davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

favorable position on the mountain, ad-
vancing across the valley winding down
the opposite heights into it. Hill reports
his division only 5000 strong. Gen. Gar
lands Brigade was first pushed forward to
meet the federal advance and now was
instantly and badly cut up, its commander
being killed, when it retired in disorder and
was replaced by that of Anderson. support
ed by those of Rhodes and Ripley held the
pass for hours against the most gallant ef-
forts Of Cox's ohio regiments.
But meanwhile, the federal superior num-
bers, backed by desperate fighting, enabled
steadily to gain ground on either side Of
the pass, until the crest of the heights on
the left Of the pass was fairly ours, though
one Of our batteries had meantime been all
but lost, its gunners having been shot down
or driven off. and its guns saved, only by
a determined charge Of the 23d Ohio, Tooth
Pennsylvania and 45th New York.
Awaited Reinforcements.
The rattle Of musketry ceased at noon,
and for two hours only the roar of cannon
was heard, the combatants on either side
awaiting the arrival of reinforcements.
Up to this time. only Renos division on
our side and Hills on that of the rebels,
corps came up on our side and took the
old Hagerstown road, leading away from
the turnpike our right, with intent to
flank and crush the rebel left. At pm
our line OF Ddltle was IOrmeO, Win KICK
etts' division on the right, Kings, COM
manded by Hatch, in the center, with its
right resting on the turnpike. and Reno's
on the left, and a general advance COM
menced, under a heavy fire Of artillery.
Meantime, Hill had sent pressing messages
to Longstreet at Hagerstown for help; and
two brigades had already arrived, as Long
street himself, with seven more brigades,
did very soon afterward, raising the rebel
force in action thereafter to some 5000 or
10000 men. Longstreet, ranking Hill, Of
course took command, little to the satisfac-
tion Of Hill, who evidently thinks he could
have done much better. The enemy's ad-
vantage in position was still very great.
as every movement on our part being
plainly visible to them, while We could
know nothing Of their position nor their
strength, except from their fire and its eff
feet. The ground was stubbornly con-
tested. foot by foot. General Hatch COM
manding the LIST division. being disabled by
q wound, and succeeded by Gen. A. Double
day. Colonel Wainwright, 10th New York,
who now took command Of Doubledays
brigade, was likewise wounded. But Hooker
steadily advanced and had fairly thanked
and worsted the rebel left when darkness
put an end to the fray. The struggle on
GUS left commenced later, and was signal
lied by similar gaIlantry on both sides;
but numbers prevailed over desperation, and
the rebels were steadily forced back until
the crest Of the mountain was won.
Here fell, about sunset, Maj. Gen. Jesse
L. Reno. mortaiiy wounded by q musket
ball, while at the head Of his division he
was watching through glass the enemy,s
movements. General Meade, with the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

ren's brigade was detached and sent TO the
right and rear of Burnside leaving but
little over 1900 men with Porter. Burnsde's
corps held our extreme left opposite the
lowest of the three bridges crossing the
Antietam.
Burnside Carried the Bridge.
He was ordered. at am, to cross this
one, which was held by General r. Toombs,
with the I'd and 10Th Georgia backed by
some sharpshooters and the batteries Of
General D. r. Jones. on Longstreet's right
wing. Several attempts to execute this orr
der having been succe ssively repulsed.
Burnside was further ordered to carry NOT
only the bridge but the heights beyond, and
advance along their crest upon Sharps-
burg, but 1t was not till l pm. that tho
bridge was actually taken by a charge Of
the 51st New York and the 51st Pennsyl-
vania.
The enemy retreating to the heights as our
troops came over in force, more hours
passed idly, and 1t was after pm. before
Burnside. under peremptory orders, charged
up the heights, carrying them handsomely.
some of his troops reaching even the out
skirts of Sharpsburg. 1t was an easy but
short-lived triumph; for, thus far, Lee had
been able to spare but about 1900 men. un-
der D. r. Jones, to hold this flank Of his po-
sition. Had this success been obtained
hours earlier, 1t might have proven decisive.
The rebel forces throughout the greater
on right. that Lee was unable to
spare sufficient troops to resist determined
advance by our left; but now, Just as VIC
tory seemed to smile upon our arms, A p,
HilfS division-whfch had only been ordered
from Harper's Ferry that morning. and
started at 1880 o cock-came on the ground,
and. covered by a heavy fire OF artillery,
charged our extreme left. when disordered
by charging and fighting, and drove IT back
in still greater confusion
General Rodman who commanded II was
MORALLY wounded: and the enemy, rallying
with spirit and rebuilding the fire OF his
artillery charged in front and flank, and
drove our men in confusion down the hill
toward the Antietam, pursuing until checked
by the fire of our batteries across the creek.
General l.. o. B. Branch Of North Caro-
lima was killed in this charge. Our reserves
on the left bank now advancing. while our
wisely desisted. without attempting to carry
the bridge, and retired to their lines on the
heights. as darkness put an end to the fray.
jackson, during the afternoon had been
ordered by Lee to turn our right and attack
1t in flank and rear; but on accommodating
for this purpose he found our line EXTEND
ed nearly to the Potomac, and SO strongly
defended with artillery that to carry 1t was
impossible, so he declined to make the ats
tempt.
Thus Closed Day Of Bloodshed.
So closed indecisively, the bloodest day
that America ever saw. General Mcclellan
states his strength-no doubt truly-in this
battle at s7,164, including 1920 cavalry.
which was of small account on such ground
division, 5000 strong, had been sent away
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

