TITLE: The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. / Series 1 - Volume 19 (Part I) AUTHOR: United States. War Dept., John Sheldon Moody, Calvin Duvall Cowles, Frederick Caryton Ainsworth, Robert N. Scott, Henry Martyn Lazelle, George Breckenridge Davis, Leslie J. Perry, Joseph William Kirkley PUBLISHER: Govt. Print. Off., Washington, 1887 Page A Production Note Cornell University Library produced this volume to preserve the informational content of the deteriorated original. The best available copy of the original has been used to create this digital copy. It was scanned bitonally at 600 dots per inch resolution and compressed prior to storage using ITU Group 4 compression. Conversion of this material to digital files was supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Digital file copyright by Cornell University Library 1995. This volume has been scanned as part of The Making of America Project, a cooperative endeavor undertaken to preserve and enhance access to historical material from the nineteenth century. Page B Title Page Page R001 THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A COMPILATION OF THE OFFICIAL IIRECOBDS4 OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES. PREPARED, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF TIlE SECRETARY OF WAR, BY The late Lieut. Col. ROBERT N. SCOTT. Third U. S. Artillery. PUBLIShED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF Lieut. Col. HENRY M. LAZELLE, Twenty-third U. S. Infantry. PURSUANT TO ACTS OF CONGRESS. SERIES IVOLUME XIXIN TWO PARTS. PART I-REPORTS. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1887 Page R002 7 IJ ~g~ - CG~1ELL UL~VZI9~~2TY Page R003 PREFACE. By an act approved June 23, 1874, Congress made an appropriation to enable the Secretary of War to begin the publication of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, both of the Union and Confed- erate Armies, and directed him to have copied for the Public Printer all reports, letters, telegrams, and general orders not heretofore copied or printed, and properly arranged in chronological order. Appropriations for continuing such preparation have been made from time to time, and the act approved June 16, 1880, has provided for the printing and binding, under direction of the Secretary of War, of ten thousand copies of a compilation of the Official Records (Union and Confederate) of the War of the Rebellion, so far as the same may be ready for publication, during the fiscal year; and that of said num- ber, seven thousand copies shall be for the use of the House of Repre- sentatives, two thousand copies for the use of the Senate, and one thousand copies for the use of the Executive Departments. ~ This compilation will be the first general publication of the military records of the war, and will embrace all official documents that can be obtained by the compiler, and that appear to be of any historical value. Volumes IV distributed under act approved June 16, 1880. The act approved August 7, 1882, provides that The volumes of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion shall be distributed as follows: One thousand copies to. the Executive Departments, as now provided l)y law. One thousand copies for distribution by the Secretary of War among officers of the Army and contributors to the work. Eight thousand three hundred copies shall be sent by the Secretary of War to such libraries, organizations, and individuals as may be designated by the Senators, Representatives, and Delegates of the Forty- Beventh Congress. Each Senator shall designate not exceeding twenty-six, and each Representative and Delegate not exceeding twenty-one of such addresses, and the volumes shall be sent thereto from time to time as they are published, until the pub- lication is completed. Senators, Representatives, and Delegates shall inform the Secretary of War in each case how ninny volumes of those heretofore published they have forwarded to such addresses. The remaining copies of the eleven thousand to be published, and all sets that may not be ordered to be distributed as provided herein, shall be sold by the Secretary of War for cost of publication, with ten per cent. added thereto, and the proceeds of such sale shall be covered into the Treasury. If two or more sets of said volumes are ordered to the same address, the Secretary of War shall inform the Senators, Representatives, or Delegates, who have designated the same, who thereupon may designate other libraries, organizations, or individuals. The Secretary of War shall report to the first session of the Forty-eighth Congress what volumes of the series heretofore published have not been furnished to such ]ibraries, organizations, and individuals. He shall also inform distributees at whose instance the volumes are sent. (III Page R004 Iv 1~EEFACE. The publication will present the records in the following order of arrangement: The First Series will embrace the formal reports, both Union and Con- federate, of the first seizures of United States property in the Southern States, and of all military operations in the field, with the correspond. ence, orders, and returns relating specially thereto, and, as proposed, is to be accompanied by an Atlas. In this series the reports will be arranged according to the campaigns and several theaters of operations (in the chronological order of the events), and the Union reports of any event will, as a rule, be imme. diately followed by the Confederate accounts. The correspondence, & c., not embra~ed in the reports proper will follow (first Union and next Confederate) in chronological order. The Second Series will contain the correspondence, orders, reports, and returns, Union and Confederate, relating to prisoners of war, and (so far as the military authorities were~ concerned) to State or political prisoners. The Third Series will contain the correspondence, orders, reports, and returns of the Union authorities (embracing their correspondence with the Confederate officials) not relating specially to the subjects of the first and second series. It will set forth the annual and special reports of the Secretary of War, of the General-in-Chief, and of the chiefs of the several staff corps and departments; the calls for troops, and the correspondence between the National and the several State authorities. The Fourth Series will exhibit the correspondence, orders, reports, and returns of the Confederate authorities, similar to that indicated for the Union officials, as of the third series, but excluding the correspondence between the Union and Confederate authorities given in that series. ROBERT K. SCOTT, Major Third Art., and Bvt. Licut. Gol. WAR DEPARTMENT, August 23, 1880. Approved: ALEX. RAMSEY, iSecretar~y of War Table of Contents Page R005 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXI. Page. Operations in Northeril V irgi nia, West Virginia, Marylaild, and Peunsyl vallia. September 3November 14, 1S6~ 11108 (v Page R006 Additions and Corrections Page A001 THE WAR OF THE REBELLJON:~ A COMPILATION OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES. ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO SERIES I VOLUME XIX. (To be inserted in the vohirne. Yor explanation see G-~neral Index volume, Serial No. 130, ~)age XXVIIl.) PLIBLISIIEI) ITNI)ER TI[E 1)I1IECTION OF The Hon. ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War, BY BRIG. GEN. FRED C. AINSWORTH, CHIEF OF TIlE RECORD ANI) PENSION OFFICE, WAR ANI) MR. JOSEPH W. KIRKLEY. I )EPA RTM ENT, itir. JOUN S. MOOIPEY, Indexer. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMI4NT PRiNTING OFFICE. 1902 Page A002 2 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. TEXT. PART i. Page 175. Second Brigade, Second Division, following jr//i United S/a/es, for Capt. DeL. Floyd-Jones read A/al. fle Lancey Floyd-Jones. Page 176. Second Brigade, First Division, insert 121St New York, Go!. Richard Franchot. Page iSo. Third Brigade, following Mal. Ar/ku,- /1/aginnis, insert Capt. William j zi/eKaig. Page iSi. McClellans report, thirty-first line, sentence beginning We haze should read We have not lost a single gi~~ or color. On the battle-field of Antietam si,ooo small-arms were collected, etc. Page [92. Second Brigade, Second Division, after Gol. Joshua 12 Owen, insert (i.) Gol. De Wi// G. Baxter. Page 405. Second line, bottom, insert [si/hi after 13/h. Page 406. First line, insert [s5th] after si/h. Page 430. Third line, bottom, for quarter rea(l greater. Page 807. For JJaj. R. L. Walker read Licut. Gol. R. L. Walker. Page 808. Jones Brigade, Jacksons Division, strike out Brig. Gen. J. R. Jones. Page Sio. Insert * after Robertsons Brigade and add foot-note, * The Si th Virginia was left at Gentreville, Vi., to collect arms, etc.; the Seven- teen/h Virginia Battalion was detached before crossing the Potomac on an expedition into Berkeley. Strike out Brig. ( en. B. H. Rob- ertson; also Gol. T. T. Munford and, following 2d Virginia. Page 985. Following signature of R. U. Walker, for Battery read Battalion. Page 1097. For Colliers (Frank H.) read Go//icrs (Frederick H.). Page i 105. For Schambecks (Frederick) read Schamnbecks (Friedrich). Page i iSo. Insert dropped letter N to complete Northern ! Yr4rinia, Am-ni; of Page 1204. Insert after Turners Pass, Aid. Battle of, Sept. i, 1862, the words See South, so that it will read Sec South Mountain, Md. Page 1209. Twentieth line, bottom, for sS6g rea(l 1862. PART 2. Page 129. Sixth line, l)ottonl, insert [231 after 3(1. Page 172. Pleasonton to Marcy, 8.20 a. 11., strike out entire communication; for correct copy, see page i Page 279. General Orders, No. 129, sixth line, for No. 555 rea(l No. sos. Page 297. Communication addressed to Maj. Gen. Williani B. Franklin, second and third sentences, for Sumners, Hookers, and Banks mimove immediately. Afansfields and Burnsides corps are here, read Sumners, Hookers, and Banks, now temporarily AJanyle-lds corps, an(1 Burnsides corps are here. Page 328. Watson to Scott, add to date 3.15 a. in. Scott to Stanton, 8 a. in., insert after date, (Receized 9.50 a. mu.). Page 329. Scott to Stanton, io a. in., insert after date, (Received 10.25 a. in.). Pages 368, 369. Foot-notes, for Special Order~, No. go, read Special Om-ders, No. 267. Page 495. Fifth line, top, for General I)evens rea(l Golommel I)evins. Page 689. Lee to Smith, date, for October go read Octobem- 3 Page A003 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 3 INDEX. Insert all words and figures in italics aud strike out all in [brackets]. An asterisk (*) following a correction indicates that Additions and Corrections to the text should be consulted. References are to parts of volume. Part. Adair,Jokn D. [J.] .1//an [Allen] XXilliam G .1 inir Gorps, 1st ( !/irginia). I)esgna/ed re/k C~ops, 279 Army Corps, 2(1 ( Uliginia). Des~no/ed 12/li Goips, 279 A rmy Corps, gd ( Utiginia). Des~na/ed 1st Corps, 279 Army Gorps,Jacksons, 2d (N. Ga.). Jackson, T.J., asszgned /ocomnmand, 699.... Army Goinps, Longs/ree/s, zs/ (N~ 1~a.). Longs/reef, J., asszgned to command, .9...... Battershy, Jen ens G. [Jeyns] Baxter, De Witt C., 192* [Bearley, Private, 1029] Blount, Robert P. [I~ieutenaut-Colonel] Brower, Mar/in V. B. [Marlin V.] Buckuer, Frank P. [Captain] Carter,John (V. [W.J.] Christian, William H. [A.] Colder, William [Mr.] Collier, Frederick [Frank] H Colwell, James S. [M.] Cowan, Isaac [J.] A Cox, F. G. [Orderly] Crocker, Alvak [Mr.] Cross, Daniel K. [D. R.] Cross, Osborn [Osborne] Deming [Denuing], C. R Detmold, (V [Dr.] Devenpor/ [Davenport], W. A. B Dcviii, Thomas C. Mentioned, 495, Deveus, Charles, jr., Meii- tioned, [.~g~] * Duncan, A lender [Alexander] P Dnryee rDuryea], Abrani Dnryee [Duryea], W. B. C Ellison, George H Fmme/ [Emenert], Temple Fitzbugb, H. H Fitzbugh, Heiiry H Forsberg, Augns/ns [August] Francho/, Richard, 176* Fuller, Frederick [K.] Gausevoort, Henry S. [I~.] Gormau, Richard L Greene [Green], J. M Harpers Ferry, W. Ta. Siege, etc. Testimouy of (Gil/moan [\Villinon], John I., Hitchcock, A /fed [Dr.] Hosmer, A.A. [H.] Howland, John W Hurlbut, Wilber [I.,.] Jackson, Thomas J. A ssignmen/s /o command, 699 Johnson [Johnston], A. H Johnson, Samuel, 729 [792] Johns/on [Johnson], William H. (Major). 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Jordan [Jordon], Ephraiiii Ke~ffe [Keefe], Joseph Kimmell [Kimmel], Fraiicis M King, William S Koenig, Paul Roman von I,aidley, Richard S. [R.] 1,atrobe, Osmnn [Osuman] bongstreet, James. Assignments /o command, 698 Lusk, William T. [F.] T,ydig, Philz~ M. [P.] McKaig, William J., 18o* McMachan, Heiiry M Marshall, Alexander S. [David W.] Medals of Honor. Act of Congress, etc., 729 [792] Awarded, etc., 729 [792] Meyer [Myers], Adolph Michalowski, Theophilos B. [F.] you Mighels [Meghels], H. R Miller, Theodore A. [George] Miller, W. D. W Monteith [Montieth], George Murphy,John [Corporal] Murphy, John P. [F.], 729 [792] Nettleton, George I.~ New York Troops. InfantryRegiments: 121st, 176* Nugeut, Washington G ONeil [ONeill], Josel)li Opdyke, George [D.] Ortb, Jacob G., 729 [792] Pennsylvania, Governor of. Correspondence with Kimmell [Kinunel], F. M Pennsylvania Froops. InfantryRegiments: si/h, 171, i8~, 190, 261 ~~th Reserves, [171, 185, 190, 261] Perkins, 1)e/avan [Delaware] 1) Perry, rhomas, 905 [.~] Peyton, T. Jefferson Pierce, Seymour, 129, 130 [Pierce, L., 129, 130]. Reber, Charles T. [F.] Reilly [Riley], John T Rodgers [Rogers], John T Roebling, Washing/on A. [Mr.] Ronss [Rouse], Milton [J.] Russell, F. L. D. [D. L.] Sanders [Saunders], Daniel I., ... Sears, Thomas D. [Captain] S/evens [Stephens], John A., jr Stewart, James M. [J. W.] Stuarts Expedition. Oct. 912, 1862. Communications from Kiminnell [Kimmel], F. M S/nddiford [Studdeford], Josiah S Teall [Teal], W. W Part. 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Page A004 4 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. Part Part. Texas Troops Ward, Isaac M. [W.] 2 Infantry[i3attalions: 1st, 413] i Wetmore, Prosper M. [P.w.] 2 InfantryRegiments: Williams, George [S.] 1st, 13 Williamsport, Md. Thomson [Thompson], C 1 2 Capture of Confederate pickets opposite, Tuttle, Oscar S. [I,.] etc. Reports of Van Buren, George AL [W.] 2 McMachan, Henry A! 2 Wait, AIarvin [Marvin, Wait] . Il/man [Wilinion], John I, Wal.ton,James [John] B Special Index Page R007 CONTENTS oir PRECEDING VOLUMES VOLUME I. CHAPTER I Page. Operations in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. December 20, 1860April 14, 1861 1317 CHAPTER II. The secession of Georgia. January 326, 1861 318325 CHAPTER IlL The secession of Alabama and Mississippi. January 420, 1861. 326330 CHAPTER TV. Operations in Florida. January 6-August 31, 1861 331473 CHAPTER V Page. The secession of North Carolina. Janu ary 0-May 20, 1861 474488 CHAPTER VI. The secession of Louisiana. January 10 February 19, 1861 489-601 CHAPTER VII. Operations in Texas and New Mexico. February 1June 11, 1861 ... 502636 CHAPTER VIII. Operations in Arkansas, the Indian Tern. tory, and Missouri. February 7-May 9, 1861 637691 VOLUME II. CHAPTER IX. Page. Operations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West VIrginia. April 16-July 81, 1861. 11012 VOLUME III. CHAPTER X. Page. Operations in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Indian Territory. May 10-November 19, 1801. 1749 VOLUME IV. CHAPTER XL Page. CHAPTER XLII. Page. Operations in Texas, New Mexico, and Operations in North Carolina and South. Arizona. June11, 1861February 1, 1862. 1174 eastern Virginia. August 1, 1861Janu. CHAPTER XII. ary 11, 1802 566-721 Operations In Kentucky and Tennessee. July 1November 19, 1861 .... 175565 VOLUME V. CHAPTER XIV. Page. Operations in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and West Virginia. August 1,1861March 17,1862. 11106 VOLUME VI. CHAPTER XV. Operations on the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Middle and East Florida. August 21, 1861April 11, 1862..... Page. CHAPTER XVI. Page. Operations In West Florida, Southern Al. abama, Southern Mississippi, and Lou. 1435 isiana. September 1,1861May 12, 1862. 436894 VOLUME VII. CHAPTER XVII. Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, N. Alabama, and S. W. Virginia. Nov. 19,1861-Mar.~, 1862. 1-946 Page Page R008 VIfl CO~TE~TS OF PRECEDING VOL1JME~3. VOLUME VIII. CHAPTER XVIIL Page. Operations In Missouri, Arkuneas, Kansas, and Indian Territory. Nov. 19, 1881April 10, 1862. 1834 VOLUME IX. CIIAPTER XIX Page. CHAPTER XXI. Page. Operations in Southeastern Virginia. Jan. Operations In Texas, New Mexico, and nary 11March 17, 1862 171 Arizona. February 1September 20, 1862 481736 CHAPTER XX. Operations In North Carolina. January 11-August 20, 1862 72-480 VOLUME XIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXIL Operations In Kentucky, Tennessee, North Mississippi, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. March 4June 10, 1862. Page. Part 1Reports 1-927 Part NICorrespondence, etc 1-642 VOLUME XIlN THREE PARTS. CHAPTER XXIII. The Peninsular Campaign, Virginia. March 17-September 2, 1802. Page. Part IReports, March 17-June 24 .~ 11078 Part IlReports, June 25-September 2 1-994 eart IllCorrespondence, etc 1-691 VOLUME XIIIN THREE PARTS. CHAPTER XXIV. Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. March 17-September 2, 1882. Page. Part IReports, March 17-June 25 1818 Part lIReports, June 26-September 2 ~ 1-820 Part IllCorrespondence, etc 1-968 VOLUME XIII. CHAPTER XXV. Page. Operations In Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, the Indian Territory, and the Departnent of the Northwest. April 10-November 20, 1862 1981 VOLUME XIV. CHAPTER XLXVL Page. Operations on the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Middle and East Florida. April 12, 1862June 11, 1863..... 11025 VOLUME XV. CHAPTER XXVII. Page. Operations in West Florida, Southern Alabama, Southern Mississippi (embracing all operations against Vicksburg, May 18July 27, 1862), and Louisiana, May 12, 1862May 14, 1863; and oper- ations in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, September 20, 1862May 14, 1863 1113 Page R009 CONTENTS OF PRECEDING VOLUMES. IX VOLUME XV1. CHAPTER XXVIII. Operations in Kentucky, Middle and East Tennessee, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. Juno 10October 31, 1862. Page. Part IReports 11168 Part IlCorrespondence, etc 11017 VOLUME XVII. CHAPTER XXIX. Operations in West Tennessee and Northern Mississippi. June 10, 1862January 20, 1863. Page. Part IReports 1-807 Part IlCorrespondence, etc 1916 VOLUME XVIII. CHAPTER XXX. Page~ Operations in North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia. August 20, 1862-June 3, 1863 1-110 Page R010 Page 1 CHAPTER XXXI. OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIR GINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA. September 3November 14, 1862. PART I. REPOIITS.SepteIIIbCr 3-20. SUMMA7R~ O1~ TIlE PRIIN-CIPAT-~ EVENTS. * Sept. 3, 1862. Skirmish at Ravenswood, W. Va. Skirmish at Weston, W. Va. 3-20, 1862.The Maryland Campaign. 4, 1862.Jenkins raid into Ohio. t 5, 1862.The armies of the Potomac and Virginia being consolidated, Maj. Gen. John Pope, U. S. Army, is relieved and ordered to report to the Secretary of War. 6, 1862.Evacuation of Acquia Creek, Va., and destruction of 1)ropert~ at. 616, 1862.Campaign in the Kanawha Valley, W. Va. 8, 1862.Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks assumes command of the Defenses of Wash- ington. 9, 1862.Maj. Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelman, U. S. Army, placed in command of the Defenses of Washington south of the Potomac. 12, 1862.The First, Second, and Third Corps, Army of Virginia, designated respectively as the Eleventh, Twelfth, and First Army Corps. 1217, 1862.Scout in Loudoun County, Va., and skirmish (September 14) near Leesburg. 16, 1862.Reconnaissance toward Thoroughfare Gal) and Aldie, Va. 1619, 1862.Reconnaissance from Uptons Hill to Leesburg, Va., amid skirmish. 19, 1862.West Virginia transferred to the Department of the Ohio. 20, 1862.Skirmish at Ashbys Gap, Va. Skirmish at Point Pleasant, XV. Va. 22, 1862.Skirmish at Ashbys Gap, Va. 25, 1862.Reconnaissance from Shepherdstown, W. Va. * Of some of the minor conflicts noted in this Summary, no circumstantial reports are on file. For reports, see Series I, Vol. XII, Part II, pp~ 756763 1 R RVOL X1X, PT I (i. Page 2 2 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL Sept. 2528, 1862.Expedition from Centreville to Bristoe Station and Warrenton Junction, Va. 26, 1862.Skirmish near Catletts Station, Va. 2627, 1862.Expedition from Point Pleasant to Buffalo, XV. Va., and skir- mish. 27, 1862.Reconna!ssance from Harpers Ferry toward Charlestown, W. Va. 28, 1862.Skirmish at Standing Stone, W. Va. 29, 1862.Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds, U. S. Arniy, assumes command of the First Army Corps. Expedition from Centreville to Warrenton and Buckland Mills, Va. 30, 1862.Skirmish near Glenville, XV. Va. Oct. 1, 1862.Reconnaissance from Sharpsburg, Md., to Shepherdstown and Martinsburg, XV. Va., and skirmishes en route. 1 2, 1862.Reconnaissance from Harpers Ferry, W. Va., to Leesburg, Va. 2 4, 1862.Operations at Blues Gap (or Hanging Rock), Little Cacapori Bridge, and Paw Paw Tunnel, W. Va. 4, 1862.Reconnaissance from Conrads Ferry, Potomac River, into Vir- ginia. 4 6, 1862.Reconnaissance from Loudoun Heights to Neersyille and Hillsbor- ough, Va. 6, 1862.Reconnaissance from Bolivar Heights toward Charlestown, W. Va. Skirmish at Big Birch, W. Va. 7, 1862.Maj. Gen. Darius N. Couch, U. S. Army, supersedes Maj. Gen. Edwin V. Sumner in command of the Second Army Corps. 8, 1862.Brig. Gen. Orlando B. Willcox, U. S. Army, supersedes Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox in command of the Ninth Army Corps. Reconnaissance from Conrads Ferry to Leesburg, Va. 8 9, 1862.Reconnaissance from Fairfax Court-House to Aldie, Va., and skir- mish. 9, 1862.Skirmish at Four Locks, Md. 9 12, 186~2.Stuarts expedition into Maryland and Pennsylvania. 13, 1862.Major-General Burnside, U. S. Army, assigned to command of the Defenses of Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Maj. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Dis- trict of Western Virginia. Operations about Paris, Snickersyille, ~nd Middleburg, Va. 16, 1862.Brig. Gen. John Echols, C. S. Army, supersedes Maj. Gen. William W. Loring in command of the Department of Western Virginia. Reconnaissance from Harpers Ferry to Kearneysville, W. Va. 16-17, 1862. Reconnaissance from Sharpsburg, Md., to Smithfield, W. Va., in- cluding skirmishes near Kearneysville and Shepherdstown. Reconnaissance from Harpers Ferry to Charlestown, W. Va., and skirmish en route. 1718, 1862.Expedition to Thoroughfare Gap, Va., and skirmish. 1725, 1862.Resistance to draft in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties, Pa. 19, 1862.Skirmish between Catletts Station and Warrenton Junction, Va. 20, 1862.Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Twelfth Army Corps. Skirmish at Hedgesville, W. Va. 21, 1862.Reconnaissance from Loudoun Heights to Lovettsville, Va., and skirmishes en rQule. 22, 1862.Skirmish near Snickersyille, Va. 24, 1862. Skirmishes at Manassas Junction and near Bristoe Station, Va Page 3 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 3 Oct. 26Nov. 10, 1862.Operations in Londonn, Fauquier, and Rappahannock Counties, Va. 27, 1862. Maj. Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelman, U. S. Army, supersedes Major- General Banks in command of the Defenses of Washington. 29, 1~62. Capture of Confederate pickets opposite Williamsport, Md. Skirmish near Petersburg, W. Va. 30, 1862.Brig. Gen. George Stonein an, U. S. Army, supersedes Major-Gen- eral Heintzelman iii command of the Third Army Corps. 31, 1862.Skirmish near the Falls of the Kanawha, W. Va. Nov. 514, 1862.Operations in Augusta, Bath, and Highland Counties, Va., and Pendleton an(l Pocahontas Counties, W. Va. 6, 1862.Lient. Gens. James Lon~street and Thomas J. Jackson, C. S. Army, assigned respectively to command of the First and Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. Skirmish at Martinsburg, W. Va. 7, 1862.Major-General Burnside supersedes Major-General McClellan in command of the Army of the Pot.o]uac. 814, 1862.I inbodens expedition from Hardy into Tucker County, W. Va., and capture of Saint George. 9,1862.Reconnaissance from Bolivar Heights to Rippon, W. Va. Skirmish at Frederick~bnrg, Va. Skirmish on the South Fork of the Potomac, W. Va. 911, 1862.Expedition into Greenbrier County, W. Va. 10, 1862.Maj. Geim. Joseph Hooker, U. S. Army, supersedes Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter in comman(l of the Fifth Army Corps. Brig. Gen. John S. Williams, C. S. Army, assigned to command of the Department of Western Vir~ inia. Skirmish at Charlestown, Jefferson County, W. Va. 1012, 1862.Operations along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, Va. 11, 1862.Skirmish at Jefferson, Va. 1314, 1862.Skirmishes at Sulphnr Springs, Va. 14, 1862.Army of the Potomac organized into three grand divisions right, center, and leftunder conunan(1 of Maj. Gens. E. V. Sunmer, Joseph hooker, and XV. B. Franklin. Major-General Sumner assumes command of the Right Grand Division. Skirmish at Waterloo, Va. Skirmisji at Jefferson, Va. G-iENiERAL4 ~IEPOIR,TS* No. 1.Maj. Gen. Henry XV. Halleck, U. S. Army, General-in-Chief, of operations September 3-October 24. No. 2.Maj. Gen. Geor~e B. McClellan, U. S. Army, commanding tIme Army of the Potomac, of operations Angust 14November 9. No. 3.Brig. Gen. Rufus Ingalls, Chief Quartermaster, Army of the Potomac, of operations of the Quartermasters Department September 2November 9, with annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1863. No. 4.Simrg. Jonathan Letterman, U. S. Army, ~fedical Director, Arumy of the Poto- mac, of the operations of the Medical Department September 2Novemnber 7. No. 5.Maj. Albert J. Myer, U. S. Army, Chief Signal Officer, of operations August 30Septemmiber 20. See also report of Col. henry F. Clarke, U. S. Army, Commissary of Subsistence, Series I, Vol. XI, Part I, pp. 166177 Page 4 4 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAr. XXXI No. 6.Capt. B. F. Fisher, Acting Signal Officer, U. S. Army, of operations Septem- ber 430. No. 7.Capt. Paul Babcock, Seventh New Jersey Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, U. S. Army, of operations October 17November 6. No. 8.First Lient. Peter A. Taylor, Forty-ninth New York Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, U. S. Army, of operations September 1130. No. 9.Lieut. J. Gloskoski, Twenty-ninth New York Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, U. S. Army, of operations September 16November 29. No. 10.General Robert E. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding Ar my of Northern Virginia, of operations September 2November 15. No. 11.Extracts from jonrnal of Lient. Col. E. P. Alexander, Chief of Ordnance, Army of Northern Virginia, October 1November 15. No. 1. Report of Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck, U. S. Army, General-in- Chief, of operations September 3October 24. HEADQUARTERS OF TIlE ARMY, Washington, D. 0., November 25, 1862. SIR: In compliance with your orders, I have the honor to submit the following report of military operations since the 23d of July last, when, in compliance with the Pi~esidents order of July 11, I assumed com- mand of the Army as General~iu~Chief.* * * * * * * * Seeing that an attack upon Washington would now t be futile, Lee pushed his main army across the Potomac for a raid into Maryland aiid Pennsylvania. General McClellan was directed to pursue him with all the troops which were not required for the defense of Washington. Several corps were immediately thrown out in observation at Dames- town, Rockville, and Leesborough, and most of his army was in motion by the 5th of September. A portion of it entered Frederick on the 12th. As this campaign was to be carried on within the department com- inanded by Major-General Wool, I directed General McClellan to as- sume control of all troops within his reach, without regard to depart- mental lines. The garrisons of Winchester and Martinsburg had been withdrawn to Harpers Ferry, and the commanding officer of that post had been advised by my chief of staff to mainly confine his defense, in case he was attacked by superior forces, to the position of Maryland Heights, which could have been held a long time against overwhelming numbers. To withdraw him entirely from that position, with the great body of Lees forces between him and our army, would not only expose the garrison to Cal)ture, but all the artillery and stores collected at that place must either be destroyed or left to the enemy. The only feasible l)lan was for him to hold his position until General McClellan could re- lieve him or open a communication so that he could evacuate it in safety. These views were communiQated both to General McClellan and to Colonel Miles. The left of General McClellans army pursued a part of the eneinyi~ forces to the South Mountain, where, on the 14th, he made a stand. A severe battle ensued, the enemy being defeated and driven from his position with heavy loss. Lees army then fell back behind Antietam * Portion here omitted is printed in Series I, Vol. XII, Part II, p~. 412. t September 3 Page 5 CHAP. XXXII GENERAL REPORTS. 5 Creek, a few miles above its mouth, and took a position admirably suited for defense. Our army attacked him on the 16th, and a hotly contested battle was fought on that and the ensuing day, which re- sulted in the defeat of the rebel forces. On the night of the 17th our troops slept on the field which they had so bravely won. Ou the 18th neither party renewed the attack, and in the night of the 18th and 19th General Lee withdrew his army to the south side of the Potomac. Our loss in the several battles on South Mountain and at Antietam was 1,742 killed, 8,066 wounded, and 913 missing, making a total of 10,721.* General McClellan estimates the enemys loss at nearly 30,000, but their own accounts give their loss at about 14,000 in killed and wounded. On the approach of the enemy to Harpers Ferry, the officer in com- mand on Maryland Heights destroyed his artillery and abandoned his post, and on the 15th Colonel Miles surrendered Harpers Ferry with only a slight resistance and within hearing of the guns of General Mc- Clellans army. As this whole matter has been investigated and re- ported upon by a military coinmission,t it is unnecessary for me to dis- cuss the disgraceful surrender of the post and army under Colonel Miles command. General McClellans preliminary report of his operations in Mar~dand, including the battles of South Mountain and Antietain, is submitted herewith, marked Exhibit No. 44 No reports of his subordinate offi- cers have been submitted. From the 17th of September till the 26th of October General McClel- lans main army remained on the north bank of the Potomac, in the vicinity of Sharpsburg and Harpers Ferry. The long inactivity of so large an army in the face of a defeated foe, and during the most favorable season for rapid movements and a vigorous campaign, was a matter of great disappointment and regret. Your letter of the 27th and my reply of the 28th of October in regard to the alleged causes of this unfortunate delay, I submit herewith, marked Exhibit No. 5. In reply to the telegraphic order of the 6th of October, quoted in my letter of the 28th, above referred to, General McClellan disapproved of the plan of crossing the Potomac south of the Blue Ridge, and said that he would cross at llarper~s Ferry and advance upon Winchester. He, however, did not begin to cross till the 26th of October, and then at Berlin. This passage occupied se~veral days, and was completed about the 3d of November. What caused him to change his views, or what his plan of campaign was, I am ignorant, for about this time he ceased to communicate with me in regard to his operations, sending his reports (lireetly to the President. On the 5th instant I received the written order of the Pr& sident re- lieving General McClellan and placing General Burnside in command of the Army of the Potomac. This order was transmitted by a special messenger, who delivered it to General McClellan at Rectortown on the 7th. * * * * * * * It is seen from this brief summary of military operations during the last three or four months, that while our soldiers have generally fought * But see revised statement, Maryland Campaign, pp. 1S3204. tSee p549. See No. ~2, report qf October 15, 1862, p. 24. ~ Portion here omitted relates to operations in Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Mis- souri, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee Page 6 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP: XXXI. 6 with buLvery and gained many important battles, these victories have not produced the usual results. In many instances the defeated foe was not followed from the battle-field, and even where a pursuit was at- tempted, it almost invariably failed to effect the capture or destruction of any part of the retreating army. This is a matter which requires serious and careful consideration. A victorious army is supposed to be in condition to pursue its defeated foe with advantage, and during such pursuit to do him serious if not fatal injury. This result has usually been attaiued in other countries. Is there any reason why it should not be expected in this l It is easily understood that in a country like that between Yorktown and Richmond, or the thickly-wooded swamps of Mississippi and Louis- iana, a retreating force, by felling trees across the roads and destroy- ing bridges over deep and marshy streams, can effectually prevent any rapid pursuit. The one in a few minutes blocks up or destroys roads which the other cannot clear or repair for hours, or even days. The pursuer has very little hope of overtaking his flying foe. But this reasoning is not applicable to Maryland and the greater part of Virginia, Kentucky, and Middle Tennessee. It must be admitted that in these theaters of war the rebel armies have exhibited much more mobility and activity than our own. Not only do they outmarch us, both ~n advance and retreat, but on two memorable occasions their cavalry have made with impunity the entire circuit of the Army of the Potomac. If it be true that the success of an army depends upon its arms and its legs, ours has shown itself deficient in the latter of these essential requisites. This defect has been attributed to our enor- mous baggage and supply trains, and to a want of training in making marches. There is no doubt that the baggage trains of our armies have been excessively large. Every possible effort has been made within the last few weeks to reduce them, but this is no easy tusk. Once accustomed to a certain amount of transportation, an army is unwilling to do with- out the luxuries which it supplies in the field. By the recent increase of the army ration, which was previously larger than in any other country, a considerable amount of transportation is employed in mov- ing provisions and supplies which are not necessary for the subsistence of the soldiers. An examination of the returns of the Quartermaster-General a few days since developed the fact that the Army, of the Potomac, including the troops around Washington, most of which are without field trains, had 54,000 animals, and that 9,000 of these were employed in transport- ing ambul~uces and hospital stores. In addition to all this, the roads, streets, and wharves are encumbered with private vehicles used for the transportation of sutlers stores. No matter how large the main body of an army may be, it can never move rapidly with such a mass of im- pedimenta, and yet speculative projects are almost daily urged on the War Department to increase the immobility of our armies in the field. Again, our troops, especially those in the East, have been very little accustomed to marchingat least to that kind of marching usually required by active operations in the field. Absenteeism is one of the most serious evils in all our armies. Hun- (Ireds of officers and thousands of men are almost continually away from their commands. Many of these are really stragglers and deserters. In regard to officers, the evil is being abated by summary dismissals, and if the law could be stringently enforced against The men, it would soon put an end to desertions. But straggling on the march and i Page 7 CHAP. XXXI.] Gt~NEI~AL IIEPOkTS. 7 battle can be prevented only by severe and summary punishment in- flicted on the spot. In this and many other important particulars our military laws re- quire revision and amendment. They were mostly enacted for a small army and for times of peace, and are unsuited to the government of the army we now have and the war in which we are now engaged. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, II. W. HALLECK, General-in- Chief. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. [Exhibit No. 5.1 WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, October 27, 1862. Major-General HALLECK, General-in- Chief: GENERAL: It has been publicly stated that the army under General McClellan has been unable to move during the fine weather of this fall for waI)t of shoes, clothing, and other supplies. You will please report to this Department upon the following points 1st. To whom and in what manner the requisitions for supplies to the army under General McClellan have been made since you assumed command as General-in-Chief and whether any requisition for supplies of any kind has since that time been made upon the Secretary of War or communication had with him except through you. 2d. If you, as General-in-Chief have takeii pains to ascertain the con- dition of the army in respect to supplies of shoes, clothing, arms, and other necessaries, and whether there has been any neglect or delay by any Department or bureau in filling the requisitions for supplies, and what has been and is the condition of that army as compared with other armies in respect to supplies. 3d. At what date after the battle of Antietam the orders to advance against the enemy were given to General McClellan, and how often have they been repeated. 4th. Whether, in your opinion, there has been any want in the army under General McClellan of shoes, clothing, arms, or other equipments or supplies that ought to have prevented its advance against the enemy when the order was given. 5th. flow long was it after the orders to advance were given to Gen- eral McClellan before he informed you that any shoes or clothing were wanted in his army, and what are his means of promptly communicating the wauts of the army to you or to the proper bureaus of the War Dc- partinent l Yours, truly, EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of IVar. WASHINGTON, October 28, 1862. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Seeretary of War: SIR: In reply to the several interrogatories contained in your letter of yesterday, 1 have to report: 1st. That reqnisitions for supplies to the army under General McClel- lan are made by his staff officers on the chiefs of bureaus herethat is, for quartermaster supplies, by his chief quartermaster on the Quarter- master-General; for commissary supplies, by his chief commissary on the Commissary-General, & c. No such requisitions have been, to m Page 8 8 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. tCHAP. XXXI. knowledge, made upon the Secretary of War, and none upon the Gen- eral-in-Chief. 24. On several occasions General McClellan has telegraphed to me that his army was deficient in certain supplies. All these telegrams were immediately referred to the heads of bureaus, with orders to report. It was ascertained that in every instance the requisitions had been imme- diately filled except one, where the Quartermaster-General had been obliged to send from Philadelphia certain articles of clothing, tents, & c., not having a full supply here. There has not been, so far as I could ascertain, any neglect or delay in any Department or bureaa in issuing all supplies asked for by Gen- eral McClellan or by the officers of his stall Delays have occasionally occurred in forwarding supplies by rail on account of the crowded condition of the depots or of a want or cars, but, whenever notified of this, agents have been sent out to remove the difficulty. Under the excellent superintendence of General ilaupt, I think these delays have been less frequent and of shorter duration than is usual with freight trains. Any army of the size of that under General McClellan will frequently be for some days without the supplies asked for, on account of neglect in making timely requisitions and unavoidable delays in for- ~rarding them and in distributing them to the different brigades and regiments. From all the information I can obtain, I am of opinion that the requisitions from that army have been filled more promptly, and that the men, as a general rule, have been better supplied than our armies operating in the West. The latter have operated at much greater dis- tances from the sources of supply, and have had far less facilities for transportation. In fine, I believe that no armies in the world while in campaign have been more promptly or better supplied than ours. 3d. Soon after the battle of Antietam, General McClellan was nrged to give me information of his intended movements, in order that if lie moved between the enemy and Washington, re-enforcements could be sent from this place. On the 1st of October, * finding that he purposed to oI)erate from Harpers Ferry, I urged him to cross the river at once and give battle to the enemy, pointing out to him the disadvantages of delaying till the autumn rains had swollen the Potomac and impaired the roads. On the 6th of October * he was peremptorily ordered to cross the Potomac and give battle to the enemy, or drive him south. Your army must move now, while the roads are good.~~ It will he observed that three weeks have elapsed since this order was given. 4th. In my opinion there has been no such want of supplies in the army under General McClellan as to prevent his compliance ~th the orders to advance against the enemy. Had he moved to the south side of the Potomac, he could have received his supplies almost as readily as by remaining inactive on the north side. 5th. On the 7th of October, in a telegram in regard to his intended movements, General McClellan stated that it would require at least three days to supply the First, Fifth, and Sixth Corps; that they needed shoes and other indispensable articles of clothing, as well as shelter-tents. No complaint was made that any requisitions hiad not been filled, and it was inferred from his language that he was only waiting for the distribution of his supplies. On the 11th he telegraphed that a portion of his supplies sent by rail had been delayed. As already stated, agents were immediately sent from here to irwestigate this complaint, and they reported that every- * See Addenda to this report, m 10 Page 9 CHAP. XXXI.] GENt~RAL ktP0l~PS. 9 thing had gone forward. On the same date (the 11th), he spoke of many of his horses being broken down by fatigue. On the 12th he complained that the rate of supply was only 150 horses per week for the entire army there and in front of Washington. I immediately directed the Quartermaster-General to inquire into this matter, and to report why a larger supply was not furnished. General Meigs reported on the 14th that the average issue of horses to General McClellans army in the field and in front of Washington for the pre- vious six weeks had been 1,450 per week, or 8,754 in all in addition, that large numbers of mules had been supplied, and that the number of animals with General McClellans army on the Upper Potomac was over 31,000. He also reported that he was then sending to that army all the horses he could procure. On the 18th, General McClellan stated, in regard to General iMleigs report that he had filled every requisition for shoes and clothing General Meigs may have ordered these articles to be forwarded, but they have not reached our depots, and unless greater effort to insure prompt transmission is made by the department of which General Meigs is the head, they might as well remain in New York or Philadelphia so far as this army is concerned. I immediately called General Me~gs attention to this apparent neglect of his department. On the 25th he reported, as the result of his inves- tigation, that 48,000 pairs of boots and shoes had been received by the quartermaster of General McClellans army at Harpers Ferry, Fred- erick, and Hagerstown; that 20,000 pairs were at Harpers Ferry depot on the 21st; that 10,000 more were on their way, and 15,000 more or- dered. Colonel Ingalls, aide-dc-camp and chief quartermaster to Gen- eral McClellan, telegraphed on the 25th: The suffering for want of clothing is exaggerated, I think, and certainly ~~ight have been avoided by timely requisitions of regimental and brigade commanders. On the 24th he telegraphed to the Quartermaster-General that The clothing was not detained in cars at the depots. Such complaints are ground- less. The fact is, the clothing arrives and is issued, but more is still wanted. I have ordered more than would seem necessary from any data furnished me, and I beg to remind you that you have always very promptly met all my requisitions as far as clothing is concerned. Our department is not at fault. It provides as soon as duo notice is given. I foresee no time when any army of over 100,000 men will not call for clothing and other articles. In regard to General McClellans means of promptly communicating the wants of his army to me or to the proper bureaus of the War De- partment, I report that in addition to the ordinary mails lie has been in hourly commnnication with Washington by telegraph. It is due to General Meigs that I should submit herewith a copy of a telegram received by him from General McClellan. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECTI~, General-in- Chief. [Juclosure.] GENERiL MCCLELLANS HEADQUARTERS, October 22, 18629.40 p. m. Brigadier-General MEIGS: Your dispatch of this date is received. I have never intended in an~t letter or (hispatch to make any accusation against yourself or your de- partment for not furnishing or forwarding clothing as rapidly as it was l)ossibhe for you to do. I believe that everything has been (lone that could be done in this respect both by yourself and (lepartment. Th Page 10 10 OPERATIONS IN N. ~TA., W. VA., MD., ~ PA. [CHAP. ~IXX]~ idea that I have tried to convey was that certain portions of the com- mand were without clothing, aiid the army could not move until it was supplied. GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General. [Addenda.] MCCLELLANS HEADQUARTERS, October 1, 186211 a. m. (Received 11.55 a. in.) Major-General HALLECK, General-in.Chief: I take it for granted that we will hereafter hold Harpers Ferry as a permanent arrangement whatever line of operations may be adopted for the main army. In this event, a permanent and reliable bridge is needed there across the Shenandoah. Mr. Iloebling can build a double- track suspension bridge on the existing piers in three or four weeks. The wire is now in possession of the Government, and the cost will be some $5,000 besides the wire. No pontoon nor trestle brklge can be made to resist the fresbets. I ask authority to have this work under- taken at once. I would also renew the recommendation that a perma- nent wagon-bridge be made across the Potomac at Harpers Ferry. This without reference to the further operations of the main army, but sim~)ly as a necessity for the proper (lefense of Harpers Ferry itself. GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Miajor- General, Commanding. WASHINGTON, D. C., October 1, 1862. Major-General MCCLELLAN: Your telegram of to-day. in relation to the building of bridges at Harpers Ferm-y is received. If you adhere to that place as your base, why not cross at once and give battle to the enemy ~l Unless I am greatly deceived in regar(l to the enemys numbers, this can be done now while the river is low. If you wait till the river rises, the roads will be such ~s to greatly impede your operations. I still adhere to the opinion formerly expressed, that, holding Maryland Heights in force, your army should cross below and compel the enemy to fall back or to give you battle. If he should recross into Maryland or move west, you will then be in his rear, and can be strongly re-enforced from Washing- ton. I know that the Government does not contemplate the delay in your movements for the length of time reqnire(l to build permanent bridges. I therefore cannot order them till your dispatch has been laid before the War I)epartment and the President. The latter will be with you to-day, and you can consult him there. H. W. HALLECK, General-in- Chief. WASHINGTON, T). C., October 6, 1862. Major-General MCCLELLAN: I am instructed to telegraph you as follows: The President directs that you cross the I~otomac and give battle to the enemy or drive him south. Your army must move now while the roads are good. If you cross the river betweemi the enemy and Washington, and cover the latter by your line of operations, you can be re-enforced with 30,000 men. I Page 11 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 11 you move up the Valley of the Shenandoah, not more than 12,000 or 15,000 can be sent to you. The President advises the interior line, be- tween Washington and the enemy, but does not order it. He is very desirous that your army move as soon as possible. You will immedi- ately report what line you adopt and when you intend to cross the river; also to what point the re-enforcements are to be sent. It is necessary that the plan of your operations be positively determined on before orders are given for building bridges and repairing railroads. I am directed to add that the Secretary of War and the General-in- Chief fully concur with the President in these instructions. II. W. HALLECK, General-in- Chief. NEAR SHARPSBURG, Mm, October 7, 18621 p. m. (Received 2.30 p. in.) Maj. Gen. II. W. HALLECK, General-in.Chief, U. S. Army: After a full consultation with the corps commanders ~in my vicinity, I have determined to adopt the line of the Shenandoah for immediate operations against the enemy, now near Winchester. On no other line north of \~\Tashington can the army be supplied, nor can it on any other cover Maryland and Pennsylvania. Were we to cross the river below the mouth of the Shenandoah, we would leave it ill the power of the enemy to recross into Maryland, and thus check the movements. In the same case we would voluntarily give him the advantage of the strong line of the Shenandoah, no point of which could be reached by us in ad- vance of him. I see no objective point of strategical value to be gained or sought for by a movement between the Shenandoah and Washing- ton. I wish to state distinctly that I do not regard the line of the Shenandoah Valley as important for ulterior objects. lt is important only so long as the enemy remains near Winchester, and we cannot fol- low that line far beyond that point, simply because the country is des- titute of supplies, and we have not sufficient means of transportation to enable us to advance more than 20 or 25 miles beyond a railway or canal terminus. If the enemy abandon Winchester and fall back upon Staunton, it will be impossible for us to pursue him by that route, and we must then take a new line of operations, based upon water or rail- way communication. The only possible object to be gained by an ad- vance from this vicinity is to fight the enemy near Winchester. If they retreat we have nothing to gain by pursuing themin fact, cannot do so to any great distance. The objects I propose to myself are to fight the enemy if they remain near Winchester, or, failing in that, to force them to abandon the Valley of the Shenandoah; then to adopt a new and decisive line of operations which shall strike at the heart of the rebellion. I have taken all possible measures to insure the most prompt equip- ment of the troops, but from all that I can learn it will be at least three days before the First, Fifth, and Sixth Corps are in condition to move from their present camps. They need shoes and other indispensable articles of clothing, as well as shelter-tents, & c. I beg to assure you that not an hour shall be lost in carrying your instructions into effect. Please send the re-enforcements to Harpers Ferry. I would prefer that the new regiments be sent as regiments, not brigaded, unless already done so with old troops. I would again ask for Pecks division, and Page 12 12 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [cHAt. XXXI. if possible, lleintzelmaus corps. If the enemy gives fight near Win- chester it will be a desperate affair, requiring all our resources. I hope that no time will be lost in sending forward the re-enforceinents, that I may get them iu hand as soon as pQssible. GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, Commanding Army of the Potomac. