Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-09-17

vas several uaNs before nc JolHcu Odt
tie in a place of Lees own choosing. Il
was a formidable defensive position. q
peninsula formed by the Potomac and
an atiluent, Antietam creek. Lee:
lines ran nearly north and south, ap
preaching the Potomac on the north
extending along ridges and hills
covered partly by woods, to the An
tietam on the south, about half mile
above its junction with the Potomac
The army faced its foe to the eastward
with its back to the Potomac. Sharps.
burg Law half mile or so in rear ofthe
Confederate right center. Longstreet's
corps occupied the right; jackson, al.
ter his arriyal.the lett; with ID. ii. Hill
between.
Mcclellan took the offensive. After
carefully surveying the field, be
planned his battle in this way. He
would make his main attack on the
Rebel left, following it with blow al
the center and a diversion on the ex-
IRENE right at what has since been
known as "Burnside's Bridge He
hoped to roll Lee down end-over-end
into the Potomac.
To Fighting joe Hooker was
given command of the important
movement on the Federal right. On
the afternoon of the 10th he forded the
Antietam and placed his corps facing
Jackson whom he engaged Tor time
without result. Both sides slept on
the firing line. At dawn, Hooker
pressed the fight vigorously and Tor a
time successfully, but the enemy
worked around through woods to his
right aud alter a bloody contest In
which one cornfield was fought over
four times he was driven back, him.
self wounded and forced TO quit the
field. Then came Mansiield's corps
into action, too late to be Of service 10
Hooker II fought over about the
same ground and met with much the
same success. Mansfield was MORALLY
wounded Then followed Sumner a
little further TO the LEFT. who pressed
Jackson back, but reinforcements
came and Sumner could only hold a
part Of the ground won. Franklin
came up, but il was not thought best
10 push the attack further here.
When the seriousness Of the task on
the Federal right was appreciated and
Il was seen that Lee was weakening
his right TO support bis lett, Burnside
was ordered 10 carry the bridge before
him, cross the Antetam and assail Lee
In that quarter. This was no light
undertaking. The Rebels occupied
with artillery and rifle pits an emf
hence thoroughly commanding the
bridge The advance must be along a
narrow way, swept by a deadly fire.
Several desperate attempts 10 rush the
bridge failed. Finally division
found a ford lower down and crossed
unopposed. while at the same time
two brave regiments dashed over the
bridge and chased the foe out. Burn
sides whole corps followed and estab-
lished itself on the height. A quick
move now would have crushed Lees
right and severed his only chance 10
retreat. Time was wasted At
length the advance came and the
Unionists pushed over even into
Sharpsbnrg itself. Just az this mo-
ment, when Lee seemed to be totally
A. Z. Hills division rushed
onto the field. the last force up from
Harper's Ferry, and throwing itself
on the extreme left of Burnside's adj
line. forced him 10 halt and
retire TO his position above the bridge.
So ended the battle. IL had been
fierce and bloody. Neither army had
won. The Federals had driven their
foe back at points. bur had not routed
him. Lee still held his lines intact.
Neither side felt like renewing the
battle on the 18th and the dag was
spent In burying the dead and caring
Tor the wounded. On the night Of the
18th Lee silently withdrew 20 Nir-
ginia. And some have thought that
was quite willing to have il
that way if be would only depart in
peace
The Union army at Antietam num-
bered about 5000 men. OF whom
about 10000 were seriously engaged.
Lee had on the field 10000 and he
fought every man he had. Each
army lost 1900 TO 1900. OF whom
over 1900 were killed. IL was among
the most desperate and bloody fights
Of the war Its effect was 10 stay
Lees invasion and restore hostilities
10 Virginia, but as a battle neither
side could claim IL as a victory.
From Sharpsburg you ride out to
the north along the Hagerstown pike.
About a mile out you come 10 a small
edifice on the left, built Of brick,
painted white. This is the famous
bunker church. Il stands on a knoll
and was the point Of attack by the
Federals on the Rebel left. Jackson's
lines were about it and though the
Federals once swept them back night
ended with it in the possession of the
Southern forces. This building Is a
landmark and is carefully preserved.
You can see the bloodstains on the
floor now, it is said, for it was used as
4 hospital.
Turning back little way you come
10 a cross road leading toward the An
.ietam. As You follow this it runs in
70 the Sunken Road or Bloody Lane,
where the Rebel defenders made a
SD N.asF -.