charge and capturing a number Of prison
ers with some flags.
Attempts successfully. to turn his right
and then his left were foiled; but. after a
bloody combat of four hours. French
paused. considerably in advance of the
position on which the fight had commenced.
but without having carried the heights
Richa rdson's division of Summers corps
advanced on the left Of French, crossing
the Antietam at $50 am, and going stead
lily forward under heavy artillery fire.
half way up from the creek to Sharpsburg,
over very rugged ground, much Of it COW
cred with growing corn and intersected by
stone walls which afforded every advan-
tage to the defensive.
Musketry Fire Was Severe.
The musketry fire on both sides was Sc
we're, but our men steadily gained ground.
Caldwelrs and Meagher's Qrish) brigade
vieing with each other in steadiness and
gallantry. Here Col. Francis G. Barlow Of
Caldwells brigade signalized himself by
seizng an opportunity to advance the 61st
flank rebel force, which, sheltered by
sunken road (now called Bloody Lance, was
attempting to enfilade the Union line, cap
turing over 300 prisoners and three flags.
The left Of this division being now well ad-
vanced, the confederates maneuvering be-
hind q ridge, attempted to take it in flank
and rear, but were signally defeated, the
9th New Hampshdre and the s1st Pennsyl-
vania facing to the left and meeting the
charge by countercharge, which was en-
Hrely successful.
Porter's corps. in our center, holding the
roads from Sharpsburg to Middletown and
Antietam, until late In the afternoon. when
two brigade$ OF It were sent by Mcclellan
TO support our right while SIX battalions
bridge ON the main road to repea rebel
nhaxpahooters, who were annoying Pleas
outon's horse nattsries II thai point. War,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

toward Harpers Ferry-evidently through
some misapprehension-and only arrived al
late hour the next morning, 1Sth as did
Humphreys division of raw recruits, which,
had left Frederick-twenty-three miles disc
tant-at pm. of the sanguinary 18th.
Lee did not renew the battle on the NOR
row of such a day, and Mcclellan, though
reinforced that morning by about 1900
men, stood still also. He says he purposed
to renew the combat the next morning.
September 10; but when his cavalry adj
vance reached the river, they discovered
that Lee had quietly moved of across the
Potomac during the night. leaving US only
his dead and some 20O0 Of his desperately
wounded
Lee posted eight batteries on the Virginia
bluffs Of the Potomac, supported by 600
infantry under Pendleton, to cover his
crossing, and Gen. Porter, at dark, Sep
TENDER 10, sent across Gen. Griffin with his
own and Barnes brigades to carry them,
This was CALAMITY done, under the fire Of
those batteries, and four guns were taken;
but reconnaissance in force, made by part
OF Porters division next morning, Septem-
Der 20. was ambushed by A. p. HILL a mile
from the ford generally known as Black.
fords ford) and driven pell-mell into thu
river, with considerable loss, after q brief
They held that bank thenceforth unmoiest>
ed until next day, and then quietly disap.
peared, Lee moying westward with the
bulk Of his army to the Opequan creek.
near Martinsburg: his cavalry. under
Stuart. recrossing the Potomac to Williams.
port, whence he escaped on the approach OF
Gen. COUGHS division
The Baltimore and Ohio railroad was now
pretty thoroughly destroyed for some dis
tance. neither for the first nor the last
time.
Gen. Mcclellan sent forward Gen. WIN.
Jams on his left to retake Maryland HeightA
which he did 6eptembsr 90 without oppo.
sition, ~ Gen, Sumner, two days later. 90.
cupisd Harpers Ferry.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