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Knoxville, October 11, 18629 a. in. (Received 2.30 p. in.) Major-General HALLEcK * * * * * * * * We have been making every effort to get supplies of clothing for this army, and Colonel Ingalls has received advices that they have been for- warded by railroad, but owing to bad management on the roads, or from some other cause, they come in very slowly, and it will take a much longer time than was anticipated to get articles that are absolutely in- dispensable to the army unless the railroad managers forward supplies more rapidly. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TIlE POTOMAC, October 11, 18623.30 p. m. Maj. Gen. II. W. HALLECK: I am compelled again to call your attention to the great deficiency of shoes and other indispensable articles of clothing that still exists in some of the corps of this army. Upon assurances of the chief quartermaster, who based his calculations upon information received from Washington that clothing would be forwarded at certaiu times, corps commanders sent their wagons to Hagerstown and Harpers Ferry for it. It did not arrive as promised, and has not yet arrived. Unless some measures are taken to insure the prompt forwarding of these snpI)lies, there will necessarily be a corresponding delay in getting the army ready to move, as the men cannot march without shoes. Every- thing has been done that can be done at these headquarters to accom- plish the desired result. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, Commanding. [Indorsernents.] OCTOBER 12, 1862. The Quartermaster-General will l)lease read this and return it. 11. W. HALLECK, General-in- Chief. OCTOBER 12, 18621 p. m. I was informed yesterday that everything called for in the way of clothing from this department, except blankets, had gone forward. There had been some delays for want of cars at this point. As we had not enough blankets and shelter-tents at this point, I ordered by tele- The whole of this dispatch is pruite4 with reports of Stuarts raid, October 912 Page 13 CHAP. XXXII GENERAL REPORTS. 13 graph, a day or two since, 20,000 blankets and a sufficient supply of shelter-tents to be sent direct from New York to Harpers Ferry. All the power of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and of the Gum- berland Valley Railroad has been used, under the direction of Brigadier- General ilaupt, invested by the Secretary with special and full powers to do anything necessary to expedite the forwarding of supplies to the army under General McClellan. It is nearly impossible to supply such an army, having over 30,000 animals to feed, by means [limited] to two railroads. The canal will be repaired and ready for use in a few days. It was hoped that water could have been admitted to it to-day. This, if boats can be found to navigate it, will increase the power of this de- partment to forward supplies considerably. I understand, htwever, that everything called for has gone forward. What has been intercepted and destroyed by the rebel cavalry in rear of the army at Chambersburg and on the railroad I have not yet learned. Respectfully, M. C. MEIIGS, Quartermaster. General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 12, 18ti212.45 p. m. Majoi~Geueral IIALLECK, General-vn-Chwf: It is absolutely necessary that some energetic measures be taken to stll)ply the cavalry of this army with remount horses. The present rate of supply is 150 [1,050*] per week for the entire army here and in front of Washington. From this number the artillery draw for their batteries. GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, Commanding. EXECUTIVE MANsIoN, Washington, D. C., October 13, 1862. Major-General MCCLELLAN: Mv iDEAR SIR: You remember my speaking to you of what I called your overcautiousness. Are you not overcautions when you assume that you cannot do what the enemy is constantly doing ~i Should you not claim to be at least his equal in prowess, and act upon the claim ~ As I understand, you telegraphed General Halleck that you cannot subsist your army at Winchester unless the railroad from Harpers Ferry to that point be put in working order. But the enemy does now subsist his army at Winchester, at a distance nearly twice as great from railroad transportation as you would have to do, without the railroad last named. He now wagons from Culpeper Court-House, which is just about twice as far as you would have to do from Harpers Ferry. He is certainly not more than half as well provided with wagons as you are. I certainly should be pleased for you to have the advantage of the railroad from Harpers Ferry to Winchester, but it wastes all the re- mainder of autumn to give it to you, and in fact ignores the question of time, which cannot and must not be ignored. Again, one of the standard maxims of war, as you know, is to operate upon the enemy~s commu- imications as much as possible without exposing your own. You seem to act as if this applies against you, but cannot apply in your favor. Change positions with the enemy, and think you not he would break * See McClellans report, pp 77, 78 Page 14 14 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CH& P. XXXI. your communication with Richmond within the next twenty-four hours? You dread his going into Pennsylvania, but if he does so in full force, he gives up his communications to you absolutely, and you have noth- ing to do but to follow and ruin him. If he does so with less than full force, fall upon and beat what is left behind all the easier. Exclusive of the water-line, you are now nearer Richmond than the enemy is by the route that you can and he must take. Why can you not reach there before him, unless you admit that he is more than your equal on a march? His route is the arc of a circle, while yours is the chord. The roads are as good on yours as on his. You know I desired, but did not order, you to cross the Potomac below instead of above the Shenandoah and Blue Ridge. My idea was that this would at once menace the enemys communications, which I would seize if he would permit. If he should move northward I would follow him closely, holding his communications. If he should prevent our seizing his communications and move toward Richmond, I would press closely to him; fight him, if a favorable opportunity should present, and at least try to beat him to Richmond on the inside track. I say try; if we never try we shall never succeed. If he makes a stand at Winchester, moving neither north nor south, I would fight him there, on the idea that if we can- not beat him when he bears the wastage of coming to us, we never can when we bear the wastage of going to him. This proposition is a sim- ple truth, and is too important to be lost sight of for a moment. In coming to us he tenders us an advantage which we should not waive. We should not so operate as to merely drive him away. As we must beat him somewhere or fail finally, we can do it, if at all, easier near to us than far away. If we cannot beat the enemy where he now is, we never can, he again being within the intrenchments of Richmond. Recurring to the idea of going to Richmond on the inside track, the facility of supplying from the side away from the enemy is remarkable, as it were, by the different spokes of a wheel extending from the hub toward the rim, and this, whether you move directly by the chord or on the inside arc, hugging the Blue Ridge more closely. The chord- line, as you see, carries you by Aldie, Hay Market, and Fredericksburg; and you see how turnpikes, railroads, and finally the Potomac, by Aquia Creek, meet you at all points from Washington; the same, only the lines lengthened a little, if you press closer to the Blue Ridge part of the way. The gaps through the Blue Ridge I understand to be about the follow- ing distances from Harpers Ferry, to wit: Vestals 5 13- Snickers, 18; Ashbys, 28; Manassas, 38; miles; Gregorys, Chester, 45; and Thorn- tons, 53. I should think it preferable to take the route nearest the enemy, (lisabling him to make an important move without your knowl- edge, and compelling him to keep his forces together for dread of you. The gaps would enable you to attack if you should wish. For a great part of the way you would be practically between the enemy and both Washington and Richmond, enabling us to spare you the greatest num- ber of troops from here. When at length running for Richmond ahead of him enables him to move this way, if he does so, turn and attack him in the rear. But I think he should be engaged long before such point is reached. It is all easy if our troops march as well as the enemy, and it is unmanly to say they cannot do it. This letter is in no sense an order. Yours, truly, A. LINCOLY Page 15 CHAP. XX~.] GENERAL REPORTS. 15 ,D. C., October 14, 1862. Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Commanding, & e.: GENERAL: I have caused the matters complained of in your tele- grams of the 11th and 12th to be investigat~d. I am now informed by the Quartermaster-General that every requisition from you for shoes and clothing had been filled and the articles forwarded as directed; that all requisitions for tents and blankets had been filled so far as the stock on hand here conld furnish supplies, and that the deficiency was ordered to be immediately made np from Philadelphia and New York. There has been no delay that was not unavoidable. In regard to horses, you say that the present rate of supply is only 150 per week for the entire army here and in front of Washington. I find from the records that the issues for the last six weeks have been 8,754, making an average per week of 1,459. 1 in close a copy of a letter of the Quartermaster-General, in answer to my inquiry on this subject. It is also reported to me that the number of animals with your army in the field is about 31,000. It is believed that your present proportion of cavalry and of animals is much larger than that of any other of our armies. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, II. XV. HALLECK, General-in- Chief. [Inclosure.] OCTOBER 14, 1862. Maj. Gen. II. W. HALLECK Commander-in- Chief, Hdqrs. of the Army, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: I find that in the month of September there were issued from this department to the army defending Washington, under com- mand of Major-General McClellan, 4,493 horses; from 1st to 11th Octo- ber, 3,261 horses; total from this department, 7,754 horses. Colonel lugalls, by special authority from this department, purchased in Har- risburg 1,000 horses, which were taken direct to the army near Fred- erick and Sharpsburg, so that for six weeks the issue has been at the rate of 1,459 per week. There remained on hand, on the 11th, 497 serviceable horses, which, with what have been daily received since, have been issued before this time. During the first days of September 1,500 horses, not included in the above, were sent out toward Centreville to the army of General Pope; 4~ of these were lost, and the remainder exchanged for unserviceable stock not included in the above statement. There have been issued, therefore, to the army about the Potomac, since the battles in front of Washington, to replace losses, 9,254 horses. For transportation, a very large number of mules has been supplied in addition to the above. Is there an instance on record of such a drain and destruction of horses in a country not a desert 0? I was informed by Colonel Ingalls, whose report, though called for, has not yet been received, that the number of animals with the army on the Upper Potomac was over 31,000. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster- General Page 16 16 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. NEAR HARPERS FERRY, October 16, 18628.30 a. m. (Received 9.30 a. in.) His Excellency the PRESIDENT: Your letter of the 13th jRst received from Colonel Perkins. I sent, at daylight this morning, heavy reconnaissances to Charlestown, Lee- town, & c. As I hear sharp artillery firing in that direction, I go to the front to see what the truth is. This may delay my reply to your letter, which shall be sent, however, as soon as practicable. Have not yet received the , & c., necessary for the men, nor have I any reply from General Halleck in regard to my suggestion as to sending troops from Washington to guard Lower Potomac from Seneca Creek, and thus make Stoneman more available. GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Camp in Pleasant Valley, October 17, 1862. His Excellency the PRESIDENT: SIR: Your letter of the 13th instant reached inc yesterd ay morning by the hands of Colonel Perkins. I had sent out strong reconnaissauces early in the morning in the di- rection of Charlestown, Leeto wn, & c., and as sbarp artillery fire was heard, I felt it incumbent to go to the front. I did not leave Charles- town until dark, so that I have beemi unable to give Your Excellencys letter that full and respectful consideration which it merits at my hands. I do not wish to detain Colonel Perkins beyond this mornings train; I therefore think it best to seLL(l liimback with this simple acknowledg- ment of the receipt of Your Excellencys letter. I am not wedded to any particular plan of operations. I hope to have to-day reliable informa- tion as to the position of the enemy, whom I still believe to be between Bunker Hill and Winchester. I promise you that I will give to your views the fullest and most unprejudiced consideration, and that it is my intention to advance the moment my men are shod and my cavalry are sufficiently renovated to be available. Your Excellency may be assured that I will not adopt a course which differs at all from your views without lirst fully explaining my reasons, and giving you time to issue such instructions as may seem best to you. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 18, 1862. Major-General HALLECK, Commander-in- Chief, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: Your letter of the 14th instant, inclosing a copy of one from the Quartermaster-General, has been received. In this letter you say you are informed by the Quartermaster-General that every requisition from me for shoes and clothing has been filled and the articles forwarded as directed. General Meigs may have ordered these articles to be forwarded, but they have not yet reached our de- pots, and unless greater effort to insure prompt transmission is made by the department of which General Meigs is the head, they might h Page 17 CHAP. XXXI.) GENERAL REPORTS. 17 well remain in New York or Philadelphia, so far as this army is con- cerned. I am officially informed by one corps commander that there is a deficiency of 5,000 pairs of shoes in the amount he called for, and other commanders are continually making similar complaints. The soldiers of this army have for some time past been suffering for cloth- ing, and I am constrained to believe it in a great degree owing to the want of proper action on the part of the Quartermasters Department. General Meigs states further that the Army of the Potomac has, since the battles in front of Washington, received 9,254 horses, to replace losses; and, iu this connection, inquires most seriously if there is an instance on record of such drain and destruction of horses. When I marched this army from Washington, on the 8th day of September, it was greatly deficient in cavalry horses, the hard service to which they had been subjected in front of Washington having ren- dered about half of them unserviceable. Nearly all the horses that this army has received since then have been to replace those that were broken down at that time, but there has not been anything like the number named by the Quartermaster-General. The following state- ment furnished at my order by Lieutenant-Colonel Myers, assistant chief quartermaster, gives the actual number of horses received by this army since September 8, 1862: Horses from Harrisburg: By Capt. J. C. Crane, assistant quartermaster, Frederick 732 By Captain Weeks, assistant quartermaster, Hagerstown 134 horses from Washington: By Captain Pitkin, assistant quartermaster, Harpers Ferry 201 By Captain Bliss, assistant quartermaster, Harpers Fcrry 498 By Capt. J. B. Howard, assistant quartermaster, headquarters 399 Total received 1,964 h4umber stated by Quartermaster-General 9,254 Difference. 7,290 From this statement it will be seen that the total number of horses received by this army since the commencement of the present cam- paigu is only 1,9647,290 less than the number given by the Quarter- master-General. Of those delivered very many were totally unfitted for the service, and should never have bceu received. General Pleas- onton, [who] commands a cavalry division, says, in a report made yesterday: The horses now purchased for cavalry service are much inferior to those first ob- tained, and are not suitable for the hard service of cavalry horses. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General, U. S. Army. QUARTERMASTER-GENERALS OFFICE, Washington Uity, October 21, 1862. Maj. Gen. II. W. IIALLECK, General-in- Chief, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: I have the honor to return the letter of General McClel- lan of the 18th instant, upon the supply of clothing and of horses to the army nuder his command. General McClellan is constrained to believe that suffering for want of clothing among the soldiers of his command for some time past is in a great degree owing to the want of proper action on the part of the 2 R RYOL XIX~ PT Page 18 18 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., A ND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. Quartermasters Department. He remarks that the Quartermaster. General may have ordered the clothing to be forwarded, but that it has not yet reached the depots of his army, and that unless greater efforts to insure prompt transmission are made by this department, the arti- cles might as well remain in New York or Philadelphia, so far as the army under his command is concerned. Upon first hearing that there was a deficiency of supply of clothing in that army, I made inquiries of those whose duty it was to attend to this portion of the business of the Quartermasters Department, and I am assured that all the articles of clothing called for by requisition from General McClellans headquarters were not only ordered but had been shipped on the 14th of October. This department cannot control the trains upon railroads of which the War Department has not taken the management into its own hands. Messengers were sent over the railroads by Colonel Sawtelle, a quartermaster, assistant to the chief quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac, to endeavor to facili- tate and hasten the transport of these stores, and Colonel Sawtelle reported to me that not only had they all been shipped but that the messengers could find none of them in transitu, and he concluded that they must have reached the termini of the railroads in Hagers- town, Frederick, or Harpers Ferry, with the exception of 51 boxes of clothing, which it was feared had been captured at Chambersburg by Stuarts cavalry. The railroad companies complain that cars are not unloaded at their destinations, and that their sidings are occupied with cars which are needed for forwarding supplies. I presume that the missing articles are in some of these cars, or that they have been un- loaded and have not yet reached the particular corps or detachment for which they are intended. The Secretary of War gave to General Haupt (and a more capable man is not to be found) an unlimited authority to do whatever was nec- essary, in his opin~ion, to insure safe and rapid transit over the rail- roads supplying the army of General McClellan. He has, at the in- staifee of the Quartermaster-General, within a few days directed Gen- eral Haupt to take possession of the Cumberland Valley road, against which the greatest complaints are made, and to run it as a United States military railroad route, if on inspection this should appear to be necessary to the public service. The fact is that no railroad can provide facilities for unloading cars and transacting the business attending the supply of an army of the size of General McClellans in a short time or in a contracted space. Sidings, switches, depots, turn-outs do not exist and cannot be laid down at once for such a traffic. I believe that the railroad companies and the officers of the Quartermasters Department have worked faithfully and zealously, but too much business has been thrown upon these railroads. In addition to the stores transported, they have been called upon to move large bodies of troops, which interfered with the transportation and delivery of stores. General Porter informs me that his troops need clothing still. Any deficiency which may be pointed out will be filled if possible. General McClellan states that the number of horses received by his army since the commencement of the present campaign is only 1,964, which is several thousands less than reported in my letter of the 14th October to the Secretary of War. The apparent discrepancy is only apparent. That letter was a report made upon seeing a dispatch to you from General McClellan, stating that the arrangements to supply horses were insufficient that the weekly average issue to the Army of th Page 19 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 19 Potomac, including that in front of Washington, was only 150, which was not enough to supply waste. That letter stated distinctly that there had been issued to the army about the Potomac since the bat- tles in front of Washington 9,254 horses; that of these, 1,500 had been sent out toward Centreville to the army of General Pope. The statement which General McClellan compares with this is a state- ment of the horses received by assistant quartermasters stationed at Frederick, Hagerstown, Harpers Ferry, and at Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, from the 8th of September to the date of the report, which is only 1,964 horses, 7,290 less than the number given by the Quar- termaster-General as issned to the whole army defending Washington from the date of the battles of Ball Rnn to the 11th of October. I have no doubt that both statements are correct. They are not inconsistent. Both depend upon official reports, but reports of very different transactions. One is the whole, the other a part only of the issues. Upon General McClellan assuming command of the troops for defense of Washington, he gave orders to the chief quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac to issue no horses except upon his order. I gave in- structions to the chief quartermaster of this depot to issue horses only as required by this order, that is, to issue them only upou requisitions approved by General McClellan or by the staff officers representing him. Some 11,000 horses have been thus issued, the only exception authorized by me having been a special issue of 1,000 horses to enable General Banks cavalry to scout and picket the country in front of Washington at the time Stuarts cavalry raid made this of urgent im- portance. If General McClellan will instruct the officers authorized to approve requisitions in his name to confine this approval to issues to be made on the Upper Potomac, all the horses will be sent there till his wants are fully supplied; but if by his authority or in his name they approve requisitions for the troops in front of Washington, the horses will be issued to these troops under his direction. The whole 11,000 or 12,000 horses would have been sent to Harpers Ferry or Frederick had he so ordered. In regard to a falling off in the quality of the horses, I can only say that the horses lately provided have been procured by contracts, and on specifications and inspection identical with those formerly used, excepting that, finding five-year-old horses liable to distemper and dis- ease, officers providing them have generally been instructed to buy no horses under six years of age. The demand for horses has been so great lately that they have been carried off and put to service in many cases before they recovered from the fatigue and exhaustion of trans- portation from the country by rail. The railroads are heavily taxed and transportation has been delayed. A case is reported in which horses remained fifty hours on the cars with- out food or water, were taken out, issued, and put to immediate service. The horses were good when shipped, and a few days rest and food would have recruited them, but the exigencies of the service, or per- haps carelessness and ignorance, put them to a test which no horses could bear. I do not think that the complaint of General Pleasonton has any greater foundation than this. The same system of purchase, the same system of inspection, the same specifications, and a price fixed by public competition of bidders and contractors, as heretofore, ought to procure horses of the same quality as of old. The stock is not ye Page 20 20 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA~, MD., AND PA. ICHAP. XXXL seriously affected by the war consumption. There were 6,000,000 of horses in the United States in 1860. As I have learned that General McClellan was of opinion that many horses could be purchased quickly in the country which he now ocen- pie5, I have authorized Colonel Ingalls, chief quartermaster of the army under his command, to purchase 2,000 horses in that neighborhood. Several thousands are ordered here from more distant markets. General McClellans letter blames the Quartermasters Department, of which I am the head.. In reply, I have sought only to show that the department has endeavored ~o supply all the wants of his army, as far as known, and have stated the measures taken for that end, and my opinion, from the investigations made, that the greater part if not all the clothing required is within the lines of his army, and needs only to be distributed by the force under his command. The department had the supplies on hand, sent them forward, and will send forward others to replac~ them if advised of any being lost or captured. There was no intention in my letter of 14th instant to make accusations against any one. The statement made to you that only 150 horses had been issued weekly to the Army of the Potomac, including that in froht of Washington, was a mistake which I was obliged to cor- rect when the dispatch was referred to me. It is the duty of this depart- ment to provide for the wants of the army, and it is my desire to do so efficiently, promptly, and abundantly. I regret that any officer in high command should think that the de- partment under my direction has failed to do its whole duty; but, while I cannot admit that he is right in this opinion, I shall gladly avMl my- self of any suggestions which he or you may have to offer tending to improve the efficiency of the department and promote that of the army which so much depends upon it. There should be no controversy or misunderstanding between the generals and this department, and there shall be none if I can prevent it. Whether the efforts of the department are recognized or not, they will be continued. The letter of General McClellan is returned herewith. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster- General. OCTOBER 22, 18622 p. m. P. S.Since writing the above, I have seen a telegraphic requisition, received to-day from headquarters, for a large quantity of clothing, shoes, shelter-tents & c. Most of the articles called for will be supplied imme- diately from this depot; the rest I order by telegraph from Philadelphia and New York, directing special agents to be sent with each shipment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TI-IE POTOMAC, October 24, 186210 p. m. (P~eceived October 24, 1862.) General M. C. MEIGs, Quartermaster- General: Your dispatch is received. On the 21st instant 20,000 pairs of bootees arrived at the Harpers Ferry depot. Over 7,000 pairs are now on hand, but are sizes higher than No.9. 1 asked that the extraordinar Page 21 (~HAP. XXXII Gt~NERAL REIIORTS. 21 sizes should not be sent; they are utterly useless. No bootees have arrived since. More thau 30,000 pairs have beeu received altogether, and over 10,000 pairs are on the way here. The clothing has uniformly arrived slowly. That ordered to Hagers- town ou the 7th did not arrive until long after Stuarts last raid. It is not detained iu ears at the depots. Such complaints are gronndless. The fact is, the clothing arrives and is issued, but more is still wanted. I have ordered more thau would seem necessary from any data fur- nislied me, and I beg to remind you that you have always very promptly met all my reqnisitions. So far as clothing is concerned, our depart- ment is not at fault, aud it provides as soon as due notice is given. I foresee no time wheu an army of over 100,000 men will not call for clothing and other articles. RUFUS INGALLS, Lieutenant-Colonel, Aide-dc-Camp, d~c. [Indorsement.] OCTOBER 25, 186211.45 a. m. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK: As directed by the Secretary of War, I have ascertained the date of the receipt at Harpers Ferry of the 12,000 bootees about which Colonel Ingalls telegraphed. He reports that they reached Harpers Ferry de- pot on the 21st October; that over 30,000 pairs have been received, and that over 10,000 pairs are on the way there; 116,000 were on hand in Washington 18th October; 25,000 came that week. The complaint in regard to large-sized shoes is heard at this office for the first time this year to-day. Last year the same complaint was made, and orders were gmv~n to prevent the difficulty. The volunteer army appears to use smaller shoes than the old regular army, by whose experience the dis- tribution of sizes has been regulated. Respectfully, M. C. MIEJIGS, Quartermaster- General. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, October 25, 1862. Brigadier-General MEIGS, Quartermaster- General: GENERAL: It has been publicly alleged that the army under the command of General McClellan has been unable to move for want of shoes and other supplies which it is the duty of the Quartermasters Department to furnish. You will please rCl)Ort whether there has been any failure or neglect to furnish shoes or other supplies to that army or meet promptly any requisition for its supply upon your department. Yours, truly, EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. (Similar letter to the Commissary-General of Subsistence.) QUARTERMASTER-GENERALS OFFICE, Washington City, October 25, 1862. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, stating that it has been publicly alleged that the army unde Page 22 22 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL General McClellan has been unable to move for want of shoes and other supplies which it is the duty of the Quartermasters Department to furnish, and directing me to report whether there has been any failure or neglect to furnish shoes or other supplies to that army or to meet promptly any requisitions for its supply upon this department. Every requisition for shoes, clothing, and such supplies approved at General McClellans headquarters has been promptly met, and the goods have been forwarded by rail, mostly from this depot, with all possible speed. Lately special agents have been sent with every shipment to prevent delay upon the route. The greater part of the supplies were, when called for, on hand in this depot. Such as were not here have been ordered by telegraph from the Philadelphia and New York depots and forwarded. The requisitions have been very large. Ten days ago I was assured that every such requisition had been filled and forwarded. Within the last two days, however, new and ]arge requisitions have been received, which are being shipped as rapidly as possible. The supply of clothing, shoes, and other stores to an army of such size must be continuous, like that of a great city whose population it equals in number. Were every man well shod and clothed to-day, many would be in want to-morrow. The department has not been able instantly to fill all requisitions for horses. These requisitions have far exceeded any estimate. Over 13,000 horses have been issued to the army on the Potomac River since the 1st of September. The demand continues, and the daily issues are still very large. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster. General. QUARTERMASTER-GENERALS OFFICE, Washington City, October 25, 1862. Maj. Gen. II. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: As directed by the Secretary of War, I have ascertained the date of the receipt at Harpers Ferry of the 12,000 bootees about which Colonel Ingalls telegraphed. He reports that they reached Har- pers Ferry depot on the 21st October, on which day 20,000 pairs were received; that about 48,000 pairs of boots and shoes had been received at that place, Frederick, and ilagerstown altogether; that 10,000 pairs are now on the way and 15,000 more ordered. On the 18th of October there were 116,000 pairs on hand in the Washington depot, though 25,000 pairs had been issued in the week ending that day. The complaint in regard to a surplus of large-sized shoes is heard to- day at this office for the first time this year. Last year the same com- plaint made and orders were given which removed the difficulty. was The volunteer army appears to use smaller shoes than the old regu- lar army, by whose experience the distribution of sizes has been regu- lated. Copies of two dispatches from Colonel I:igalls on the subject are inclosed, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster- General Page 23 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 23 [Inclosures.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 24, 186210 p. m. (Received October 24, 1862.) General M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster- General: Your dispatch is received. On the 21st instant 12,000 pairs of bootees arrived at the Harpers Ferry depot. OVer 7,000 pairs are now on hand, but are sizes higher than No.9. 1 asked that extraordinary sizes should iiot be sent; they are utterly useless. No bootees have arrived since. More than 30,000 pairs have been received altogether, and over 10,000 pairs are on the way here. The clothing has uniformly arrived slowly. That ordered to Hagers. town on the 7th did not arrive until long after Stuarts last raid. It is not detained in cars at the depots. Such complaints are groundless. The fact is, the clothing arrives and is issued, but more is still wanted. I have ordered more than would seem necessary from any data fur- nished me, and I beg to remind you that you have always very promptly met all my requisitidns. So far as clothing is concerned, our depart. ment is not at fliult; it provides as soon as due notice is given. I foresee no time when an army of over 100,000 men will not call for clothing and other articles. RUFUS INGALLS, Lieutenant-Colonel and Aide-dc-Camp. flEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 25, 18621.30 p. m. (Received October 25, 18621.45 p. in.) General MEIGS: In my dispatch of last night I should have written 20,000 instead of 12,000 bootees received on 21st instant at Harpers Ferry. At the three depots, Harpers Ferry, Frederick, and Hagerstown, there have been received about 40,000 pairs bootees and 8,000 pairs of boots alto- gether. Some 10,000 more are in transitu, and 15,000 additional ordered. Clothing will come forward as rapidly as it can be transported and issued. By mail I will send detailed statement. The amounts ordered would seem ample. Of course clothing will be wanted all the time, and can be provided even on the march. The suffering for want of clothing is exaggerated, I think, and cer- tainly might have been avoided by timely requisitions of regimental and brigade commanders. RUFUS INGALLS, Lieutenant- Colonel and Aide-dc- Cramp, Chief Quartermaster. OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF SUBSISTENCE, Washington City, October 25, 1862. lIon. E. N. STANTON, & cretary -of War: SIR: In reply to yours of this date,* I have the honor to state that, so far as is known to this office, there has been no failure nor neglect of the Subsistence Department to furnish subsistence for the army under 5Seep 21 Page 24 24 OPERATIONS IN N VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAr. XXXI. command of General McClellan, and that all requisitions for its sub- sistence on this department have been promptly met. With great respect, your most obedient servant, A. E. SHIRAS, Major, Acting Commissary- General of Subsistence. No. 2. Reports of AIaj. Gen. George B. McClellan, U. S. Army, commanding the Army of the Potomac, of operations August 14November 9. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 15, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit a preliminary report of the military operations under my charge since the evacuation of Harrisons Landing. This measure, directed by the General-in-Chief, was executed success- fully, with entire safety to my command and its mat6riel, between the 14th and 19th of August. The line of withdrawal selected was that of the month of the Chickahominy, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Upon this line the main body of the army with all its trains was moved, Heint- zelmans corps crossing the Chickahominy at Jones Bridge and cover- ing by its march the movement of the main column. The passage of the Lower Chickahominy was effected by means of a bateau bridge 2,000 feet in length. The transfer of the army to Yorktown was com- pleted by the 19th of August. the embarkation of the troops and ma- t6riel at Yorktown and Fort Monroe was at once commenced, and as rapidly as the means of transportation admitted everything was sent forward to Aquia Creek and Alexandria. No mere sketch of an under- taking of such magnitude and yet so delicate a military character will suffice to do justice. I must now, however, content myself with a sim- ple notice of it, deferring a full description for my official report of the campaign before Richmond, a labor which I propose to undertake as soon as events will afford me the necessary time. Justice to the achievements of the Army of the Potomac and the brave men who com- posed it requires that the o1~cial record of that campaign should be prepared with more care than circumstances have hitherto permitted me to bestow upon it. The delay will not have been felt as injurious to the public interest, inasmuch as by frequent reports from time to time I have kept the Department advised of events as they occurred. I reached Aquia Creek with my staff on the 24th of August, reported my arrival, and asked for orders. On the 27th of August I received from the General-in-Chief l)ermission to proceed to Alexandria, where I at once fixed my headquarters. The troops composing the Army of the Potomac were meanwhile ordered forward to re-enforce the army nuder General Pope. So completely was this order carried out that on the 30th of August I had remaining under my command only a camp guard of about 100 men. Everything else had been sent to re-enforce General Pope. In addition, I exhausted all the means at my disposal to forward supplies to that officer, my own headquarters teams even being used for that purpose. Upon the unfortunate issue of that campaign, I received an intima- tion from the General-in-Chief that my services were desired for the pu Page 25 CHAP. XXXI.] OKENERAL REPORTS. pose of arranging for the defense of the capital. They were at once cheerfully given, although while awaiting definite instructions at Alex- andria 1 had endeavored, as just seen, to promote a favorable result in the operations then pending, and had thus contributed, though indirectly, yet as far as I could, to the defense of Washington. On the 2d of Sep- tember the formal order of the War Department placed me in command of the fortifications of Washington and of all the troops for the defense of the capital. On the 1st of September I had been instructed that I had nothing to do with the troops engaged in active operations under Gen- eral Pope, but that my command was limited to the immediate garrison of Washington. On the next day, however, I was verbally instructed by the President and the General-in-Ghief to assume command of General Popes troops (including my own Army of the Potomac) as soon as they approached the vicinity of Washington; to go out and meet them, and to post them as I deemed best to repulse the enemy and insure the safety of the city. At this time the task imposed upon me was limited to the disposi- tions necessary to resist a direct attack of the enemy upon the capital. Such, indeed, was the danger naturally indicated by the defeat of our forces in front. The various garrisons were at once strengthened and put in order, and the troops were disposed to cover all the approaches to the city, and so as to be readily thrown upon threatened points. New defenses were thrown up where deemed necessary. A few days only had elapsed before comparative security was felt with regard to our ability to resist any attack upon the city. The disappearance of the enemy from the front of Washington and their passage into Maryland enlarged the sphere of operations, and made an active campaign neces- sary to cover Baltimore, prevent the invasion of Pennsylvania, and drive them out of Maryland. Being honored with the charge of this cam- paign, I entered at once upon the additional duties imposed upon me with cheerfulness and trust, yet not without feeling the weight of the responsibilities thus assumed and being deeply impressed with the mag- nitude of the issues involved. Having made the necessary arrangements for the defense of the city in the new condition of things, I pushed forward the First and Ninth Corps, under Generals Rend and Hooker, forming the right wing under General Buruside, to Leesborough on the 5th instant; thence the First Corps, by Brookville, Cooksville, and Ridgeville, to Frederick; and the Ninth Corps, by Damascus, on New Market and Frederick. The Second and Eleventh [Twelfth] Corps, under Generals Sumner and Williams, on the 6th were moved from Tennallytown to Rockville; thence, by Mid- dlebrook and Urbana, on Frederick, the Eleventh [Twelfth] Corps moving by a lateral road between Urbana and New Market, thus main- taining the communication between the center and right wing, as well as covering the direct route from Frederick to Washington. The Sixth Corps, under General Franklin, was moved to Darnestown on the 6th instant; thence, by IDawsonville and Barnesville, on Buckeystown, cov- ering the road from the mouth of the Monocacy to Rockville, and being in position to connect with and support the center should it have been necessai~y (as was supposed) to force the line of the Monocacy. Couchs division was thrown forward to Offuts Cross-Roads and Poolesville by the river road, thus covering that approach, watching the fords of the Potomac, and ultimately following and supporting the Sixth Corps. The object of these movements was to feel the enemyto compel ftim to develop his intentionsat the same time that the troops were in posi- tion readily to cover Baltimore or Washington, to attack him should h Page 26 26 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., A ND PA. [CHAP. XXXII. hold the line of the Monocacy, or to follow him into Pennsylvania if necessary. On the 12th a portion of tlie right wing entered Frederick, after a brisk skirmish at the outskirts of the city and in its streets. On the 13th the main bodies of the right wing and center passe(l through Frederick. In this city the manifestations of Union feeling were abun- dant and gratifying. The troops received the most enthusiastic welcome at the hands of the inhabitants. On the 13th the advance, consisting of Pleasontons cavalry and horse artillery, after some skirmishing, cleared the main passage over the Catoctin Hills, leaving no serious obstruction to the movement of the main body until the base of the South Mountain range was reached. While at Frederick, on the 13th, I obtained reliable in formation of the movements and intentions of the enemy, which made it clear that it was necessary to force the passage of the South Mountain range and gain possession of Boonsborongh and Ilohrersville before any relief could be afforded to Harpers Ferry. On the morning of the 13th I received a verbal message from Colonel Miles, commanding at Harpers Ferry, informing me that on the preceding afternoon the Maryland Heights had been abandoned, after repelling an attack by the rebels, and the whole force was concentrated at Harpers Ferry, the Maryland, Loudoun, and Bolivar Heights being all in possession of the enemy. The messenger stated that there was no apparent reason for the aban- donment of the Maryland Heights, and that, though Colonel Miles asked for assistance, he said he could hold out certainly two days. I directed him to make his way back, if possible, with the information that I was rapidly approaching and would undoubtedly relieve the place. By three other couriers 1 sent the same message, with the order to hold out to the last. I do not learn that any of these messengers succeeded in reaching Harpers Ferry. I should here state that on the 12th I was directed to assume command of the garrison at Harpers Ferry, but this order reached me after all communication with the gar- rison was cut off. Before I left Washington, while it was yet time, I recommended to the proper authorities that the garrison of Harpers Ferry should be withdrawn via Hagerstown, to aid in covering the Cumberland Valley, or that, taking up the pontoon bridge and obstruct- ing the railroad bridge, it should fall back to the Maryland Heights and then hold its own to the last. In this position it should have main- tained itself for weeks. It was not deemed proper to adopt either of these suggestions, and when the subject was left to my discretion it was too late to do anything except to try to relieve the garrison. I directed artillery to be frequently fired by our advance guards, as a signal to the garrison that relief was at hand. This was done, and I learn that our firing was distinctly heard at Harpers Ferry, and that they were thus made aware that we were approaching rapidly. It was confidently expected that this place could hold out until we had carried the mountains and were in a position to make a detachment for its relief. The left, therefore, was ordered to move through Jefferson to the South Mountains, at Cramptons Pass, in front of Burkittsville, while the center and right moved upon the main or Turners Pass, in ~front of Middletown. During these movements 1 had not imposed long marches on the columns. The absolute necessity of refitting and giving some little rest to troops worn down by previous long-continued marching and severe fighting, together with the uncertainty as to the actual position, strength, and intentions of the enemy, rendered it incumbent upon me to move slowly and cautiously until the headquarters reached Urbana Page 27 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 27 where I first obtained reliable information that the enemys object was to move upon Harpers Ferry and the Cumberland Valley, and not upon Baltimore, Washington, or Gettysburg. In the absence of the full reports of corps commanders, a simple out- line of the brilliant operations which resulted in the carrying of the two passes through the South Mountains is all that can at this time, with justice to the troops and commanders engaged, be furnished. The South Mountain range near Turners Pass averages perhaps 1,000 feet in height, and forms a strong natural military barrier. The practi- cable passes are not numerous and are readily defensible, the gaps abounding in fine positions. Turners Pass is the more prominent, being that by which the National road crosses the mountains. It was necessarily indicated as the route of advance of our main army. The carrying of Cramptons Pass, some 5 or 6 miles below, was also important to furnish the means of reaching the flank of the enemy, and having, as a lateral movement, direct relations to the attack on the principal pass, while it at the same time presented the most direct prac- ticable route for the relief of Harpers Ferry. Early in the morning of the 14th instant General Pleasonton, with a cavalry force, reconnoitered the position of the enemy, whom he dis- covered to occupy the crests of commanding hills in the gap on either side of the National road and upon ad.vantageous ground in the center upon and near the road, with artillery bearing upon all the approaches to their position, whether that by the main road or those by the country roads which led around up to the crest upon the right and left. At about 8 oclock a. m. Coxs division of Benos corps, a portion qf Burn- sides column, in co-operation with the reconnaissance, which by this time had become an attack, moved up the mountain by the old Sharps- burg road to the left of the main road, dividing, as they advanced, into two columns. These columns (Scammons and Crooks brigades) hand- somely carried the enemys position on the crest in their front, which gave us possession of an important point for further operations. Fresh bodies of the enemy now appearing, Coxs position, though held stub- bornly, became critical, and between 12 and 1 oclock p. m. Willcoxs division of Renos corps was sent forward by General Burnside to sup- port Cox; between 2 and 3 p - m - Sturgis division was sent up. The contest was maintained with perseverance until dark, the enemy having the advantage as to position and fighting with obstinacy, but the ground won was fully maintained. The loss in killed and wounded here was considerable on both sides, and it was here that Major-Gen- eral Beno, who had gone forward to observe the operations of his corps and to give such directions ~s were necessary, fell, pierced with a musket ball. The loss of this brave and distinguished officer tempered with sadness the exultations of triumph. A gallant soldier an abi endeared to his troops and associates h , e general, misfortune. p m. Hookers , is death is felt as an irreparable corps, of Burnsides column, moved up to the right of the main road by a country road, which, bending to the right, then turning up to the left, circuitously wound its way beyond the crest of the pass to the Mountain House on the main road. General Hooker sent Meade, with the division of Pennsylvania Reserves, to at- tack the eminence to the right of this entrance to the gap, which was done most handsomely and successfully. Patricks brigade, of Hatchs division, was sentone portion up aroiThd the road to turn the hill on the left, while the remainder advanced as skirmishersup the hill, and occupied the crest, supported by Double Page 28 28 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. ~CHAP. XXXI. days and Phelps brigades. The movement, after a sharp contest on the crest and in the fields in the depression between the crest and the adjoining hill, was fully successful. Ricketts division pressed up the mountain about 5 p. in., arriving at the crest with the left of his comm and in time to participate in the closing scene of the engagement. Relieving Hatchs division, Ricketts remained on the ground, holding the battle-field during the night. The mountain sides, thus gallantly passed over by Hooker on the right of the gap and iReno on the left, were steep and difficult in the extreme. We could make but little use of our artillery, while our troops were sul~ject to a warm artillery fire as well as to that of infantry in the woods and under cover. By order of G~eneral Buruside, Gibbons brigade of Hatchs division, late in the afternoon, advanced upon the center of the enemys position on the main road. Deploying his brigade, Gibbon actively engaged a superior force of the enemy, which, though stubbornly resisting, was steadily pressed back until some hours after dark, when Gibbon re- mained in undisturbed possession of the field. He was then relieved by a brigade of Sedgwicks division. Finding themselves outflanked both on the right and the left, the enemy abandoned their position during the night, leaving tWeir dead and wounded on tlie field, and hastily re- treated down the mountain. In the engagement at TurnersPass our loss was 328 killed and 1,463 wounded and missing; * that of the enemy is estimated to be,in all, about 3,000. Among our wounded I regret to say were Brig. Gen. J. P. Hatch and other valuable officers. The carrying of Cramptons Pass by Franklin was executed rapidly and decisively. Slocums division was formed upon the right of the road leading through the gap, Smiths upon the left. A line formed of Bart- letts and Torberts brigades, supported by Newton, whose activity was conspicuous, all of Slocums division, advanced steadily upon the en- emy at a charge on the right. The enemy were driven from their posi- tion at the base of the mountain, where they were protected by a stone wall, and steadily forced back up the mountain until they reached the position of their battery, near the road, well up the mountain. Here they made a stand. They were, however, driven back, retiring their artillery en ~chelon, until, after an action of three hours, the crest was gained, and the