burnside early in Noyerser, 62 pul "hch
had been mislaid by my adedecamp, ana II was Only
on beng returned few weeks since, ihat nave n''
enabled to render the report at all Last Fail revisited
the 6ed of Antietam and am now enabled 10 oohci"u'
the report commenced so long before.
Ihaye in my possession no returns Of my losses IN te
Battle Of AntetaIn but feel assured that they were III
considerable in comparison with the losses Of the enemy
Doubtless these returns are now on hle III uio war
Department.
Ipever had enemy so much 10 my advantage anu
know that the opportunity improved 10 the iues
limit NJ my ability am not unmndful that all OF the
biograpbies OF Gen T. j. Jackson Stonewal mat nave
read including that Of Dr. Dabnev, fail to make mention
of the terrible punishment inflicted on the corps OF that
officer in this battle.
The country is familiar with tine delay in Gen Burn
sid, attack on the right OF the enemy That officer did
not commence his movement unti ten O'Clock, p No. oi
the day following my attack and, after having carried
the bridge suspended ms advance for two or three hours
probably rom the great difficulties he had
TO encounter. OF course, 7 have no knowledge
whether he wac acting under his own orders
or those OF the Commanding General. but only
know that if difficult and insurmouniable point
of assault could have been found the Antietm River
H. The river between the bridge which crossed
my command and the which he attempted 10 throw
his troops over, has numerous practicable tords, ana
fewer commanding heights for batteries TO occupy and
breasgoYls stone walls, ri1e-ps, and almost MI other
defensive works for the enemy avail himself Of Ny
only surprise is that the effort should have been made at
the point selected and therefore no longer left Ia
doubt as 20 the causes or hi- great delays.
However, Gen burnside finally succeeded in crossing
the Anctan and advanced nearly 10 Sharpahure when,
on tie enemys receiving rcniorcements, he COM
PEELED to turn back rccros the river Tie following
day the 18Th attack appears to have been made on
the enemy whole line and the next day he re-
crossed the Potomac uumolestcd.
Til, battle has been called victory for SHUT
whether rightly not, the country after reading my
sport viii be able 20 form enlightened judgement OE
the subject and ifIt should confirm the verdict Of
some OF orr authors H understand the reason for our
failure. Our attacks instead OF having been made stimuli
tsneously. and by the whole amy, were madc fecby'
by corps, extending period OF tWcnyfour hours,
and al least corps OF the army nowhere engaged.
append hcrcv ith letter written by Gen. Mcclellan,
addressed 70 myself after reaching Washington. re-
lating to this battle Very respectfully,
Your obcdicnt servant.
J. HooKLB. Maiog-Gcneral
The letter to which reference is made IN the
closing sentence of the report, not sent TO the
War Department with the report, Gen. Hooker not
having copy Of it at hand. lie promises To send it
al some future time. Il. L. W.