From the cemetery may be had view Of
nearly the entire battlefield of Antietam,
with South mountain in the background.
In the far distance looms up the continuous
chain of hills known as the Maryland
Heights" a place that was strongly forth
fed by the Union troops. This mountain
was the rendezvous of John Brown prior to
his raid on Harpers Ferry. The road lead
ing from the Ferry to Sharpsburg, about
ten miles. passes near the house where
Brown and his confederates lived.
Half a mile more from the foot of the
cemetery grounds flows the Antietam creek
from which the battlefield and cemetery
derive their names. The plan of the GENE
terry is that of a semi-ellipsis, divided into
segments of circles, sections and parallelo-
grams of varying size. according to the
number Of dead from different states In
this inclosure repose the bodies of 4 $50 SOL
diers who sacrificed their lives for the pres
ervation Of the Union. or this number 3 $50
are known and $50 unknown.
Each grave is marked with marble head
stone, upon which appears, in raised let
tiers. the number. name and state where
known, and where unknown simply the
number. main carriage drive leads from
the entrance TO the grounds. In either d.
section subordinate roads and walks lead
20 every part of the cemetery In the CEN
ter of the grounds is the colossal statue of
an American soldier keeping guard over
the dead vino lie buried there. The statue
Is twenty-five feet IN height. The entire
monument IS fortv-seyen feet high and
weighs in all about 80 tons The statue it.
self weighs twenty-nine tons 1t is entirely
or granite and is the largest statue of its
kind in the country
The Battlefield Today.
From the tower Of a large house at the
entrance can be seen the famous Dunkard
Church. in the border of patch of woods
about mile distant. and near which there
was terrific fighting. To the right of it,
and to the east of the turnpike Is open
ground. and this Is bordered on the right
by another patch of woods These two
Patches Of woods. with the intervening
/ fields. were the scene of the fiercest fight
ing on September II. To the right and in
the distance is the Pry house, a large red
brick building. which was the headquarters
OF General Mcclellan before and during
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

bank. passing I'D the Potomac unassailed,
through region swarming with enemies.
to the mouth OF the Antietam thence strfk-
ing northward across Maryland, reaching
Greencastie. Pa, next morning, having cap
tured BY the way the ammunition train OF
General Longstreet consisting of fifty TO
sixty wagons. Miles assented to this es-
cape, but refused permission to infantry Of
hcers, who asked leave to cut their way
out. saying he was ordered to hold the ferry
to the last extremity.
Next morning at daybreak, September
10. the rebel batteries reopened from seven
commanding points. directing their fire prin.
cipally at our batteries on Bolivar Heights.
At am. Miles stated to General White
and his brigade commanders that a sur
render was inevitable. Thereupon q white
flag was raised; but the confederates, not
perceiving it, continued their fire some
thirty or forty minutes, whereby Miles was
MORALLY wounded. Jackson was just i'm
pellfng general infantry attack, when in
formed that the white flag had been raised
on the defenseS. At am. capitulation was
agreed upon, under which 11.5S3 men were
passed over to the enemy-about half Of
them New Workers, the residue mainly from
Ohio and Maryland. Among the spells were
seventy-three guns, 13 900 small arms, 200
wagons and a large quantity of tents and
camp equipage.
jackson Reaches Antietam.
Jackson did not walt to receive the sur
render; but leaving that duty to Hill. hur-
ried off the mass Of his followers to rejoin
General Lee, and, by marching day and
night, reached the Antietam next morning,
September 49, It was now too late to save
Harper's Ferry-for 1t had this moment
fallen-but not too late to superbly avenge
1t. General Mcclellan, with Lees order in
his hand must have known that the forces
from which Burnside and Franklin had
just wrested the passes of the South noun
tain were all that Lee had to depend upon,
save those which he had detached and sent
r.
per's Ferry, and which must now be mainly
on the other side of the Potomac.
The advance from South mountain was
again led by General Pleasantons cavalry.
who overlook the rebel cavalry rear guard
at Boonsboro', charged and routed it, cap
turing 25O prisoners and two guns. Rich
ardson's division of Summers corps fol-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