enemy hastily fled down the mountains on the other si(le. On the left of the road Brooks and Irwins brigades, of Smiths division, formed for the protection of Slocums flank, charged up the mountain in tlie same steady manner, driving the enemy before them until the crest was carried. The loss in Franklins corps was 115 killed, 416 wounded, and 2 missing.t The enemys loss was about the same. One piece of artillery and four colors were captured, amid knapsacks and even haversacks were abandoned as the enemy were driven up the hill. On the morning of the 15th I was informed by Union civilians living on the other side of the mountains that the enemy were retreating in the greatest haste and in disordered masses to the river. There was such a concurrence of testimony on this point that there seemed no doubt as to the fact. The hasty retreat of the enemys forces from the mountain, an(1 the withdrawal of the remaining troops from between Boonsborough and Hagerstown to a position where they could resist attack and cover the Shepherdstown ford and receive the re-enforcements expected from But see revised statement, pp. 154185,204. t See pp. 183,204 Page 29 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 29 Harpers Ferry, were for a time interpreted as evidences of the enemys disorganization and demoralization. As soon as it was definitely known that the enemy had abandoned the mountains, the cavalry and the corps of Sumner, Hooker, and Mansfield were ordered to pursue them, via the turnpike and Boonsbor- ough, as promptly as possible. The corps of Buruside and Porter (the latter having but one weak division present) were ordered to move by the old Sharpsburg road, and Franklin to advance into Pleasant Val- ley, occupy IRohrersville, and to endeavor to relieve Harper~s Ferry. Burnside and Porter, upon reaching the road from Boonsborough to liohrersville, were to re-enforce Franklin or to move on Sharpsburg, according to circumstances. Franklin moved toward Brownsville and found there a force, largely superior in numbers to his own, drawn up in a strong position to receive him. Here the total cessation of firing in the direction of Harpers Ferry indicated but too clearly the shameful and premature surrender of that post. The cavalry advance overtook a body of the enemys cavalry in Boons- borongh, which it dispersed after a brief skirmish, kilLiijg and wound- ing many, taking some 250 prisoners and 2 guns. Richardsons division, of Snmners corps, passing Boonsborongh to Centreville or Keedysville, found a few miles beyond the town the en- etnys forces displayed in line of battle, strong both in respect to num- bers and position, and awaiting attack. Upon receiving reports of the disposition of the enemy, I directed all the corps, except that of Frank- lin, upon Sharpsburg, leaving Franklin to observe and check the en- cmv in his front and avail himself of any chance that might offer. I had hoped to come np with the enemy during the 15th in sufficient force to beat them again and drive them into the river. My instruc- tions were that if the enemy were on the march they were to be at once attacked; if they were found in force and in position, the corps were to be placed in position for attack, but no attack was to be made until I reached the front. On arriving at the front in the afternoon I found but two divisions Richardsons and Sykesin position. The rest were halted in the road, the head of the column some distance in rear of Richardson. After a rapid examination of the position, I found that it was too late to attack that day, and at once directed locations to be selected for our batteries of position, and indicated the bivouacs for the different corps, massing them near and on both sides of the Sharpsburg pike. The corps were not all in their places until the next morning some time after sunrise. On the 16th the enemy had slightly changed their line, and were posted upon the heights in rear of the Antietam Creek, their left and center being npon and in front of the road from Sharpsburg to Hagers- town, and protected by woods and irregularities of the ground. Their extreme left rested upon a wooded eminence near the cross-roads, to the north of J. Millers farm, the distance at this point between the road and the Potomac, which makes here a great bend to the east, being about three-fourths of a mile. Their right rested on the hills to the right of Sharpsburg, near Snavelys farm, covering the crossing of the Antietam and the approaches to the town from the southeast. The ground between their immediate front and the Antietam is undulating. Hills intervene, whose crests in general are commanded by the crests of others in their rear. On all favorable points their artillery was posted. It became evident from the force of the enemy and the strength of thei Page 30 30 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND pA. [CLAY. XXXI. position that desperate fighting alone could drive them from the field, and all felt that a great and terrible battle was at hand. In proceeding to the narrative of the events of this and the succeed- ing day, I must here repeat what I have observed in reporting upon the other subjects of this communicationthat I attempt in this prelimi- nary report nothing more than a sketch of the main features of this great engagement, reserving for my official report, based upon the reports of the corps commanders, that full description of details which shall place upon record the achievements of individuals and of particular bodies of troops. The design was to make the main attack upon the enemys leftat least to create a diversion in favor of the main attack, with the hope of something more by assailing the enemys rightand, as soon as one or both of the flank movements were fully successful, to attack their cen- ter with any reserve I might then have on hand. The morning of the 16th (during which there was considerable artil- lery firing) was spent in obtaining information as to the ground, recti- fying the position of the troops, and perfecting the arrangements for the attack. On the afternoon of the 16th, Hookers corps, consisting of Ricketts and Doubledays divisions, and the Pennsylvania Reserves, under Meade, was sent across the Antietam Creek, by a ford and bridge to the right of Keedysvifle, with orders to attack, and, if possible, turn the enemys left. Mansfield, with his corps, was sent in the evening to support Hooker. Arrived in position, Meades division of the Pennsyl- vania Reserves, which was at the head of Hookers corps, became en- gaged in a sharp contest with the enemy, which lasted until after dark, when it had succeeded in driving in a portion of the opposing line and held the ground. At daylight the contest was renewed between Hooker and the enemy in his front. Hookers attack was successful for a time, but masses of the enemy, thrown upon his corps, checked it. Mansfield brought up his corps to Hookers support, when the two corps drove the enemy back, the gallant and distinguished veteran Mansfield losing his life in the effort. General Hooker was, unhappily, about this time wounded and compelled to leave the field, where his services had been conspicuous and irhportant. About an hour after this time Sumners corps, consisting of Sedgwicks, Richardsons, and Frenchs divisions, arrived on the fieldRichardsons some time after the other two, as he was unable to start as soon as they. Sedgwick, on the right, penetrated the woods in front of Hookers and Mansfields troops. French and Richardson were placed to the left of Sedgwick, thus at- tacking the enemy toward their left center. Crawfords and Sedg- wicks lines, however, yielded to a destructive fire of masses of the enemy in the woods, and, suffering greatly (Generals Sedgwick and Crawford being among the wounded), their troops fell back in disorder; they nevertheless rallied in the woods. The enemys advance was, how- ever, entirely checked by the destructive fire of our artillery. Frank- lin, who had been directed the day before to join the main army with two divisions, arrived on the field from Brownsville about an hour after, and Smiths division replaced Sedgwicks and Crawfords line. Ad- vancing steadily, it swept over the ground just lost but now perma- nently retaken. The divisions of French and Richardson maintained with considerable loss the exposed positions which they had so gal- lantly gained, among the wounded being General Richardson. The condition of things on the right toward the middle of the after Page 31 CHAr. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 31 noon, notwithstanding the success wrested from the enemy by the stub- born bravery of the troops, was at this time unpromising. Sumners, Hookers, and Mansfields corps had lost heavily, several general offi- cers having been carried from the field. I was at one time compelled to draw two brigades from Porters corps (the reserve) to strengthen the right. This left for the reserve the small division of Regulars, who had been engaged in supporting during the day the batteries in the center, and a single brigade of Morells division. Before I left the right to return to the center, I became satisfied that the line would be held without these two brigades, and countermanded the order, which was in course of execution. The effect of Burusides movement on the en- emys right was to prevent the further massing of their troops on their left, and we held what we had gained. Burnsides corps, consisting of Wilicoxs, Sturgis, and Rodmans divisions, and Coxs Kanawha division, was intrusted with the difficult task of carrying the bridge across the Antietam, near Rohrbacks farm, and assaulting the enemys right, the order having been communicated to him at 10 oclock a. m. The valley of the Antietam at and near this bridge is narrow, with high banks. On the right of the stream the bank is wooded, and com- mands the approaches both to the bridge and the ford. The steep slopes of the bank were lined with rifle-pits and breastworks of rails and stones. These, together with the woods, were filled with the enemys infantry, while their batteries completely commanded and enfiladed the bridge and ford and their approaches. The advance of the troops brought on an obstinate and sanguinary contest, and, from the great natural advantages of the position, it was nearly 1 oclock before the heights on the right bank were carried. At about 3 oclock p. m. the corps again advanced, and with success, the right driving the enemy before it and pushing on nearly to Sharpsburg, while the left, after a hard encounter, also compelled the enemy to retire before it. The enemy here, however, were speedily re-enforced, and with overwhelming masses. New batteries of their artillery also were brought up and opened. It became evident that our force was not sufficient to enable the advance to reach the town, and the order was given to retire to the cover of the hill which was taken from the enemy earlier in the afternoon. This movement was etW~cted without con- fusion and the position maintaine(l until the enemy retreated. General Burnside had sent to me for re-enforcements late in the afternoon, but the condition of things on the right was not such as to enable me to afford them. During the whole day our artillery was everywhere bravely and ably handled. Indeed, I cannot speak too highly of the efficiency of our batteries and of the great service they rendered. On more than one occasion when our infantry was broken they covered its reformation and drove back the enemy. The cavalry had little field for operations during the engagement, but was employed in supporting the horse-artillery batteries in the center, and in driving up stragglers, while awaiting opportunity for other service. The Signal Corps, under Major Myer, rendered, during the operations at Antietam as well as at South Mountain and during the whole move- ments of the army, efficient and valuable service. Indeed, by its service here, as on other fields elsewhere, this corps has gallantly earned its title to an independent and permanent organization Page 32 32 OPET~ATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. The duties devolving upon my staff during the action were most un- portant, and the performance of them able and untiring. At a later day I propose to bring to the notice of the Department their individual services. With the day closed this memorable battle, in which, perhaps, nearly 200,000 men were for fourteen hours engaged in combat. We had attacked the enemy in position, driven them from their line on one flank and secured a footing within it on the other. Under the depres- sion of previous reverses we had achieved a victory over an adversary invested with the prestige of former successes and inflated with a recent triumph. Our forces slept that night conquerors on a field won by their valor and covered with the dead and wounded of the enemy. The night, however, presented serious questions; morning brought with it grave responsibilities. To renew the attack again on the 18th or to defer it, with the chance of the enemys retirement after a day of suspense, were the questions before me. A careful and anxious survey of the condition of my command, and my knowledge of the enemy~s force and position, failed to impress me with any reasonable certainty of suc- cess if I renewed the attack without re-enforcing columns. A view of the shattered state of some of the corps sufficed to deter me from press. ing them into immediate action, and 1 felt that my duty to the army and the country forbade the risks involved in a hasty movement, which might result in the loss of what had been gained the previous day. Impelled by this consideration, I awaited the arrival of my re-enforcements, taking advantage of the occasion to collect together the dispersed, give rest to the fatigued, and remove the wounded. Of the re-enforcements, Couchs division, although marching with commendable rapidity, was not in position until a late hour in the morning; and Jlurnphreys division of new troops, fatigued with forced marches, were arriving throughout the day, but were not available until near its close.* Large re-enforce- ments from Pennsylvania, which were expected during the day, did not arrive at all. During the 18th, orders were given for a renewal of the attack at day. light on the 19th. On the night of the 18th the enemy, after having been passing troops in the latter part of the day from the Virginia shore to their position behind Sharpsburg, as seen by our officers, suddenly formed the design of abandoning their line. This movement they executed before daylight. Being but a short distancefromn the river, the evacuation pre- sented but little difficulty. It was, however, rapidly followed up. A reconnaissance was made across the river on the evening of the 19th, which resulted in ascertaining the near presence of the enemy in some force and in our capturing six guns. A second reconnaissance, the next morning, which, with the first, was made by a small detachment from Porters corps, resulted in observing a heavy force of the enemy there. The detachment withdrew with slight loss. I submit herewith a list of the killed, wounded, and missing in the engagements of the 14th and of the 16th and 17th. The enemys loss is believed from the best sources of information to be nearly 30,000. Their dead were mostly left upon tIme field, and a large number of wounded were left behind. While it gives me pleasure to speak of the gallantry and devotion of officers and men generally, displayed throughout this conflict, I feel it * See Humplireys report, p. 373 Page 33 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. .33 necessary to mention that some officers and men skulked from their l)laces in the ranks until after the battle was over. Death on the spot must be hereafter the fate of all such cowards, and the hands of the military commanders must be strengthened with all the power of the Government to inflict it summarily. The early and disgraceful surrender of Harpers Ferry deprived my operations of results which would have formed a brilliant sequeimce to the substantial and gratifying successes already related. Had the gar- rison held out twenty-four hours longer, I should in all probability have captured that part of the enemys force engaged in the attack on the Maryland Heights, while the whole garrison, some 12,000 strong, could have been drawn to re-enforce me on the day of. the decisive battle certainly on the morning of the 18th. I would thus have been in a posi- tion to have destroyed the rebel army. Under the same circumstances, had the besieging force on the Virginia side at Harpers Ferry not beeii withdrawn, I would have had 35,000 or 40,000 less men to encounter at the Antietam, and must have captured or destroyed all opposed to me. As it was, I had to engage an army fresh from a recent and to them a great victory, and to reap the disadvantages of their being freshly and plentifully supplied with ammunition and supplies. The object and results of this brief campaign may be summed up as follows: In the beginning of the month of September the safety of the Na- tional Capital was seriously endangered by the presence of a victorious enemy, who soon after crossed into Maryland and then directly threat- ened Washington and Baltimore, while they occupied the soil of a loyal State and threatened an invasion of Pennsylvania. The army of the Union, inferior in numbers, wearied by long marches, deficient in vari- ous supplies, worn out by numerous battles, the last of which had not been successful, first covered by its movements the important cities of Washington and Baltimore, then boldly attacked the victorious enemy in their chosen strong position and drove them back, with all their su- periority of nnmbers, into the State of Virginia, thus saving the loyal States from invasion and rudely dispelling the rebel dreams of carrying the war into our country and subsisting upon our resources. Thirteen guns and thirty-nine colors, more than 15,000 stand of small-arms, and more than 6,000 prisoners were the trophies which attest the success of our aries. Rendering thanks to Divine Providence for its blessing upon our exertions, I close this brief report. I beg only to add the hope that the armys efforts for the cause in which we are engaged will be deemed wor- thy to receive the commendation of the Government and the country. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Brig. Gen. LoRENZo THOMAS, MaJor-General, U. S. Army. Adjutant-General, U. S. Army. 3 H HVOL XIX, PT Page 34 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL Tabular Statement of ~asualtie-s in the Army of the Potomac in the battles of South Mountain and Crampton8 Pass, on the 14th of September, 1862.~ Officers. Command. First Corps, Major-General Hooker: 1st Division 2(1 DiviSiofi 3d Division Total Sixth Corps, Major-General Franklin: 1st Division 2d Division Total 1 2 1 2 6 Cavalry Brigade, Brigadier-General Pleasonton Grand total Ninth Corps, Major-General Burnside :0..-. . . - - -. 1st Division. 2(1 Division 3d Division 4th Division . Total. a 0 Enlisted men. ,~ ,~ .~ a 0 W Aggregate. 62 9 99 170 195 20 299 720 114 397 1 19 115 416 11 5 12 30 42 499 -. -. 15 1 199 2 511 20 21 531 1 1 63 272 --- - 65 285 - -- - 350 9 112 30 10 117 30 157 2 8 .... 2 8 .... 10 78 248 - .. - 80 260 .... 340 152 640 30~ 158 670 30 858 1...- 1 441 1,807 75 2,325 Official: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC Camp near Shnrpsburg, Md., ,Septernber 29, 1862. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General. Tabular Report of Casualties in the Army of the Potomac in the battle of Antietam, on the 16th and 17th of September, 1862. Officers. Corps and divisions. First Corps, Major-General Hooker: 1st Division. 2d Division 3d Division. Total Second Corps, Major-General Snmner: 1st Division. 2d Division 3d Division. 21 2 22 a a a a 0 39 50 Total - -. Fifth Corps, Maj. Gen. F. J. Porter: 1st Division - 2d Division Artillery Reserve Total Enlisted men. I Ag,,regato. -~ a ~ a 98 151 97 348 a a 609 898 449 2,016 95 137 21 251 86-2 1, 188 569 2, 619 192 860 24 212 900 24 1,136 355 1, 577 321 355 1, 579 321 2, 255 272 1, 271 203 291 1, 122 203 1, 818 89 819 3,708 548 860 3,801 548 5,209 2 13 92 1 13 94 i i08 1...- 7 13 1 8 13 1 22 12201 105 2 211 107 2 130 * For revised statements of losses silown by this and thc following tables, see pp. 183204. Major-General Reno, temporarily coinmandin g, killed. 3 Page 35 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. Ca8ualties in the Army of the Potomac in the battle of Antietam, 55c.Continued. Officers. Enlisted men. Aggregate. be ii Corps and divisions. 0 0 be a ,~ - be a .~ ~ .8 a a a a ~ .~ ~ .5 a Sixth Corps, Major-General Franklin: 1st Division 24 Division - -. Total Ninth Corps, Major-General Burnside: 1st Division 24 Division 3d Division 4th Division Total -. Twelfth Corps (General Banks), Briga. (tier-General Williams comdg.: 1st Division 2(1 Division. Artillery Total. Major-Generni Couchs division Brigadier-General Pleasonton, Cavalry Division. Grand total 5 65 58 277 2 31 65 373 70 335 33 438 2 20 44 264 7 46 284 7 337 7 29 121 493 20 128 522 20 670 8 40 212 743 70 220 783 70 1,073 5 7 33 145 23 38 152 23 213 22 96 410 1,645 120 432 1,741 120 2,293 9 35 151 827 54 160 862 54 1,076 6 26 107 481 30 113 507 30 650 1 15 1 1 15 1 17 15 61 259 1,323 85 274 1,384 85 1,743 8 9 5 23 2,010 9,416 1,043 28 12,469 Official: hEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Camp near Sharpsburg, September 29, 1862. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant.General. Tabular Report of Casualties in 3Iorell8 divi8ion, Fifth Corps, in actions of 19th and 20th of 8eptember, 1862, near Shepherdstown, Va. Officers. Enlisted men. Aggregate. ~ - a I., be be Command. 0 ~ ~ a C a a C a .8 ~ ~ .8 a ~ 0 a a a a a First Brigade 4 5 2 63 120 126 67 125 128 320 Second Brigade 1 1 10 1 11 12 Third Brigade 7 7 7 First U. S. Sharpshooters 2 5 2 5 7 Total 4 6 2 66 142 126 70 148 128 ~346 Official: JIEADQUARTERs ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Camp near ,Sharpsburg, Md., ,September 29, 1862. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant.Cieneral. 3 Page 36 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. Statement of Gass.~altieu in the Army of the Potomac, September 3520, 1862, inclusive. a Co Command. ~ Remarks. a ~ First Corps, Major-General Hooker.... 170 720 43 933 Battle of South Mountain. Sixth Corps, Major-General Franklin. - 115 416 2 533 Battle of Cramptons Pass. Ninth Corps, Major-General Buruside 158 670 30 858 Battle of South Mountain. (Major-General Reno temporarily in command) Cavalry Brigade, Brigadier-General 1 1 Do. Pleasonton. I First Corps, Major-General Hooker 348 2, 016 255 2, 619 Battle of Antietam. Second Corps. Major-General Sumner. - 860 3, 801 548 5, 209 1)o. Fitth Corps, Maj. Gen. F. J. Porter. - - - 21 107 2 130 1)o. Sixth Corps, Major-General Franklin. - 70 335 33 438 Do. Ninth Corps, Major-GeneralBuruside. - 432 1, 741 120 2, 293 I)o. Twelfth Corps, Major-General Banks 274 1,384 85 1,743 Do. (Brigadier-General Williams). Major-General Conch 9 9 Do. ~ 5 23 28 1)o. Brigadier-General Pleasonton 12 55 13 80 Advance guard. Major-General Morell 70 148 128 346 Shepherdatown, Va. Total 2, 535 11,426 1, 259 15, 220 Official: S. WILLIAMS, Asaiatant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, (Jump near ~Sharpaburg, Aid., ,September 29, 1862. NEW YORK, August 4, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to submit herein the official report of the op- erations of the Army of the Potomac while under my charge. Accom- panying it are the reports of the corps, division, and subordinate corn- inanders pertaining to the various eiigagements, battles, and occurrences of the campaigns, and important documents connected with its organ- ization, supply, and movements. These, with lists of maps and memo- randa submitted, will be found appended, duly arranged, and marked for convenient reference.* * . * * * * * * FOURTH PERIOD. On the 1st of September I went into Washington, where I had an interview with the General-in-Chief, who instructed me verbally to take command of its defenses, expressly limiting my jurisdiction to the works and their garrisons, and prohibiting me from exercising any control over the troops actively engaged in front ullder General Pope. During this interview I suggested to tile General-in-Chief the necessity of his going in person or sending one of his personal staff to the army under Gen- eral Pope for the purpose of ascertaining the exact condition of affairs. He sent Colonel Kelton, his assistant adjutant-general. During the afternoon of the same day I received a message from the General-in-Chief to the effect that he desired me to go at once to his house to see the President. 5~ortions of report here omitted are printed in Vols. V and XI of this Series. 3 Page 37 CHAP. XXXI.l GENERAL REPORTS. 37 The President informed me that he had reason to believe that the Army of the Potomac was not cheerfully co-operating with and sup- ~ortiug General Pope; that he had always been a friend of mine, and now asked me, as a special favor, to use my influence in correcting this state of things. I replied, substantially, that I was confident that he was misinformed; that I was sure, whatever estimate the Army of the Potomac might entertain of General Pope, that they would obey his orders, support him to the fullest extent, and do their whole duty. The President, who was much moved, asked me to telegraph to Fitz John Porter or some other of my friends, and try to do away with any feeling that might exist, ad ding that I could rectify the eviL and that io one else could. I thereupon told him that I would cheerfully telegraph to General Porter, or do anything else in my power to gratify his wishes and re- lieve his anxiety; upon which he thanked me very warmly, assured me that he could never forget my action in the matter, & c., and left. I then wrote the following telegram to General Porter,which was sent to him by the General-in-Chief: WASHINGTON, September 1, 1862. Major-General PORTER: I ask of you, for my sake, that of the country, and the old Army of the Potomac, that you and all my friends will lend the fullest and most cordial co-operation to Gen- eral Pope in all the operations now going on. The destinies of our country, the honor of our arms, are at stake, and all depends now upon the cheerful co-operation of all in the field. This week is the crisis of our fate. Say the same thing to my friends in the Army of the Potomac, and that the last request I have to make of them is that for their countrys sake they will extend to General Pope the same support they ever have to me. I am in charge of the defenses of Washington, and am doing all I can to render your retreat safe should that hecome necessary. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN. To which he sent the following reply: FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE, General GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, S~ptember 2, 186210 a. m. Major- General, Commanding, Wa8hington: You may rest assured that all your friends, as well as every lover of his country, will ever give, as they have given, to General Pope their cordial co-operation and constant support in the execution of all orders and plans. Our killed, wounded, and enfeehled troops attest our devoted duty. F. J. PORTER. Neither at the time I wrote the telegram nor at any other time did I think for one moment that General Porter had been or would be in any manner derelict in the performance of his duty to the nation and its cause. Such an impression miever entered my mind. The dispatch in question was written purely at the request of the President. On the morning of the 2d the President and General Halleck came to my house, when the President informed me that Colonel Kelton had returned from time front; that our afihirs were in a bad condition- that the army was in full retreat upon the defenses of Washington; the roads filled with stragglers, & c. He instructed me to take steps at once to stop and collect the stragglers, to place the works in a proper state of defense and to go out to meet and take command of the army when it approached the vicinity of the works; then to place the troops in the best positioncommitting everything to my hands Page 38 38 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. I immediately took steps to carry out these orders, and sent an aide to General Pope with the following letter: HEADQUARTERS, Maj. Gen. JOHN POPE, Wa8hingtofl, September 2, 1862. Commanding ~4rmy of Virginia: GENERAL: General Halleck instructed me to repeat to you the order he sent this morning to withdraw your army to Washington without unnecessary delay. He feared that his messenger might miss you, and desired to take this double precaution. In order to bring troops upon ground with which they are already familiar, it would be best to move Porters corps upon Uptons Hill, that it may occupy Halls Hill, & c.; McDowelPs to Uptons hill; Franklins to the works in front of Alexan- diia; Heintzelmans to the same vicinity; Couch to Fort Corcoran, or, if practicable, to the Chain Bridge; Sumner either to Fort Albany or to Alexandria, as may be most convenient. Lu haste, general, very truly, yours, GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General, U. S. Army. In the afternoon I crossed the Potomac and rode to the front,~and at Uptons Hill met the advance of McDowells corps, and with it Gen- erals Pope and McDowell. After getting what information I could from them, I sent the few aides at my disposal to the left, to give instrnctions to the troops approaching in the direction of Alexandria, and hearing artillery firing in the direction of the Vienna and Langley road, by which the corps of Sumner, Porter, and Sigel were returning, and learning from General Pope that Sumner was probably engaged, I went with a single aide and three orderlies by the shortest line to meet that colnmn. I reached the column after dark, and proceeded as far as Lewinsville, where I became satisfied that the rear corps (Sumners) would be able to reach its intended position withont any serious moles- tation. I therefore indicated to Generals Porter and Sigel the positions they were to occupy, sent instructions to General Sumner, and at a late hour of the night returned to Washington. Next day I rode to the front of Alexandria, and was engaged in rec- tifying the positions of the troops and giving orders necessary to secure the issuing of the necessary supplies, & c. I felt sure on this day that we could repulse any attack made by the enemy on the south side of the Potomac. On the 3d the enemy had disappeared from the front of Washington, and the information which I received induced me to believe that he in- tended to cross the Upper Potomac into Maryland. This materially changed the aspect of alliuirs and enlarged the sphere of operations; for, in case of a crossing in force, an active campaign would be necessary to cover Baltimore, prevent the invasion of Pennsylvania, and clear Mary- land. I therefore on the 3d ordered the Second and Twelfth Corps to Tennallytown, and the Ninth Corps to a point on the Seventh-street road near Washington, and sent such cavalry as was available to the fords near Poolesville, to watch and impede the enemy in any attempt to cross in that vicinity. On September 5 the Second and Twelfth Corps were moved to Rock- ville, and Conchs division (the only one of the Fourth Corps that had been brought from the Peninsnla) to Offutts Cross-Roads. On the 6th the First and Ninth Corps were ordered to Leesborough; the Sixth Corps and Sykes division of the Fifth Corps to Tennallytown. On the ~th the Sixth Corps was advanced to Rockville, to which place my headquarters were moved on the same day. All the necessary arrangements for the defense of the city under the new condition of things had been made, and General Banks was left in command, having received his instructions from me Page 39 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 39 It will be seen from what has preceded that I lost no time that could be avoided in moving the Army of the Potomac from the Peninsula to the support of the Army of Virginia; that I spared no effort to hasten the embarkation of the troops at Fort Monroe, Newport News, and Yorktown, remaining at Fort Monroe myself until the mass of the army had sailed, and that after my arrival at Alexandria I left nothing in my power undone to forward supplies and re-enforcements to General Pope. I sent with the troops that moved all the cavalry I could get hold of Even my personal escort was sent out upon the line of the railway as a guard, with the provost and camp guards at headquarters, retaining less thaii 100 men, many of whom were orderlies, invalids, members of bands, & c. All the headqnarters teams that arrived were sent out with sup- plies and ammunition, none being retained even to move the headquar- ters camp. The squadron that habitually served as my personal escort was left at Falmouth with General Burnside, as he was deficient in cavalry. I left Washington on the 7th of September. At this time it was known that the mass of the rebel army had passed np the south side of the Potomac in the direction of Leesbnrg, and that a portion of that army had crossed into Maryland; but whether it was their intention to cross their whole force with a view to turn Washington by a flank movement down the north.bank of the Potomac, to move on Baltimore, or to invade Pennsylvania, were questions which at that time we had no means of determining. This uncertainty as to the intentions of the enemy obliged me, np to the 13th of September, to march cautiously, and to advance the army in such order as continually to keep Wash- ington and Baltimore covered, and at the same time to hold the troops well in hand, so as to be able to concentrate and follow rapidly if the enemy took the direction of Pennsylvania, or to return to the defense of Washington if, as was greatly feared by the authorities, the enemy should be merely making a feint with a small force to draw off our army, while with their main forces they stood ready to seize the first Thxorable opportunity to attack the capital. Iii the mean time the process of reorganization, rendered necessary after the demoralizing effects of the disastrous campaign upon the other side of the Potomac, was rapidly progressing; the troops were regain- ing confidence, and their former soldierly appearance and discipline were fast returning. My cavalry was pushed out continually in all directions, and all possible steps were taken to learn the positions and movements of the enemy. The following table shows the movements of the army from day to day up to the 14th of September: Command. September 4. September 6. September 9 September 10. ]3URNSIDE. 9th Corps, Ifleno Seventh-street road, Leesborough Brookville..... - - -. 1st Corps, Hooker. - - Uptons Hill do do SUMNER. 12th Corps, williams. Tennallytown Rockville Middlebrook~. - Damascus. 2d Corps, Sumner do do do Clarksburg. FRANKLIN. 6th Corps. Franklin - - Alexandria Seminary Tennallytown Darnestown Barnesville. Couchs division Tennallytown Offutta Cross-Roads Mouth of Seneca. Poolesville. Sykes division Tennallytown ]fockvrne Rockville Page 40 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI Command. September 11. September 12. September 13. September 14. ]IIJRNSIDE. 9th Corps, Reno .. - -. New Market. Frederick Middletown . - .. Sooth Mountain. 1st Corps, Hooker .. Ridgeville, New Frederick Do. Market, and on SUMNEU. the Monocacy. 12th Corps, Williams. Damascus . - -. - - - - -. Ijameville Cross- do Do. Roads. 21 Corps, Sumner -. Clarksburg Urbana do Do. FRANKLIN. 6th Corps, Franklin. - Barnesvillo I Lickaville Cross- Buckeystown... Burkittsvillo. Road. Couchs division Poolesville ]larnesville Licksvillo Do. Sykcs division I Middlebrook Urbana Frederick Middletown. The right wing, consisting of the First and INinth Corps, under the colnnlan(l of Major-General Burnside, moved on Frederick; the First Corps via Brookville, Cooksville, and Itidgeville, and the Ninth Corps via Damascus and New Market. The Second and T~velfth Corps, forming the center, under the corn- inand of General Sumner, moved on Frederick the burg and Urbana, the Twelfth Corps on a former via Clarks- lateral road between Urbana and New Market, thus maintaining tile communication with the right wing, and covering the direct road from Frederick to Washington. The Sixth Corps, under the command of General Franklin, moved to Buckeystown via Darnestown, Dawsouville, and Barnesville, covering the road from tile mouth of the Monocacy to. Rockville, and being in a position to connect with and support the center should it have been necessary, as was supposed, to force the line of the Monocacy. Couchs division moved by the River road, covering that approach, watching the fords of the Potomac, and ultimately following and sup- porting the Sixth Corps. The following extracts from telegrams received by me after my de- parture from Washington will show how little was known there about the enemys movements, and the fears which were entertained for the safety of the capital. On the 9th of September General Halleck tele- graphed me as follows: 1Jul11 we can get better advices about the numbers of the enemy at Dranesyille, I think we must be very cautious about stripping too much the forts on the Virginia side. It may be the enemys object to. draw off the mass of our forces, and then attemj)t to attack from the Virginia side of the Potomac. Think of this. Again, on the 11th of September, General Halleck telegraphed me as ibilows: Why not order forward Keyes or Sigel? I think the main force of the enemy is in your front. More troops can be spared from here. This dispatch, as published by the Committee on the Conduct of the War, and furnished by the General-in-Chief; reads as follows: Why not order forward Porters corps or Sigels? If the main force of the enemy is in your front, more troops can be spared from here. I remark that the original dispatch as received by inc from the tele- graph operator is in the words quoted above, I think the main force of the enemy, & c. In accordance with this suggestion, I asked, on the same day, that all the troops that could be spared should at once be sent to re-enforce me, but none came. 4 Page 41 CHAr. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 41 On the 12th 1 received the following telegram from His Excellency the Presideilt: Governor Curtin telegraphs me, I have advices that Jackson is crossing the Po- toniac at Williamsport, and probably the whole rebel army will be drawn from Maryland. The President adds: Receiving nothing from Harpers Ferry or Martinsburg to-day, and positive infor- mation from Wheeling that the line is cut, corroborates the idea that the enemy is re- crossing the Potomac. Please do not let him get off without being hurt. On the 13th General Halleck telegraphed as follows: Until you know more certainly the enemys force south of the Potomac you are wrong in thus uncovering the capital. I am of the opinion that the enemy will send a small column toward Pennsylvania to draw your forces in that direction, then sud- denly move on Washington with the forces south of the Potomac and those he may cross over. Again, on the 14th, General Halleck telegraphed me that Scouts report a large force still on the Virginia side of the Potomac. If so, I fear you are exposing your left and rear. Again; as late as the 16th, after we had the most positive evidence that Lees entire army was in front of us, I received the following: WAR DEPARTMENT, September 16, 186212.30 p. m. Major-General MCCLELLAN: Yours of 7 a. m. is this moment received. As you give me no information in regard to the position of your forces, except that at Sharpsburg, of course I cannot advise. I think, however, you will find that the whole force of the enemy in your front has crossed the river. I fear now more than ever that they will recross at Harpers Ferry or below, and turn your left, thus cutting you off from Washington. This has ap- peared to me to be a part of their plan, and hence my anxiety on the subject. A heavy rain might prevent it. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. The importance of moving with all due caution so as not to uncover the National Capital until the enemys position and plans were devel- oped was, I believe, fully appreciated by me, and as my troops extended from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to the Potomac, with the extreme left flank moving along that stream, and with strong pickets left in rear to watch and guard all the available fords, 1 did not regard my left or rear as in any degree exposed. But it appears from the foregoing tele- grams that the General-in-Chief was of a different opinion, and that my movements were, in his judgment, too precipitate, not only for the safety of Washington but also for the security of my left and rear. The precise nature of these daily injunctions against a precipitate adyan ce may now be perceived. The General-in-Chief, in his testimony before the Committee on the Conduct of the War, says: In respect to General McClellan going too fast or too slow from Washington, there can be found no such telegram from me to him. He had mistaken the meaning of.the telegrams J sent him. I telegraphed him that lie was going too far, not from Wash- ington, but from the Potomac, leaving General Lee the opportunity to come down the Potomac and get between him and Washington. I thought General McClellan should keep more on the Potomac, and press forward his left rather than his right, so as the more readily to relieve Harpers Ferry. As 1 can find no telegram from the General-in. Chief recommending me to keep my left flank nearer the Potomac, I am compelled to believe that when he gave this testimony he had forgotten the purport of the telegrams above quoted, and had also ceased to remember the fact, wel Page 42 42 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL known to him at the time, that my left, from the time I left Washing- ton, always rested on the Potomac, and my center was continually in position to re-enforce the left or right, as occasion might require. Had I advanced my left flank along the Potomac more rapidly than the other columns marched upon the roads to the right, I should have thrown that flank out of supporting distance of the other troops and greatly exposed it, and if I had marched the entire army in one column along the bank of the river, instead of upon live different 1)arallel roads, the column, with its trains, would have extended about 50 miles, and the enemy might have defeated the advance before the rear could have reached the scene of action. Moreover, such a movement would have uncovered the commnnications with Baltimore and Wash- ington on our right and exposed our right and rear. I presume it will be admitted by every military man that it was necessary to move the army in such order that it could at any time be concentrated for battle; and I am of opinion that this object could not have been accomplished in any other way than the one employed. Any other disposition of our forces would have subjected them to defeat in detached fragments. On the 10th of September I received from my scouts information which rendered it quite probable that General Lees army was in the vicinity of Frederick, but whether his intention was to move toward Baltimore or Pennsylvania was not then known. On the 11th I ordered General Burnside to push a strong reconnaissance across the National road and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad toward New Market, and, if lie learned that the enemy had moved toward Hagerstown, to press on rapidly to Frederick, keeping his troops constantly rea(ly to meet the enemy in force. A corresponding movement of all the troops in the center and on the left was ordered in the direction of Urbana and Poolesville. On the 12th a portion of the right wing entered Frederick, after a brisk skirmish at the outskirts of the city and in the streets. On the 13th the main bodies of the right wing and center passed through Frederick. It was soon ascertained that the main body of the enemys forces had marched out of the city on the two previous days, taking the roads to Boonsborough and Harpers Ferry, thereby render- ing it necessary to force the passes through the Catoctin and South Mountain ridges and gain poss~ssion of Boonsborough and Rohrers- yule before any relief could be extended to Colonel Miles at Harpers Ferry. On the 113th an order fell into my hands, issued by General Lee, which fully disclosed his plans, and I immediately gave orders for a rapid and vigorous forward movement. The following is a copy of the order referred to: SrEcIAL ORDERS, ~ HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, No. 191. $ September 9, 1862. The army will resume its march to-morrow, taking the Hagerstown road. General Jacksons command will form the advance, and, after passing Middletown, with such portion as he may select, take the route toward Sharpsburg, cross the Potomac at the most convenient point, and, by Friday night, take possession of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, capture such of the enemy as may be at Martinsbnrg, and intercept such as may attcmpt to escape from Harpers Ferry. General Longstreets command will pursue the same road as far as Boonsborough, where it will halt with the reserve, supply, and baggage trains of the army. General McLaws, with his own division and that of General R. H. Anderson, will follow General Longstreet. On reachiimg Middletown he will take the route to Har- pers Ferry, and by Friday morning possess himself of the Maryland heights, and en- deavor to capture the enemy at Harpers Ferry and vicinity. General Walker, with his division, after accomplishing the object in which he i Page 43 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 43 now engagcd, will cross the Potomac at Cheeks Ford, ascend its right bank to Lov- ettsville, take possession of Loudoun Heights, if practicable, by Friday morning, Keys Ford on his left, and the road between the end of the mountain and the Potomac on his right. He will, as far as practicable, co-operate with General McLaws and General Jackson in intercepting the retreat of the enemy. General D. H. Hills division will form the rear gnard of the army, pnrsning the road taken by the main body. The reserve artillery, ordnance, supply trains, & c., will precede General Hill. General Stuart will detach a squadron of cavalry to accompany the commands Qf Generals Longstreet, Jackson, and McLaws, and with the main body of the cavalry will cover the route of the army and bring up all stragglers that may have been left behind. The commands of Generals Jackson, McLaws, and Walker, after accomplishing the objects for which they have been detached, will join the main body of the army at Boonshorough or Hagerstown. Each regiment on the march will habituafly carry its axes in the regimental ord- nance wagons, for use of the men at their encampments to procure wood, & c. By command of General H. E. Lee: R. H. CHILTON, A88i8tant Adjutant-General. Maj. Gcn. ft H. HILL, Commanding Divi8ion. In the report of a military commission, of which Maj. Gen. ID. Hunter was president, which convened at Washington for the purpose of inves- tigating the conduct of certain officers in connection with the surrender of Harpers Ferry, I find the following: The commission has remarked freely on Colonel Miles, an old officer, who has been killed in the service of his country, and it cannot from any motives of delicacy re- frain from censuring those in high command when it thinks such censure deserved. The General-in-Chief has testified that General McClellan, after having received orders to rel)el the enemy invading the State of Maryland, marched only 6 miles per (lay, on an average, when pursuing this invading enemy. The General-in-Chief also testifies that, in his opinion, he could and should have relieved and protected Harpers Ferry, and in this opinion the commission fully concur. I have been greatly surprised that this commission in its investiga- tions never called upon me nor upon any officer of my staff nor, so far as 1 know, upon any officer of the Army of the Potomac able to give an intelligent statement of the movements of that army. But another par- agraph in the same report makes testimony from such sources quite superfluous. It is as follows: By a reference to the evidence it will be seen that, at the very moment Colonel Ford abaudoned Maryland Heights, his little army was in reality relieved by Generals Franklins and Sumners corps at Cramptons Gap, within 7 miles of his position. The corps of Generals Franklin and Sumner were a part of the army which I at that time had the honor to command, and they were acting under my orders at Cramptons Gap and elsewhere and if, as the com- mission states, Colonel Fords little army was in reality relieved by those officers, it was relieved by me. I had on the morning of the 10th sent the following dispatch in rela- tion to the command at Harpers Ferry: CAMP SEAR ROcKYILLE, September 1O,* 15629.45 a. m. 1\lajor-General IIALLECK, Washington, D. C.: Colonel Miles is at or near Harpers Ferry, as I understand, with 9,000 troops. lIe can do nothing where he is, but could be of great service if ordered to join me. I sug- gest that he he ordered to join me by the most practicable route. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General. * September 11, according to files of Headquarters of the Army Page 44 44 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAP. XXXL To this I received the following reply: [WASHINGTON, D. C., September 11, 1862.] GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General: There is no way for Colonel Miles to join you at present. His oniy chance is to de- fend his works till you can open communication with him. * H. W. HALLECK. It seems necessary for a distinct understanding of this matter to state that I was directed on the 12th to assume command of the garrison of Harpers Ferry as soon as I should open communications with that l)lace, and that when I received this order all communication from the direction in which I was approaching was cut off. Up to that time, however, Colonel Miles could, in my opinion, have marched his com- mand into Pennsylvania by crossing the Potomac at Williamsport or above, and this opinion was confirmed by the fact that Colonel Davis marched the cavalry part of Colonel Miles command from Harpers Ferry on the 14th, taking the main road to Hagerstown, and he en- countered no enemy except a small picket near the mouth of the An- tietam. Before I left Washington, and when there certainly could have been no enemy to prevent the withdrawal of the forces of Colonel Miles, I recommended to the proper authorities that the garrison of Harpers Ferry sjrnuld be withdrawn, via Hagerstown, to ~id in covering the Cum- berland Valley; or that, taking up the pontoon bridge and obstructing the railroad bridge, it should fall back to the Maryland Heights and there hold out to the last. In this position it ought to have maintained itself for in any days. It was not deemed proper to adopt either of these suggestions, and when the matter was left to my discretion it was too late for me to do any- thing but endeavor to relieve the garrison. I accordingly directed ar- tillery to be fired by our advance at frequent intervals, as a signal that relief was at hand. This was done, and, as I afterwards learned, the reports of the cannon were distinctly heard at Harpers Ferry. It was confidently expected that Colonel Miles would hold out until we had carried the mountain passes and were in condition to send a detachment. to his relief. The left was therefore ordered to move through Cramp- tons Pass in front of Burkittsville, while the center and right marched upon Turners Pass in front of Middletown. It may be asked by those who are not acquainted with the topogra- phy of the country in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry why Franklin, in- stead of marching his column over the circuitous road from Jefferson via Bnrkittsville and Brownsville, was not ordered to move along the (hirect turnpike to Knoxville and thence up the river to Harpers Ferry. It was for the reason that I had received information that the enemy were anticipating our approach in that direction, and had established batteries on the south side of the Potomac which commanded all the approaches to Knoxville. Moreover the road from that point winds directly along the river bank at the foot of a precipitous mountain, where there was no opportunity of forming in line of battle, and where the enemy could have placed batteries on both sides of the river to en- filade our narrow approaching columns. The approach through Cramp- tons Pass, which debouches into Pleasant Valley in rear of Maryland Heights, was the only one which afforded any reasonable prospect of As recorded at Headquarters of the Army, this dispatch continues, When you do so, he will be subject to your orders Page 45 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 45 carrying that formidable position. At the same time the troops upon that road were in better relation to the main body of our forces. On the morning of the 14th a verbal message reached me from Colonel Miles, which was the first authentic intelligence I had received as to the condition of things at Harpers Ferry. The messenger informed me that on the preceding afternoon Maryland Heights had been abandoned by our troops, after repelling an attack of the rebels, and that Colonel Miles entire force was concentrated at Harpers Ferry, the Maryland, Loudoun, and Bolivar Heights having been abandoned by him and oc- cupied by the enemy. The messenger also stated that there was no apparent reason for the abandonment of the Maryland Heights, and that Colonel Miles instructed him to say that he could hold out with certainty two days longer. I directed him to make his way back if pos- sible, with the information that I was approaching rapidly and felt con- fident I could relieve the place. On the same afternoon I wrote the following letter to Colonel Miles, and dispatched three copies by three different couriers on different routes. I did not, however, learn that any of these men succeeded in reaching Harpers Ferry. MIDDLETOWN, September 14, 1862. Col. D~ S. MILES: COLONEL: The army is being rapidly concentrated here. We are now attacking the pass on the Hagerstown road over the Blue Ridge. A column is about attacking the Burkittsville and Boonsborough Passes. You may count on ourmaking every effort to relieve you. You may rely upon my speedily accomplishing that object. Hold out to the last extremity. If it is possible, reoccupy the Maryland Heights with your whole force. If you can do that, I will certainly be able to relieve you. As the Catoc tin Valley is in our possession, you can safely cross the river at Berlin or its vicinity, so far as opposition on this side of the river is concerned. Hold out to the last. