Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09
BATTLE OF ANTIETAM.
How 1t Was Described at the
Time

FRIDAY, September 10, 1862
THE BATTLE OF WEDNESDAY
WEDNESDAY EVENING, September II
0 p.m.-This has been an eventful day in
the history of the rebellion. A battle has
taken place in which the Army of the Poto-
mac has again been victorious, and which
1t exceeds In extent any battle heretofore
fought on this continent
AT dawn of day the battle was renewed
on the center and right by Generals Hooker
and Sumner, who, after a sharp contest Of
two hours, drove the enemy about one
mile. The rebels rallied shortly and with
terrible loss regained most of the ground
AT this time the fearless and indomitable
General Hooker received a shot in the ankle
and was carried from the field. The COM
mand of his troops now devolved unon
General Sumner General Richardson com
manding division was severely wounded
a. the same time.
General Sumner determined 10 retake lost
ground and ordered the troops to advance,
which they did with will driving the
rebels before them with great slaughter
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 afterWar1 He was
at the head of his troops, with sword way-
ing over his head, cheering on his men at
the time he received his wound.
During this time the troops under Cen
erals Burnside and Porter had not been idle
They drove the enemy from the line of the
Antietam creek on the main road to Sharps-
burg, built bridge, the old one having
been burned. and occupied the opposite
bank. The loss here was considerable
The troops now held both sides of the
creek. To get possession Of the ridge of
hills on the right and left-hand side of the
road, from where the rebels were thunder
ing away with artillery. was a task not
q q CT o TnrANiG had
ade. with the assistance of General Sumner.
crossed the ridge on the right-hand side
after considerable trouble and loss, the
rebels running In all directions.
It was now o'clock and all the enemy's
positions had been carried, except the one
on the left-hand side of the road To per
Ism this duty General Burnside was as
signed. The artillery opened and the in
at a charge They were, however, forced
to retire before a largely superior force
Knowing that If they lost this ridge a com
plete rout OF their army would be the re-
suit, they fought with great desperation
Darkness now overlook the two armies
and hostilities ceased as IL by mutual con-
sent The battle lasted from 8 o'clock in
the morning until o'clock at night, with
out moments cessation.
The conduct of all the troops without ex-
ception, was all that any general could
wish. Several regiments of new troops who
were in action for the first time behaved
admirably.
Hundreds of Marylanders were present to
witness the battle, which could be seen
from many of the surrounding hills. The
sharp rattle of $4,000 muskets and the
thunder of 100 pieces Of artillery and the
consequent excited movements Of such
armies are not often witnessed.
1t is impossible at this writing to give
any correct idea OF our loss or that Of the
enemy, but 1t Is heavy on both sides. Ours
will probably reach in killed and wounded
10000; that OF the enemy will not exceed It.
The enemy's dead, which nearly all fell
into our hands. were thickly strewn over
the field, lying in heaps in many places.
Our wounded were Immediately carried
from the field and the best possible atten-
ton given them
When General Hooker fell General Nc
Clellan Immediately proceeded to the right,
where he was enthusiastically received and
by his presence added much to our success
3n recovering the ground lost He was on
the center and on the left as well, anxious
iy watching the progress of the battle and
giving directions as to the manner Of at
tack. He is in his tent tonight for the first
time since he left Frederick city. We took
some 1900 prisoners during the day, while
the enemy obtained a few.
FRIDAY, September 49, 1862.
MCCLELLAN IN FULL PURSUIT.
Headquarters Army OF the Potomac.
September 49, $50 am.
Major General Halleck, General inc hief,
u. s. A:
But little occurred yesterday except skir-
mishing.
Last night the enemy abandoned his posi-
ton, leaving his dead and wounded on the
field.
We are again in pursuit.
/ do not yet know whether he Is falling
back to an interior position or crossing the
river.
We may safely claim complete victory.
GEORGE b. MCCLELLAN, Maj. Gen.
FRIDAY. September 10. 1862.
$50, OUR VICTORY COMPLETE.
HEADQUARTERS Army Of the Potomac,
September 10, 1890 am.
Gen, II. W. Halleck. general-in-chief. o..
8. A.:
PIeasanton 10 driving the enemy across
The river.
Our victory was complete.