tiers. which gave him. September 2. full con-
troll Of ''all the troops for the defense of the
capital" Mcclellan at once ordered a con-
centration of his forces within the defenses
of Washington, where they were soon pre-
pared to resist the enemy, but Lee having
no idea of following them, was joined Sep
TENDER 2, by d. II. Hills fresh division from
Richmond. He sent that division In ad-
vance OF his army to Leesburg. Jackson's
heavy corps. consisting of A. P. Hills
EweHs and his own divisions, embracing
fourteen brigades. crossing the Potomac at
Whites Ford. September s. and moving on
without resistance. General Lee, with the
remainder Of his army rapidly followed,
concentrating at Frederick, Nd.
General Mcclellan had been already Hep-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06
VIEW ON
MIDDLE

the battle. Directly east from the ceme-
terry and prominent to the view is the gap
cut In the mountain by Mcclellan on the
previous night. An observatory has been
erected on this spot. From 1t can be had
commanding view OF the entire battle
field.
T. Antietam creek cannot be seen distinctly
/ from the cemetery. but one can trace its
course by the ravine and the trees which
fringe its banks. Still further to the right,
possibly three-Quarters Of a mile away at
the base of some hills, the famous Burn
side bridge crosses the stream. Two syca.
/ more trees on each side and at the farther
end of the bridge still cast their shade. as
they did on those eventful days Of carnage
A narrow bridge, with not room for two
seams to pass each other, one cannot help
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

three brigades of McLaw's div N, where
OF the larger portion was some mi es farther
on, operating against Mary Heights
good positions for defense; but the dispari-
ty of numbers was decisive and Cobb
VINO, OF course, had orders to hold on at
any cost-was finally driven out. after
smart contest of four or five hours, where
| in his force was badly cut up.
The Union loss here was 115 killed and
Alb wounded; the trophies 400 prisoners, 1
gun and 700 small arms. General Jackson,
who had supplied himself with provisions
and munition at Martinsburg. w. Va. and
hurrytng on was at Harper's Ferry at IL
a. m of the 18th. Waiting only to ascer-
tain that McLaws, who was to cooperate
on the other side of the Potomac, and
Walker. who was hurriedly dispatched from
Frederick with orders to cross the Potomac
at Point Of Rocks and come up on the
south, SO as to shut in and assail our garri-
son from that side Of the Shenandoah, were
already In position. He ordered A. P.
Hill. with his division, to move down the
north bank of the Shenandoah into Har-
pers Ferry, while LaWton, with EwelIS
and ]. r. Jones with Jackson's own divts-
ion We're to advance upon and threaten the
beleaguered unionists farther and farther
to their right. 81
skirmishiAg 2egins.
Harper's Ferry is Mcnf In very deep
ravine or gorge. coni ar ID on three sides
by steep mountains. fa& land Heights on
the north, Bolivar H4ehS ION the west and
Loudoun Heights on 4 e 9TH. with the Po-
tomac and Shenandd d E kers passing be-
tween, and, Of coursS ae nsible only from
one or more of thessaheiszts Miles posted
September the 32d Ohio Col. T. H. Ford
on Maryland Heights, where they were re-
inferced, September u, by the Both and
10th New York. and, nextrlday by the 10th
New York and part ORA Maryland regi-
ment. -
McLaws' advance appeared and COM
menced skirmishing September II. An at
tack In force was made early in the morn
Ing of the 18th and was repulsed. but was
followed at o'clock-by another and more
determined, when Col. E. Sheriff.. 126th
New York. being severely wounded, his reg
iment broke and fed In utter rout. and the
remaining regiment soon followed the ex-
ample, the enemy gaining the commanding
position.
At o'clock in the morning. September IA.
Ford. without being further assailed, aban-
doned the heights The morning of the 14th
was spent by McLaws in cutting q road
practicable for artillery to the crest OF
Maryland Heights. whence fire was opened
from four guns at pm, not only Smelling
our forces at the ferry, but commanding
our position on Bolivar Heights beyond 1t.
Before night Walkers guns opened likewise
from Loudoun Heights and Jackson's bat
teries were playing from several points,
some Of them enfllading our batteries on
Bolivar Heights.
At 8 pm, September "a. our cavalry.
some 1900 strong, under Col. Davis. 18th
Illinois, made their escape from the ferry.
across the pontoon bridge. to the Maryland
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