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, Commanding. On the previous day I had sent General Franklin the following in- structions: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Gamp near Frederick, September 13, 18626.20 p. m. Mnj. Gen. W. B. FRANKLIN, Commanding Sixth Corps: GENERAL: I have now full information as to movements and intentions of the enemy. Jackson has crossed the Upper Potomac to capture the garrison at Martins- burg and cut off Miles retreat toward the west. A division on the south side of the Potomac was to carry Loudoun Heights and cut off his retreat in that direction. McLaws, with his own command and the division of R. H. Anderson, was to move by Boonsborough and Rohrersville to carry the Maryland Heights. The signal offi- cers inform me that he is now in Pleasant Valley. The firing shows that Miles still holds out. Longstreet was to move to Boonshorough and there halt with the reserve corps, D. H. Hill to form the rear guard, Stuarts cavalry to bring up stragglers, & e. We have cleared out all the cavalry this side of the mountains and north of us. The last I heard from Pleasonton lie occupied Middletown, after several sharp skirmishes. A division of Burnsides command started several hours ago to support him. The whole of Burnsides command, including Hookers corps, march this even- ing and early to-morrow morning, followed by the corps of Sumner and Banks and Sykes division, upon Boonsborough, to carry that position. Couch has been ordered to concentrate his division and join you as rapidly as possible. Without waiting for the whole of that division to join, you will move at daybreak in the morning, by Jefferson and Burkittsville, upon the road to Rohrersvihle. I have reliable infornia- tion that the mountain pass by this road is practicable for artillery and wagons. If this pass is not occupied by the enemy in force, seize it as soon as practicable, and debouch upon Rohrersville, in order to cut off the retreat of or destroy MeLaws com- mand. If you find this pass held by the enemy in large force, make all your disposi- tions for the attack, and commence it about half an hour after you hear severe firing at the pass on the Hagerstown pike, where the main body will attack. Having gained the pass, your duty will be first to cut off, destroy, or capture MeLaws corn- mand and relieve Colonel Miles. If you effect this, you will order him to join you a Page 46 46 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CuAr. XXXT. once with all his disposable troops, first destroying the bridges not already done, and, leaving a sufficient garrison to over the Potomac if prevent the enemy from pass- ing the ford, you will then return by Rohrersville on the direct road to Boonsborough if the main column has not succeeded in its attack. If it has succeeded, take the road by Rohrersville to Sharpsburg and Williamsport, in order either to cut off the retreat of Hill and Longstreet toward the Potomac, or prevent the repassage of Jack- son. My general idea is to cut the enemy in two and beat him ia detail. I believe I have sufficiently explained my intentions. I ask of you, at this important moment, all your intellect and the utmost activity that a general can exercise. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, MajorGeneral, Commanding. Again, on the 14th, I sent him the following: HEADQUARTERS An~x~ OF TIlE PorollAc, Frederick, September 14, 1S622 p. am. Major-General FRANKLIN: Your dispatch of 12.30 just received. Send back to hurry up Couch. Mass your troops and carry Burkittsville at any cost. We shall have strong opposition at both passes. As fast as the troops come up I will hold a reserve in readiness to support you. If you find the enemy in very great force at any of these passes, let me know at once, and amuse them as best you can, so as to retain them there. In that event I will probably throw the mass of the army on the pass in front of here. If I carry that it will clear the way for you, and you must then follow the enemy as rapidly as possible. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, Commanding. General Franklin pushed his corps rapidly forward toward Cramp- tons Pa~s, and at about 12 oclock on the 14th arrived at Burkittsville, immediately in rear of which he found the enemys infantry posted in force on both sides of the road, with artillery in strong positions to defend the approaches to the pass. Slocums division was formed upon the right of the road leading through the gap and Smiths upon the left. A line formed of Bartletts and Torberts brigades, supported by Kew- ton, whose activity was conspicuous, advanced steadily upon the enemy at a charge on the right. The enemy were driven from their position at the base of the mountain, where they were protected by a stone wall, steadily forced back up the slope until they reached the position of their battery on the road, well up the mountain. There they made a stand. They were, however, driven back, retiring their artillery en 6chelon until, after an action of three hours, the crest was gained and the enemy hastily fled down the mountain on the other side. On the left of the road Brooks and Irwins brigades, of Smiths division, formed for the protection of Slocums flank, charged up the mountain in the same steady manner, driving the enemy before them until the crest was carried. Four hundred prisoners from seventeen different organizations, 700 stand of arms, one piece of artillery, and three colors were captured by our troops in this brilliant action. It was con- ducted by General Franklin in all its details. These details are given in a report of General Franklin, herewith submitted, and due credit awarded to the gallant officers and men engaged. The loss in General Franklins corps was 115 killed, 416 wounded, and 2 missing. * The enemys loss was about the same. The enemys position was such that our artillery could not be used with any effect. The close of the action found General Franklins advance in Pleasant Valley on the night of the 14th, within 3k miles of the point on Maryland Heights, where he might, on the same night or on the morning of the 15th, have formed a junction with the garrison of Harpers Ferry had it not been previously withdrawn from Maryland Heights, and within 6 miles of Harpers Ferry. * Bat see revised statement, pp. 183, 201. Page 47 CHAP- XXXI] GENERAL REPORTS. 47. On the night of the 14th the following dispatch was sent to General Franklin: BouvAR, September 151 a. m. General FRANKLIN: GENERAL: * * ~ The commanding general directs that you occupy with your command the road from Rohrersville to Harpers Ferry, placing a sufficient force at Rohrersville to hold that position in case it should be attacked by the enemy from Boonsborough. Endeavor to open communication with Colonel Miles at Harpers Ferry, attacking and such of the enemy as you may find in Pleasant Val- Icy. Should you succeed in opening communication with Colonel Miles, direct him ~o join you with his whole command, with all the guns and public property that he can carry with him. The remainder of the guns will be spiked or destroyed; the rest of the public property will also be destroyed. You will then proceed to Boonshor- ough, which place the commanding general intends to attack to-morrow, and join the main body of the army at that place; should you find, however, that the enemy have retreated from Boonshorough toward Sharpsburg, you will endeavor to fall upon him and cut off hi& retreat. By command of Major-General McClellan: GEO. D. RUGGLES, Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. On the 15th the following were received from General Franklin: AT THE FOOT os MOUNT PLEASANT, in Pleasant Valley, 3 miles from iiohrersville, September 158.50 a. in. General GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN: GENERAL: My command started at daylight this morning, and I am waiting to have it closed up here. General Couch arrived about 10 oclock last night. I have ordered one of his brigades and one battery to Rohrersville or to the strongest point in its vicinity. The enemy is drawn up in line of battle about 2 miles to our front, one brigade in sight. As soon as I am sure that Rohrersville is occupied, I shall move forward to attack the enemy. This may be two bours from now. If Harpers Ferry has fallenand the cessation of firing makes me fear that it hasit is my opinion that I should be strongly re-enforced. * * * * ft ft ft W. B. FRANKLIN, Major-General, Commanding Corps. SEPTEMBER 1511 a. in. General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, 6~ommanding: GENERAL: I ~have received your dispatch by Captain OKeeffe. The enemy is in large force in my front, in two lines of ~ttle stretching across the valley, and a large columa of artillery and infantry on the right of the valley looking toward Harpers Ferry. They outnumber me two to one. It will, of course, not answer to pursue the enemy nuder these circumstances. I shall communicate with Burnside as soon as pos- sible. In the mean time I shall wait here until I learn what is the prospect of re-en- forcement. I have not the force to justify an attack on the force I see in front. I have had a very close view of it, and its position is very strong. Respectfully, W. B. FRANKLIN, Major- General. Colonel Miles surrendered flarper~s Ferry at 8 a. m. on the 15th, as the cessation of the firing indicated, and General Franklin was ordered to remain where he was, to watch the large force in front of him, and l)rotect our left and rear until the night of the 16th, when he was ordered to join the main body of the army at Keedysville, after sending Couchs division to Maryland Heights. While the events which have just been described were taking place at Cramptons Gap, the troops of the center and right wing, which had united at Frederick on the 13th, were engaged in the contest for the possession of Turners Gap. On the morning of the 13th General Pleasonton was ordered to send MeReynolds brigade and a section of artillery in the direction of Gettys- burg, and Rushs regiment toward Jefferson to communicate with Frank Page 48 48 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. un, to whom the Sixth U. S. Cavalry and a section of artillery had previously been sent, and to l)rOceed with the remainder of his force in the direction of Middletown, in pursuit of the enemy. After skirmishing with the enemy all the morning, and driving them from several strong positions, he reached Tnrners Gap of the South Mountain in the afternoon, and found the enemy in force and appar- ently determined to defend the pass. He sent back for infantry to General Bnrnside, who had been directed to sul)port him, and l)roceeded to make a reconnaissance of the position. The South Mountaiit is at this point about 1,000 feet in height, and its general direction is front northeast to southwest. The National road from Frederick to Hagers- town crosses it nearly at right angles through Turners Gap, a depres- sion which is some 400 feet in depth. The mountain on the north side of the turnpike is divided into two crests, or ridges, by a narrow valley, which, though dccl) at the I)ass, becomes a slight depression at about a mile to the north. There are two country roads, one to the right of the turnpike and the other to the left, which give access to the crests overlooking the mauui road. The one on the left, cafled the Old Sharpsburg road, is nearly parallel to and about half a mile distant from the turnpike, until it reaches the crest of the mountain, when it bends off to the left. The other road, called the Old Hagerstown road, passes up a ravine in the mountains about a mile from the turnpike, and, bending to the left over and along the first crest, enters the turnpike at the Mountain House, near the summit of the pass. On the night of the 13th the positions of the diff~rent corps were as follows: iRenos corps at Middletown, except IRodmans division at Frederick. Hookers corps on the Monocacy, 2 miles from Frederick. Sumners corps near Frederick. Banks corps near Frederick. Sykes division near Frederick. Franklins corps at Buckeystown. Couchs division at Licksville. The orders from headquarters for the march on the 14th w~re as follows: 13th, 11.30 p. m.llooker to march at daylight to Middletown. 13th, 11.30 p. m..Sykes to move at 6 a. m. after Hooker o Middletown and Hagerstown road. n the 14th, 1 a. m.Artillery reserve to follow Sykes closely. 13th, 8.45 p. m.Sumner to move at 7 a. m. 14th, 9 a. m.Sumner ordered to take the Shookstown road to Mid- dletown. 13th, 6.45 p. m.Couch ordered to move to Jefferson with his whole division. On the 14th General Pleasonton continued his reconnaissance. Gib- sons battery and afterwards Benjamins battery of IRenos corps were placed on high ground to the left of the turnpike, and obtained a direct fire on the enemys position in the gap. General Coxs division, which had been ordered up to support General Pleasonton, left its bivouac near Middletown at 6 a. m. The First Bri- gade reached the scene of action about 9 a. in., and was sent up the Old Sharpsburg road by General Pleasonton to feel the enemy and ascertain if he held the crest on that side in strong force. This was soon found to be the case, and General Cox having arrived with the other brigade, and information having been received from Geiteral IReno that the column would be supported by the whole corps, the division was ordere Page 49 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPOI~S. 49 to assault the position.: Two 20-pounder Parrotts of Simmonds battery and two sections of MeMuilins battery were left in the rear in position near the turnpike, where they did good service during the day against the enemys batteries in the gap. Colonel Scammons brigade was deployed, and, well covered by skirmishers, moved up the slope to the left of the road, with the object of turning the enemys right, if possible. It succeeded in gaining the crest and establishing itself there, in spite of the vigorous efforts of the enemy, who was posted behind stone walls and in the edges of timber, and the fire of a battery which poured in canister and case-shot on the regiment on the right of the brigade. Colonel Crooks brigade marched in columns at supporting distance. A section of McMullins battery, nuder Lieutenant Crome (killed while serving one of his guns), was moved up with great difficulty, and opened with canister at very short range on the enemys infantry, by whom, after having done considerable execution, it was soon silenced atid forced to withdraw. One regiment of Crooks brigade was now deployed on Scammons left and the other two in his rear, and they several times entered the first line and relieved the regiments in front of them when hard pressed. A section of Simmonds battery was brought up and placed in an open space in the woods, where it did good service during the rest of the day. The enemy several times attempted to retake the crest, advancing with boldness, but were each time repulsed. They then withdrew their battery to a point more to the right, and formed columns on both our flanks. It was now about noon, and a lull occurred in the contest which lasted about two hours, during which the rest of the corps was coming up. General Willeoxs division was the first to arrive. When he reached the base of the mountain, General Cox advised him to con- sult General Pleasonton as to a position. The latter indicated that on the right, afterwards taken up by General Hooker. General Willcox was in the act of moving to occupy this ground when he received au order from General iReno to move up the Old Sharpsburg road and take a position to its right, overlooking the turnpike. Two regiments were detached to support General Cox, at his request. One section of Cooks battery was placed in position near the turn of the road (on the crest), and opened fire on the enemys batteries across the gap. The division was proceeding to deploy to the right of the road, when the enemy sud- denly opened (at 150 yards) with a battery which enfiladed the road at this point, drove off Cooks cannoneers with their limbers, and caused a temporary panic, in which the guns were nearly lost. But the Seventy- ninth New York and Seventeenth Michigan promptly rallied, changed front under a heavy fire, and moved out to protect the guns, with which Captain Cook had remained. Order was soon restored, and the divisiou formed in line on the right of Cox, and was kept concealed as much as possible under the shelter of the hillside until the whole line advanced. It was exposed not only to the fire of the battery in front, but also to that of the batteries on the other side of the turnpike, and lost heavily. Shortly before this time Generals Burnside and Reno arrived at the base of the mountain, and the former directed the latter to move up the divisions ~f Generals Sturgis and Rodman to the crest held by Cox and Willcox, and to move upon the enemys position with his whole force as soon as he was informed that General Hooker (who had just beeti directed to attack on the right) was well advanced up the mountain. General Ileno then went to the front and assumed the direction of affairs, the positions having been explained to him by General Pleas- onton. 1Shortly before this time I arrived at the point occupied by 4 I~ RVOL.XIX~PT Page 50 50 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA, MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL General Baruside, and my headquarters were located there until the conclusion of the action. General Sturgis had left his camp at 1 p. in., and reached the scene of action about 3.30 p. in. Clarks battery, of his division, was sent to assist Coxs left, by order of General ileno, and two regiments (Second Maryland and Sixth New Hampshire) were de- tached by General iReno and sent forward a short distance on the left of the turnpike. His division was formed in rear of Wilicoxs, and Rod- mans division was divided; Colonel Fairchilds brigade being placed on the extreme left and Colonel Harlands, under General itodmans per- sonal supervision, on the right. My or(ler to move the whole line forward and take or silence the enemys batteries in front was executed with enthusiasm. The enemy made a desperate resistance, charging our advancing lines with fierce- ness, but they were everywhere routed, an(l fled. Our chief loss was in Willeoxs division. The enemys battery was found to be across a gorge and beyond the reach of our infantry, but its position was made untenable, and it was hastily removed and iiot again l)ut in position near us; but the batteries across the gap still kept tip a lire of shot and shell. General Wihicox praises very highly the conduct of the Seventeenth Michigan in this advancea regiment which had been organized scarcely a month, 1)ut which charged the advancing enemy in flank in a manner worthy of veteran troops; and also that of the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, which bravely met them in front. Cooks battery now reopened fire. Sturgis division was moved to the front of Wilicoxs, occupying the new ground gained on the further side of the slope, and his artillery opened on the batteries across the gap. The enemy made an effort to turn our left about dark, but were repulsed by Fairchilds brigade and Clarks battery. At atout 7 oclock the enemy made another effort to regain the lost ground, attacking along Sturgis front and part of Coxs. A lively fire w-as kept up until nearly 9 oclock, several charges being made by the enemy and repulsed with slaughter, and we finally occupied the highest l)art of the ?uountain. General lieno was killed just before sunset, while makitig a recomi- naissance to the front, and the command of the corps devolved upon General Cox. In General Thno the nation lost one of its best general officers. lie was a skillful soldier, a brave and honest nian. There was no firing after 10 oclock, and the troops slept on their arms ready to renew the fight at daylight, but the enemy quietly retired from our front during the night, abandoning their wonnde(l, and leaving their dead in large numbers scattered over the field. While these operations were progressing on the left of the main col- umn, the right, under General Hooker, was actively engaged. His corps left the Monocacy early in the morning, and its advance reached the Catoctin Creek about 1 p. mu. General Hooker then went forward to examine the ground. At about 1 oclock General Meades division was ordered to make a diversion in favor of Reno. The following is the order sent: SEPTEMBER 14i p. in. Major-General HOOKER: GENERAL: General Reno requests that a division of yours may move up on the right (north) of the main road. General McClellan desires you to comply with this request, holding your whole corps in readiness to sul)port the movement, and taking charge of it yourself. Sumners and Banks corps have comiiieiiced aniviiig. Let General Mc- (Jiellan be informed as soon as you commeiice your movement. GEG. D. 14UGGLES, Colonel, Amsi8tant Adjutant- General, and Aide-de-Cainr.. Page 51 CHAr. XXXI.] GENERAU REPORTS. 51 Meades division left Catoctin Creek about 2 oclock, and turned off to the right from the main road on the Old Hagerstown road to Mount Tabor Church, where General Hooker was, and deployed a short dis- tance in advance, its right resting about 1# miles from the turnpike. The enemy fired a few shots from a battery on the mountain side, but did no considerable damage. Coopers battery (B), First Pennsylvania Artillery, was placed in position on high ground at about 3.30 oclock, and fired at the enemy on the slope, but soon ceased by order of Gen- eral Hooker, and the position of our lines prevented any further use of artillery by us on this part of the field. The First Massachusetts Cav- alry was sent up the valley to the right to observe the movements, if any, of the enemy in that direction, and one regiment of Meades divis- ion was posted to watch a road coming in the same direction. The other divisions were deployed as they came up, General Hatchs on the left and General Ricketts, which arrived at 5 p. in., in the rear. Gen- eral Gibbons brigade was detached from Hatchs division by General Burnside for the purpose of making a demonstration on the enemys center up the main road, as soon as the movements on the right and left had sufficiently progressed~ The First Pennsylvania Rifles, of General Seymours brigade, were sent forward as skirmishers to feel the enemy, and it was found that he was in force. Meade was then directed to advance his division to the right of the road, so as to out- flank them, if possible, and then to move forward and attack, while Hatch was directed to take with his division the crest on the left of the Old Hagerstown road, IRicketts division being held in reserve. Seymours brigade was sent up to the top of the slope on the right of the ravine through which the road runs, and then moved along the summit parallel to the road, while Colonel Gallaghers and Colonel Ma- giltons brigades moved in the same direction along the slope and in the ravine. The ground was of the most difficult character for the movement of troops, the hillside being very steep and rocky, and obstructed by stone walls an(l timber. The enemy was very soon encountered, and in a short time the action became general along the whole front of the divis- ion. The line advanced steadily up the mountain side, where the en- emy was posted behind trees and rocks, from which he was gradually dislodged. During this advance, Colonel Gallagher, commanding the Third Brigade, was severely wounded, and the command devolved upon Lient. Col. Robert Anderson. General Meade, having reason to.believe that the enemy was attempt- ing to outflank him on his right, applied to General Hooker for re-en- forcements. General Duryeas brigade, of IRicketts division, was or- dered up, but it did not arrive until the close of the action. It was advanced on Seymours left, but only one regiment could open fire be- fore the enemy retired and darkness intervened. General Meade speaks highly of General Seymours skill in handling his brigade on the extreme right, securing by his maneuvers the great object of the movementthe outfianking of the enemy. While General Meade was gallantly driving the enemy on the right, General Hatchs division was engaged in a severe contest for the pos- session of the crest on the left of the ravine. It moved up the mountain in the following order: Two regiments of General Patricks brigade deployed as skirmishers, with the other two regiments of the same bri- ga(le supl)orting them; Colonel Phelps brigade in line of battalions in mass at deploying distance; General Doubledays brigade in the same order bringing up the rear. The Twenty-first New~York, having gon Page 52 52 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. straight up the slope instead of around to the right, as directed, the Second U. S. Sharpshooters was sent out in its place. Phelps and Doubledays brigades were deployed in turn as they reached the woods, which began about half-way up the mountain. General Patrick with his skirmishers soon drew the lire of the enemy, and found him strongly 1)osted behind a fence, which bounded the cleared space on the top of the ridge, having on his front the woods through which our line was advancing, and in his rear a corn-field full of rocky le(iges, which afforded good cover to fall back to if dislodged. Phelps brigade gallantly advanced under a hot fire to close quarters, ~md after ten or fifteen minutes of heavy firing on both sides (in which General Hatch was wounded while urging on his men) the fence was carried by a charge, and our line advanced a few yards beyond it, some- what sheltered by the slope of the lull. Doubledays brigade, now under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel llofmann (Colonel Wairi. wr~g1)t havino- been wounded), relieved Phelps, and continued firing br an hour and a half, the enemy, behind ledges of rocks some 30 or 40 paces in our front, making a stubborn resistance, and attempting to charee on the least cessation of our fire. About (lusk Colonel Chris- ians brigade, of Ricketts division, came up and relieved Doubledays brigade, which fell back into line behind Phelps. Christians brigade continued the action for thirty or forty minutes when the enemy re- tired, after having made an attempt to flank us on the left, which was repulsed by the Seventy-sixth New York and Seventh Indiana. The remaining brigade of Iticketts division (General llartsuffs) was moved up in the center, and connected Meades left with Doubledays right. We now had possession of the summit of the first ridge, which com- mnanded the turnpike on both sides of the mountain, and the troops were ordered to hold their positions until further orders, arid slept on their arms. Late in the afternoon General Gibbon, with his brigade and one section of Gibbons battery (B, Fourth Artillery), was ordered to niove up the main road on the enemys center. He advanced a reg- iment on each side of the road, preceded by skirmishers and followed by the other two regiments in double column, the artillery nuoving on the road until withuin range of the enemys guns, which were firing on the eolumn from the gorge. The brigade advanced steadily, driving the enemy before it from his l)ositions in the woods and behind stone walls until they reached a point well up toward the top of the pass, when the enemy, having been re- enforced by three regiments, opened a heavy fire on time front and on both flanks. The fight continued until 9 oclock, tIm e enemy being en- tirely rel)ulsed, and the brigade, after having sulkred and severely, having expended all its amurnunitiomi, including even the cartridges of the dea(l and wounded, continued to hold the ground it had so gallantly won uiitil 12 oclock, when it was relieved by General Gormans bri- gade of Sedgwicks di~~ision, Sumners corps (except the Sixth Wisconsin, which remained on the field all night). General Gibbon, in this delicate movement, handled his brigade with as much precision and coolness as if upon l)arade, and the bravery of his troops could miot be excelled. The Second Corps (Sumners) and the Twelfth Corps (Williams) reached their final positions shortly after dark. General Richardsons division was l)laced near Mount Tabor Church, in a position to support our right, if necessary. The Twelfth Corps and Sedgwicks division bivouacked around Bohivar, in a position to sup~)ort our center an(l left. Gemmeral Sykes divish~u of Regulars an(l the Artillery Reserve, halted for the imight at Middletown. Thus, on the night of the 14th the whol Page 53 CHAP. XXXI] GENERAL REPORTS. 53 army was massed in the vicinity of the field of battle, in readiness to renew the action the next day or to move in pursuit of the enemy. At daylight our skirmishers were advanced, and it was found that lie had retreated during the night, leaving his dead on the field and his wounded uncared for. About 1,500 prisoners were taken by us during the battle, and the loss to the enemy in killed was much greater than our own, and proba- bly also in wounded. It is believed that the force opposed to us at Turners Gap consisted of I). II. Hills corps (15,000) and a part, if not the whole, of Longstreets, and perhaps a portion of Jacksons, probably some 30,000 in all. We went into action with about 30 000 men and our losses amounted to 1 5 22 missing).* , 68 aggregate (312 killed, 1,234 wounded, and On the next day I had the honor to receive the following very kind dispatch from His Excellency the President: WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, Septender 15, 18622.45 p. III. Major-General MCCLELLAN: Your dispatch of to-day received. God bless you and all with you. Destroy the rebel army if possible. A. LINCOLN. AINTIETAM. On the night of the battle of South Mountain orders were given to the corps commanders to press forward the pickets at early dawn. This advance revealed the fact that the enemy had left his positions, and an immediate pursuit was orderedthe cavalry under General Pleasonton and the three corps under Generals Sumner, Hooker, and Mansfield, the latter of whom had arrived that morning and assumed command of the Twelfth (Williams) Corps by the National turnpike and I3oons- borough, the corps of Generals Buruside and Porter (the latter corn- mand at tl~tat time consisting of but one weak division, Sykes) by the Old Sharpsbnrg road, and General Franklin to move into Pleasant Val- ley, occupy IRohrersville by a detachment, and endeavor to relieve Harpers Ferry; Generals Buruside and Porter, upon reaching the road Iroin Boonsborough to IRohrersville, were to re-enforce Franklin, or to move on Sharpsburg, according to circumstances. Franklin moved toward Brownsville and found ttiere a force of the enemy, much supe- rior in numbers to his own, drawn up in a strong position to receive him. At this time the cessation of firing at Harpers Ferry indicated the surrender of that place. The cavalry overtook the enemys cavalry in l3oonsborough, made a daring charge, killing and wounding a num- ber, and capturing 250 prisoners and 2 gnus. General Richardsons division of the Second Corps, pressing the rear guard of the enemy with vigor, passed Boonsborough and Keedysville, and came upon the main body of the enemy, occupying in large force a strong l)OsitiOn a Jhw miles beyond the latter place. It had been hoped to engage the enemy during the 15th. Accord- ingly, instructions were given that if the enemy were overtaken on the march, they should be attacked at once; if found in heavy force and iii position, the corps in advance should be placed in position for attack, and await my arrival. On reaching the advanced position of our troops, I found but two divisions, Richardsons and Sykes, in position. The other troops were halted in the road, the head of the column some dis- tance in rear of Richardson. The enemy occupied a strong position on I~ut see reVisc(l statement, pp. 184158 Page 54 54 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [ChAr. XXXT. ~-the height~ on the west side of Antietam Creek, dis~)laying a large force of infantry and cavalry, with numerous batteries of artill~ry, which opened on our columns as they appeared in sight on the Keedysville road and Sharpsburg turnpike, which fire was returned by Captain Tid- balls light battery, Second U. S. Artillery, and Pettits battery, First New York Artillery. The division of General Richardson, following close on the heels of the retreating foe, halted and deployed near An. tietam River, on the right of the Sharpsburg road. General Sykes, leading on the division of Regulars on the Old Sharpsburg road, came up and deployed to the left of General Richardson, on the left of the road. Antietam Creek in this vicinity is crossed by four stone bridgesthe upper one on the Keedysville and Wilhiamsport road; the second on the Keedysville and Sharpsburg turnpike, some 2.~ miles below; the third about a mile below the second, on the Rohrersville and Sharpsburg road, and the fourth near the mouth of Antietam Creek, on the road leading -. from Harpers Ferry to Sharpsburg, some 3 miles below the third. The Xstream is sluggish, with few and difficult fords. After a rapid exainina- tion of the position, I found that it was too late to attack that day, and at once directed the placing of the batteries in position in the center, and indicated the bivouacs for the different corps, massing them near aiid on both sides of the Sharpsburg turnpike. The corps were not all in their positions until the next morning after sunrise. On the morning of the 16th it was discovered that the enemy had changed the position of his, batteries. The masses of his troops, how- ever, were still concealed behind the opposite heights. Their left and center were upon and in front of the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown turn- pike, hidden by woods and irregularities of the ground, their extreme left resting upon a wooded eminence near the cross-roads to the north of J. Millers farm, their left resting upon the Potomac. Their line ex- tended south, the right resting upon the hills to the south of Sharps- bnrg, near 5navely~s farm. The bridge over the Antietam, described as No. 3, near this point was strongly covered by riflemen, protected by rifle-pits, stone fences, & c., and enfiladed by artillery. The ground in front of this line consisted of undulating hills, their crests in turn commanded by others in their rear. On all favorable points the enemys artillery was posted, and their reserves, hidden from view by the hills on which their line of battle was formed, could maneuver nnobserved by our army, and, from the shortness of their line, could rapidly re-enforce any point threatened by our attack. Their position, stretching across the angle formed by the Potomac and Antietam, their flanks and rear protected by these streams, was one of the strongest to be found in this region of country, which is well adapted to defensive warfare. On the right, near Keedysville, on both sides of the Sharpsbnrg turn- pike, were Sumners and Hookers corps. In. advance, on the right of the turnpike and near the Antietam River, General Richardsons divis- ion, of General ~ corps, was posted. General Sykes division, of General Porters corps, was on the left of the turnpike and in line with General Richardson, protecting the Bridge No. 2, over the Antie- tam. The left of the line, opposite to and some distance from Bridge No. 3, was occupied by General Burusides corps. Before giving General Hooker his orders to make the movement which will presently be described, I rode to the left of the line to sat- isfy myself that the troops were properly posted there to secure our left flank from any attack made along the left bank of the Antietam, as well as to enable us to carry Bridge No. 3 Page 55 ChAP. XXXI.] GENE1~AL REPORT& ~. 55 I fonnd it necessary to make considerable changes in the position of (~eimral i3Llrnsi(lcs corps, and directed him to advance to a strong posi- tion in the immediate vicinity of the bridge and to reconnoiter the ap- proaches to the bridge carefully. In front of Generals Sumners and Bookers corps, near Keedysville, and on the ridge of the first line of hills overlooking the Antietam, and between the turnpike and Prys house on the ri~ht of the road, were placed Captains Tafts, Laugners, \o~ Kicisers, and Lieutenant Wevers batteries of 20-pounder Par- rett guns; on the crest of the hill, in the rear and right of Bridge No. 3, Capt a in Weeds 3-inch and Lieutenant Benjamins 20-pounder l)atteries. General Franklins corps and General Couchs division held a position in Pleasant Valley, in front of Brownsville, with a strong force of the enemy in their front. General Morehls division, of Porters corps, was en. route from Boonshorough, an(I General llumphreys divisioti of new trooJ)s en ro ate from Frederick~ Md. About daylight on the 16th the enemy opened a heavy fire of artillery on our guns in position, which was promptly returned. Their fire was silenced for the time, but was frequently renewed during the day. In the heavy fire of the morning, Major Arndt, commanding First Battalion First New York Artillery, was mortally wounded while directing the operations of his batteries. It was afternoon before I could move the troops to their positions for attack, being coLnl)elled to spend the morning in reconnoitering the new position taken up by the enemy, examining the ground, finding fords, clearing the approaches, and hurrying up the ammunition and suJ)ply traiiis, which had been delayed by the rapid march of the troops over the fPw l)racticable approaches from Frederick. These had been crowded by the umasses of infantry, cavalry, and artillery pressing on with the hope of overtaking the enemy before he could form to resist an attack. Many of the troops were out of rations on the previous day, and a good (leal of their ammunition had been expended in the severe action of the 14th. My l)lan for the impending general engagement was to attack the enemys left with the corps of Hooker and Mansfield, supported by Sumniiers amid, if necessary, by Franklins, and, as soon as matters looked favorably there, to move the CO~l)5 of Burnside against the enemys extreimme right, 111)011 the ridge running to the south and rear of Sharps- burg, and, having carried their l)OsitiOn, to press alomig the crest toward our right,, and, whenever either of these flank movements should be sue- cesstYml, to advance our center with all the forces then disposable. About 2 p. m. General Hooker with his corps, consisting of Generals Ricl~etts, Meades, and Doubledays divisions, was ordered to cross the Antietam at a ford and at Bridge No. 1, a short distance above, to attack and, if possible, turn the enemys left. General Sumimer was or(lere(l to cross the corps of General Mansfield (the Twelfth) during the night and hold his own (the Second) Corps ready to cross early the next niorning. 0mm reaching the vicinity of the enemys left, a sharp contest comim mcm ce(l with the Pennsylvania Reservesthe advance of Gemmera 1 Hookers corpsnear the house of B. Miller. The enemy were (lriven from the strip of woo(ls where he was first met. The firing lasted until after dark, when General Hookers corps rested on their armims on groumm(l won from the enemy. l)mmring the night General Mansfields corps, consisting of Generals Williams and Greenes divisions, crossed the Antietam at the same ford and bridge that General hookers troops had passed, and bivouacked on the farm of J. Poftenberger, about a mile in rear of General hookers h)Osition. At daylight on the 17th the action was commenced by th Page 56 56 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. skirmishers of the Pennsylvania Reserves. The whole of General Hookers corps was soon engaged, and drove the enemy from the open field in front of the first line of woods into a second line of woods beyond, which runs to the eastward of and nearly parallel to the Sharps- burg and ilagerstown turnpike. This contest was obstinate, and as the troops advanced the opposition became more determined and the number of the enemy greater. General Hooker then ordered up the corps of General Mansfield, which moved promptly toward the scene of action. The First Division, General Williams, was deployed to the right on approaching the enemy; General Crawfords brigade on the right, its right resting on the Hagerstown tnrnpike; on his left General Gordons brigade. The Second Division, General Greenes, joining the left of Gordons, extended as far as the bnrned building to the northeast of the white church on the turnpike. During the deployment, that gallant veteran, General Mansfield, fell mortally wounded while examining the ground in front of his troops. General llartsuff, of Hookers corps, was severely wounded while bravely pressing forward his troops, and was taken from the field. The command of the Twelfth Corps fell upon General Williams. Five regiments of the First Division of this corps were new troops. One bri- gade of the Second Division was sent to support General Doubleday. The One hundred and twenty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers were pushed across the turnl)ike into the woods beyond J. Millers house, with orders to hold the position as long as possible. The line of battle of this corps was formed, and it became engaged about 7 a. in., the attack being opened by Knaps (Pennsylvania), Cothrans (New York), and Hamptons (Pittsburgh) batteries. To meet this attack the enemy had pushed a strong column of troops into the open fields in front of the turnpike, while he occupied the woods on the west of the turnpike in strong force. The woods (as was found by sub- sequent observation) were traversed by outcropping ledges of rock. Several hundred yards to the right and rear was a hill which commanded the dJbouch~ of the woods, and in the fields between was a long line of stone fences, continued by breastworks of rails, which covered the enemys infantry from our musketry. The same woods formed a screen, behind which his movements were concealed, and his batteries on the hill and the rifle-works covered from the fire of our artillery in front. For about two hours the battle raged with varied success, the enemy endeavoring to drive our troops into the second line of wood, and ours in turn to get possession of the line in front. Our troops ultimately succeeded in forcing the enemy back into the woods near the ti~rnpike, General Greene with his two brigades crossing into the woods to the left of the Dunker Church. During this conflict General Crawford, commanding the First Division after General Williams took command of the corps, was wounded, and left the field. General Greene being much exposed and applying for re-enforcements, the Thirteenth New Jersey, Twenty-seventh Indiana, and the Third Maryland were sent to his support, with a section of Knaps battery. At about 9 oclock a. m. General Sedgwicks (livision of General Sumners corps arrived. Crossing the ford previously mentioned, this (livision marched in three columns to the support of the attack on the enemys left. On nearing the scene of action the columns were halted, faced to the front, and established by General Sumner in three parallel lines by brigade, facing toward the south and west; General Gormans brigade in front, General Danas second, and General Howards third Page 57 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 57 with a distance between the lines of some 70 paces. The division was then put in motion, and moved upon the field of battle under fire from the enemys concealed batteries on the hill beyond the roads. Passing diagonally to the front across the open space, and to the front of the First Division of General Williams corps, this latter division withdrew. Entering the woods on the west of the turnpike and driving the enemy before them the first line was met by a heavy fire of musketry and shell from the enemys breastworks and the batteries on the hill command- ing the exit from the woods. Meantime a heavy column of the enemy had succeeded in crowding back the troops of General Greenes division, and appeared in rear of the left of Sedgwicks division. By command of General Sumner, General Howard faced the third line to the rear, preparatory to a change of front to meet the column advancing on the left; but this line, now suffering from a destructive fire both in front and on its left, which it was unable to return, gave way toward the right and rear in considerable confusion, and was soon followed by the first and second lines. General Gormans brigade and one regiment of Gen- eral Danas soon rallied and checked the advance of the enemy on the right. The second and third lines now formed on the left of General Gormans brigade, and ponred a destructive fire upon the enemy. During General Sumners attack he ordered General Williams to sul)port him. Brigadier-General Gordon with a portion of his brigade iuoved forward, but when he reached the woods the left of General Sedgwicks division had given way, and finding himself, as the smoke cleared up, opposed to the enemy in force with his small command, he withdrew to the rear of the batteries at the second line of woods. As General Gordons troops unmasked our batteries on the left, they opened with canister, the batteries of Captain Cothran, First New York, and I, First Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Woodruff doing good serv- ice. Unable to withstand this deadly fire in front and the musketry fire from the right, the enemy again sought shelter in the woods and rocks beyond the turnpike. During this assault Generals Sedgwick and Dana were seriously wounded and taken from the field. General Sedgwick, though twice wounded and faint from loss of blood, retained command of his divisiomi for more than an hour after his first wound, animating his command by his presence. Abont the time of General Sedgwicks advance, General llo9ker, while urging on his command, was severely wounded in the foot and taken from the field, and General Meade was placed in command of his corps. General Howard assumed command after General Sedgwick retired. The repulse of the enemy offered opportunity to rearrange the lines and reorganize the commands on the right, now more or less in confu- sion. The batteries of the Pennsylvania Reserve, on high ground near J. Polfenbergers house, opened fire, and checked several attempts of the enemy to establish batteries in front of our right, to turn that flank and enfilade the lines. While the conflict was so obstinately raging on the right, General French was pushing his division against the enemy still farther to the left. This division crosse(I the Antietam at the same ford as General Sedgwick, and immediately in his rear. Passing over the stream in three columns, the division marched about a mile from the ford, then, facing to the left, moved iii three lines towards the enemy; General Max Webers brigade in front, Col. Dwight ~ brigade of raw troops, undrilled, and moving for the first time under fire, in the second Page 58 58 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA, MD., AND PA [CITAIx XXXI. afl(l Geuieral i~iiuba11s brigade in the thir(l. The division was fiist assailed by a lire of artillery, l)Llt steadily advanced, (iriving in the enemys skirmishers, and encountered the infantry in some force at the group oF houses on Roulettes farm. General Webers brigade gallantly advanced, with an unwavering and (hove the ~ their position about the houses, front, enemy from While General Weber was hotly engaged with time first line of the enemy, General French received orders from General Sumner, his corps commander, to push on with renewed vigor, to make a diversion in favor of the attack on the right. Leaving the new troops, who had been thrown into some confusion from their march through corn-fields, over fences, & c., to form as a reserve, lie ordered the brigade of General Kimball to the front, passing to the left of General Weber. The enemy was pressed back to near the crest of tIme hill, where he was encountered iii greater strength runnino hi a l)oste(l in a sunken road forming a natural rifle-pit northwesterly direction. In a corn-field in rear of this road were also strong bodies of the eneirmy. As the line reached the crest of the lull, a galling fire was opened on it from the sunken road and corn-field. Here a terrific fire of musketry burst from both lines, and tIme l)attle raged along the whole line with great slaughter. The enemy attemnl)te(l to turn the left of the line, but were met by the Seventh Virginia and One hundred and thirty-second Pennsylvania \Tolminteers and repulsed. Foiled in this, the enemy made a (letermuined assault on time front, but were met by a charge from our lines which (irove them back with severe loss, leaving in our hands some 300 pris- omiers an(l several stand of colors. Time enemy, having becim repulsed by time terrible execution of time batteries and the musketry fire on time extreme right, now attempted to assist time attack on General Frenchs (hivision by assailing him on his right and endeavoring to turn this flaimk, but this attack was met and checked by the Fourteenth Jim(hiana and Eighth Ohio Volunteers, and by canister from Captain Tompkins battery, First Rhode Island Artillery. Having been under an almost continuous fire for nearly four hours, and the arumurmition nearly ex- pemided, this divisiomm now took l)osition imnmne(liatel below the crest of the heights on which they had so gallantly fought, time enemy making no attempt to regain their lost ground. Oii the left of General French Geimeral Richardsons (hivision was hotly engaged. Having crossed the Antietam about 9.30 a. m. at tIme fbrd crossed by the other divisions of Sumners corps, it moved on a line nearly l)arailel to the Antietam, and formued in a ravimme behin(l the high grounds overlooking Roulettes house; the Second (Irish) Brigade, comumnanded by General Meagher, on the right; time Timird Brigade, commuanded by General Caidwell, on his left, amid the brigade comn- mnanded by Colommel Brooke, Fifty-third Penmisylvania Volurmteers, in support. As the division mimoved forward to take its position on the field, time enemny (hirecte(l a fire of artillery against it, but., owing to the irregularities of the grouimd, did but little damuage. Meagimers brigade, advancing steadily, soon became em m gage(l with tlme enem.y, poste(i to time left and in fromit ot Roulettes house. It con- tinued to advance, under a heavy fire, nearly to the crest of the imihl overlooking Pipers house, the enemny being posted in a comitinnation of the sunken road and corn-field before referred to. here the brave Irish Brigade Ol)ened upon the enemny a terrific musketry fire. All of General Sumners corps was now engagedGeneral Sedgwick on the right, General French iii the center, and General Richardson on the left. The Irish Brigade sustained its well-earned reputation. Afte Page 59 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 59 suffering terribly in officers and men, and strewing the ground with their enemies as they drove them