The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-10
Battle of Sharpsburu.

Cau5htclS WlHu up the yarns and store them away as traditions.
 Battle of Sharpsburq.
 Tell about the battle of Sharpsburg in this way: General Lee had LOGO men and 194 guns; Mcclellan, had S7,164 men and 275 guns; Lee fell back across South mountain and the Antietam river, and established his line on the Hagerstown pike road. His position was at the Boulder. Near the center of the left was the Dunkard church, and the right looked over ford on the Antietam. Mcclellan threw forward two army corps one com manded by Joe Hooker, and the other by Mansfield, just above the north of Gen eral Jackson's left, whose divisions were concealed in the woods clearly exposing his intention to attack and revealing the point of attack.
 Along the ridge to the west which parts the Antietam from the Potomac, and about mile distant runs the Ha- gerstown pike. Sharpsburg lies on the reverse slope of the ridge extending ;n the direction of the Ptomac. General Jackson had thrown back two of his d- visions at right angles with the Con federate line for a counter stroke. Be- fore sunrise the desultory fire of the pickets had deepened into the rattle of musketry and roar of cannon. The at- tack was made at the Dunkard church with that courage, dash and energy which had won for Hooker the sobriquet of Fighting Joe,' and the troops he commanded had already proved their mettle on many field. His corps was l2,5O0 strong; they moved in massed col umn, as if they were on dress parade, stepping to the tune of martial music. On they came and there stood the inl- mortal Jackson, with his brave and we'll trained, seasoned soldiers, whose aim was so unerring that this splendid corps was hurled back in disorder.
 Hooker said, Never had he seen q bloodier or more dismal battlefield Law toms division, being reinforced at a crit ical moment, held back Meade's corps. and by a counter stroke, forced him back on his guns.
 "Gibbons fighting fiercely at the Mil Ter house, brought up battery in close support of his line, and pressed heavily on West Wood until the Confederate skirmishers crept through the corn and shot down the horses and gunners.
 stark led the Stonewall brigade into the open field The battle swayed back ward and forward under the clouds of smoke. The crash of musketry, rever- berating through the woods drowned the roar of cannon, and though hundreds ana tboupsands were shot down at close range neither Federal nor Confederates fiinched.
 
 rick. reinforced, Gibbons passed swiftly to the front, capturing two of our colors but Stark with the old Stonewall brigade charged the enemys right and doubled if hack. Doubleday's division was struck fiercelv in front and flank reeled back Tn confusion at the Miller house, ana thoush the gallant Stark was killed the Confea- crates regained the lost ground. denera, Stuart carried into action at a critical moment the battery commanded by the gallant boy soldier, Maj. John Pelham, who for accuracy of firing his guns could not be excelled and he poured gaiiing fire in the right wing of Rockers corps which was repulsed all along the line. The heroic remnant of the valley regi- ment still held fact to the limestone ledges and they were reinforced Dv Early's division and Hoods division, com rosed of about 5000. Summers corps or is, GOO fresh troops were put in and crossed at Pry's bridge, in so imposing an array that even our officers and men watchco their movements with admiration
 Lee Held the ReIns.
 "Terrible was the shock with which they rushed into the fight, but with all their formidable array, Gen. Robt. E. Lee still held the reins of battle. He knew Gen eral Jackspns familiarity with Napoleon great key, he knew that General Jackson carried in his haversack Nepoleon maxims, so it was that Jackson and gained a position to make his famous counter stroke in flank and rear. He ord cred McLaws to drive back the enemy and turn his right. Anderson's brigade supported and Semmes5 brigade, and Early's division were rushed forward, and Sedgewicks division of 5000 was at the mercy of Jackson, in less time than 1t takes to tell 1t the ground was strewn with the dead and wounded and the whole federal army was in flight. The federal attack recoiled first from Jackson and then from Longstreet, swinging around