word that he could not advance, but could
| hold his ground. Hooker, with Crawford
| and Gordons fresh brgades of Mansfield S
| corps, came up to his support. determined
again to advance and carry the woods to
| the right of and beyond the cornfield.
Going forward to reconnoiter foot
Hooker satisfied himself as to the nature Of
the ground returned and remounted amid
| a shower of rebel bullets. which he had all
| the morning diSregarded; but the next mo-
ment musket ball went through his foot
| lnf1icting severe and intensely painful
wound, which compelled him, after giving
| his orders fully and deliberately, to leave
| the field at 8 am. Sumner arriving at this
moment assumed command, sending Sedg
| wfck's division of his own corps to support
Crawford and Gordon, while Richardson
| and French, with his two remaining, went
| forward farther to the left, Sedgwick again
advancing in line through the cornfield al
ready won and lost
Saith New York's Valiant Work.
| But by this time McLaws, who by march
| ing all night had reached Shepherdstown
| from Harper's Ferry that morning, and in
stantly crossed, had been sent forward by
| Lee to the aid Of Jackson, while Walkers
division had been hurried across from the
as yet unassailed right
Again Hoods brigade was Withdrawn
from the front, while the fresh forces I'M
der Walker and McLaws advanced with
desperate energy, seconded by Early on
their left. Sedgwick was thrice badly
wounded, and compelled to retire; Generals
Dana and Crawford were likewise wounded.
The 34th New York-which had broken at
critical moment, while attempting a ma
neuver under terrible fire-was nearly cut
to pieces, and the 18th Massachusetts,,
which went into action GOO strong, was
speedily reduced to 134.
General Howard, who took command Of
Sedgwick's division. was unable to restore
its formation. and Sumner himself had no
better success. Again the center of our
right gave back, and the cornfield was
taken by the enemy. But the attempt Of
the rebels to advance beyond 1t under the
fire of our batteries was repealed with heavy
loss on their part, Colonel Manning, who
led Walkers own brigade, being severely
wounded and his brigade driven back.
firmly, and 1t seemed settled that while
either party could repel a charge on this
part of the line, neither could afford to
make one.
But now Franklin had come up with his
fresh corps, and formed on the left. Slocum,
commanding one Of his divisions, sent
forward toward the center, while Smith,
with the other, was ordered to retake the
ground that had been so long and so hotly
contested.
1t was no sooner said than done. Irwins
regiments (of Smiths division, 9th Corpse,
cheering, went forward on a run, swept
through the cornfled and the woods Cat
utes and held them. Their rush
sudden and unexpected that their loss
comparatively small and the ground thus
retaken was not again lost. Nearer the
center, French's division of Summers corps
had attempted TO carry the line of heights
Whereon the rebels were posted, and had
made some progress, repulsing counter
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

McCaellans discovery that Lee had divided
his army in order to clutch Harper's Ferry,
induced general quickendng of movement
on our side. Still advancing, he approach
ed at noon on the 18th the pass through
Champions Gap in dhe1 South mountain.
just beyond BurkettsviHe. several miles
southwestern of that at-which Burnside,
leading our main advance, had, some hours
earlier, found his march INSTRUCTED by Hill.
Before him was Howell Cobb with two or
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

Harper's Ferry is 1
ravine or gorge, COM
by steep mountains,I
the north, Bolivar ri
Loudoun Heights on
tomac and Shenandf
tween, and, Of cours'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

In a very deep
ID on three sides
land Heights on
on the west and
18th. with the Po-
Fers passing be-
nsible only from
1EtS MiIaa noStad