back, their ammunition nearly expended, and their commander, General Meagher, disabled by the t~ill of his horse, shot under him, this brigade was ordered to give place to General Cald- wells brigade, which advanced to a short distance in its rear. The lines were passed by the Irish Brigade, breaking by company to the rear, and General Caldwells, by company to the front, as stea(liJy as on drill. Colonel Brookes brigade now became the second line. The ground over which Generals Richardsons and Frenchs divisions were fighting was very irregular, intersected by numeThus ravines, hills covered with growing corn, inclosed by stone walls, behind which the enemy could advance unobserved upon any exposed point of our lines. Taking advantage of this, the enemy attempted to gain the right of Richardsons position in acorn-field near Roulettes house, where the (livisiOlm had become separated from that of General French. A change of front by the Fifty-second New York and Second Delaware Volnu- teers, of Colonel Brookes brigade, under Colonel Frank, and the attack made by the Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, sent farther to the right by Colonel Brooke to close this gap in the line, and the movement of the One hundred and thirty-second Pennsylxauia and Seventh Vir- ginia Volunteers, of General Frenchs division, before referred. to, drove the enemy from the corn-field and restored the line. The brigade of General Caidwell, with determined gallantry, l)nshlCd the enemy back opposite the left and center of this division, but, shel- tered in the sunken road, they still held our forces omi the right of Cald- well in check. Colonel Barlow, commanding time Sixty-firstaud Sixty- fourth New York Regiments, of CaIdwells brigade, seeing a lhvorable opportunity, advanced the regiments on the left, taking the line in the sunken road in flank, and compelled them to surrender, capturing over 300 prisoners and three stand of colors. The whole of the brigade, with the Fifty-seventh aimd Sixty-sixth New York Regiments, of Colonel Brookes brigade, who had moved these reg- iments into the first line, now advanced with gallantry, drivino the en- emy before them in confusion into the corn-field beyond the sunken road. The left of the division was now well advanced, when the en- emy, concealed by an intervening ridge, endeavored to turmi its left and rear. Colonel Cross, Fifth New Hampshire, by a change of front to the left and rear, brought his regiment facing the advancing line. here a spir- ited contest arose to gain a commanding height, the two opposing forces moving parallel to each other, giving and receiving fire. Time Fifth, gain- ing time advantage, faced to the right and delivered its volley. The en- emy staggered, but rallied and advanced desperately at a charge. Be- ing re-enforced by the Eighty-first Pennsylvania, these regiments met the advance by a counter-charge. The enemy fled, leaving many killed, wounded, and prisoners, aimd the colors of the Fourth Nortim Carolina in our hands. Another column of the enemy, advancing under simelter of a stone wall and corn-field, pressed dowmi on the right of the division ; but Colonel Barlow again advanced the Sixty-first an(l Sixty-fourth New York against these troops, and, with the attack of Kimballs brigade oim the right, drove them from this position. Our troops on the left of this part of the line having driveim the enemy far back, they, with re-enforced numbers, made a determined attack directly in front. To meet this, Colonel Barlow brought his two regi- ments to their position in line, and drove the enemy through the corn Page 60 60 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., A ND PA. [Onir. XXXI. field into the orchard beyond, under a hqavy fire of musketry, and a fire of canister from two pieces of artiller~r in the orchard, and a battery farther to the right, throwing shell and case-shot. This advance gave us possession of Pipers house, the strong point contended for by the enemy at this part of the line, it being a defensible building several hundred yards in advance of the sunken road. The musketry fire at this point of the line now ceased. Holding Pipers house, General Richardson withdrew the line a little way to the crest of a hill, a more advantageous position. Up to this time the division was without artil- lery, and in the new position suffered severely from artillery fire, which could not be replied to. A section of Robertsons horse battery, com- manded by Lieutenant Vincent, Second Artillery, now arrived on the ground and did excellent service. Subsequently a battery of brass gums, commanded by Captain Graham, First Artillery, arrived, and was posted on the crest of the hill, and soon silenced the two guns in the orchard. A heavy fire soon ensued between the battery farther to the right and our own. Captain Grahams battery was bravely and skillfully served, but, unable to reach the enemy, who had rifled guns of greater range than our smooth-bores, retired by order of General Richardson, to save it from useless sacrifice of men and horses. The brave general was himself mortally wounded while personally direct. ing its fire. General Hancock was placed in command of the division after the fall of General Richardson. General Meaghers brigade, now commanded by Colonel Burke, of the Sixty-third New York, having refilled their cartridge-boxes, was again ordered forward, and took position in the center of the line. The division now occupied one line in close prox- imity to the enemy, who had taken up a position in the rear of Pipers house. Col. Dwight Morris, with the Fourteenth Connecticut and a detachment of the One hundred and eighth New York, of General Frenchs division, was sent by General French to the support of General Richardsons division. This command was now placed in an interval in the line between General CaIdwells and the Irish Brigade. The requirements of the extended line of battle had so engaged the artillery that the application of General hancock for artillery for the (livision could not be complied with immediately by the chief of artil- lery or the corps commanders in his vicinity. Knowing the tried cour- age of the troops, General Hancock felt confident that he could hold his position, although suffering from the enemys artillery, but was too weak to attack, as the great length of the line he was obliged to hold prevented him from forming more than one line of battle, and, from his advanced position, this line was already partly entiladed by the bat- teries of the enemy on the right, which were protected from our batteries opposite them by the woods at the Bunker Church. Seeing a body of the enemy advancing on some of our troops to the left of his position, General Hancock obtained Hexamers battery from General Franklins corps, which assisted materially in frustrating~this attack. It also assisted the attack of the Seventh Maine, of Franklins corps, which, without other aid, made an attack against the enemys line and drove in skirmishers who were annoying our artillery and troops on the right. Lieutenant Woodruff, with Battery I, First Artillery, relieved Captain Hexamer, whose ammunition was expended. The enemy at one time seemed to be about making an attack in force upon this part of the line, and advanced a long column of infantry toward this division, but, on nearing the position, General Pleasonton opening on them with sixteen guns, they halted, gave a desultory fire, and re- treated, closing the operations on this portion of the field Page 61 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 61 I return to the incidents occurring still farther to the right. Between 12 and 1 P. in. General Franklins corps arrived on the field of battle, having left their camp near Cramptons Pass at 6 a. ni., leaving General Conch with orders to move with his division to OCCUI)Y Mary- land Heights. General Smiths division led the column, followed by General Slocums. it was first intended to keep this corps in reserve on the east side of the Antietam, to operate on either flank or on the center, as circuin- stances might require, but on nearing Keedysville the strong opposi- tion on the right, developed by the attacks of Hooker and Sumner, ren- dered it necessary at once to send this corps to the assistance of the right wing. On nearing the field, hearing that one of our batteries (A, Fourth U. S. Artillery), commanded by Lieutenant Thomas, who occupied the same J)osition as Lieutenant Woodruffs battery in the morning, was hotly eiigaged without supports, General Smith sent two regiments to its re ~ I ief from General Hancocks brigade. On inspecting the ground, General Smith ordered the other regiments of Hancocks brigade, with Franks ~ and Cowans batteries, First New York Artillery, to the threatened j)OsitiOIl. Lieutenant Thomas and Captain Cothran, commanding bat- teries, bravely held their positions against the advancing enemy, hand- ling their batteries with skill. Finding the enemy still advancing, the Third Brigade of Smiths di- vision, commanded by Colonel Irwin, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volun- teers, was ordered up, and, passing through Lieutenant Thomas battery, charged upon the enemy and drove back the advance until abreast of the Dunker Church. As the right of the brigade came opposite the woods it received a destructive fire, which checked the advance and threw the brigade somewhat into confusion. It formed again behind a rise of ground in the open space in advance of the batteries. General French having reported to General Franklin that his ammu- iiition was nearly expended, that officer ordered General Brooks with his brigade to re-enforce him. General Brooks formed his brigade ou the right of General French, where they remained 4uring the remainder of the day and night, frequently under the fire of the enemys artillery. It was soon after the brigade of Colonel Irwin had fallen back behind the rise of ground that the Seventh Maine, by order of Colonel irwin, made the gallant attack already referred to. The advance of General Franklins corps was opportune. The attack of the enemy on this position, but for the timely arrival of his corps, must have been disastrous had it succeeded in piercing the line between Gen- erals Sedgwicks and Frenchs divisions. General Franklin ordered two brigades of General Slocums division, General Newtons and Colonel Torberts, to form in column to assault the woods that had been so hotly contested before by Generals Sumner and ~Qoker. Geucral Bartletts brigade was ordered to form as a reserve. At this time Gen-V-.. eral Sumner, having command on the right, directed further offensive operations to be postponed, as the repulse of this, the only remaining coips available for attack, would peril the safety of the whole arrny~ General Porters corps, consisting of General Sykes division of I~egnlars and Volunteers and General Morells divisioii of Volunteers, occupied a position on the east side of Antietam Creek, upon the main turnpike leading to Sharpsburg, and directly opposite the center of the enemys line. This corps filled the interval between the right wing and General Burnsides command, and guarded the main approach from the enemys position to our trains of supply. It was necessary to watc Page 62 62 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. this part of our line with the utmost vigilance, lest the enemy should take advantage of the first exhibition of weakness here to push upon us a vigorous assault for the purpose of piercing our center and turning our rear, as well as to capture or destroy our supply trains. Once hay- ing penetrated this line, the enemys passage to our rear could have met with but feeble resistance, as there were no reserves to re-enforce or close up the gap. Toward the middle of the afternoon, proceeding to the right, I found that Sumners, hookers, and Mansfields corps had met with serious losses. Several general officers had been carried from the field severely wounded, and the aspect of affairs was anything but promising. At the risk of greatly exposing our center, I ordered two brigades from Porters corps, the only available troops, to re-enforce the right. Six battalions of Sykes Regulars had been thrown forward across the Antietam Bridge on the main road to attack and drive back the enemy~ sharpshooters, who were annoying Pleasontons horse batteries in ad- vance of the bridge. Warrens brigade, of Porters corps, was detached to hold a position on Burusides right and rear, so that Porter was left at one time with only a portion of Sykes division and one small bri- gade of Morells division (but little over 3,000 men) to 1101(1 his impor- tant position. General Sumner expressed the most decided opinion against another attempt during that day to assault the enemys position iii front, as portions of onr troops were so much scattered and demoralized. In view of these circnmstances, after making changes in the position of some of the troops, I directed the different commanders to hold their positions, and, being satisfied that this could be done without the assist- ance of the t~vo brigades from the center, I countermanded the order, which was in course of execution. Genci-al Slocums division replaced a portiomi of General ~uinners trOOl)5, and positions were selected for batteries in front of the woods. The enemy opened several heavy fires of artillery on the position of our troops after this, but our batteries soon silenced them. On the morning Qf the 17th, General Pleasonton, with his cavalry division and the horse batteries, under Captains Robertson, Tidball, and Lieutenant Hams, of the Second Artillery, amid Captain Gibson, Third Artillery, was ordered to advance on the turnpike toward Sharpsburg, across Bridge No. 2, and support the left of General Sumners line. The bridge being covered by a fire of artillery and sharpshooters, cav- alry skirmishers were thrown out, and Captain Tidballs battery a(l- vanced by piece and drove off the sharpshooters, with canister, suffi- ciently to establish the batteries above mentioned, which opened on the enemy with effect. The firing was kept up for about two hours, when, the enemys fire slackening, the batteries were relieved by Ran- dols and Van Reed?s batteries, U. S. Artillery. About 3 oclock, Tidhall, Robertson, and ilajus returned to theh- positions on the west of An- tietam, Captain Gibson having been placed in position on the east side to guard the approaches to the bridge. These batteries did good sery- ice, concentrating their fire on the column of the enemy about to at- tack General Hancocks position, and compelling it to find shelter behind the hills in rear. General Sykes division had been in positiomi since the 15th, exposed to the cimemnys artillery and sharpshootei-s. General Morell had come up on time l6tlm, and relieved General Richardson, on the iight of Gemi- eral Sykes. Continually under the vigilant watch of the enemy, this corps guarded a vital l)oint Page 63 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 63 The position of the batteries under General Pleasonton being one of great exposure, the battalion of the Second and Tenth U. S. Infantry, under Captain Poland, Second Infantry, was sent to his supJ)ort. Sub- sequently four battalions of regular infantry, under Captain Dryer, Fourth infantry, were sent across to assist in driving off the sharp- shooters of the enemy. The battalion of the Second and Tenth Infantry, advancing far be- yond the batteries, compelled the cannoneers of a battery of the enemy to abandon their guns. Few in numbers and unsupported, they were unable to bring them off. The heavy loss of this small body of men attests their gallantry. The troops of General Burnside held the left of the line opposite Bridge No. 3. The attack on the right was to have been supported by an attack on the left. Preparatory to this attack, on the evening of the 16th General Burusides corps was moved forward and to the left, and took up a position nearer the bridge. I visited General Burnsides position on the 16th, and after pointing out to him the proper dispositions to be made of his troops during the day and night, informed him that he would probably be required to attack the enemys right on the following morning, and directed him to make careful reconnaissances. General Burnsides corps, consisting of the divisions of Generals Cox, Wilicox, I~odman, and Sturgis, was posted as follows: Colonel Crooks brigade, Coxs division, on the right; General Sturgis division imme- (liately in rear; on the left was General Rodmans division, with Gen- eral Scammons brigade, Coxs division, in support; General Willeoxs division was held in reserve. The corps bivouacked in position on the night of the 16th. Early on the morning of the 17th, I ordered General I3urnside to form his troops and hold them in readiness to assault the bridge in his front, and to await further orders. At 8 oclock an order was sent to him by Lieutenant Wils?n, Topographical Engineers, to carry the bridge, tlmeii to gain possession of the heights beyond, and to advance along their crest npon Sharpsburg and its rear. After some time had elal)sed, not hearing from him, I dispatched an aide to ascertain what -/~ had been done. The aide returned with the information that but little ~~iogress had been made. I then sent him back with an order to Gen- eral Buruside to assault the bridge at once, and carry it at all hazards. The aide returned to mea second time with the report that the bridge was still in the possession of the enemy; whereupon I directed Colonel Sachet, Inspector-Gemmeral, to deliver to General Buruside my positive order to push forward his troops without a moments delay, and, if nec- essary, to carry the bridge at the point. of the bayonet, and I ordered Colonel Sacket to remain with General Buruside aiid see that the order was exeented promptly. After these three hours delay, the bridge was carried at 1 oclock by a brilliant charge of the Fifty-first New York and Fifty-first Pennsyl- vania Volunteers. Other troops were then thrown over and the oppo- site bank occupied, the enemy retreating to the heights beyond. A halt was then made by General Burnsides advance until 3 p. in., npou ( hearing which I directed one of my aides, Colonel Key, to inform Geii- eral Buruside that I desired him to push forward his troops wit.h the utniost vigor, and carry the enemys position on the heights; that the mmmovemuemmt was vital to our success; that this was a time when we imist not 5t01) for loss of life if a great object could thereby be aCCOinJ)liShCd; that if, in his judgment, his attack would fail, to inform inc so at once Page 64 64 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAP. XXXL that his troops might be withdrawn and used elgewhere on the field. He replied that he would soon advance, and would go up the hill as far as a battery of the enemy on the left would permit. Upon this report I again immediately sent Colonel Key to General Burnside wth orders to advance at once, if possible, to flank the battery or storm it, and carry the heights, repeating that if he considered the movement impracti- cable to inform me so, that his troops might be recalled. The advance was then gallantly resumed, the enemy driven from the guns, the heights handsomely carried, a~nd a portion of the troops even reached the outskirts of Sharpsburg. By this time it was nearly dark, and strong re-enforcements just then reaching the enemy from Harpers Ferry, attacked General Burnsides troops on their leCt flank and forced them to retire to a lower line of hills nearer the bridge. If this import- ant movement had been consummated two hours earlier, a position would have been secured upon the heights from which our batteries might have enfiladed the greater part of the enemys line, and turned their right and rear. Our victory might thus have been much more decisive. The following is the substance of General Burnsides operations, as given in his report: Colonel Crooks brigade was ordered to storm the bridge. This bridge (No. 3) is a stone structure of three arches with stone parapets. The banks of the stream on the opposite side are precipitous, and com- mand the eastern approaches to the bridgo. On the hillside immedi- ately by the bridge was a stone fence, running parallel to the stream. The turns of the roadway as it wound up the hill were covered by rifle- pits and breastworks of rails, & c. These works and the woods that covered the slopes were filled with the enemys riflemen, and batteries were in position to enfilade the bridge and its approaches. General iRodman was ordered to cross the ford below the bridge. From Colonel Crooks position it was found impossible to carry the bridge. General Sturgis was ordered to make a detail from his divisioii for that purpose. He sent forward the Second Maryland and the Sixth New Hampshire. These regiments made several successive attacks in the most gallant style, but were driven back. The artillery on the left were ordered to concentrate their fire on the woods above the bridge. Colonel Crook brought a section of Captain Simmonds battery to a position to command the bridge. The Fifty-first New York and Fifty- first Pennsylvania were then ordered to assault the bridge. Taking ad- vantage of a small spur of the hills which ran parallel to the river, they moved toward the bridge. From the crest of this spur they rushed with bayonets fixed and cleared the bridge. The division followed -the storming party, also the brigade of Colonel Crook, as a support. The enemy withdrew to still higher ground, some 500 or 600 yards beyond, and opened a fire of artillery on the troops in the new nosition on the crest of the hill above the bridge. General liodmans division suc- ceeded in crossing the ford after a sharp fire of musketry and artillery, and joined on the left of Sturgis, Scam mons brigade crossing as sup- port. General Willcoxs division was ordered across to take position on General Sturgis right. These dispositions being completed, about 3 oclock the command moved forward, except Sturgis division, left in reserve. Clarks and IDurells batteries accompanied iRodmans division, Cooks battery with Willcoxs division, and a section of Simrnonds battery with Colonel Crooks brigade. A section of Simmonds battery and Muhlenbergs and MeMullins batteries were in position. The order for the advance was obeyed by the troops with alacrity. General Willcoxs division Page 65 CHAr. XXXI.] GENtA~AL 1~EPORTS. 65 with Crook in support, moved up on both sides of the turnpike leading from the bridge to Sharpsburg, General iRodmans division, supported by Scammons brigade, on the left of General Wilicox. The enemy re- treated before the advance of the troops. The Ninth New York, of General Rodmans division, captured one of the enemys batteries and held it for some tIme. As the command was driving the enemy to the main heights on the left of the town, the light division of General A. P. Hill arrived upon the field of battle from Harpers Ferry, and with a heavy artillery fire made a strong attack on the extreme left. To meet this attack, the left division diverged from the line of march intended, and opened a gap between it and the right. To fill up this, it was neces- sary to order the troops from the second line. During these movements General iRodman was mortally wounded. Colonel Harlands brigade, of General IRodmans division, was driven back. Colonel Scammons brigade, by a change of front to rear on his right flank, saved the left from being driven completely in. The fresh troops of the enemy pouring in, and the accumulation of artillery against this command, destroyed all hope of its being able to accomplish anything more. It was now nearly dark. General Stnrgis was ordered forward to support the left. Notwithstanding the hard work in the early part of the day, his division moved forward with spirit. With its assistance the enemy were checked and held at bay. The command was ordered to fall back by General Cox, who com- manded on the field the troops engaged in this affair beyond the An- tietam. The artillery had been well served during the day. Night closed the long and desperately contested battle of the 17th. Nearly 200,000 men and five hundred pieces of artillery were for fourteen hours engaged in this memorable battle. We had attacked the enemy in a position selected by the experienced engineer then in person directing their operations. We had driven them from their line on one flank and secured a footing within it on the other. The Army of the Potomac, notwithstanding the moral effect incident to previous reverses, had achieved a victory over an adversary invested with the prestige of re- cent success. Our soldiers slept that night conquerors on a field won by their valor an4 covered with the dead and wounded of the enemy. The night, however, brought with it grave responsibilities. Whether to renew the attack on the 18th or to defer it, even with the risk of the enemys retirement, was the question before me. After a night of anxious deliberation, and a fall and careful survey of the situation and condition of our army, the strength and position of the enemy, I concluded that the success of an attack on the 18th was not certain. I am aware of the fact that under ordinary circumstances a general is expected to risk a battle if he has a reasonable prospect of success; but at this critical juncture I should have had a narrow view of the condition of the country had I been willing to hazard another battle with less than an absolute assurance of success. At that mo- ment-.Yirginia lost, Washington menaced, Maryland invadedthe na- tional cause could afford no risks of defeat. One battle lost and almost all would have been lost. Lees army might then have marched, as it pleased, on Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, or New York. It could have levied its supplies from a fertile and undevastated country, extorted tribute from wealthy and populous cities, and nowhere east of the Alleghanies was there another organized force able to arrest its march. The following are among the considerations which led me to doubt the certainty of success in attacking before the 19th; ~5Ufl~YOLXI4PT Page 66 66 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. CHAP. XXXI. The troops were greatly overcome by the I~itigue and exhaustion at- tendant 111)011 the long-continued and severely contested battle of the 17th, together with the long day and night marches to which they had been subjected during the previous three days. The supply trains were in the rear, and many of the troops had suffered from hunger. They required rest and refreshment. (me division of Sumners and all of Hookers corps on the right had, after fighting most valiantly for sev- eral hours, been overpowered by numbers, driven back in great disorder, and much scattered, so that they were for the time somewhat demoral- ized. In Hookers corps, according to the return made by General Meade, commanding, there were but 6,729 men present on the 18th, whereas on the morning of the 22d there were 13,093 men present for duty in the same corps, showing that previous to and during the battle 6,364 men were separated from their command. General Meade, in an official communication upon this subject, dated September 18, 1862, says I inclose a field return 6f the corps made this afternoon, which I desire you will lay before the commanding general. I am satisfied the great rednction in the corps since the recent engagements is not due solely to the casualties of battle, and tbat a considerable number of men are still in the rear, some having dropped out on the march, and many dispersing and leaving yesterday during the fight. I think the effi- ciency of the corps, so far as it goes, good. To resist an attack in our present strong position I think they may he depended on, and I hope they will perform duty in case we make an attack, though I do not think their morale is as good for an offensive as a defensive movement. One division of Sumners corps had also been overpowered, and was a good deal scattered and demoralized. It was not deemed by its corps commander in proper condition to attack the enemy vigorously the next day. Some of the new troops on the left, although many of them fought well during the battle and are entitled to great credit, were, at the close of the action, driven back and their morale impaired. On the morning of the 18th, General Buruside requested me to send him another dh~isiou to assist in holding his position on the other side of the Antietam, and to enable him to withdraw his corps if he should be attacked by a superior force. He gave me the impression that if he were attacked again that morning, he would not be able to make a very vigorous resistance. I visited his position early, determined to send General Morells division to his aid, and directed that it should be placed on this side of the Antietam, in order that it might cover the retreat of his own corps from the other side of the Antietam should that become necessary, at the same time it was in position to re-enforce our center or right if that were needed. Late in the afternoon I found that, although he had not been attacked, General Burnside had withdrawn his own corps to this side of the An- tietam, and sent over Morells division alone to hold the opposite side. A large number of our heaviest and most efficient batteries had con- sumed all their ammunition on the 16th and 17th, and it was impossible to supply them until late on the following day. Supplies of provisions and forage had to be brought up and issued, and int~i~ti~y ammunition distributed. Finally, re-enforcements to the number of 14,000 men, to say nothing of troops expected from Pennsylvania, had not arrived but were expected during the day. The 18th was, therefore, spent in collecting the dispersed, giving rest to the fatigued, removing the wounded, burying the dead, and the nec- essary preparations for a renewal of the battle. Of the rc.enforcements, Couchs division, marching with;commend Page 67 CHAP. XXXI.1 GENERAL REPORTS. 1)1c ra~)idity, caine 111) into position at a late hour in the morning. I Itiiiiplireys division of new trooL)s, in their anxiety to participate in the battle which was raging when they received the order to march from Frederick about 3.30 p. m. on the 17th, pressed forward during the en- tire night, and the mass of the division reached the army during the following morning. Having marched more than 23 miles after 4.30 oclock on the preceding afternoon, they were, of course, greatly ex- hausted, and needed rest and refreshment. Large re-enforcements expected from Pennsylvania never arrived. During the 18th orders were given for a renewal of the attack at day- light on the 19th. On the night of the 18th the enemy, after passing troops in the latter part of the day from the Virginia shore to their position behind Sharps- burg, as seen by our officers, suddenly formed the design of abandon- ing their position and retreating across the river. As their line was l)nt a short distance from the river, the evacuation presented but little difficulty arid was effected before daylight. About 2,700 of the enemys dead were, under the direction of Major Davis, assistant inspector-general, counted and buried upon the battle- field of Antietam. A portion of their dead had been previously buried by the enemy. This is conclusive evidence that the enemy sustained much greater loss than we. Thirteen guns, 39 colors, upwards of 15,000 stand of small-arms, and more than 6,000 prisoners were the trophies which attest the success of our arms in the battles of South Mountain, (Jramptons Gap, and An- tietam. Not a single gun or color was lost by our army during these battles. An estimate of the forces under the Confederate General Lee, made up by (lirection of General Banks from information obtained by the exanimation of prisoners, deserters, spies, & c., previous to the battle of Antietam, is as follows: General T. J. Jacksons corps 24, 778 General Janws Longstreets corps 23, 342 General 1). H. Hills two divisions 15,525 General I. B. B. Stuart, cavalry 6,400 Generals Ransoms and Jenkins brigade 3,000 Forty-six regiments not incinded in above 18, 400 Artillery, estiniated at 400 guns 6, 000 Total 97,445 These estimates give the actual number of men present and fit for (luty. Our own forces at the battle of Antietam were as follows: First Corps 14,856 Second Corps 18,813 Fifth Corps (one division not arrived) . 12,930 Sixth Corps 12,300 Ninth Corps 13, 819 Twelfth Corps 10, 126 Cavalry Division 4, 320 Total in action - - - 87, 164 When our cavalry advance reached the river on the morning of the 19th, it was discovered that nearly all the enemys forces had crossed into Virginia during the night, their rear escaping under cover of eight batteries, placed in strong positions upon the elevated bluff~ on the opposite bank. General Porter, commanding the Fifth Corps, ordere Page 68 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., xV. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. kZXI. a detachment from Griffins and Barnes brigades, under General Griffin, to cross the river at dark and carry the enemys batteries. This was gallantly done under the fire of the enemy. Several guns, caissons, & c., were taken, and their supports driven back half a mile. The information obtained during the progress of this affair indicated that the mass of the enemy had retreated on the Charlestown and Mar- tinsbnrg roads toward Winchester. To verify this and to ascertain how far the enemy had retired, General Porter was authorized to detach from his corps, on the morning of the 20th, a reconnoitering party in greater force. This detachment crossed the river and advanced about a mile, when it was attacked by a large body of the enemy, lying in ambnsh in the woodsy and driven back across the river with consider- able loss. This reconnaissance showed that the enemy was still in force on the Virginia bank of the Potomac, prepared to resist our further advance. It was reported to me on the 19th that General Stuart had made his appearance at Williamsport with some 4,000 cavalry and six pieces of artillery, and that 10,000 infantry were marching on the same point from the direction of Winche~ter. I ordered General Couch to march at once with his division and a part of Pleasontons cavalry, with Franklins corps within supporting distance, for the purpose of endeav- oring to capture this force. General Couch made a prompt and rapid march to Williamsport and attacked the enemy vigorously, but they made their escape across the river. I dispatched the following telegraphic report to the General-in-Chief: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Sharpsburg, September 19, 1862. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Commanding U. S. Army: I have the honor to report that Maryland is entirely freed from the presence of the enemy, who have been driven across the Potomac. No fears need now be entertained for the safety of Pennsylvania. I shall at once occupy Harpers Ferry. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General, Commanding. On the following day I received this telegram: WASHINGTON, September 20, 18622 p. m. Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN: We are still left entirely in the dark in regard to your own movements and those of the enemy. This should not be so. You should keep me advised of both, so far as you know them. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. To which I answered as follows: HEADQUARTE nLs ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Near Sharpsburg, September 20, 18628 p. m. Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief, Washington: You; telegram of to-day is received. I telegraphed you yesterday all I knew, and had nothing more to inform you of until this evening. Williams corps (Banks) occupied Maryland Heights at 1 p. m. to-day. The rest of the army is near here, ex- cept Conchs division, which is at this moment engaged with the enemy in front of Williamsport. The enemy is retiring via Charlestown and Martinsbnrg on Winches- ter. He last night reoccupied Williamsport by a small force, but will be out of it by morning. I think he has a force of infantry near Shepherdstown. I regret that you find it necessary to couch every dispatch I have the honor to re- ceive from. you in a spirit of fault-finding, and that you have not yet found leisure to say one word in commendation of the recent achievements of this army, or even to allude t~ them Page 69 CuAL. XXXIJ GENERAL REPORTS. 69 I have abstajued from giving the number of guns, colors, small-arms, prisoners, & c., captured until I could do so with some accuracy. I hope by to-morrow evening to be able to give at least au approximate statement. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, Commanding. On the same day I telegraphed as follows: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, September 20, 1862. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Commanding U. S. Army: As the rebel army, now on the Virginia side of the Potomac, must, in a great lucas- nrc, be dependent for supplies of ammunition and provisions upon Richmond, I would respectfully suggest that General Banks be (lirected to send out a cavalry force to cut Ibeir supply communication opposite Washington. This would seriously embarrass their operations, and will aid this army materially. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, Commanding. Maryland Heights were occupied by General Williams corps 011 this day, and on the 22d General Sumner took possession of Harpers Ferry. it will be remembered that at the time I was assigned to the com- mand of the forces for the defense of the National Capital, on the 2d day of September, 1862, the greater part of all the available troops were suffering under the disheartening influences of the serious defeat they had encountered during the brief and unfortunate campaign of General Pope. Their numbers were greatly reduced by casualties, their confi- dence was much shaken, and they had lost something of that e~prit de corps which is indispensable to the efficiency of an army. Moreover, they had left behind~ lost, or worn out the greater part of their clothing and camp equipage, which required renewal before they could be in proper condition to take the field again. The intelligence that the enemy was crossing the Potomac into Mary- land was received in Washington on the 4th of September, and the Army of the Potomac was again put in motion, under my direction, on the following day, so that but a very brief interval of time was allowed to reorganize or procure supplies. The sanguinary battles of South Mountain and Antietam, fought by this army a few days afterwards, with the reconnaissances immediately following, resulted in a loss to us of 10 general officers, many regi- mental and company officers, and a large number of enlisted men, amounting in the aggregate to 15,220. Two army corps had been sadly cut up, scattered, and somewhat demoralized in the action on the 17th. In General Sumners corps alone 41 commissioned officers and 819 enlisted men bad been killed; 4 general officers,89 other commissioned officers, and. 3,708 enlisted men had been wounded, besides 548 missing; making the aggregate loss in this splendid veteran corps, in this one battle, 5,209. In General Hookers corps the casualties of the same engagement amounted to 2,619. The entire army had been greatly exhausted by unavoidable over- work, fatiguing marches, hunger, and want of sleep and rest previous to the last battle. When the enemy recrossed the Potomac into Yirginia, the means of transportation at my disposal .were inadequate to furnish a single days supply of subsistence in advance. Many of the troops were new levies, some of whom b~td fought liK Page 70 70 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. veterans, but the morale of others had been a good deal impaired in those severely contested actions, and they required fime to recover as well as to acquire the necessary drill and discipline. Under these circumstances I did not feel authorized to cross the river with the main army over a very deep and difficult ford in pursuit of the retreating enemy, known to be in strong force on the south bank, and hereby place that stream, which was liable at any time to rise above a fording stage, between my army and its base of supply. I telegraphed on the 22d to the General-in-Chief as follows: As soon as the exigencies of the service will admit of it, this army should be reor- ganized. It is absolutely necessary, to secure its efficicncy, that the old skeleton regiments should be filled up at once, and officers appointed to supply the numerous cxlsting vacancies. There are instances where captains are commanding regiments, and companies are without a single commissioned officer. On the 23d the following was telegraphed to the General-in Chief: HEADQUARTEPS ARMY OF TIlE POTOMAC, Year Shepherdstown, September 23, 18629.30 a. m. Maj or-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief, Wa8hington: From several different sources I learn that General R. E. Lee is still opposite to my position at Leetown, between Sheplierdstown and Martinsburg, and that General Jackson is on the Opequon Creek, about 3 miles above its mouth, hoth with large forces. There are also indications of heavy re-enforcements moving toward them from Winchester and Charlestown. I have, therefore, ordered General Franklin to take position with his corps at the cross-roads, about 1 mile northwest of Bakersvihle, on the Bakersvihle and Wihhiamsport road, aud General Couch to establish his division near Downsville, leaving sufficient force at Williamsport to watch and guard the ford at that place. The fact of the enemy~s remaining so long in our front, and the indica- tions of an advance of re-enforcements, seem to indicate that he will give ns another battle with all his available force. As I mentioned to you before, our army has been very much reduced by casualties in the recent battles, and in my judgment all the re-enforcements of old troops that can possibly be dispensed with around Washington and other places should be in- stantly pushed forward by rail to this army. A defeat at this juncture would be ruinous to our cause. I cannot think it possible that the enemy will bring any forces to bear upon Washington till after the question is decided here, but if he should, troops can soon be sent back from this army by rail fo re-enforce the garrison there. Tile evidence I have that re-enforcements are coming to the rebel army consists in the fact that long columns of dust extending from Winchester to Charlestown and from Charlestown in this direction, and also troops moving this way, were seen last evening. This is corroborated by citizens. General Sumner, with his corps and Williams (Banks), occupies Harpers Ferry and the surrounding heights. I think he will be able to hold his position till re-enforcements arrive. GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General. On the 27th I made the following report: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, September 27, 186210 a. m. All the information in my possession goes to prove that the main body of the enemy is concentrated not far from Martinsburg, with some troops at Charlestown; not many in Winchester. Their movements of late have been an extension toward our right and beyond it. They are receiving re-enforcements in Winchester, mainly, I think, of conscripts, perhaps entirely so. This army is not now in condition to undertake another campaign nor to bring on another battle, unless great advantages are offered by some mistake of the enemy or i)ressing military exigencies render it necessary. We are greatly deficient in officers. Many of the old regiments are reduced to mere skeletons. The new regiments need instruction. Not a day should be lost in filling the old regimentsour main depend- enceand in supplying vacancies among the officers by promotion. My present purpose is to hold the army about as it is now, rendering llarpers Ferry secure and watching the river closely, intending to attack the enemy should he at- teml)t to cross to this side. Our possession of Harpers Ferry gives us the great advantage of a secure dJbouch6, but we cannot avail ourselves of it until the railroad bridge is finished, because w Page 71 CHAP. -XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 71 cannot otherwise supply a greater number of troops than we now have on the Vir- ginia side at that point. When the river rises so that the enemy cannot cross in force, I purpose concentrating the army somewhere near Harpers Ferry, and then acting according to circumstances, viz, moving on Winchester, if from the position and atti- tude of the enemy we are likely to gain a great advantage by doing so, or else devoting a reasonable time to the organization of the army and instruction of the new troops, prcparatory to an advance on whatever line may be determined. In any event, I re- gard it as absolutely necessary to send new regiments at once to the old corps for pur- poses of instruction, and that the old regiments be filled at once. I have no fears as to an attack on Washington by the line of Manassas. Holding Harpers Ferry as I do, they will not run the risk of an attack on their flank and rear while they have the garrison of Washington in their front. I rather apprehend a renewal of the attempt in Maryland should the river remain low for a great length of time, and should they receive considerable addition to their force. I would be glad to have Pecks division as soon as possible. I am surprised that Sigels men should have been sent to Western Virginia without my knowledge. The last I heard from you on the subject was that they were at my disposition. In the last battles the enemy was undoubtedly greatly superior to us in number, and it was only by very hard fighting that we gained the advantage we did. As it was, the result was at one period very doubtful, and we had all we could do to win the day. If the enemy receives considerable re-enforcements and we none, it is possible that I may have too much on my hands in the next battle. My own view of the proper pol- icy to be pursued, is to retain in Washington merely the force necessary to garrison it, and to send everything else available to re-enforce this army. The railwayH give us the means of promptly re-enforcing Washington should it become necessary. If I am re-enforced, as I ask, and am allowed to take my own course, I will hold myself responsible for the safety of Washington. Several persons recently from Richmond say that there are no troops there except conscripts, and they few in number. I hope to give you details as to late battles by this evening. I am about starting again for Harpers Ferry. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, MQjor-General, Commanding. Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief, Washington. The work of reorganizing, drilling, and supplying the army I begall at the earliest moment. The different corps were stationed along the river in the best positions to cover and guard the fords. The great extent of the river front from near Washington to Cumberland (some 150 miles), together with the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, was to be carefully watched and guarded, to prevent, if possible, the enemys raids. Beconnaissances noon the Virginia side of the river, for the purpose of learning the enemys positions and movements, were made frequently, so that our cavalry, which, from the time we left Wa~ihing- ton, had performed the most laborious service, and had from the com- mencement been deficient in numbers, was found totally inadequate to the requirements of the army. This overwork had broken down the greater part of the horses; disease had appeared among them, and but a very small portion of our original cavalry force wa~ fit for service. To such an extent had this arm become reduced, that when General Stuart made his raid into Pennsylvania on the 11th of October with 2,000 men, I could only mount 800 men to follow him. Harpers Ferry was occupied on the 22d, and in order to prevent a catastrophe similar to the one which had happened to Colonel Miles, I immediately ordered Maryland, Bolivar, and Loudoun Heights to be strongly fortified. This was done as far as the time and means at our disposal permitted. The main army of the enemy during this time remained in the vicinity of Martinsburg and Bunker Hill, and occupied itself in drafting and coercing every able-bodied citizen into the ranks, forcibly taking their ~)roperty where it was not voluntarily offered, burning bridges, and de- stroying railroads. On the 1st day of O~tobcr His Ex~llency the President honored tIL Page 72 72 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA, MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. Army of the Potomac with a visit, and remained several days, daring which he went through the different encampments, reviewed the troops, and went over the battle-fields of South Mountain and Antietam. I had the opportunity during this visit to describe to him the operations of the army since the time it left Washington, and gave him my reasons for not following the enemy after he crossed the Potomac. On the 5th of October the division of General Cox (about 5,000 men) was ordered from my command to Western Virginia. On the 7th of October I received the following telegram: WASHINGTON, D. C., October 6, 1862. Major-General MCCLELLAN: I am instructed to telegraph you as follows: The President directs that you cross the Potomac and give battle to the enemy or drive him south. Your army must move now while the roads are good. If you cross the river between the enemy and Wash- ington, and cover the latter by your operation, you can be re-enforced with 30,000 men. If you move up the Valley of the Shenandoah, not more than 12,000 or 15,000 can be sent to you. The President advises the interior line, between Washington and the enemy, but does not order it. He is very desirous that your army move as soon as possible. You will immediately report what line you adopt and when you intend to cross the river; also to what point the re-enforcements are to be sent. It is nec- essary that the plan of your operations be positively determined on before orders are given for building bridges and repairing railroads. I am directed to add that the Secretary of War and the General-in-Chief fully concur with the President in these instructions. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. At this time General Averell with the greater part of our efficient cavalry was in the vicinity of Cumberland, and General Kelley, the commanding officer, had that day reported that a large force of the enemy was advancing on Colonel Campbell at Sir Johns Run. This obliged me to order General Averell to proceed with his force to the support of Colonel Campbell, which delayed his return to the army for several days. On the 10th of October Stuart crossed the river at McCoys Ferry with 2,000 cavalry and a battery of horse artillery, on his road into Maryland and Pennsylvania, making it necessary to use all our cavalry against him. This exhausting service completely broke down nearly all of our cavalry horses, and rendered a remount absolutely indispensable before we could advance on the enemy. The following were the dispositions of troops made by me to defeat the purposes of this raid: General Averell, then at Green Spring, on the Upper Potomac, was ordered to move rapidly down upon the north side of the river with all his disposable cav~dry, using every exertion to get upon the trail of the enemy and follow it up vigorously. General Pleasonton, with the remaining cavalry force, was ordered to take the road by Cavetown, Harmons Gap, and Mechaniestown, and cut off the retreat of the enemy should he make for any of the fords below the position of the main army. His orders were to pursue them with the utmost rapidity, not to spare his men or horses, and to destroy or capture them if possible. General Crook, at that time commanding Coxs division at Hancock, en route for Western Virginia, was ordered to halt, place his men in cars, and remain in readiness to move to any point above should the enemy return in that direction, keeping his scouts well out on all the roads leading from the direction of Chambersburg to the Upper Pot& . mac. The other commanders between Hancock and Harpers Ferry were instructed to keep a vigilant watch upon all th~ road~ and fords Page 73 CHAT. