The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-01-13

| D0th armies were preCCy well useu W
and exhausted from the terrible strug-
gle of September II. The battle ragged
fercely near the bunker Church, on
the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown pike,
on Gen. Lees left wing, where with
three corps-Hooker's, Mansfield s
and Sumner s-afterwards reinforced
by Franklin's corps, Mcclellan at
tempted to turn Gen. Lees left. The
great effort was resisted by Jackson S
corps and Hoods division Of Long
streets corps (mainly.)
By s o'clock in the morning two
corps of the Federal army were de-
feated, and Hoods division was driv-
ing the Federals back, when Sumner s
corps came in fresh and drove him
back, and it looked as if the day was
lost on the Southern side, as Jackson
had also been driven back with great
loss. Jackson and Hood held the
ground near the Bunker Church until
the arrival of McLaw's division, about
9 a. M, when the Federal attack was
checked and the Confederate line re-
stored and maintained.
I'm the fighting" continued the
narrator, "the Federals had forced the
Confederates to form at right angles
at the main line of the battle, and ex-
pose themselves not only to the fire of
the artillery and infantry in their
front, but to the fire of twenty 20
FOUNDER Parrott guns across the An
tietam Creek.
cat the time Jackson and Hood
were driven back, and were with diff
Guilty holding the ground near the
bunker Church, Hood came up to my
(the narrator's) battalion of artillery
Give batteries,) which had been en-
gagged during the entire morning and
was pretty well wrecked, having lost
thirty-fve men and sixty horses, and
ordered me to turn over my artillery
to the next officer in command, and to
90 personally to find Gen. R. E. Lee,
and tell him the condition Of affairs,
and to say to him that unless rein
forcements were sent at once the day
was lost. I protested against leaving
my artillery in its wrecked condition.
He insisted, however, and [ went. I
soon met Gen. Lee on horseback with
one orderly, moving at walk towards
that part of the field, and about half
way between Sharpsburg and the
bunker Church. [ reported the con-
dition of affairs on the left, and de-
livered Gen. Hood message.
''He quietly said, Don't be excited
about it Colonel, GO tell Gen Hood to
hold his ground, reinforcements are
now rapidly approaching between
Sharpsburg and the ford tell him
that I am now coming to his support.
II said, General, your presence will
do good, but nothing but infantry can
save the day on the left. :"
II started to return, and had not
gone over 100 yards when Lee called
me and pointed to McLaw's division,
then in sight, and approaching at
double-quick. These reinforcements
arrived just in time to save the day,
and this was aided by Gen. Sumner,
Of the Federal army, halting his corps
for alignments, when he was driving
the Confederates before him. The
Confederates restored their line on
the left, and the Federals were con-
tent to remain in strong line of bat
tie the balance of the 18th, and all Of
the 18th, on their ri ght.
"The battle was renewed on Gen.
Lees centre and right, where Burn
sides corps crossed the Antietam,
but was finally repulsed on that part
of the field before dark.
'There can be little doubt that this
battle was as bloody during this day
9th of September, 1852 and the
loss of life as great as on any one days
battle during the war Both armies
were completely exhausted by the
great struggle, and welcomed night to
stop the terrible slaughter.
"Gen Lees headquarters were on
the pike leading from Sharpsburg to
the Potomac, and about half a mile
from the town. About one hour or
more after night had set in the weird
scene of the great battlefield had
changed, in that the firing had ceased
everywhere, and more open help was
being given to the searching for dead
ones, and caring for the dying and
wounded. Gen. Lee had summoned
his corps and division commanders to
meet him. For once during the day
he had some of his staff and escort
about him, and one by one his COM
manders began to arrive, generally two
to three horsemen with them.
GAS they came up" continued the
narrator, "Gen Lee inquired quietly,
General, how is it on your part of the
line 2 /, too, had been summoned,
and was quiet, intensely interested
observer Of one Of the most remarkable
scenes and interviews I ever witness
ed. To the inquiry Of Lee, Long
street, apparently much depressed,
replied to the effect that it was as bad
as could be; that his division had
lost terribly, and his lines had been
barely held, and there was little better
than a good skirmish line along his
front, and he volunteered the advice
that Gen. Lee should c.oss the Poto-
mac before daylight. D. II. Hill came
next. He said that his division was
cut to pieces ; that his losses had
been terrible, and he had no troops to
hold his line against the great odds
against him. He, too, suggested cross
ing the Potomac before daylight.
Next came Jackson. He quietly said
that he had had to contend against
the greatest odds he had ever met.
He had lost good many Colonels
killed and several division and brigade
commanders were dead or wounded,
and his losses in the different COM
mands had been terrible He, too,
suggested crossing the Potomac before
daylight. Next came Hcod. To
Gen. Lees inquiry he displayed great
emotion, seemed completely unmann-
ed. He replied that he had no di-
vision. Gen. Lee, with more excite
mcnt than ever witnessed in him,
exclaimed, Great God Gen. Hood,
where is your splendid division you
had this morning? Hood replied,
'They are lying on the field, where
you sent them. But few have strag
gled. My division has been almost
wiped out.
| I