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 73 so as to prevent the escape of the rebels within these limits. General Burnside was ordered to send tWo brigades to the Monocacy Crossing, there to remain in cars with steam up, ready to move to any point on the railroad to which Stuart might be aiming, while Colonel Rush, at Frederick, was directed to keep his Lancers scouting on the approaches from Chambersburg, so as to give timely notice to the commander of the two brigades at the Monocacy Crossing. General Stoneman, whose headquarters were then at Poolesville, occupying with his division the different fords on the river below the mouth of the Monocacy, was directed to keep his cavalry well out on the approaches from the direc- tion of Frederick, so as to give him time to mass his troops at any point where the enemy might attempt to cross the Potomac in his vicinity. He was informed of General Pleasontons movements. After the orders were given for covering all the fords upon the river, J did not think it possible for Stuart to recross, and I believed that the capture or destruction of his entire force was perfectly certain but, owing to the fact that my orders were not in all cases carried out as I expected, he effected his escape into Virginia without much loss. The troops sent by General Burnside to the Monocacy, owing to some neglect in not giving the necessary orders to the commander, instead of remaining at the railroad crossing, as I iMrected, marched 4 miles into Frederick, and there remained until after Stuart had passed the rail. road, only 6 miles below,near which point it was said he halted for breakfast. General Pleasonton ascertained, after his arrival at Mechanicstown that the enemy were only about an hour ahead of him, beating a hast retreat toward the mouth of the Monocacy. He pushed on vigorously, and near its mouth overtook them with a part of his force, having marched 78 miles in twenty-four hours, and having left many of his horses broken down upon the road. He at once attacked with his artillery, and the firing continued for several hours, during which time he states that he received the support of a small portion of General Stonemans command, not sufficient to inflict any material damage upon the enemy. General Stoneman reports that, in accordance with his instructions, he gave all necessary orders for intercepting the return of the rebels, and Colonel Staples, commanding one of his brigades, states that he sent two regiments of infantry to the mouth of the Monocacy and one regiment to Whites Ford; that on the morning of the 12th, about 10 oclock, he, by General Stonemans order, marched the remaining three regiments of his command from Poolesville toward the mouth of the Monocacy; that before getting into action he was relieved by General Ward who states that he reported to General Pleasonton with his com- mand while the enemy was crossing the river, and was informed by him (General Pleasonton) that he was too late, and that nothing could be done then. General Pleasonton, in his report of this affair, says: It was at this time that Colonel Ward reported to me from General Stonemans division, with a brigade of infantry, a regiment of cavalry, and a section of artillery. I told him that his command could be of no use, as the enemy had then crossed the. river. These are the only troops that I knew of that were in that vicinity, and this was the first intimation I received that any troops were endeavoring to assist me in capturing the rebels. I succeeded in preventing the enemy from crossing at the month of the Monocacy, and~drove him to Whites Ford, 3 miles below. Had Whites Ford been occupied by any force of ours previous to the time of the occupation by the enemy, the capture of Stuarts whole force would have been certain and inevitable. But with my small force, which did not exceed one-fourth of the enemys, it wa~ riot practicable for ~e fo occupy that ford while the ~neniy w~s in front Page 74 74 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI It would seem from the report of General Stoneman that the disposi- tion he made of his troops previous to the arrival of Stuart was a good one. He stationed two regiments at the mouth of the Monocacy and two regiments at Whites Ford, the latter in the very place where the crossing was made, and the former only 3 miles off with a reserve of three regiments at Poolesville, some 6 miles distant. General Pleason. tons report shows that from the time the firing commenced until the enemy were across the river was about four and a half hours. General Stoneman states that he started the reserve from Poolesville at about 9 oclock,but it appears from the report of General Pleasonton that it did not reach him until 1.30 oclock. At the time I received the order of October 6 to cross the river and attack the enemy, the army was wholly deficient in cavalry, and a large part of our troops were in want of shoes, blankets, and other indispensa- ble articles of clothing, notwithstanding all the efforts that had been made since the battle of Antietam, and even prior to that date, to refit the army with clothing as well as horses. I at once consulted with Colonel Ingalls, the chief quartermaster, who believed that the neces- sary articles could be supplied in about three days. Orders were im- mediately issued to the different commanders who had not already sent in their requisitions, to do so at once, and all the necessary steps were forthwith taken by me to insure a prompt delivery of the supplies. The requisitions were forwarded to the proper department at Washington, and I expected that the articles would reach our depots during the three days specified; but day after day elapsed and only a small por- tion of the clothing arrived. Corps commanders, upon receiving notice from the quartermasters that they might expect to receive their sup- plies at certain dates, sent the trains for them, which, after waiting, were compelled to return empty. Several instances occurred where these trains went back and forth from the camps to the depots as often as four or five different times without receiving their supplies, and I was informed by one corps commander that his wagon train had traveled over 150 miles to and from the depots before he succeeded in obtaining his clothing. The corps of General Franklin did not get its clothing nntil after it had crossed the Potomac and was moving into Virginia; General Reynolds corps was delayed a day at Berlin to complete its supplies; and General Porter only completed his on reaching the vicin- ity of Harpers Ferry. I made every exertion in my power, and my quartermasters did the same, to have these supplies hurried forward rapidly, and I was re- peatedly told that they had filled the requisitions at Washington and that the supplies had been forwarded. But they did not come to us, and of course were inaccessible to the army. I did not fail to make frequent representation of this condition of things to the General-in- Chief~ and it appears that he referred the matter to the Quartermaster- General, who cons tautly replied that the supplies had been promptly ordered. Notwithstanding this, they did not reach our depots. The following extracts are from telegrams upon this subject: HEADQUARTERS ARuY OF TILE POTOMAC, October 11, 18629 a. ni. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief, Washington: * * * * * XVe have been making every effort to get supplies of clothing for this army, and Colonel higalls has received advices that they have been forwarded by railroad, but owing to bad management on the roads, or from some other cause, they come in ver Page 75 ChAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 75 slowly, and it will take a much longer time than was anticipated to get articles that are absolutely indispensable to the army unless the railroad managers forward supplies more rapidly. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TILE POTOMAC, October 11, 1862. Maj. Gen. II. W. HALLECK, Cornrnander-in-Chief Wa8hington: I am compelled again to call your attention to the great deficiency of shoes and other indispensable articles of clothing that still exists in some of the corps in this army. Upon the assurances of the chief quartermaster, who based his calculation upon information received from Washington, that clothing would be forwarded at certain times, corps commanders sent their wagons to Hagerstown and Harpers Ferry br it. It did not arrive as promised, and has not yet arrived. Unless some measures are taken to insure the prompt forwarding of these supplies, there will necessarily be a corresponding delay in getting the army ready to move, as the men cannot march without shoes. Everything has heen done that can he done at these headquarters to accomplish the desired result. GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TIlE POTOMAC, October 15, 18627 p. iu. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief: * * * * * * I am using every possible exertion to get this army ready to move. It was only yesterday that a part of our shoes and clothing arrived at Hagerstown. It is being issued to the troops as rapidly as possible. GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 15, 18627.30 p. in. Col. H. INGALLS, Care of Colonel Bucker, Quartermaster, JVa8h.ington: - General Franklin reports that there is by no means as much clothing as was called for at Hagerstown. I think, therefore, you had better have additional supplies, espe- cially of shoes, forwarded to Harpers Ferry as soon as possible. R. B. MARCY, Chicf of Staff. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TilE POTOMAC, October 16, 1862. Col. H. INGALLS, Care of Colonel Bucker, Quartermaster, Washington: General J. F. Reynolds just telegraphs as follows: My quartermaster reports that there are no shoes, tents, blankets, or knapsacks at Hagerstown. He was able to procure only a complete supply of overcoats and pants, with a few socks, drawers, and coats. This leaves many of the men yet without a shoe. My requisitions call for 5,255 pairs of shoes. Please push the shoes and stockings up to Harpers Ferry as fast as possible. R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TILE POTOMAC, Camp near Knoxville, Md., October 9, 1862. Col. C. G. SAWTELLE, Depot Quartermaster, Washington: You did right in sending clothing to Harpers Ferry. You will not be able to send too much or too quickly. We waist blankets, shoes, canteens, & c., very much. RUFUS INGALLS, Lieutenant-Colonel and Aide-dc-Camp, Chief Quartermaster Page 76 76 OPERATIONS iN N. VA., XV. VA., MI) , ANI) PA. [CIJAL. XXXI. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Capt. AUGUSTUS BOYD Camp near Knoxville, Md., October 10, 1862. Quarterma8ter, Philadelphia: Shipments to Hagerstown must be made direct through to avoid the contemptible delays at Harrisburg. If Colonel Crosman was ordered to send clothing, I hope he has sent it, for the suffering and impatience are excessive. RUFUS INGALLS, Lieutenant- Colonel and Aide-de-Camp, Chief Quartermaster. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TIlE POTOMAC, Capt. GEORGE H. WEEKS, Camp near Knoxville, October 13, 1862. Depot Quartermaster, Hager8town: - Has the clothing arrived yet? if not, do you know where it is? What clothing was taken by the rebels at Chambersburg? iDid they capture any property that was en route to you? Have we not got clothing at Harrisburg? Send an agent over the road to obtain information, and hurry up the supplies. Reply at once. RUFUS INGALLS, Lieutenant-Colonel and Aide-de- Camp, Chief Quartermaster. SHARPSBURG, October 15, 1862. General INGALLS: I have just returned from Hagerstown, where I have been for the clothing for the corps. There was nothing there but overcoats tr Mocks. There were not any shoes, blankets, , ousers, and a few uniform coats and shirts, or shelter-tents. Will you please tell me where and when the balance can be had? Shall I send to Harpers Ferry for them to-morrow? The corps surgeon has just made a requisition for forty-five hos- pital tents. There are none at Hagerstown. Will you please to inform me if I can get them at Harpers Ferry? FIELDING LOWRY, Captain and Quarternza~ster. HAGERSTOWN, October 15, 1862. Colonel INGALLS, Quartermaster: I want at least 10,000 suits of clothing in addition to what I have received. It should be here now. G. H. WEEKS, A8sistant Quartermaster. General INGALLS, HARPERS FERRY, October 22, 1862. Chief Quartermaster, 4~c.: We have bootees, 12,000; great-coats, 4,000; drawers and shirts are gone; blankets and stockings nearly so; 15,000 each of these four articles are wanted. ALEX. BLISS, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster. MCCLELLANS HEADQUARTERS, October 24, 186211 a. m. Capt. D. G. THOMAS, Military Storekeeper, Washington: Please send to Captain Bliss, at Harpers Ferry, 10,000 blankets, 12,000 caps, 5,000 overcoats, 10,000 pairs bootees, 2,000 pairs artillery and cavalry boots, 15,000 pairs stockings, 15,000 drawers, and 15,000 pants. The clothing arrives slowly. Can it not be hurried along faster? May I ask you to obtain authority for this shipment? RUFUS INGALLS, Lieutenant-tjolonel and Aide-dc- Camp, Chief Quartermaster. IIAGERSTOWN, October 30. Colonel INGALLS Clothing has arrived this morning. None taken by rebels. Shall I supply Frank- Jin, and retain portions for Porter and Reynolds until called for? G. H. WEEKS, Captain and Assistant Quartermastet Page 77 CHAP. XXXIJ GENERAL IIEPORt~. The following statement, taken from a report of the chief quarter- master with the army, will show what progress was made in supplying the army with clothing from the 1st of September to the date of crossing the Potomac on the 31st of October, and that a greater part of the clothing did not reach our depots until after the 15th of October: Statement of clothing and equipage received at the different depots of the Army of the Potomac from Sepiernber 1, 1862, to October 31, 1862. Received at the depot ,~ ~n 01 0. ~-~n ~ ,0c0 ~~ ~01 ,0~ ~ ,~ Clothing and cquipage. 0 ~ Q-~ Q+~ 0 0 50 8~ 5~ ~Q -~ 0~-, 00 00 00 1-~ ~ ~ $-~ 0 ~ H Drawers 10, 700 17, 000 40, 000 30, 000 97, 700 Forage caps 4,000 11,000 19,500 34,500 Stockings 6, 200 22, 025 65, 200 30, 000 123,425 Sack coats 4,190 4, 190 Cavalry jackets 3, 000 -- 500 - 1,250 1, 500 6, 250 Canteens 6, 000 10, 221 9, 000 3, 008 28, 229 Flannel shirts 6, 200 18, 325 18,876 2, 200 45, 301 Haversacks 6, 000 12, 989 5, 000 9, 900 33, 889 Trousers (mounted) 4, 200 1, 000 2, 500 5, 000 12, 700 Boots 4, 200 6, 000 3, 600 20, 040 33, 840 Shelter-tents 11, 100 3, 000 9, 000 23, 100 Camp kettles 799 1, 302 1, 894 3, 995 Mess-pans 2, 030 2, 100 4, 500 8, 630 Overcoats (foot) 3, 500 12, 000 14, 770 30, 270 Artillery jackets 3, 200 500 1, 750 1, 000 4, 450 Blankets 20 6, 500 4, 384 10, 904 Overcoats (mounted) - 1, 200 875 3, 500 2, 015 7, 590 Felt hats 2, 200 7, 000 - 9, 200 Infantry coats 2, 000 12, 060 22, 500 7, 500 44, 060 Trousers (foot) 2, 000 9, 500 39, 620 25, 000 76, 320 Bootees 2, 000 7, 000 52, 900 61, 900 Knit shirts 2,655 2,424 11,595 16,674 Colonel Ingalls, chief quartermaster, in his repoit upon this subject, says: There was great delay in receiving our clothing. The orders were promptly given l)y me and approved by General Meigs, but the roads were slow to transport, particu- larly the Cumberland Valley road. For instance, clothing ordered to Hagerstown on the 7th of October for the corps of Franklin, Porter, and Reynolds, did not arrive there until about the 18th, and by that time, of course, there were increased wants and changes in position of troops. The clothing of Sumner arrived in great quanti- ties near the last of October almost too late for issue, as the army was crossing into Virginia. We finally left 56,000 stoits at Harpers Ferry, partly on the cars just ar- rived and partly in store. The causes of the reduction of our cavalry force have already been recited. The difficulty in getting new supplies from the usual sources led me to apply for and obtain authority for the cavalry and artillery officers to purchase their own horses. The following are the telegrams and letters on this subject: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 12, 156212.45 p. m. Mnjor-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief: It is absolutely necessary that some energetic means be taken to supply the cavalry of this army with remount horses. The present rate of supply is 1,050 per week for the entire army here and in front of Washington. From this number the artillery draw for their batteries. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General, Commanding Page 78 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [dnAr. XXXL The General-iu-Chief, in a letter to me (late(l Washington, ft (IX, October 14, 1862, replies to this dispatch Ill the following language: I have caused the matters complained of in your telegrams of the 11th and 12th to be investigated. * * * * * * * In regard to horses, you say that the present rate of supply is only 150 per week for the entire army here and in front of Washington. I find from tlie records that the issues for the last six weeks have been 8,754, making an average per week of 1,459. One thousand and fifty is the number stated in the original dispatch, now in my possession; and as not only figures were use~l, but the num- ber was written out in full, I can hardly see how it is possible for the telegraphic operator to have made a mistake in the transmission of the message. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 14, 18627 p. m. Maj. Gen. H. W. ITALLECK, Commander-in-Chief: * * * * * * * With my small cavalry force it is impossible for me to watch the line of the Poto- mac properly or even make the reconnaissances that are necessary for our movements. This makes it necessary for me to weaken my line very much by extending the in- flintry to guard the innumerable fords. This will continue until the river rises, and it will be next to impossible to prevent the rebel cavalry raids. My cavalry force, as I urged this morning, should be largely and immediately increased, under any by- pothesis, whether to guard the river or advance on the enemy, or both. GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General. The following is an extract from the official report of Colonel Ingalls: Immediately after the battle of Antietam, efforts were made to supply deficiencies in clothing and horses. Large requisitions were prepared and sent in. The artillery and cavalry required large numbers to cover losses sustained in battle, on the march, and by diseases. Both of these arms were deficient when they left Washington. A most violent and destructive disease made its appearance at this time, which put nearly 4,000 animals out of service. Horses reported perfectly well one day would be dead lame the next, and it was difficult to foresee where it would end or what num- ber would cover the loss. They were attacked in the hoof and tongue. No one seemed able to account for the appearance of this disease. Animals kept at rest would recover in time, but could not be worked. I made application to send West and pur- chase horses at once, but it was refused on the ground that the outstanding contracts provided for enough; but they were not delivered sufficiently fast nor in sufficient numbers until late in October and early in November. I was authorized to buy 2,500 late in October, but the delivery was not completed until in November, after we had reached Warrenton. In a letter from General Meigs, written on the 114th of October and addressed to the General-in-Chief, it is stated: There have been issued, therefore, to the Army of the Potomac since the battles in front of Washington, to replace losses, 9,254 horses. What number of horses were sent to General Pope before his return to Washington I have no means of determining; but the following statement, made upon my order by the chief quartermaster with the army, and who had means for gaining accurate information, forces upon my mind the conclusion that the Quartermaster-General was in error: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TIlE POTOMAC, Chief Quartermaster8 Office, October 31, 1862. Horses purchased since September 6, 1862, by Colonel Ingalls, chief quartermas- ter, and issued to the forces under the immediate command of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan 1, ~0 Page 79 CHAP. XXXT.j ~EI~EhA.L REPORTS. Issued and turned over to the above fort~e by Capt. J. J. Dana, assistant juar termaster (in Washington) 2,261 Issued to forces at and near Washington, which have since joined the cojuniand. 352 Total purchased 15y Colonel Ingalls and issned and turned over by Captain Dana to the forces in this immediate command 3,813 Issned by Capt. J. J. Dana, assistant quartermaster, to the forces in the vicinity of Washington 3,363 Grand total purchased by Col. R. Ingalls, chief quartermaster, and issued and turned over by Capt. J. J. Dana, assistant quartermaster, to the entire Army of the Potomac and the forces around Washington 7,176 About 3,000 horses have been tnrned over to the Quartermasters Department by officers as nnfit for service. Nearly 1,500 shonld now be turned over also, being worn out and diseased. Respectfully submitted. FRED. MYERS; Lieutenant-Colonel and Quarterrna8ter. This official statement, made up from the reports of the quarter- masters who received and distributed the horses, exhibits the tru2 state of the case, and gives the total number of horses received by the Army of the Potomac and the troops around Washington during a period of eight weeks as 7,176, or 2,078 less than the number stated by the Quartermaster-General. Supposing that 1,500 were issued to the army under General Pope previous to its return to Washington, as General Meigs states, there would still remain 578 horses which he does not account for. The letter of the General-in-Chief to the Secretary of War on the 28th of October, and the letter of General Meigs to the General-in-Chief on the 14th of October, convey the impression that, upon my urgent and repeated applications for cavalry and artillery horses for the Army of the Potomac, I had received a much greater number than was really the case. It will be seen from Colonel Myers report that of all the horses alluded to by General Meigs, only 3,813 came to the army with which I was ordered to follow and attack the enemy. Of course the remainder did not in the slightest degree contribute to the efficiency of the cavalry or artillery of the army with which [was to cross the river. Neither did they in the least facilitate any preparations for carrying out the order to advance upon the enemy, as the General-in-Chiefs letter might seem to imply. During the same period that we were receiving the horses alluded to, about 3,000 of our old stock were turned in to the Quartermasters Department, and 1,500 more reported as in such condition that they ought to be turned in as unfit for service, thus leaving the active army some 700 short of the number required to make good existing defi- ciencies, to say nothing of providing remounts for men whose horses had died or been killed during the campaign and those previously dis- mounted. Notwithstanding all the efforts made to obtain a remount, there were, after deducting the force engaged in picketing the river, but about 1,000 serviceable cavalry horses on the 21st day of October. In a letter dated October 14, 1862, the Generabin-Chief says: It is also reported to me that the number of animals with your army in the field is about 31,000. It is believed that your present proportion of cavalry and of animals is much larger than that of any other of our armies. What number of animals our other armies had I am not prepared t Page 80 OPERAtIONS IN N. VA;, W. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAP. ~XXt so say, but military men in European armies have been of the opinion that an army, to be efficient while carrying on active operations in the field, should have a cavalry force equal in numbers to from one-sixth to one- fourth of the infantry force. My cavalry did not amount to one-twentieth part of the army, and hence the necessity of giving every one of my cavalry soldiers a serviceable horse. Cavalry may be said to constitute the antenna3 of the army. It scouts all the roads in front, on the flanks, and in the rear of the advancing columns, and constantly feels the enemy. The amount of labor falling on this arm during the Maryland campaign was excessive. To persons not familiar with the movements of troops, and the amount of transportation required for a large army marching away from water or railroad communications, the number of animals mentioned by the General-in-Chief may have appeared unnecessarily large; but to a mili- tary man who takes the trouble to enter into an accurate and detailed computation of the number of pounds of subsistence and forage required for such an army as that of the Potomac, it will be seen that the 31,000 animals were considerably less than was absolutely necessary to an advance. - As we were required to move through a country which could not be depended upon for any of our supplies, it became necessary to transport everything in wagons and to be prepared for all emergencies. I did not consider it safe to leave the river without subsistence and forage for ten days. The official returns of that date show the aggregate strength of the army for duty to have been about 110,000 men of all arms. This did not include teamsters, citizen employ6s, officers servants, & c., amount. ing to some 12,000, which gave a total of 122,000 men. The subsistence alone of this army for ten days required for its transportation 1,830 wagons, at 2,000 pounds to the wagon, and 10,980 animals. Our cav- alry horses at that time amounted to 5,046 and our artillery horses to 6,836. To transport full forage for these 22,862 animals for ten days required 17,832 additional animals; and this forage would only supply the entire number (40,694) of animals with a small fraction over half allowance for the time specified. It will be observed that this estimate does not embrace the animals necessary totransport quartermasters supplies, baggage, camp equipage, ambulances, reserve ammunition, forage for officers horses, & c., which would greatly augment the necessary transportation. It may very truly be said that we did make the march with the means at our disposal, but it will be remembered that we met with no serious opposition from the enemy; neither did we encounter delays from any other cause. The roads were in excellent condition, and the troops marched with most commendable order and celerity. If we had met with a determined resistance from the enemy, and our progress had been very much retarded thereby, we would have con. sumed our supplies before they could have been renewed. A proper estimate of my responsibilities as the commander of that army did not justify me in basing my preparations for the expedition upon the sup. position that I was to have an uninterrupted march. On the contrary, it was my duty to be prepared for all emergencies; and not the least important of my responsibilities was the duty of making ample pro. vision for supplying my men and animals with rations and forage. Knowing the solicitude of the President for an early movement, an Page 81 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS.. 81 sharing with him fully his anxiety for prompt action, on the 21st of October I telegraphed to the General-in-Chief as follows: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 21, 186-2. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief, Wa8hington: Since the receipt of the Presidents order to move on the enemy,* I have been making every exertion to get this army supplied with clothing absolutely nccessary for marching. This, I am happy to say, is now nearly accomplished. I have also, during the same time, repeatedly urged upon you the importance of supplying cav& lry and artillery horses, to replace those broken down by hard service, and steps have been taken to insure a prompt delivery. Our cavalry, even when well supplied with horses, is much inferior in numbers to that of the enemy, but in efficiency has proved itself superior. So forcibly has this been impressed upon our old regiments by repeated successes, that the men are fully persuaded that they are equal to twice their number of rebel cavalry. Exclusive of the cavalry force now engaged in picketing the river, I have not at present over about 1,000 horses for service. Officers have been sent in various directions to purchase horses, and I expect them soon. Without more cavalry horses our communications from the moment we march would be at the mercy of the large cavalry force of the enemy, and it would not be possible for us to cover our flanks properly, or to obtain the necessary information of the position and move- ments of the enemy in such a way as to insure success. My experience has shown the necessity of a large and efficient cavalry force. Under the foregoing circumstances, I beg leave to ask whether the President desires me to march on the enemy at once, or to await the reception of the new horses, every possible step having been taken to insure their prompt arrival. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General, Commanding. On the same day General Halleck replied as follows: WASHINGTON, October 21, 18623 p. in. Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN: Your telegram of 12 m. has been submitted to the President. He directs me to say that he has no change to make in his order of the 6th instant. If you have not been and are not now in condition to obey it, you will be able to show such want of ability. The President does not expect impossibilities, but he is very anxious that all this good weather should not be wasted in inactivity. Telegraph when you will move, and on what lines you propose to march. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. From the tenor of this dispatch I conceived that it was left for my judgment to decide whether or not it was possible to move with safety to the army at that time, and this responsibility I exercised with the more confidence in view of the strong assurances of his trust in me as commander of that army with which the President had seen fit to honor me during his last visit. The cavalry requirements, without which an advance would have been in the highest degree injudicious and unsafe, were still wanting. The country before us was an enemy~5 country, where the inhabitants furnished to the enemy every possible assistance, providing food for men and forage for animals, giving all information concerning our movements, and rendering every aid in their power to the enemys cause. It was manifest that we should find it, as we subsequently did, a hostile district, where we could derive no aid from the inhabitants that would justify dispensing with the active co-operation of an efficient cavalry force. Accordingly, I fixed upon the 1st of November as the earliest date at which the forward movement could well be commenced. See Addenda to Hallecks report, p. 10. 6 R ItvoL XIX, PT Page 82 82 OPKRATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (ChAt. XXXt The General-in-Chief~ in a letter to the Secretary of War on the 28th of October, says: In my opinion there has been no such want of supplies in the army under General McClellan as to prevent his compliance with the orders to advance against the enemy. Notwithstanding this opinion, expressed by such high authority, I am compelled to say agaiin that the delay in the reception of necessary supplies up to that date had left the army in a condition totally unfit to advance against the enemy; that an advance under the existing circumstances would, in my judgment, have been attended with the highest degree of peril, with great suffering and sickness among the men, and with imminent danger of being cut off from our supplies by the superior cavalry force of the enemy, and with no reasonable pros- pect of gaining any advantage over him. I dismiss this subject with the remark that I have found it impossi- ble to resist the force of my own convictions, that the commander of an army who, from the time of its organization, has for eighteen months been in constant communication with its officers and men, the greater part of the time engaged in active service in the field, and who has exercised this command in many battles, must certainly be considered competent to determine whether his army is in proper condition to advance on the enemy or not, and he must necessarily possess greater facilities for forming a correct judgment in regard to the wants of his men and the condition of his supplies than the General-in-Chief in his office at Washington City. The movement from Washington into Maryland, which culminated in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, was not a part of an offensive campaign, with the object of the invasion of the enemys territory and an attack upon his capital, but was defensive iu its purposes, although offensive in its character, and would be technically called a defensive offensive campaign. It was undertaken at a time when our army had experienced severe de- feats, and its object was to preserve the National Capital and Baltimore, to protect Pennsylvania from invasion, and to drive the enemy out of Maryland. These purposes were fully and finally accomplished by the battle of Antietam, which brought the Army of the Potomac into what might be termed an accidental position on the Upper Potomac. Having gained the immediate object of the campaign, the first thing to be done was to insure Maryland from a return of the enemy; the second, to prepare our own army, exhausted by a series of severe bat- tles, destitute to a great extent of supplies, and very deficient in artil- lery and cavalry horses, for a definite offensive movement, and to de- termine upon the line of operations for a farther advance. At the time of the battle of Antietam the Potomac was very low, and presented a comparatively weak line of defense unless watched by large masses of troops. The reoccupation of Harpers Ferry, and the disposition of troops above that point, rendered the line of the Potomac secure against everything except cavalry raids. No time was lost in placing the army in proper condition for an advance, and the circum- stances which caused the delay after the battle of Antietam have been fully enumerated elsewhere. I never regarded Harpers Ferry or its vicinity as a proper base of operations for a movement upon Richmond. I still considered the line of the Peninsula as the true approach, but for obvious reasons did not make any proposal to return to it. On the 6th of October, as stated above, I was ordered by the Pres Page 83 ChAr. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 83 dent, thiough his Geiieral-iu-Cliief to cross the Potomac and give battle to the enemy, or drive him south. Two lines were presented for my choice: 1st. Up the Valley of the Shenandoah, in which case I was to have 12,000 to 15,000 additional troops. 2d. To cross between the enemy and Washingtonthat is, east of the Blue Ridgein which event I was to be re-enforced with 30,000 men. At first I determined to adopt the line of the Shenandoah, for these reasons: The Harpers Ferry and Winchester Railroad and the various turnpikes converging upon Winchester afforded superior facilities for supplies. Our cavalry being weak, this line of communication could be more easily protected. There was no advantage iu interposing at that time the Blue Ridge and the Shenandoah between the enemy and myself. At the period in question the Potomac was still very low, and I ap- l)rehended that, if I crossed the river below Harpers Ferry, the enemy woul(l promptly check the movement by recrossing into. Maryland. at the same time covering his rear by occupying in strong force the passes lea(ling through the Blue Ridge from the southeast into the Shenandoah Valley. 1 anticipated, as the result of the first course, that Lee would fight me near Winchester, if he could do so under favorable circum- stances, or else that he would abandon the Lower Shenandoah and leave the Army of the Potomac free to act upon some other line of operations. If he abandoned the Shenandoah, he would naturally fall back upon his railway communications. I have since been confirmed in the belief that if I had crossed the Potomac below Harpers Ferry in the early part of October, General Lee would have recrossed into Maryland. As above explained, the army was not in condition to move until late in October, and in the m~an time circumstances had changed. The l)eriod had arrived when a sudden and great rise of the Potomac might be looked for at any moment; the season of bad roads and difficult movements was approaching, which would naturally deter the enemy from exposing himself very far from his base, and his movements all appeared to indicate a falling back from the river toward his sul)plies. Under these circumstances, I felt at liberty to disregard the possibility of the enemys recrossing the Potomac, and determined to select the line east of the Blue Ridge, feeling convinced that it would secure me the large~t accession of force and the most cordial support of the Presi- dent, whose views from the beginning were in favor of that line. The subject of the defense of the line of the Upper Potomac, after the advance of the main army, had long occupied my attention. I (le- sired to place Harpers Ferry and its dependencies in a strong state of (lefense, and frequently addressed the General-in-Chief upon the subject of the erection of field works and permanent bridges there, asking for the funds necessary to accomplish the purpose. Although I did my best to explain, as clearly as I was able, that I did not wish to erect perma- nent works of masonry, and that neither the works nor the l)ernlal)ent bridges had any reference to the advance of the army, but solely to the permanent occupation of Harpers Ferry, I could never make the -Gen- eral-in-Chief understand my wishes, but was refused the funds necessary to erect I he field-works, on the ground that there was no appropriation for the erection of permanent fortifications, and was not allowed to l)uild the permanent bridge on the ground that the main army could not be delayed in its movements until its completion. Of course I never thought of delaying the advance of the army for that purpose, and s Page 84 84 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CIk~. XXXI. stated repeatedly. On the 25th of October I sent to the General-in-Chief the following telegram: hEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TilE POTOMAC, October 25, 180210.45 p. In. Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief, JVashington: As the moment is at hand for the advance of this army, a question arises for the deeision of the General-in-Chief, whieh, although perhaps impliedly decided by the President in his letter of the 13th, should be clearly presented by me, as I do not regard it as in my province to determine it. This question is the extent to which the line of the Potomac should be guarded, after the army leaves, in order to cover Mary- land and Pennsylvania from invasion by large or small parties of the enemy. It will always be somewhat difficult to guard the immediate line of the river, owing to its great extent and the numerous passages whieh exist. It has long appeared to me that the best way of covering this line would be by occupying Front Royal, Stras- burg, Wardensville, and Moorefield, or the d6bouchJs of the several valleys in which they are situated. These points, or suitable places in their vicinity, should be strongly intrenched and permanently held. One great advantage of this arrangement would be the covering the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and an essential part of the system would be the construction of the link of railway from Winchester to Strasburg, and the rebuilding of the Manassas Gap Railway Bridge over the Shenandoah. The in- trencliment of Manassas Junction would complete the system for the defense of the approaches to Washington and the Upper Potomac. Many months ago I recom- mended this arrangementin fact, gave or(lers for it to be carried into effect. I still regard it as essential under all circumstances. The views of the chief engineer of this army in regard to the (lefenses and garrison of Harpers Ferry and its dependencies are in your possession. The only troops under my command, outside of the organization of the Army of the Potomac, are the Maryland brigade, under General Kenly; the Fifty-fourth Pennsyl- vania [Colonel Campbell]; Twelfth Illinois Cavalry [Colonel Voss], and Colonel Davis Eighth New York Cavalry; total, 2,894 infantry, one battery, and about 900 cavalrymen. There are also two of my regiments of cavalry (about 750 men) guarding the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad between Hancock and Cumberland. As I have no departmem~, and command simply an active army in the field, my responsibility for the safety of the line of the Potomac and the States north of it must terminate the moment I advance so far beyond that line as to adopt another for my base of opera. tions. The question for the General-in-Chief to decide, and which I regard as beyond my province, is this: 1st. Shall the safety of Harpers Ferry and the line of the Potomac be regarded as assnred by the advance of the army south of the Blue Ridge, and the line left to take care of itself? 2d. If it is deemed necessary to hold the line, or that liereinbefore indicated in ad- vance of it, how many troops shall be placed there, at what points (and in what num- bers and of what composition at each), and where shall they he supplied, i. e., from this army or from other sources? Omitting the detached troops mentioned above and the small garrisons of Boons- borough and Frederick, the last returns show the strength of this army foE duty to be about 116,000 officers and men. This includes the divisions of Stoneman and Whipple, but does not include Heintzelman, Sigel, and Bayard. If Harpers Ferry and the river above are rendered fully secure, it is possible that the active army, if it supplies the garrison, may be reduced so much as to be inade- quate to the purposes contemplated. If it is preserved intact, Maryland, Pennsyl- vania, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad may be unduly exposed. I leave the decision of these grave questions to the General-in-Chief. I know nothing of the number of troops at Baltimore, & c. An important element in the solution of this problem is the fact that a great portion of Braggs army is probably now at liberty to unite itself with Lees command. I commence crossing the river at Berlin in the morning, and must ask a pi-ompt decision of the questions proposed herein. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, Coin~nanding. To which I received the following reply: WASHINGTON, October 26, 18621.35 p. m. Maj.Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN: In addition to the command which you had when I came here, you also -have the greater part of that of Major-General Pope. Moreover, you have been authorized to * See Addenda to Hallecks report, p. 13 Page 85 CHAP. XXXI.~ GENERALS REPORTS. 85 use any troops within your reach in General Wools department an(l in Western Vir- ginia. General Banks command is also under your direction, with the single restric- tion that he is not to remove troops from Washington till he has notified me of his orders. Since you left Washington I have advised and suggested in relation to your move- inents, but I have givea you no orders. I do not give you any now. The Govern- meat has intrusted you with defeating and driving hack the rebel army in your front. I shall not attempt to control yon in the measures you may adopt for that purpose. You are informed of my views, but the President has left you at liberty to adopt them or not, as you may deem best. You will also exercise your own discre- tioa in regard to what points on the Potomac and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad are to be occupied or fortified. I will only add that there is no appropriation for permanent intrenchments on that line. Moreover, I think it will be time enough to decide upon fortifying Front Royal, Strasburg, Wardensville, and Moorefield when the enemy is driven south of them and they come into our possession. I do not think that we need have any immediate fear of Braggs army. You arc within 20 miles of Lees, while Bragg is distant about 400 miles. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. On the 29th I sent the following: IIEADQ1JARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 29, 18621.15 p. m. Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief, Washington: On the 25th instant I sent ~rou a dispatch requesting you to decide what steps should be taken to guard the line of the Potomac when this army leaves here. To this I received your reply that I had been intrusted by the President with defeating and driving away the rebel army; that you had given me no orders heretofore, did not give me any then, & c. Under these circumstances, I have only to make such arrangements for guarding this extended line as the means at my disposal will per- mit, at the same time keeping in view the supreme necessity of maintaining the moving army in adeqnate force to meet the rebel army before mis. The dispositions I have ordered are as follows, viz: Ten thousand men to be left at Harpers Ferry; one brigade of infantry in front of Sharpsbnrg; Kenlys brigade of infantry at Williamsport; Kelleys brigade, including Colonel Campbells Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry, at Cumberland, and between that point and Ilancock. I have also left four small cavalry regiments to patrol and watch the river and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Cumberland down to Harpers Ferry. I do not regard this force as sufficient to cover securely this great extent of line, but I do not feel justified ia detaching any more4roops from my moving columns. I would therefore recommend that some new regiments of infantry and cavalry be sent to strengthen the forces left by me. There should be a brigade of infantry and sec- tion of artillery in the vicinity of Cherry Run, another brigade at Hancock, an addi- tional brigade at Williamsport, one regiment at Hagerstown, and one at Chambers- burg, with a section of artillery at each place if possible. This is on the sup~)ositiou that the enemy retain a considerable cavalry force west of the Blue Ridge. If they go east of it, the occupation of the points named in my dispatch of the 25th instant will obviate the necessity of keeping many of these troops on the river. There are now several hundred of our wounded, including General Richardson, i,m the vicinity of Sharpsbnrg, that cannot possibly be moved at present. I repeat that I do not look upon the forces I have been able to leave frommi this army as sufficient to prevent cavalry raids into Maryland and Pennsylvania, as cavalry is the only description of troops adeqnate to this service, and I ani, as you are aware, deficient in this arm. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major- General, Conentanding. To which I received on the 30th this reply: WASIUNOTON, October 30, 186211.30 a. mu. Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN: Yommr telegrama of yesterday was received late last evening. The troops proposed for Thoromiglifare Gal) will be sent to that place whenever you are in position for their (0-operation, as previously stated, but no new regiments can be sent from. here to the lJp~)er Potomac. The ,rmiardin~ of that line is left to your own (liscretion with the trool)s now un(ler your command. H, W. JIALLECK, Genera~-in-Chi of Page 86 86 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAr. XXXI. I accordingly left the Twelfth Corps at Harpers Ferry, detaching one brigade to the vicinity of Sharpsburg. General Morel was placed in command of the line from the month of the Antietain to Cuinberland~ General Slocum in command of Harpers Ferry and the line east of the mouth of the Antietam. The orders given to these officers were as follows: HEADQUARTERS An~iv OF THE POTOMAC, October 29, 18621 P. in. General H. W. SLOCUM Commanding Army ~2o~ps, Harper8 Ferry: The general commanding directs that you send one brigade of your corps to march at once to the position now occupied by General F. J. Porters corps, in front of Sharpsburg, to watch and guard the line of the river from the ford near the mouth of the Antietam Creek to the mouth of the Opequon Creek. The officer in command will also take steps to afford proper protection to the sick and wounded in the hos- l)itals in the vicinity of Sharpsburg and Boonsborough. The regiment now at Boons- borough will be placed under his orders. General Kenly, at Williamsport, will guard the river from the mouth of the Opequon above, including the ford at the mouth of the Opequon. The commanding general also directs that you take iuunediate steps to establish the remainder of your corps as follows, viz: One brigade on Maryland Heights, one brigade on Loudoun Heights, with the reniainder on Bolivar Heights and at Harpers Ferry. These dispositions should be made at once, so that General Couch can move with his corps. Please acknowledge the receipt of this. R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 31, 1862. General GEORGE W. MORELL, Commanding Upper Potomac: GENERAL: I am instructed by the commanding general to say to you that he has selected you to perform the highly important and responsible duty of taking charge of and commanding the troops left for the defense of the line of the Potomac River, from the mouth of the Antietam to Cumberland, as well as any other troops that may hereafter be sent for the protection of the Maryland and Pennsylvania frontier, wjthin the limits of the lines herein specified. The force which has been left to guard the line is not deemed adequate to prevent cavalry raids, but it is all that the commanding general feels authorized to detach from the Army of the Potomac at the present time, and it devolves upon you to make the best use of this force in your power. You will have four cavalry regiments underyonr command, which should be so distributed along the river as to watch all the available fords and give timely notice to the infantry of the approach of any force of rebels. You will afford all the protection in your power to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. You will endeavor to prevent any cavalry raids into Maryland and Pennsylvania. You will take steps to have all the sick and wounded of our army, as well as of the rebel army within your lines, properly taken care of until they can be sent to general hospitals, or discharged or paroled. You will make your headquarters at Hagerstown, and occasionally visit the different parts of your line. You will please report promptly to these headquarters everything of importance that occurs within the limits of your command. The thiee brigades now at Cumberland, Williamsport, and Sharpsburg, including the Fifty-fourth Pennsyl- vania Vohinteers, near Cumberland, will be under your comniand. They are com- manded by Generals Kelley, Kenly, and Gordoii. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant- General. On the 25th of October the pontoon bridge at Berlin was constructed, there being already one across the Potomac and another across the Shenandoah, at Harpers Ferry. On the 26th two divisions of the Ninth Corps and Pleasontons brigade of cavalry crossed at Berlin and occnl)ie(I Lovettsville. The First, Sixth, and Ninth Corps, the cavalry, and the reserve artillery crossed at Berlin between the 26th of October and the 2d of November Page 87 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 87 The Second and Fifth Corps crossed at Harpers Ferry between the 29th of October and the 1st of November. Heavy rains delayed the movement considerably in the beginning, and the First, Fifth, and Sixth Corps were obliged to halt at least one day at the crossings, to complete, as far as possible, necessary supplies that could not be procured at an earlier period. The plan of campaign I adopted during this advance was to move the army, well in hand, parallel to the Blue Ridge, taking Warrenton as the point of direction for the main body, seizing each pass on the Blue Ridge by detachments as we approached it, and guarding them after we had passed as long as they would enable the enemy to trouble our communications with the Potomac. It was expected that we would unite with the Eleventh Corps and Sickles division near Thoroughfare Gap.. We depended upon Harpers Ferry and Berlin for supplies until the Manassas Gap Railway was reached. When that occurred, the passes in our rear were to be abandoned, and, the army massed ready tor action or movement in any direction. It was my intention if, upon reaching Ashbys or any other pass, I found that the enemy were in force between it and the Potomac in the Valley of the Shenandoah, to move into the valley, and endeavor to gain their rear. I hardly hoped to accomplish this, but did expect that, by striking in between Culpeper Court-House and Little Washington, I could either separate their army and beat them in detail, or else force them to concentrate as far back as Gordonsville, and thus place the Army of the Potomac in position either to adopt the Fredericksburg line of advance upon Richmond, or to be removed to the Peninsula, if, as I apprehended, it were found impossible to supply it by the Orange and Alexandria Railroad beyond Culpeper. On the 27th of October the remaining divisions of the Ninth Corps crossed at Berlin, and Picasontons cavalry advanced to Purcellville. The concentration of the Sixth Corps, delayed somewhat by intelligence as to the movements of the enemy near Hedgesville, & c., was com- menced on this day, and the First Corps was already in motion for Berlin. On the 28th the First Corps and the general headquarters reached Berlin. On the 29th the reserve artillery crossed and encamped near Lovetts- ville. Stonemans division, temporarily attached to the Ninth Corps, occupied Leesburg; Averells cavalry brigade moved toward Berlin from Hagerstown; two divisions of the Ninth Corps moved to Wheatland, and one to Waterford. The Second Corps commenced the passage of the Shenandoah at Harpers Ferry, and moved into the valley east of Loudoun Heights. On the 30th the First Corps crossed at Berlin and encamped near Lovettsville, and the Second Corps completed the passage of the Shen. andoah. The Fifth Corps commenced its march from Sharpsburg to Harpers Ferry. On the 31st the Second Corps moved to the vicinity of Hillsborough; the Sixth Corps reached Boonsborough; the Fifth Corps reached Har- l)eI5 Ferry, one division crossing the Shenandoah. On the 1st of November the First Corps moved to Purcellville and Hamilton; the Second Corps to Wood Grove; the Fifth Corps to Hills- borough; the Sixth Corps reached Berlin, one division crossing. Pleas- ontons cavalry occupied Philomont, having a sharp skirmish there and at Bloomfield. On November 2 the Second Corps occupied Snickers Gap; bthe.Fift Page 88 88 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. Corps, Snickersville; the Sixth Corps crossed the Potomac and en- camped near Wheatland; the Ninth Corps advanced to Bloomfield, Union, and Phulomont. Pleasonton drove the enem5~ out of Union. Averell was ordered to join Pleasonton. The enemy offered no serious resistance to the occupation of Snickers Gap, but advanced to regain possession of it with a column of some 5,000 to 0,000 infantry, who were driven back by a few rounds from our rifled guns. On the 3d the First Corps moved to Phulomont, Union, Bloomfield, & c.; the Second Corps to the vicinity of Upperville; the Fifth Corps remained at Snickers Gap; the Sixth Corps moved to Piircellville; the Ninth Corps moved toward Upperville. Pleasonton drove the enemy ont of Upperville after a severe fight. On the 4th the Second Corps took possession of Ashbys Gap; the Sixth Corps reached Union: the Ninth Corps, Upperville; the cavalry occupied Piedmont. Cu the 5th the First Corps moved to Rectortown and White Plains; one division of the Second Corps to the intersection of the Paris and Piedmont with the Upperville and Barbees road; the Sixth Corps to the Aldie pike, east of Upperville; the Ninth Corps beyond the Manassas Railroad, between Piedmont and Salem, with a brigade at Manassas Gap. The cavalry under Averell had a skirmish at Manassas Gap, and the brigade of Pleasonton gained a handsome victory over superior numbers at Barbees Cross-Roads. Bayards cav- alry had some sharp skirmishing in front of Salem. On the 0th the First Corps advanced to Warrenton; the Second Corps to Rectortown; the Fifth Corps commenced its movement from Snickers Gap to White Plains; the Ninth Corps to Waterloo and vi- cinity on the Rappahannock; the Eleventh Corps was at New Balti- more, Thoroughfare and Hopewell Gaps; Sickles division guarding the Orange and Alexandria Railroad from Manassas Junction toward Warrenton Junction; the cavalry near Flint lull; Bayard to cut off what there might be in Warrenton and to proceed to the Rappahannock Station. November 7 General Pleasonton was ordered to move toward Little Washington and Sperryville, and thence toward Culpeper Court-House. November 8 the Second Corps moved half way to Warrenton; the Fifth Corps to New Baltimore. November 9 the Second and Fifth Corps reached Warrenton; the Sixth Corps New Baltimore. Late on the night of the 7th I received an order relieving me from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and directing me to turn it over to General Buruside, which I at once did. I had already given the orders for the movements of the 8th and 9th. These orders were carried into effeQt without change. The position in which I left the army, as the result of the orders I had given, was as follows: The First, Second, and Fifth Corps, Reserve Artillery, and general headquarters, at Warrenton; the Yinth Corps on the line of the Rap- pahannock, in the vicinity of Waterloo; the Sixth Corps at New Balti- more; the Eleventh Corps at New Baltimore, Gainesville, and Thorough- fare Gap; Sickles division of the Third Corps on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad front Manassas Junction to Warrenton Junction; l~leasonIon across the Rappahannock at Amissville, Jefferson, & c., with his pickets at hazel River, facing Longstreet, 0 miles from Culpeper Court-House; Bayard, near Rappahannock Station. The army was thus massed near Warrenton, ready to act in any required diveetion, perfectly in hand, and in admirable condition an Page 89 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 89 spirits. I doubt whether during the whole period that I had the honor to command the Army of the Potomac it was iii such excellent condi. tion to fight a great battle. When I gave up the command to General Burnside the best iiiformatiou in our possession indicated that Long- street was immediately in our front near Culpeper; Jackson with one, perhaps both, of the Hills, near Chester and Thorntons Gaps, with the mass of their force west of the Blue Ridge. The reports from General Pleasonton, on the advance, indicated the possibility of separating the two wings of the enemys forces, and either beating Longstreet separately or forcing him to fall back at least upon Gordonsville, to effect his junction with the rest of the army. The following is from the report of General Pleasonton: At this time and from the 7th instant my advance pickets were at hazel River, within 6 miles of Culpeper, besides having my flank pickets toward Chester and Thorntons Gaps extended to Gaines Cross-Roads and Newbys Cross-Roads, with numerous patrols in the direction of Woodville, Little Washington, an(l Sperryville. The information gained from these parties, and also from deserters, prisoners, con- trabands, as well as citizens, established the fact of Longstreet with his command being at Culpeper, while Jackson with D. H. Hill, with their respective commands, were in the Shenandoali Valley, on the western side of the Blue Ridge, covering Chester and Thorntons Gaps, and expecting us to attempt to pass through and attack them. As late as the 17th of November a contraband just from Strasburg came in my camp and reported that D. H. Hills corps was 2 miles beyond that place, on the railroad to Mount Jackson. Hill was tearing up the road and destroying the bridges, nuder the impression that we intended to follow into that valley, and was en route for Staunton. Jacksons corps was between Strasburg and Winchester. Ewell and A. P. Hill were ~vith Jackson. Provisions were scarce, and the rebels were obliged to keep moving to obtain them. Had I remained in command, I should have made the attempt to divide the enemy as before suggested, and could he have been brought to a battle within reach of my supplies, I cannot doubt that the result would have been a brilliant victory for our army. On the 10th of November General Pleasonton was attacked by Long. street with one division of infantry and Stuarts cavalry, but repulsed the attack. This indicates the relative position of our army and that of the enemy at tha time I was relieved from the command. It would be impossible to participate in operations such as those de- scribed in the foregoing pages without forming fixed opinions upon subjects connected with the organization of our armies and the general conduct of military operations. This report would be incomplete without a brief allusion to some gen. eral considerations which have been firmly impressed upon me by the events which have occurred. To my mind the most glaring defect in our armies is the absence of system in the appointment and promotion of general and other officers and the want of means for the theoretical instruction of the mass of officers. The expansion of the army was so great and so rapid at the commencement of the existing war that it was perhaps impossible, in the great scarcity of instructed officers, to have adopted any other course than that which was pursued; but the time has arrived when measures may be initiated to remedy existing deCects and provide against their recurrence. I think that the army should be regarded as a permanent one; that is to say, its affairs should be administered precisely as if all who be- longed to it had made it their profession for life, and those rules for promotion, & c., which have been found necessary in the best foreign armies to excite honorable emulation, produce an esjprit de corps, and secure efficiency, should be followed by us, All officers and soldier Page 90 90 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., A ND PA. [ChAP. XXXL should be made to feel that meritthat is to say, courage, good conduct, the knowledge and performance of the duties of their grade, and fitness to exercise those of a superior gradewill insure to them advancement in their profe~sion, and can alone secure it for them. Measures should be adopted to secure the theoretical instruction of staff officers at least, who should, as far as possible, be selected from officers having a military education or who have seen actual service in the field. The number of cadets at the Military Academy should be at once increased to the greatest extent permitted by the capacity of the institution. The Reg- ular Army should be increased and maintained complete in numbers and efficiency. A well-organized system of recruiting and of depots for instruction should be adopted in order to keep the ranks of the regi- ments full, and supply promptly losses arising from battle or disease. This is especially necessary for the artillery and cavalry arms of the service, which from the beginning of the ~var have rendered great serv- ices, and which have never been fully appreciated by any but their com- rades. We need also large bodies of well-instructed engineer troops. In the arrangement and conduct of campaigns the direction should be left to professional soldiers. A statesman may perhaps be more com- petent than a soldier to determine the political objects and direction of a campaign; but those once decided upon, everything should be left to the responsible military head without interference from civilians. In no other manner is success probable. The meddling of individual members or committees of Congress with subjects which, from lack of experience, they are of course incapable of comprehending, and which they are too apt to view through the distorted medium of partisan or personal preju dice, can do no good, and is certain to produce incalcula- ble mischief. 1 cannot omit the expression of my thanks to the President for the constant evidence given me of his sincere personal regard, and his desire to sustain the military plans which my judgment led me to urge for adoption and execution. I cannot attribute his failure to adopt some of those plans, and to give that support to others which was necessary to their success, to any want of confidence in me- and it only remains for me to regret that other counsels came between the consti- tutional commander-in-chief and the general whom he had placed at the head of his armiescounsels which resulted in the failure of great campaigns. If the nation possesses no generals in service competent to direct its military afiVdrs without the aid or supervision of politicians, the sooner it finds them and places them in position the better will it be for its fortunes. I may be pardoned for calling attention to the memorandum sub- mitted by me to the President on the 4th of August, 1861, my letter to him of July 7, 1862, and other similar communications to him and to the Secretary of War. I have seen no reason to change, in any material regard, the views there expressed. After a calm, impartial, and patient consideration of the subjecta subject which (leinands the closest thought on the part of every true lover of his countryI am convinced that, by the proper employment of our resources, it is entirely possible to bring this war to a successful military issue. I believe that a necessary preliminary to the re-estab- lishment of the Union is the entire defeat or virtual destruction of the organized military power of the Confederates, and that such a result should be accompanied and followed by conciliatory measures, and that, by pursuing the political course I have always advised, it is possible t Page 91 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 91 bring about a permanent restoration of the Uniona reunion by which the rights of both sections shall be preserved, and by which both parties shall preserve their self-respect while they respect each other. In this report I have confined myself to a plain narrative of such facts as are necessary for the purposes of history. Where it was possible I have preferred to give these facts in the language of dispatches written at the time of their occurrence, rather than to attempt a new relation. The reports of the subordinate commanders, hereto annexed, recite what time and space would fail me to mention herethose individual instances of conspicuous bravery and skill by which every battle was marked. To them I must especially refer, for without them this nar- rative would be incomplete and justice fail to be done. But I cannot omit to tender to my corps commanders, and to other general officers under them, such ample recognition of their cordial co-operation and their devoted services as those reports abundantly avouch. I have not sought to defend the army which I had the honor to command, nor myself, against the hostile criticisms once so rife. It has seemed to me that nothing more was required than such a plain and truthful narra- tive to enable those whose right it is to form a correct judgment on the important matters involved. This report is, in fact, the history of the Army of the Potomac. During the period occupied in the organization of that army, it served as a barrier against the advance of a lately victorious enemy while the fortification of the capital was in progress, and under the discipline which it then received it acquired strength, education, and some of that experience which is necessary to success in active operations, and which enabled it afterward to sustain itself under circumstances trying to the most heroic men. Frequent skirmishes occurred along the lines, conducted with great gallantry, which inured our troops to the realities of war. The army grew into shape but slowly, and the delays which attended on the obtaining of arms, continuing late into the winter of 186162, were no less trying to the soldiers than to the people of the country. Even at the time of the organization of the Peninsular campaign some of the finest regiments were without rifles; nor were the utmost exer- tions on the part of the military authorities adequate to overcome the obstacles to active service. When at length the army was in condition to take the field, the Pen- insular campaign was planned, and entered upon with enthusiasm by officers and men. Had this campaign been followed up as it was designed, I cannot doubt that it would have resulted in a glorious tri- umph to our arms and the permanent restoration of the power of the Government in Virginia and North Carolina if revolting States. It was, however, otherwise not throughout the ordered, and, instead of reporting a victorious campaign, it has been my duty to relate the hero- ism of a reduced army, sent upon an expedition into an enemys country, there to abandon one and originate another and new plan of campaign, which might and would have been successful if supported with apprecia- tion of its necessities, but which failed because of the repeated failure of l)romised support at the most critical and, as it proved, the most fatal moments. That heroism surpasses ordinary description. Its illustra- tion must be left for the pen of the historian in times of calm reflection, when the nation shall be looking back to the past from the midst of peaceful days. For me, now, it is sufficient to say that my comrades were victors on every field save one, and there the endurance of but little more than a single corps accomplished the object of the fighting Page 92 92 9 OPERATiONS IN N. VA., \V. VA., MD., AND PA. KIIAL. XXXL and, by securing to the army its transit to the James, left to the enemy a ruinous and barren victory. The Army of the Potomac was first reduced by the witbdrawal from my command of the division of General Bleuker, which was ordered to the Mountain Department, nuder General Fr6mont. We had scarcely landed on the Peninsula when it was further reduced by a dispatch revoking a previous order giving me command of Fort Monroe, and nuder which I had expected to take 10,000 men from that point to aid in our operations. Then, when nuder fire before the defenses of York. town, we received the news of the withdrawal of General McDowells corps of about 35,000 men. This completed the overthrow of the original plan of the campaign. About one-third of my entire army (five divisions out of fourteen, one of the nine remaining being but little larger than a brigade) was thus taken from me. Instead of a rapid advance, which I had planned, aided by a flank movement up the York River, it was only left to besiege Yorktown. That siege was success- fully conducted by the army, and, when these strong works at length yielded to our approaches, the troops rushed forward to the sanguinary but successful battle of Williamsburg, and thus opened an almost un- resisted advance to the banks of the Chickahominy. Richmond lay before them, surrounded with fortifications and guarded by an army larger than our own, but the prospect did not shake the courage of the brave men who composed my command. Relying still on the support which the vastness of our undertaking and the grand results depending on our success seemed to insure us, we pressed forward. The weather was stormy beyond precedent; the deep soil of the Peninsula was at times one vast morass; the Chickahominy rose to a higher stage than had been known for years before. Pursuing the advance, the crossings were seized, and the right wing extended to effect a junction with re- enforcements now promised and earnestly desired, and upon the arrival of which the complete success of the campaign seemed clear. The brilliant battle of Hanover Court-House was fought, which opened the way for the First Corps, with the aid of which, had it come, we should then have gone into the enemys capital. It never came. The bravest army could not do more under such overwhelming disappointment than the Army of the Potomac then did. Fair Oaks attests their courage and endurance when they hurled back again and again the vastly supe- rior masses of the enemy. But mortal men could not accomplish the miracles that seemed to have been expected of them. But one course was lefta flank march in the face of a powerful enemy to another and better baseone of the most hazardous movements in war. The Army of the Potomac, holding its own safety and almost the safety of our cause in its hands, was equal to the occasion. The seven da.ys are classical in American historythose days in which the noble soldiers of the Union and Constitution fought an outnumbering enemy by day and retreated fro~n successive victories by night through a week of battle, closing the terrible series of conflicts with the ever memorable victory of Malvern, where they drove back, beaten and shattered, the entire eastern army of the Confederacy, and thus secured for them selves a place of rest and a point for a new advance upon the capital from the banks of the James. Richmond was still within our grasp had the Army of the Potomac been re-enforced and permitted to a(1- vamice; but counsels which I cannot but think subsequent events proved unwise prevailed in Washington, and we were ordered to abandon the campaign. Never did soldiers b~tte~ dieserv~ thi~e Ibanks of a natio Page 93 CHAP. XXXI.) G~NEI~AL REIORPS. - 93 than the Army of the Potomac for the deeds of the Peninsular campaign, and although that meed was withheld from them by.the authorities, I am persuaded they have received the applause of the American people. The Army of the Potomac was recalled from within sight of Richmond and incorporated with the Army of Virginia. The disappointments of the campaign on the Peninsula had not damped their ardor or dimin- ished their patriotism. They fought well, faithfully, gallantly, under General Pope, yet were compelled to fall back on Washington, defeated and almost demoralized. The enemy, no longer occupied in guarding his own capital, poured his troops northward, entered Maryland, threatened Pennsylvania, and even Washington itself. Elated by his recent victories, and assured that our troops were disorganized and dispirited, he was confident that the seat of war was now permanently transferred to the loyal States, and that his own exhausted soil was to be relieved from the burden of supporting two hostile armies; but he did not understand the spirit which animated the soldiers of the Union. I shall not, nor can I, living, forget that when I was ordered to the command of the troops for the de- fense of the capital, the soldiers with whom I had shared so much of the anxiety and pain and suffering of the war had not lost their confi- dence in me as their commander. They sprang to my call with all their ancient vigor, discipline, and courage. I led them into Maryland. Fifteen days after they had fallen back defeated before Washington, they vanquished the enemy on the rugged heights of South Mountain, pursued him to the~ hard-fought field of Antietam, and drove him, broken and disappointed, across the Potomac into Virginia. The army had need of rest. After the terrible experiences of bat- tles and marches, with scarcely an interval of repose, which they had gone through from the time of leaving for the Peninsula, the return to Washington~ the defeat in Virginia, the victory at South Mountain antI again at Antietam, it was not surprising that they were in a large de. gree destitute of the absolute necessaries to effective duty. Shoes were worn out, blankets were lost, clothing was in rags; in short, the army was unfit for active service, and an interval for rest and equipment was necessary. When the slowly forwarded supplies came to us, I led the army across the river, renovated, refreshed, in good order and discipline, and followed the retreating foe to a position where I was confident of decisive victory, when, in the midst of the movement, while my advance guard was actually in contact with the enemy, I was removed from the command. I am devoutly grateful to God that my last campaign with this brave army was crowned with a victory which saved the nation from the greatest peril it had then undergone. I have not accomplished my pur- pose if, by this report, the Army of the Potomac is not placed high on the roll of the historic armies of the world. Its deeds ennoble the nation to which it belongs. Always ready for battle, always firm, stea~dfast, and trustworthy, I never called on it in vain; nor will the nation ever have cause to attribute its want of success, under myself or under other commanders, to any failure of patriotism or bravery in that noble body of American soldiers. No man can justly charge upon any portion of that army, from the commandipg general to the private, any lack of devotion to the service of the United States Government and to the cause of the Constitution and the TI nion. They have proved their fealty in much sorrow, suffer Page 94 OPEI~ATIONS IN N. VA.~ W. VA.a MD., ANP PA. [CHAP. XXXt 94 ing, danger, and through the very shadow of death. Their comrades, dead on all the fields where we fought, have scarcely more claim to the honor of a nations reverence than the survivors to the justice of a nations gratitude. I am, sir, very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, U. S. Army. Brig. Gen. LORENZO THOMAS, Adjutant- General, U. S. Army. No. 3. Report of Brig. Gen. Rufus Ingalls, chief quartermaster, Army of the Poto- mac, of operations of the quartermasters department September 2Novem- ber 9, 1862, with ann~~al report for fiscal year ending June 30, 1863. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, OFFicE OF CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, Camp near Falmouth, Va., February 17, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your corn- nianication of the 20th ultimo asking for a report of the operations of the quartermasters department from the time I succeeded General Van Vliet to the date of transfer of the command by Gengral McClellan.* * * * * * * . * On arrival at Yorktown and Fortress Monroe, the troops were em- barked, as rapidly as our means of water transportation would allow, for Aquia and Alexandria, in order to unite with the forces under Gen- eral Pope. The cavalry and means of land transportation were the last to be shipped. Much of the cavalry did not arrive until after Pope had fallen back on the defenses and had been relieved in command. Many of the baggage trains were still behind, and did not come up until this army was reorganized by General McClellan after Popes reverses, and had reached the Antietam. Great exertions were required and made to supply the army on its march in the Maryland campaign. So soon as General McClellan was invested with the command of the army for the defenses of Washington, I ordered all quartermasters to make reqnisitions for such supplies as would be necessary to put the troops in condition to take the field. The army was then resting near its great depots. Most of the troops were well supplied for that occa- sion, but some commands, owing to the suddenness of the march, hav- ing left their clothing on vessels at Harrisons Landing to be brought to Alexandria, neglect, or inexperience of staff o1~icers, subsequently were subjected to some privations. It was at this period that General McClellan organized and put in motion a grand army that expelled the enemy from Maryland. This army moved early in September toward Frederick by way of Ilockville and Urbana. I left on the 8th and joined headquarters at Rockville. Until the army reached the vicinity of railroads, it was supplied exclu- sively by our wagon trains direct from Washington. At that season of * So much of this report as relates to operations July 10September 2 will be found in Vol. XI, Part I, pp. 164166; bat see annual report following Page 95 GENERAL REPORTS. 95 the year it was not difficult to do this at a distance of 20 or 30 miles from our base, the roads then being good. Our first supplies by rail came to the Monocacy, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. So soon as the bridge was finished, the depot was moved into the city of Fred- erick. After the battle of South Mountain, the country was opened to ilagerstown, on the Cumberland Valley Railroad, where another depot was immediately established. Soon after the battle of Antietam an- other was established near Harpers Ferry. The canal was navigable for supplies to near Poolesville. With these depots the army from Williamsport to Poolesville was supplied with all its material wants, except as hereafter referred to in this report. The labor, however, of arranging and perfecting this sys- tem of transportation, of bringing to each depot the requisite amount, and the details of trains for the distribution of these vast supplies to the different portions of the army, was excessively onerous night and day. Immediately after the battle of Antietam, efforts were made to supply deficiencies in clothing and horses. Large requisitions were prepared and sent in. The artillery and cavalry required large numbers to cover losses sustained in battle, on the march, and by disease. Both of these arms were deficient when they left Washington. A most violent and destructive disease made its appearance at this time, which put nearly 4,000 animals out of service. Horses reported perfectly well one day would be dead or lame the next, and it was difficult to foresee where it would end or what number would cover the loss. They were at- tacked in the hoof and tongue. No one seemed able to account satis- factorily for the appearance of this disease. Animals kept at rest would recover in time, but could not be worked. I made application to send West and purchase horses at once, but it was refused on the ground that the outstanding contracts provided for enough; but they were not de- livered sufficiently fast nor in sufficient numbets until late in (ictoher and early in November. I was authorized to buy 2,500 late in October, but the delivery was not completed until in November, after we had reached Warrenton. There was great delay in receiving our clothing. The orders were promptly given by me and approved by General Meigs, but the roads were slow to transport, particularly the Cumberland Valley road. For instance, clothing ordered to Hagerstown on the 7th of October for the corps of Franklin, Porter, and Reynolds, did not arrive there until about the 18th, and by that time, of course, there were increased wants and changes in position of troops. The clothing, however, arrived in great quantities near the last of October, almost too late for issue, as the army was crossing into Virginia. We finally left 50,000 suits at Harpers Ferry, partly on the cars just arrived and partly in store. During the whole of September and October we inj~reased our stock of animals all in our power. In the beginning of October my records show that there was with the army immediately present under General McClellan about 3,219 baggage and supply wagons, some 7,880 artillery, 8,142 cavalry, and 6,471 team horses, and 10,392 mules, ma king some 32,885 animals in all. Many additional were absolutely necessary to move the army. (See list herewith, marked A.) About the 1st of November following there was much improvement. My records show that, exclusive of the forces about Washington, there were 3,911 wagons, 907 ambulances, 7,139 artillery, 9,582 cavalry, and 8,693 team horses, and 12,483 mules, making 37,897 in all. (See return herewith, marked B.) This exhibits about the number on hand whe Page 96 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL General McClellan was relieved. Of course these figures show the whole number of animals for which forage had to be provided. I am aware that during October and November my returns showed a much larger number of horses on hand thati were reported fit for active service by the corps commanders. Forage was necessarily provided for all, while many of the cavalry and artillery horses present were unfit for a march. Subsequently our trains were increased to near 3,000 wagons and 6,000 animals of all kinds, after the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps had joined. We could then have ten days supply. Near the last of October preparations were made to cross the Potomac at Berlin, a few miles below Harpers Ferry. Supplies of subsistence, forage, ordnance, and hospital stores were loaded in. our wagons to meet our wants until we should reach the Manassas Gap Railroad at Salem and IRectortown, to which points stores were sent direct from Washington and Alexandria. Our trains at this time could not carry supplies of provisions and short forage for the army, with the neces- sary ordnance, hospital stores, camp equipage, & c., for more than six or eight days. A wagon drawn by six mules over good roads can haul 1,200 short rations of provisions (bread, sugar, coffee, salt, and soap) and six days rations of grain for mules. Over hilly or muddy roads the weight would be correspondingly reduced. It can thus be easily seen how far from our depots an army can be supplied by wagons. When the supplies in trains become exhausted, an army must be at or near another source of supply, as a matter of course. The march from the Potomac at Berlin to Warrenton, where General McClellan left the army, was a magnificent spectacle of celerity and skill. It was in camp near Rectortown, on the 7th November, 1862, that the general was relieved. At this time the department was well organized. The officers had become well instructed, experienced, zeal- ous, and practical. Bttt for their untiring energy and implicit obe- dience to orders, such an army on the march, with constantly changing depots, could never have been furnished with necessary allowances. The great success attending our marches is due in part to the intel- ligence, fidelity, and perseverance of the officers of the Quartermasters Department, to whom I owe much and to whom my gratitude is due. I am bound, also, to bear testimony to the promptness of the Quarter- master-General and all his depot officers, all of whom have invariably desired to assist me all in their power. I must also call the attention of General McClellan to the merits of those officers in my department who have served at our great depots. It was on these officers we m~ainly relied for our supplies. Lient. Col. Fred. Myers, aide-de-camp and quartermaster, joined me in the march into Maryland, and has had particular charge of transportation. His services have been laborious and valuable. I~ was Colonel Myers who took charge of and success- fully brought in the trains after Popes defeat. I was then at Alexan- dria and knew the fact, though General Pope did not refer to his name at all in his report, and his services recently have not been rewarded. I feel greatly indebted to Colonel Sawtelle, to whom I have already referred. My thanks are also due to Captains Rankin, Wagner, Peirce, Pitkin, and Bliss. I am, general, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, RUFUS INGALLS, Chief Quartermaster, Army of the Potomac. General R. B. MAnGy, Chief of AS~taff, hlfajor-Generat JJJicCteltan, New York City Page 97 GENERAL REPORTS. [Inclosures.] A.R~port of the means of transportation, 4-c.. with the Army of the Potomac, on October 1, 1862. Means of transportation. Horses. . a 8 a 0 Command. a . a a a 8 .~ ~ 8 ~ ,a a a ~ a ~ ~ 0 ~ Army Headquarters 1, 000 229 254 120 6 500 983 First Army Corps 13, 707 1, 496 703 403 168 180 860 3, 239 Second Army Corps 16, 083 338 1, 798 440 . 1, 040 3, 176 Fifth Army Corps 30, 926 882 2, 243 605 119 34 1, 980 5, 139 Sixth Army Corps 18, 743 654 999 363 85 1, 200 2, 938 Ninth Army Corps 12, 860 *922 *3, 317 400 217 1, 080 3, 5116 Twelfth Army Corps 17, 159 *3, 146 *3, 523 360 70 1, 080 3, 825 Fourteen regiments of cavairyt 7, 000 520 780 260 ~ 7, 000 8, 300 Four batteries of horse artillery t~. 600 80 . 20 640 720 General Couchs divisioul 9, 740 204 775 188 22 50 1 029 Total 127, 818 6, 471 10, 392 3, 219 ~315 8, 142 7. 880 32, 885 RUFUS INGALLS, Chief Quartermaster, Army of the Potomac. B.Report of the number of officers and enlisted men, the number of horses and other means of transportation, and the number of cavalry and artillery horses in each regiment or bat- tery, and at brigade and division headquarters, in the Army of the Potomac on November 1, 1862. Number at army headquarters and in each corps. 5 ~ Means of transportation. Horses. ~ a S a a a Command. ~ -~ n u 0 uS a a o a ,* ,~* o 0 ~ ~ ,~ . o ~ a a 5 o ,~ a a .~ a ~ ~ ,~ 8 .., a 0 a a o a S 0 ~ Z Headquarters Army of the Potomac - - FIRST ARMY CORPS. Headquarters of corps First Division, General A. Doubleday commanding. Second Division. General J. B. Rick. etts commanding. Tbird Division, General George G. Meade commanding. SECOND ARMY CORPS. Headquarters of corps First Division. General W. S. Han. cock commanding. Second Division, General W. A. Gor. man commanding. Third Division, General William H. French commanding. 98 2,154 343 553 165 21 10 1,062 . 1,958 13 30 33 16 9 .... 3 30 370 7, 072 758 329 207 4 78 25 456 375 7, 598 398 428 147 ... - 57 37 226 357 7,283 579 279 164 1 62 10 364 1,115 21, 983 1, 768 1, 052 527 5 100 102 1, 046 3, 968 11 89 16 32 7... 1 94. 391 8, 264 240 582 161 - -. - 25 215 385 8,561 146 992 196 2 5 6 336 427 8,516 135 528 151 ... 4 6 223 1,214 25,430 537 2,134 515 2 35 106 774 3,551 A number of these animals were transferred to other corps. t Estimatei, Attached to Sixth Corps. Artillery horses accounted fQr in that corps, ~S Seyeral of the corps did not report the ambulances. 7 R RYOL XIX, PT I CHAP. XXXI.] 9 Page 98 98 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. ICHAV. XXXI. B.Beport of the number of officers and enlisted men, c5-c.Continucd. Nu~nher at army headquarters and in each corps. ~ Means of transportation. Horses. ~ S CS Command. o 0 o o ~s 0 o Q Q ,3 0.2 1C ,0 ,0 ~ 0 ,~ 5 ~ ,.,.n ,s .-8 n ~ n o ~ S ~ .~ H~ 0 ~ Z FIFTH ARMY CORPS. Headquarters of corps First Division, General George Sykes commanding. Second Division, General A. A. Hum- phreys commanding. Third Division, General Morell com- manding. Artillery Reserve, Colonel Hays com- manding. SIXTH ARMY CORPS. Headquarters of corps First Division, General W. T. H. Brooks commanding. Second Division, General William F. Smith commanding. Third Division, General J. Kewton commanding. Maryland Brigade, General J. R. Kenly commanding. NiNTH ARMY CORPS. Headquarters of corps First Division, Col. William M. Fen- ton commanding. Second Division, General S. D. Stur- gis commanding. Third Division, General G. W. Getty commanding. Fourth Division, General George Stoneman commanding. TWELFTH ARMY CORPS. Headquarters of corps, including ar- tillery of First and Second Divis- ions. First Division, General A. S. Will- iams commanding. Second Division, General J. W. Geary commanding. Third Division, General A. W. Whip- pie commanding. Cavalry and horse artillery 21 162 311 573 31 1, 100 19 439 554 584 179 1,775 272 4, 235 7, 268 13, 054 - 911 25, 760 203 9, 614 13, 623 12, 605 3, 755 39,800 38 148 409 238 327 1,160 247 613 218 166 58 1, 342 63 605 178 1, 037 102 1,985 13 453 859 951 242 2,518 15 128 138 228 100 609 30 219 190 211 70 720 5 2 3 1 6 2 33 33 14 8 90 2 38 44 19 1 104 185 12 197 99 4 5 58 166 195 162 446 788 1, 591 473 444 192 106 1,215 4,933 5,241 8 43 212 32 5 1 101 18 293 6,503 236 407 106 6 1 6 140 275 6,571 302 437 164 6 23 16 308 225 5,246 87 548 114 4 5 175 616 11,714 753 746 194 5 90 757 298 1,417 30,077 1,590 2,170 583 22 220 797 921 5,478 38 1,170 106 459 121 8 10 54 747 572 13,374 444 551 188 1 61 23 ..... 436 8,501 480 189 128 1 39 5 - 272 5,508 171 331 79 23 10 7 215 i,318 28,553 1,201 1,530 516 33 120 89 962 3,782 396 7,995 752 541 276 .... 34 7,063 630 8,986 Total 8, 433 *l8lC 752 3, 693 12, 483 1, 911 94 813 9, 582 139 37, 897 - I certify that the ahovo report is correct. HEADQUARTERS AIIMY OF THE POTOMAC, November 1, 1862. RUFUS INGALLS, Chicf Quartermaster, Army of the Potomac. Overestimated, I suspect, but 80 repoTtod by tho quartermasters.R. I Page 99 CnAr. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 99 Annual report of Brig. Gen. Rufus Ingalls, chief quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1863. HEADQUARTERS AR?xtr OF THE POTOMAC, OFFICE OF CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, Camp near Culpeper, Va., September 28, 1863. GENERAL: In compliance with your General Orders, No. 13, of last July, the 22d, I have the honor to submit the following report on the operations of the quartermasters department of the Army of the Po- tomac during the fiscal year ending on the 30th June, 1863: On the first day of the fiscal year I established the great depot on James River, at Harrisons Landing, at and around which point General McClellan concentrated his army after the eventful seven days battles about Richmond. On the 28th of June preceding I had broken up the depot at White House, on the Pamunkey, in execution of orders re- ceived from the general commanding and General Van Yliet, then chief quartermaster of the army, and had successfully removed all the trans- ports containing the public suppliesmore than five hundred vessels of all descriptionsfrom the York to James River. I arrived at Haxalls, above City Point, on the left bank of the James, near noon of the 30th of June, and reported in person to General McClellan when he came to the river some two or three hours later in the day, and while the first great fight at Malvern Hill was raging. The army was destitute of supplies; my arrival was exceedingly for- tunate and opportune. Temporary barge wharves were at once con- structed at Harrisons Landing, the transports were brought alongside, and the subsistence, ordnance, hospital, and quartermasters depart- ments were prepared for the issue of necessary supplies on the arrival of the troops. We found in the vicinity a few old wharves, which con- tributed greatly to the accommodation of the commissary, ordnance, and hospital departments, but generally we had to rely upon our own resources in the construction of landings or wharves at our various depots. At the commencement of the movement to the Peninsula I was placed in charge of the assembling of transports, fitting them for the voyages, and embarking the troops. I took post at Alexandria, by order of the War Department, so soon as the blockade of the Potomac was raised, and remained there from the 18th of March until the 3d of April, 1862, up to which time I had personally superintended the embarkation of more than 70,000 men of the Army of the Potomac. It was my duty, while on the Peninsula, to establish the depots of supply for the army, and to see that all proper stores were provided and issued. This duty was excessively laborious and responsible, espe- cially at Cheesemans Creek, Yorktown, and White House, during the night as well as day. There were few officers of experience in the quartermasters department at that time ~vith the army, either in the regular or volunteer service. The magnitude of our operations far ex- ceeded what any quartermaster had ever before witnessed, or, indeed, read of. The sites of the depots at Cheesemans Creek and White House were selected by me, and the landings constructed nuder my immediate superintendence, and sometimes with the assistance of my own hands. I was up to that date almost alone, so far as good officers were concerned. Proper measures had been taken by General Van Yliet to have an abundance of forage, clothing, & c., afloat, and in readi- ness to be issued at the depots. The subsistence department, also Page 100 100 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL from the first to the present time, has always been well prepared with stores and employ~s. In the mean time officers were acquiring the requisite experience, and by the 1st of July the army possessed very many well trained, and effi- cient quartermasters, so that at Harrisons Landing, for instance, I was relieved of an onerous load of duty by officers whom I had selected on account of their great merit. I made the following assignment at this depot, holding the general superintendence myself; viz: Capt. C. G. Sawtelle (now lieutenant-colonel and chief quartermaster Cavalry Bureau), in special charge of water transportation and other branches; Capt. L. II. Peirce, in charge of land transportation; Capts. C. B. Wagner and A. Bliss, in charge of clothing; Capt. P. P. Pitkin, in charge of employ6s; and Capt. J. B. Winslow, in charge of forage. In twenty-four hours after the establishment of this depot, every duty. was performed with great punctuality and accuracy. All issues were made on prescribed requisitions and necessary supplies called for. A record of all arrivals and departures of vessels was kept by the harbor-master. Regular mail and freight boats were put on the route to Fortress Monroe, and vessels were constantly plying between the depot and the principal seaport cities. I will here remark that I must refer you to the detailed reports of my subordinate officers, who have been in charge of special branches of our department, for information called for under the second, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth paragraphs of your order. These reports will serve to remind you of a portion of the stupendous opera- tions of our department during the past fiscal year, conducted under your orders. On the 10th of July, by the voluntary retirement of General Van Vliet, I was announced the chief quartermaster of the Army of the Po- tomac, a position which I have had the honor to hold to the present time, and which has confined me generally to headquarters. My duties since that period have been supervisory and administrative. I have continued to provide for the wantsof the army on all its campaigns, and have established the depots and lines of supply in all instances, but have placed suitable officers at the different points to execute the instructions given by me to meet the wishes of the general commanding. You will receive the reports of these officers. It is due to my predecessor to record my regret at his leaving ami army to which he was devotedly attached, and for which he had labored so assiduously and with such great talent. It must be borne in mind that war on a scale inaugurated by this rebellion was decidedly new to us, if not to the civilized world. Easy as it may seem now, after the lapse of two years, to organize the transportation of a great army, and provide its SllI)plies with the known means we now have, there were few men at that day in the republic who could have accomplished the task sooner than it was. It required the united abilities and exertions of our whole department, aided by the loyal producers and manufacturers of the country, to meet the public wants; and, if there were temporary failures, the department should stand excused, for its labors have been unparalleled and gigan- tic. Perhaps the failures in our department have been fewer than in fighting the troops. I had no data left me to show what means of transportation and other quartermasters property were still with the army after its severe bat- tles and change of base. Inspections were immediately made through- out. It was found that there were in the service, about the last of July Page 101 C11A1~. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 101 3,100 wagons, 17,000 horses, 8,000 mules, and 350 ambulances. I have no means of knowing the original number. The supply of clothing, camp and garrison equipage, & c., was good. In the river at the depot were bountiful supplies of forage, subsistence, and hospital stores. The general commanding received orders early in August to evacuate the Peninsula. About the middle of the month one corps was thrown across the Chickahominy near its mouth, over a pontoon bridge of 2,000 feet in length; another command was pushed out toward New Kent Court- House over Bottoms Bridge; both with a view of protecting our trains, which were now sent forward rapidly in advance of the remainder of the army, by the pontoon bridge. They all passed in safety, and pro- ceeded to the point of embarkation at Yorktown, Newport News, and Fortress Monroe. The transports were withdrawn under the direction of Colonel Sawtelle, who was my principal assistant at White House, and whose sagacity, zeal, promptness, and experience qualify him for any position in your Department. The headquarters left Harrisons Landing on the morning of the 16th of August, and the depot was broken up and abandoned, without loss, on the evening preceding. The march was a rapid and orderly one. I arrived at Fortress Monroe on the 18th by water from Yorktown. Fitz John Porters corps, which was the first to cross the Chickahominy on the retreat, had already embarked for Aquia Creek to join Burnside and Pope. It was arranged that Heintzelmans corps should embark at Yorktown; K eyes should remain there; that Franklin should embark at Newport News, and Sumner at Fortress Monroe. Leaving Colonel Sawtelle at the latter point to provide transports and push forward the troops, cavalry, horses, and artillery, I returned to Yorktown to hasten the embarkation of the Third Corps. I finally left Fortress Monroe with General McClellan and staff on the 23d of August, and arrived off Aquia early on the 24th instant, where we remained on the transports sixty hours awaiting orders. 1 left Aquia on the 26th instant, and arrived at Alexandria on the 27th, where headquarters went into camp near the city. After the evacuation of Harrisons Landing the troops were pushed forward as rapidly as our means would permit. The officers and men seemed anxious and impatient to reach the scene of conflict in front of Washington, where it was known great battles must be fought, on which mighty national interests were staked. I know the officers of our department used untiringexertionsto expedite the embarkation; but it is now apparent that either we did not leave Harrisons Landing soon enough, or that General Pope did not fall back without risking a general engagement, as perhaps he might have done, at least earlier in the campaign, until more forces should arrive. I allude to the matter only in justice to our own department, which has sometimes been accused of tardiness and having inadequate means of transportation on that occasion. Our means were ample and as great as the country could afford. Transports were assembled, as far as possible, from all available sources. It was not to be expected that there should be trans- ports enough to move 100,000 men, with the artillery, cavalry, and trains, at once. It was necessary to perform this service by successive voyages of the vessels. It had required more than a mouth to transport the army from Alexandria to the Peninsula. It could not be brought back in a day. It did absorb three weeks time to bring all back. Many of the wagon trains and a portion of the cavalry did not arrive until the army had left Washington on the Maryland campaign. Indeed, some did not join until after the battles of South Mountain and Antietam Page 102 10-2 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL It is fresh in your memory how Popes campaign resulted. iDisor- ganized trains and wearied and dispirited troops were crowded in on Washington and Alexandria during the latter days of August. General McClellan was invested on the 4th of September with the com- in-and of the defenses of Washington. At the same time I ordered all quartermasters to draw supplies, to place their commands in marching condition, and to reorganize their trains at once. These orders were obeyed very promptly. There was probably some 2,500 wagons conducted in by Col. Fred. Myers to Alexandria, which he saved from the recent retreat of General Pope. These, added to what had arrived from the Peninsula and what General Bucker could spare from the Washington depot, made up the train for the Maryland campaign. It was soon ascertained that portions of the rebel army had crossed. the Potomac, and had entered Maryland above Harpers Ferry. On the 5th and 6th of September our army was put in march toward Frederick City, by iRockville and Urbana. I left Washington on the 7th instant, and joined headquarters same day at Rockville. We remained there two or three days, while our cavalry and advanced infantry and artillery commands were gaining in- formation of the enemy and feeling of his position. Meantime General McClellan became possessed of the plans of the rebel general, and the army was pushed on through Frederick to the gorges of South Mount- ain, where the rebels made their first stand of any importance. The battle of South Mountain was fought on the 13th and 14th of September. That victory opened the Cumberland Valley. The army followed rapidly, and came up with the entire rebel army in position on the heights of Sharpsburg on the 15th instant. The battle of Antietam was fought on the 17th, and resulted in favor of our arms, freeing Maryland completely of the enemy, and compelling him to retreat into Virginia. The army was supplied by our wagon trains exclusively, until we re- captured Frederick. The enemy had burned the railroad bridge over the Monocacy, but a depot was established on the left bank while the the bridge was being rebuilt, and supplies of ~ubsistence and forage were brought up over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad; Capt. J. C. Crane, assistant quartermaster, was placed in charge. The cbmmands within reach sent wagons to this depot for what they required. Wagon trains were also kept plying between Washington and the army until after it had passed South Mountain. A depot was next established at Hagers- town, under Capt. George II. Weeks, assistant quartermaster, and sup- plies of clothing, subsistence, and forage were brought over the Cum- berland Valley Railroad. These supplies came mainly from Washington, but forage and clothing were frequently brought direct from New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. After the battle of Antietam the army was assembled about Harpers Ferry. The canal was now available~ with all these sources of transportation we had no embarrassment, save in the extreme slow- ness, in some instances, with which stores turned over to the railroad for transportation were delivered at their destinations. From this cause we were unfortunately very late in receiving clothing, and much of it arrived at Berlin too late for issue, as the army was already on its march to White Plains, Warrenton, & c. Generally, however, the railroads did splendid service. I always found the principal officers and agents of the roads extremely obliging, courteous, and energetic Page 103 CHAP. XXXi.] GENERAL REPORTS. 103 Our wagon trains had been much increased. About the 1st of Novem- ber they numbered 3,911 wagons, 8,693 horses, 12,483 mules, 907 ambu- lances, 7,139 artillery horses, and 9,582 cavalry. We had sufficient to haul seven days supplies for the army, besides its baggage, camp equl- page, & c. The army crossed the Potomac over pontoon bridges at Berlin the last of October. 1 crossed on the 1st of November, and reached Salem, on the Manassas Gap Railroad, on the 3d following. Supplies had already been ordered by this, road direct from Washington and Alexandria. On the 9th of November General Burnside assumed command of the army, and soon after he moved it to Falmouth, in front of Fredericksburg. On the 13th I left the army at Warrenton, with orders to proceed to Washington and Alexandria, thence to Aquia Creek, and to take meas- ures for the support of the army by the Aquia and Fredericksburg Railroad. On the 16th, in company with Generals Woodbury and ilaupt, I went to Aquia and Belle Plain on a reconnaissance. We found the old wharf and entire depot at Aqula a mass of ruins, and the interior of the country still in the hands of the enemy. It was decided to create temporary landings at both Aquja and Belle Plain, to land supplies and haul them to the army on its arrival with wagons, while permanent arrangements on a proper scale could be made. This plan was most successfully executed. I returned to Belle Plain about the 19th, and joined headquarters at Falmouth. The depot at Aqnia was made as spacious and commodious as any one we have ever had. Large wharves were constructed and storehouses erected to ac- commodate all departments. I placed Capt. T. E. Hall, assistant quar- termaster, in charge, with several officers to assist him. Captain Hall was finally succeeded by Lieut. Cols. A. Thompson and Painter, assist- ant quartermasters. Frequent inspections were made by myself and Colonels Sawtelle, Myers, and Painter. General ilaupt placed Mr. W. XV. Wright at the place as railroad agent. He was an exceedingly ener- getic, gentlemanly, and business-like officer. Stations were established at convenient points along the road for the delivery of suppliesthe principal one having been at Falmouth, under Capt. L. II. Peirce, as- sistant quartermaster, now assistant chief quartermaster of this army. His report will show you the immensity of his business during the past year. I regard him as one of the best quartermasters in the service. The land transportation of the army was reorganized while at Pal- mouth, and to-day corresponds precisely with the standard prescribed in Orders, No. 53* (A copy is herewith, marked A.) The rule will be found useful if applied to our other armies. There would be, besides, the advantage of uniformity. Our supply trains are calculated for seven days subsistence, three of salt meat, six of short forage, and 100 rounds of small-arm ammunition to be hauled in wagons. By our system, knowing the number of men, we can at once determine the exact number of wagons. The battle of Fredericksburg was fought on the 13th of December, 1862. General Hooker assumed command of the army January 26, 1863. To show what was our custom on the eve of battles with regard to our trains, I take the liberty to inclose a copy of my report of our ar~ rangements during the Chancellorsville campaign, herewith, marked B. This rel)Ort and its accompanying papers, now in your office, will give you full and valuable information. The battle of Chancellorsville and second battle of Fredericksburg were fought from the 2d to the 4th of May, 1863. In a forward move- Of August 21, 1863, Army of the Potomac Page 104 104 OPERATIONS IN~N.~WA., W.-VA., MD., AND PA. [OHM. XXXI. ment our trains are never in the way of the troops; on the contrary, each corps has its train which follows it on the march, and which forms its indispensable, movable magazine of supplies. Wagon trains should never be permitted to approach withimi the range of battle-fields. They should be parked in safe and convenient places out of risk, and well guarded. Troops should go forward to battle lightly loaded, and with- out wagons except for extra ammunition. If they are successful, the trains can be brought up very quickly. If defeated, they will find an unobstructed road, and will get back to their wagons soon enough. In all our engagements this precaution has been observed. At the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville wagons were not per. mitted to cross the river except on special order and for some pressing necessity. At the great battle of Gettysburg I had the trains of the whole army parked at Westminster, on the Baltimore Branch Railroad and pike, at a distance of 25 miles from the fieldr guarded by cavalry and artillery.. It would appear that the Army of the Cumberland could not have ob- served this essential rule, since reports show a great loss of trains dur- ing the recent conflicts between Chickamauga and Chattanooga. The experiences of this army by land and water during the past two years give it some right to speak with weight on the subject of trans- portation. On the 14th of June we broke up our headquarters camp near Falmouth, and pursued the route by IDumfries, Fairfax, Leesburg, Edwards Ferry, and Poolesville, to Frederick City, on our second Maryland campaign. The army was in excellent condition, on r trans- portation was perfect, and our sources of supply same as in first cam- paign. The officers of our department were thoroughly trained in their duties. It was almost as easy to maneuver the trains as the troops. It is, therefore, unnecessary to go further into the details of the march. The rebel army had again invaded Maryland, and had even advanced as far as Carlisle and York, in Pennsylvania. The Army of the Po- tomac was again in pursuit of its inveterate foe, and finally met him in pitched battle of three days fighting, and compelled him again to re- cross the Potomac. General Meade, justly the conqueror and hero of Gettysburg, assumed command of the army on the 28th of June. On the last day of the fiscal year, two days later, I was at Taneytown with headquarters of the army. I have been in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericks- burg, and Chancellorsville during the year ending June 30, 1863. While on Peninsular affairs, I omitted to state that white laborers were soon found to give out from sickness and exhaustion at our depots on the Peninsula. While at White House I took effective measures to secure the services of contrabands, drawn mostly from the vicinity. They proved invaluable, though we thus became encumbered with many women and children. On the evacuation of White House I took away all my colored force, and increased it very considerably while at Ilarri- sons Landing by sending for negroes to Williamsburg, Charles City, Norfolk, & c. On the evacuation of the Peninsula I must have taken away 2,500 males. The women and children were provided for near Fortress Monroe. Many of these negroes have other situations now; but we still retain, at our depots here, some 1,250; they are industrious, obedient, and tractable. They are considered free, and obtain $20 per month for their services. This narrative covers the chief events of the fiscal year Page 105 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 105 On the 30th of June, 1862, I had on deposit with the Treasury $172, 991 47 I received the year ending June 30, 1863 2, 509, 383 13 Total to be accounted for 2, 68-2, 374 60 Amount of disbursements during the year 2, 416, 237 60 Balance due United States June 30, 1863 266, 137 00 Of this balance $265,687.51 was deposited in Washington with the Treasurer of the United States, and $449.49 in New York City with the assistant United States treasurer. Of the $2,416,237.60 disbursed during the year, $2,406,285.21 was transferred to officers of my depart- ment for disbursements in corps. The balance, $9,952.39, was expended for articles of stationery, & c., purchased, and payment of employ6s. To the great credit of the quartermasters of this army, I have to report only one instance of defalcation and want of integrity. That is the case of Capt. John lowland, assistant quartermaster volunteers, who received from me in March last $16,470.04, as acting chief quartermas- ter of the Fifth Corps, for distribution to the subordinate officers to pay teamsters. He deserted and carried away with him the whole sum, but was subsequently arrested and brought to Washington by some of the acute and efficient agents of the provost-marshal of the War Depart- ment. Colonel Baker recovered $10,279 of the sum embezzled, and turned the same over to me. Captain Howland has been brought be- fore a court-martial for this offense. The sentence is not yet promul- gated. There were no outstanding debts in this army on the 30th of June, 1863. I do not mean unsettled claims for forage, & c., in Maryland. I left Capt. John Mdllarg, assistant quartermaster, at Frederick, with funds to pay all such legitimate accounts. He is still there on this duty. There will be suggestions for the improvement of our means of trans- portation, workshops, & c., by some of my experienced subordinate offi- cers. I request you will give the matter your attention. There should be at once, above all other things, a special wagon or caisson for carry- ing all extra or reserve ammunition. This matter is very important. It should be for small-arm as well as artillery ammunition. I have the honor to include herewith a forcible letter on the subject, marked C, to which I invite your attention, from General Hunt, chief of artillery.* I should not close this report without acknowledging the uniform generosity which you have extended to me, and the great support you have invariably given me. I wish also to acknowledge my great obli- gations to General Bucker, and the officers who have served under him. He has had daily contact and business with, and on account of, this army, and has, iu all instances, fully met our expectations with much courtesy and forbearance. For all that has been accomplished there is credit due many who have labored together instead of arraying obsta- cles. I have not permitted myself to have difficulties with any one who exhibited any will or capacity to serve this army. To the quartermasters of this army I feel much attached and under a weight of indebtedness, especially to those who have had charge of the great depots. Ihave referred to them in the body of this report; still, I would be doing much injustice if I did not mention Capt. P. P. Pitkin, assistant quartermaster, who, similar to Captain Peirce, has had charge of great depots, and whose business for the year has been To appear, under date of September 30, 1863, in Series I, Vol. XX1X Page 106 106 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [ChAP. XXXI. extremely heavy. He is a most meritorious, energetic, and trustworthy officer. Capt. William G. iRankin, Thirteenth Infantry, and acting as- sistant quartermaster, has also served with much credit. He was in charge of land transportation at White House, and acquitted himself with satisfaction. Lieut. Col. Frederick Myers, assistant quartermaster, served with the army from Popes retreat until after Fredericksburg. He was most of the time my chief assistant. Like Colonel Sawtelle, lie is invaluable as a quartermaster and superior business man. I trust these officers will receive the advancement they merit. The chief quartermasters of the corps are all finely educated gentle- men and highly experienced quartermasters, and there are many quar- termasters now serving with divisions and brigades who are well qualified for higher positions. In conclusion, I wish to bring to your notice the admirable adminis- tration and executive ability of Captaiiis Ferguson and Stoddard, quartermasters at Alexandria. Their duties have been very onerous and accumulated, and have been most efficiently performed. They both occupy high and important positions, and the Army of the Potomac is indebted to them in part for many of its supplies. I am, general, your most obedient servant, RUFUS INGALLS. General M. C. MEIGS. No. 4. Report of Surg. Jonathan Letterman, U. S. A., Medical Director, Army of the Potomac, of the operations qf the medical department, Sept. 2Nov. 7. CAMP NEAR FALMOUTIT, VA., March 1, 1863. GENERAL: In compliance with the directions contained in your com- munication of January 20, 1863,1 have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the xuedical department of this army from July 4 to November 7, 1862, viz: * * * * * * * * From the date of the embarkation of the troops at Fortress Monroe np to the time when the general was placed in command of the defenses of Washington, I know personally but little of the medical department of the Army of the Potomac. It was not under my control. On the 2d of September, when the general was placed in command, it came once more under my direction, and I found it in a most deplorable condition. The officers were worn down by the labors they had in the mean time undergone; a large portion of their supplies, as I have stated, had been left at Fortress Monroe, and even much of that which they had brought with them was thrown on the roadside, I have been informed by com- manding officers, whilst on their way to join General Pope. This state of things, taken in connection with the effects npon the medical depart- - ment arising from the campaign of that officer, left it in a condition deeply to be deplored. The labor expended at Harrisons in rendering it efficient for active service seemed to have been expended in vain, and before it could be in a condition to render such service again it was * That portion of report here omitted appears in Vol. XI, Part I, of this series, pp. 210220 Page 107 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 107 necessary that it should be completely refitted. The circumstances under which the army was then placed made this simply impossible. There was not time to do it, for as soon as the troops reached the de- fenses of Washington they were marched into Maryland, and no time could be allowed for medical officers again to equip themselves with the medicines, instruments, dressings, and stores necessary for the campaign in that State. In a few instances the medical officers who returned with the first troops were able to obtain a few supplies, but these opportunities were few. Some corps which did not belong to the Army of the Potomac whilst it lay at Harrisons Landing were also marched rapidly into Maryland, of the condition of whose medical supplies I could know nothing except on the way to meet the enemy. The medical (lepart- ment had to be, as it were, reorganized and resupplied, and this had to be done while upon a rapid march over different roads, in different sections of the country, and almost in face of the enemy. Before leav- ing Washington I had ordered a number of hospital wagons from Alexandria, Va., which reached me at iRockville, in Maryland, whence they were distributed to the different corps. While at this place I directed the medical purveyor in Baltimore to put up certain supplies and have them ready to send to such a point as I should direct. Upon our arrival at Frederick on the 13th of September (having left Wash- ington on the evening of the 7th), directions were given for the estab- lishment of hospitals at that place for the reception of wounded in the anticipated battles, and additional supplies to a large amount ordered to be sent from Baltimore at once. The Confederate troops had been in this city bat the day before our arrival. Almost all the medical supplies had been destroyed or had been taken by them. Just pre- vious to our arrival in Frederick, 200 ambulances were received from Washington, which I distributed to the corps as rapidly as the move- ments of the troops would permit. The failure of the railroad company to forward the supplies caused serious annoyance. The railroad bridge over the Monocacy Creek between Frederick and Baltimore having been destroyed by the Confederate forces, made it necessary to have all the supplies of the quartermasters and commissary as well as the medical departments removed from the cars at that point. A great deal of confusion and delay was the consequence, which seriously em- barrassed the medical department, and not from this cause alone, but from the fact that cars loaded with supplies for its use were on some occasions switched off and left for sonie time upon the side of the road to make way for other stores. The battle of South Mountain took place on the 14th. The village of Middletown, about 4 miles in rear of the scene of action, was thor- oughly examined before the battle began, to ascertain its adaptability for the care of the wounded. Churches and other buildings were taken as far as were considered necessary, and yet causing as little inconve- nience as possible to the citizens residing there. Houses and barns, the latter large and commodious, were selected, in tlA most sheltered places on the right and left of the field, by the medical directors of the where received. whe corps engage(l, the wounded were first nce they were removed to Middletown, the Confederate wounded as well as our own. The battle lasted until some time after dark, and as soon as the firing ceased I returned to 1~Iiddletown and visited all the hospitals, and gave such directions as were necessary for the better care oX the wounded. On the following morning Assistant Surgeon Thomson, U. S. Army, was directed to take charge of all the hospitals in the village ,an Page 108 108 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. three skillful surgeons were sent to consult together and with him, and perform such operations as the cases demanded. The object in sending these officers was to have all necessary operations done as soon as possible, as it would be impossible for the surgeons in charge of the different hospitals to perform them all in season and at the same time attend to the other duties required of them. The work of these officers was very satisfactorily performed. The hospitals were soon put in good condition and the men well attended to. Supplies of medicines, & c., were in part obtained from the supplies in the army and in part from Frederick, from which place, owing to the causes already alluded to, it required no little exertion to obtain them. The difficulty was, however, overcome, and such as were needed were from time to time procured. The task of providing food for the wounded was one of still greater diffi- culty, but that was also accomplished by having it brought from Fred- erick and by purchasing from the people living in the village and in its vicinity. As was anticipated, the wounded, under the supervision of IDr. Thomson, who labored unceasingly, were attended to with great care and the hospitals placed in excellent condition. Great kindness was shown by the citizens, and especially the ladies, to our wounded, until the hospitals were broken up. The battle of Cramptons Gap took place also on the 14th, at the same time that of South Mountain was in progress. The hospitals for the wounded were located in Burkittsville, about a mile in the rear of our troops. As in the village of Middletown, churches and other buildings were here appropriated for hospital purposes. A sufficient number of surgeons were detailed by Surgeon White, U. S. Army, the medical director of the Sixth Corps (which was the only corps engaged), who had charge of the medical department in this action. There was but short time given to prepare hospitals in either of these villages, as the troops left Frederick and fought both battles the same day. By the exertions of the medical officers in charge, the hospitals in Burkittsville were in a short time put in good order, and every care taken of the men brought to them. The surgeon who was placed in charge, having been guilty of improper conduct, was displaced and afterward dropped from the rolls, and Assistant Surgeon IDu Bois placed in charge, tinder whos~ administration everything went on well. The same difficulty existed here as in Middletown regarding supplies of medicines, & c., and food, and was overcome in like manner. The most reliable reports that can be obtained show 1,214 wounded in these two engagements. While these figures are not deemed entirely accurate, they are thought to ap- proximate very nearly the actual number wounded, those of the Con. federate forcei~ not being included. Passing through the village of Boonsborongh on the following day, it was examined to ascertain what accommodation it afforded for hospital purposes in the event they should be required there. Later in the even- ing we passed through the village of Keedysville, a few miles beyond, which was also ~subjected to a similar examination. Passing beyond this village, we came in sight, late in the evening, of what afterward proved to be the battle-field of Antietam. As soon as the nature of the country and its resources for hospital purposes could be ascertained, and when an idea was given of the nature of the anticipated battle and the position to be occupied by our troops, directions were given to the medical directors of corps to form their hospitals as far as possible by divisions, and at such a distance in the rear of the line of battle as to be secure from the shot and shell of the enemy; to select the houses and barns most easy of access, and such as were well supplied with ha Page 109 CHAP. XXXI.J GENERAL REPORTS. 109 or straw and water; when circumstances would permit, to designate barns as preferable in all cases to houses, as being at that season of the year well provided with straw, better ventilated, and enabling the medical officers with more facility to attend to a greater number of wounded, and to have all the hospital supplies taken to such points as were selected. These directions were generally carried into effect, and yet the hospitals were not always beyond the range of the enemys guns. Very few hospital tents were to be obtained, owing to the haste in which the army was marched from Virginia into Maryland, but the weather was such as to enable the wounded to be taken care of without them. A reference to the map accompanying this report will exhibit better than any description the location of these hospitals, which, from the length of the line of battle and the obstinacy with which the engage. ruent was contested, required to b~ numerous. The battle lasted until dark. During the day I received valuable aid from Assistant Surgeon Howard, U. S. Army, who was busily engaged while the battle was in progress in riding to different parts of the field and keeping me informed of the condition of medical affairs. After night 1 visited all the hospi- tals in Keedysville and gave such directions as were deemed necessary. The subject of supplies, always a source of serious consideration, was here peculiarly so. The condition of affuirs at Monocacy Creek remained as heretofore described, and the action of the railroad was not commensurate with the demands made upon it. The propriety of obtaining the hospital wagons from Alexandria was evident, as these gave a supply for the emergency and enabled surgeons to attend to the wounded as soon as the battle opened. After the victory was won, sup- plies of medicines, stimulants, dressings, & c., were sent for and brought from Frederick, in ambulances, by officers sent for that purpose, and were distributed to the different hospitals as they were needed. The fear of the supplies becoming exhausted, for the difficulty in procuring them was well known, caused uneasiness on the part of some medical officers, who did not know the efforts that had been made before and were made during and after the battle to have enough furnished to supply their wants. I visited after the battle every hospital in the rear of our lines, although not always making myself known, and in no instance did I find any undue suffering for lack of medical supplies. Owing to the difficulty in having them brought from Monocacy Creek, for the first few days the supplies of some articles became scanty, and in some instances very much so; but they were soon renewed, and at the temporary depot established in ~Sharpsburg shortly after the battle a sufficient quantity of such articles as were necessary from time to time arrived, and when this temporary depot was afterward broken up, about the middle of October, a portion of the supplies remained on hand. Not only were the wounded of our own army supplied, but all the Confederate wounded which fell into our hands were furnished all the medicines, hospital stores, and dressings that were required for their use. The difficulty of supplying the hospitals with food was a much greater one than that of providing articles belonging to the medical depart- ment, and was a matter of very great concern. This, a matter in all battles of moment, was in this l)articularly so on account of the dis tance of the depot of supplies. An order was procured from Colonel Ingalls for a number of wagons (12), to be turned over by the quarter- master at Frederick to an officer that I should send there, for the pur- pose of bringing up supplies of medicines and food. These wagons could not be obtained at Frederick. Two were then l)rocured fro Page 110 110 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL Colonel Ingalls at headquarters, and sent under an officer, who bought up supplies of coffee, sugar, and bread. The hospitals were afterward and in a short time abundantly supplied. The hospitals were thus pro. vided with medical supplies, and for the first few days with food. They had all that was necessary for the wounded. I have already mentioned that the ambulances had been left at For. tress Monroe when the troops embarked, and that no system existed e~xcept in the corps which belonged to the Army of the Potomac while at Harrisons Landing. A portion of the ambulances of some of the corps arrived just prior to the battle. A large number had been dis- tributed in other corps, but were yet unorganized. It was not, there- fore, expected that they would prove as efficient as could be desired. Notwithstanding these facts, the wounded were brought from the field on our right before 2 oclock on the following day. The Second Corps was more frilly equipped, and did most excellent service under the charge of Capt. J. M. Garland, who labored diligently and with great care until all his wounded were removed. The troops on our left were those among whom no ambulance system existed, but here, owiiig to the exertions of the medical officers, the wounded were removed by the evening of the day following the battle. When we consider the magnitude of the engagement, the length of time the battle lasted, and the obstinacy with which it was contested, causing this to be the greatest and bloodiest action that ever took place on this continent, it is a mat. ter of congratulation to speak of the expeditious and careful manner in which the wounded were removed from the field. Compiled from the most reliable sources at my command, the number of wounded amounted to 8,350. This number is not entirely accurate, as many who were slightly wounded were attended to, of whose cases no record could, under the circumstances, be taken. The removal of so large a body of wounded was no small task. The journey to Frederick in ambulances was to wounded men tedious and tiresome, and often painful. It was necessary that they should halt at Middletown for food and to take rest; that food should always be pro- vided at this place at the proper time and for the proper number; that the hospitals at Frederick should not be overcrowded; that the ambu- lances should not arrive too soon for the trains of cars at the depot at Frederick, and that the ambulance horses should not be broken down by the constant labor required of them. With rare exceptions this was accomplished, and all the wounded whose safety would not be jeop- ardized by the journey were sent carefully and comfortably away. The hospitals in Frederick were soon established and put in order by Sur- geon Milhau, U. S. Army. In addition to the hospitals in the city, two large camps of hospital tents were formed on the outskirts of the city, capable of containing one thousand beds each. One hospital had been established in Frederick some months before our arrival there, but at that time it was filled, and chiefly with Confederate sick and wounded, who had been left there. All the available buildings in this city (six in nnmber) were taken at once for hospitals for our own troops and those of the enemy who should fall into our hands. These were fitted up with great rapidity, particularly so when it is considered that the enemy was in possession of the city the day before we arrived there; that it had to be examined, the buildings selected and prepared, beds, bedding, dressings, stores, food, cooking arrangements made, surgeons, stewards, cooks, and nurses detailed and sent for. This was a great deal of labor, but it was done, and done promptly and well. On the 30th of September these hospitals contained 2,321 patients Page 111 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 111 Tlie camps to which I have just alluded were formed in October, in very eligible and pleasant locations on the outskirts of the city. In these hospitals and camps 62 surgeons, 15 medical cadets, 22 hospital stewards, 539 nurses, and 127 cooks were on duty daring the mouth of October, when all were in operation. During this month 3,032 patients, chiefly wounded, were received into these hospitals, making, with those then under treatment, on the 30th of September, 5,353. Of this number 403 were returned to duty, 23 were discharged, 3 deserted, 4 were sent on furlough, 2,064 were sent to other hospitals, and 253 died, leaving on the 31st of October 2,603 remaining in the hospitals. A large num- ber of wounded were sent from the hospitals on the battle-field, through Frederick, to other hospitals, of whom no record was kept, as they were not received into any of the hospitals in that city. No one seeing these hospitals after their establishment can form any conception of the labor required to put them in the good condition in which they were kept. The zeal and ability displayed by Dr. Milhau in their organization and management, and the hearty co-operation he at all times gave me, de- serve especial mention. In addition to our own wounded, we had upon our hands from the battles of South Mountain, Cramptons Gap, and Antietam in all about 2,500 Confederate wounded. Those taken at South Mountain were taken to Middletown, and those at Cramptons Ga} to Burkittsville. When the general assumed command of the defenses of Washington, the hospitals in Washington and in its vicinity were placed under my control. We left that city for Maryland on the 7th of September, and a few days thereafter those hospitals and the medical affairs of the troops in and around Washington were placed in the immediate charge of Surg. iR. 0. Abbott, U. S. Army, assistant medical director of the Army of the Potomac. lt is perhaps not desirable to go much into details con- cerning them, and I only give the following statement in order to ex- hibit the number of hospitals and other points of interest connected with them, which are necessary, as they belonged to the medical department of this army: Number of hospitals, 38; medical officers, 224; remaining last report, 28,649; number of patients admitted, 23,298; total, 51,947. Returned to duty, 7,104; discharged, 2,100; deserted, 597; sent to other hospitals, 9,026; on furlough, 647; died, 1,498; remaining, 30,975. It may be gratifying for the general commanding to know that never had these hospitals been in better condition. The excellent system in- troduced in their management, the complete system of records adopted and carried out, and the care taken to have everything connected with them in fine condition, reflect the highest credit upon the officer in charge, for to him it is due. The very great assistance Surgeon Abbott so uniformly and so unreservedly gave me upon all occasions requires especial notice, and it affords me the greatest pleasure to ask the atten- tion of the commanding general to the richly deserving merits of this officer. Immediately after the retreat of the enemy from the field of An- tietam, measures were taken to have all the Confederate wounded gathered in from the field, over ~which they laid scattered in all direc- tions, and from the houses and barns in the rear of their lines, and placed under such circumstances as would permit of their being properly attended to, and at such points as would enable their removal to be effected to Frederick and thence to Baltimore and Fortress Monroe to their own lines. They were removed as rapidly as their recovery would permit. The duty of attending to these men was assigned to Surgeo Page 112 112 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL iRauch, U. S. Volunteers, to whom assistants were given from our own officers and all the medical officers who had been left by the enemy to look after their wounded. A sufficient number of ambulances having been placed at his disposal and supplies given him, these wonnded were collected in the best and most convenient places, and everything done to alleviate their sufferings that was done for our own men. Humanity teaches us that a wounded and prostrate foe is not then our enemy. There were many cases both on our right and left whose wounds were so serious that their lives would be endangered by their removal, and to have every opportunity afforded them for recovery the Antietam hos- pital, consisting of hospital tents, and capable of comfortably accommo- dating nearly 600 cases, was established at a place called Smoketown, near Keedysville, for those who were wounded on our right, and a sim. ilar hospital, but not so capaciousthe Locust Spring hospitalwas established in the rear of the Fifth Corps for those cases which occurred on our left. To one or other of these hospitals all the wounded were carried whose wounds were of such a character as to forbid their re- moval to Frederick or elsewhere. The inspections made of these hos- pitals from time to time were a source of great gratification, as they made known to me the skillful treatment which these men received and the care with which they were watched over, and convinced me of the propriety of the adoption of this course in regard to them. Surgeon Vanderkieft, U. S. Volunteers, who was in charge of the Antietam hos- pital, was unceasing in his labors, and showed a degree of professional skill and executive ability much to be admired. Great care and atten- tion were shown to the wounded at the Locust Spring hospital by Sur- geon Squire, Eighty-ninth New York Volunteers, who had charge of it. Both hospitals were kept in excellent order. Immediately after the battle a great many citizens came within our lines in order to remove their relatives or friends who had been injured, and in a great many instances when the life of the man depended upon his remaining at rest. It was impossible to make them understand that they were better where they were, and that a removal would probably be done only with the sacrifice of life. Their minds seemed bent on having them in a house. If that could be accomplished, all would, in their opinion, be well. No greater mistake could exist, and the results of that battle only added additional evidence of the absolute necessity of a full supply of pure air, constantly reneweda supply which cannot be obtained in the most perfectly constructed building. Within a few yards a marked contrast could be seen between the wounded in houses and barns and in the open air. Those iu houses progressed less favor- ably than those in the barns, those in barns less favorably than those in the open air, although all were in other respects treated alike. The capacious barns, abundantly provided with hay and straw, the delightful weather with which we were favored, and the kindness exhibited by the people, afforded increased facilities to the medical department for taking care of the wounded thrown upou it by that battle. From the frequent inspections which I made from time to time, and from .the reports of inspections made of the hospitals, and the manner in which the duties required in them were performed by medi- cal officers, it gives me no little pleasure to say that the wounded had every care that could be bestowed upon themthat they were j)rOmptly, willingly, and efficiently attended to. And although I have more than once spoken to the general commanding concerning the conduct of medical officers on that battle-field, I cannot refrain from alluding here to the untiring devotion shown by them to the wounded of that day Page 113 ChAr. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 113 Until all the wounded were finally disposed of; no pains were sJ)ared, no labor abstained from, by day or by night, by the medical officers of this army, to alleviate the sulkriugs of the thousands of wounded who looked to them for relief. The medical dircctors of corps, especially Surgeons Dougherty and McNulty, were untiring iii their exertions and unceasing in their labors, and were i~bly assisted by the staff under their commands. Very few delinquencies occurred, and these were swallowed up by the devotion exhibited by the rest of the medical staff during an(l long after the battle. The surgery ot these battle-fields has beei~ I)ronoulmced butchery. Gross misrepresentations of the conduct of medical officers have been made and scattered broadcast over the country, causing deep and heart-rending anxiety to those who had friends or relatives in the army, who might at any muomuent require the services of a surgeon. It is not to be supposed that there were 110 incoml)etent surgeons in the army. It is certainly true that there were; but these sweeping denunciations against a class of mcmi who will favorably compare with the military surgeons of any conimtry, because of the incompetency amid short-coni- iugs of a few, are wrong, and (10 injustice to a body of men who have labored faithfully and well. It is easy to magnify an existing evil until it is beyond the bounds of truth. It is equally easy to pass by the good that has been (lone on time other side. Sonic medical officers lost their lives in their devotion to duty in the battle of Antietam, and others sickened from excessive labor which they conscientiously and skillfully performed. If any objection could be urged against the surgery of those fields, it would be the efforts on the l)art of surgeons to practice conservative surgery to too great an extent. I had better oI)portnnities, l)erha.I)s, than any one else to form an opinion, and from my observations I am couvmnced that if ammy fault was committed it was that the knife was miot used enough. So much has been said on this matter that, familiar as I am with the conduct of time medical officers on those battle-fields, 1 cannot, as the umedical director of this army, see them misrepresented amid be silent. After these battles the army remained some tinme in Maryland, prepar- it - br the coming campaign iii Virginia. D urimig this timne I was occul)ied ill havimig the wounded well cared for and properly semit away, in making suitable provision for those whose safety required that they should not he m-emnov~d, amid in making such changes as experience and observa- hon during those battles and the short time that I had occupied the lIosition of medical director convinced me were necessary to render time medical department more efficient. Hitherto large amounts of medical supplies had been lost and in various ways wasted, and not unfrequently all the supplies for a regiment had been thrown away for ~vaut of transportation, and, of course, were not omi hand when wanted. it was necessary that this should be remedied, amid in order to do so it was necessary to diminish the amount that was furnished a regiment at one time, which would affect the whole existing systemu amid make the change a radical one. The objects which it was considered as de- sirable to attain were to reduce the waste which took place when large supplies were at one time issued to regiments, to have a supply givemi them, small, but sufficient for all immediate wants, and to have these supplies easily obtainable and replenished without difficulty when re- quired, ~nd without a multiplicity of iapers and accoumits. It was miecessary also that they should be transported with facility, and that Bo trouble should be experienced in having thiemn in abnimdance at tIme S R RVOL XIX, PT Page 114 114 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. field hospitals in time of action and yet at the same time to preserve a proper degree of accountability. To accomplish this, a system of supplying by brigades was adopted on the 4th of October, 1862. The following extract iroisi a circular issued to the medical department of this army at that date, from the medical directors office, will show the main features of the system which since that time has beeh in existence in this army: Hereafter in the Army of the Potomac the following supplies will 1)0 allowed to a brigade for one mouth for active field service, viz: One hospital wagon, filled; one medicine chest for each regiment, filled; one hospital knapsack for each regimental medical officer, filled. The supplies in the list marked A to he transported in a four- horse wagon. The surgeon in charge of each brigade will require and receipt for all these supplies, including those in the hospital wagons, and will issue to the senior surgeons of each regiment the medicine chests and knapsacks, taking receipts therefor. The hospital wagon, with its horses, harness, & .c., will l)e receipted for by the ambulance quarter- master. The surgeon in charge of the brigade will issue to the medical officers of the regi- muents such of these supplies as may be required for their commands informally, taking no receipts, demanding no requisitions, but accounting for the issues as ex- pended. The surgeons in charge of brigades will at once make out requisitions in accordance with these instructions, and transmit them, approved by the medical director of the corps, to the medical purveyor of this army. These supplies being deemed sufficient for o~~e month only, or for an emergency, medical directors of corps will see that they are always on hand, timely requisitions being made for that ~ Before the adoption of this system, one and sometimes two wagons were required to transport the medical supplies of a regiment, and, in addition, another wagon was required to transport cooking utensils, hospital tents, baggage of medical officers, & c. With this system one wagon suffices for the medical department of a regiment; one wagon is added to a brigade and at least one taken from each regiment, and, besides, should it become necessary to take away this one wagon from a regiment, the supplies are in such shape as will permit them to l)e carried on a horse, and not necessarily lost, as heretofore. The regi- mental surgeons have no trouble in replenishing their snpp!ies, and the amounts expended in a regiment are always known to the surgeon- in-chief of a brigade, whose duty it is always to check any undue waste or improper expenditure. These supplies are easily transported, and are without difficulty made available on the field of battle, as events which have since transpired have demonstrated. These instructions having been issued, my attem4ion was given to the manner in which the wounded were attended to upon the field of battle. No system of field hospitals that I was aware of existed, and, convinced of the necessity of adopting some measures by which the wounded could receive the best surgical aid which the army afforded, and with the least delay, my thoughts were naturally turned to this most important subject. On the field of battle confusiomi is, above all other places, most prone to ensue, and unless some method is observed by which certain surgeons have specific duties to perform, and every officer has his place pointed out beforehand, and his duties defined, and held to a strict responsibility for their proper performance, the wounded must of course suffer. To remedy the want which existed, the following circular was issued: CIRCULAR.] H~AnQuAwrmms ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Mcdicai Directors Office, October80, 1862. Smit: In order that tho wounded may receive the most l)roIlll)t and efficient atten- tion during and after an engagement, and that the necessary operations may be l)er- formed by the most skillful and resj~onsible surgeons ~t the earliest umoument, th Page 115 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 115 following instructions are issued for the guidancc of the medical stud of this army, and medical directors of corps ~vill sco that they are l)ronhl)tly carricd into cfVect: Previous to an engagement there will be established in each corps a hospital Pd each division, the position of which will be selected by the medical dircetor of the corps. The organization of the hospital will be as follows: 1st. A surgeon in charge; one assistant snrgcon to I)roVide food and shelter, & c.; one assistant surgeon to keep the records. 2d. Three medical officers to perform operations; three medical officers as assistants to each of these officers. :ld. Additional medical officers, hospital stewards, nurses of the division. The surgeon in ebarge will have general superintendence and he responsible to the surgeon-in-chief of the division for the proper administration of the hospital. The surgeon-in-chief of a division will detail one assistant surgeon, who will report to and be under the immediate orders of the surgeon in charge, whose duties shall be to pitch the hospital tents and provide straw, fuel, water, blanj~ets, & c., and, when houses are used, put them in proper order for the reception of wonnded. This assist- aiot snrgeon will, when the foregoing shall have been accomplished, at once organize a kitchen, using for this purpose the hospital mess chests and the kettles, tins, & c., in the ambulances. The supplies of beef stock and bread in the ambulances, and of arrowroot, tea, & c., in the hospital wagon, will enable him to prepare quickly a suf- iicient quantity of palatable and nourishing food. All the cooks, and such of the hospital stewards and nurses as may be necessary, will be placed nuder his orders for these pur~)oses. 1-Ic will (letail another assistant surgeon, whose duty it shall be to keel) a complete record of every case brought to the hospital, giving the name, rank, company, alI(l regiment; the seat and character of injury; the treatment; the operation, if nj~y be performe(l, and the result, which will be transmitted to the medical director of the corps and by him sent to this office. rhis officer will also see to the proper interment of those who die, and that the grave is marked with a head-beard with the name, rank, company, and regiment legibly inscribed upon it. Lie ~vill make out two tabular statements of wounded, which the surgeon-in-chief of division will transmit within thirty-six hours after a battle, one to this office (by a special messenger, if necessary) and the other to the medical director of the corps to which the hospital belongs. There will be selected from the division by the surg~on-in-chief, nuder the direction of the medical director of the cor~os, three medical officers, who will be the operating staff of the hospital, upon whom will rest the immediate responsibility of the per- formance of all important operations. In all doubtful cases they will consult to- gether, and a majority of theum shall decide upon the expediency and character of the oL)eratiou. These officers will be selected from the division without regard to rank, but solely on account of their known prudence, judgment, and skill. The surgeon-ilo- chief of the division is enjoined to be especially careful in the selection of these olli- cers, choosing only those who have distinguished themselves for surgical skill ,sonnd judgment, and conscientious regard for thehighest interests of the wounded. There will be detailed three medical officers to act as assistants to each one of these officers, who will report to him and act entirely under his direction. It is suggested that one of the assistants be selected to administer the ana~sthetic. Each operating sur~eon will be provided with an excellent table from the hospital wagon, and, with the~present organization for field hospitals, it is hoped that the confusion and the delay in performiu~ the necessary operations so often existing after a battle will be avoided, and all operations hereafter be primary. The remaining medical officers of the division, except one to each regiment, will be ordered to the hospitals -to net as dressers and assistants generally. Those who follow the regiments to the field will establish themselves, each one at a temporary depot, at such a distance or situation iii the rear of his regiment as will insure saflity to the wounded, where they will hive such aid as is immediately required; and they are here reminded that, whilst no l)ersollal consideration should interfere with their duty to the wounded, the grave responsibilities resting upon them render any unnecessary exposure improper. The surgeon-in-chief of the division will exercise general supervision, under floe medical director of the corps, over the medical affairs in his division. 1-Je will see that the officers are faithful in the pefformauce of their duties in the hospital and upon the field, and that by the ambulance corps, which has heretofore been so efficient, the wounded are removed from the field carefully and with dispatch. Whenever his duties permit, he will hive his professional services at the hospital, will order to the hospital as soon as located all tIme hospital wagons of the brigades, the hospital tents and furniture, and all the hospital stewards and nurses. lie wil Page 116 116 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. rCnAl. XXXI. notify the captain conunanding the ambulanco corps, or, if this be impracticable, the first lieutenant commanding the division ambulances, of the location of the hospital. No medical officer will leave the position to which lie shall have been assirned without permission, and any officer so doing will be reported to the medical director of the corps, who will report the facts to this office. The medical directors of corps will apply to their commanders oii the eve of a battle for the necessary guard and men for fatigue duty. This guard will be particularly careful that no stragglers be allowed about the hospital, using the feed and comforts prepaied for the wounded. No wounded will he sent away from any of these hospitals without authority from this office. Previous to an engagement, a detail will he made by medical directors of CO~l)5 of a iroi~er number of medical officers, who will, should a retreat be found necessary, remain and take care of the wounded. This detail medical directors will request the (011)5 commanders to announce in orders. TIme skillful attention shown by the medical officers of this army to the wounded npon the battle-fields of South Mountain, Craml)tons Gap, and the Antietam, un(ler trying circumstances, gives the assurance that, with this organization, the medical staff of the Army of the Potomac can with conlidence be relied upon under all camer- gencies to take charge of the wounded intrusteff to its care. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JONA. LETTERMAN, Medical 1)ircctor. As both of these circulars met the approval of the commandino- gen- eral aII(l were issued under his auspices, it may not be amiss to say that. at the battle of Fredericksburg, on the 13th of December, 1862, when they were first tried, and when front the nature of the action they were severely tested, they fulfilled in a great degree the expectations hoped for at the time of their adoption. I have alluded to the loss of medical officers in battle. Two of them fell upon the battle-field of Antietam, whose devotion to duty I cannot pass over. Snrg. W. J. II. White, U. S. Army, medical director of the Sixth Corps, under General Franklin, was killed on that field by a shot from time enemy. He was a skillful surgeon, a gallant officer, and a gentleman whose deportment was kind and courteous to all who had iimterconrse with him. These admirable traits, together with his famil- iarity with the medical affairs of that corps, made his loss, and espe- cially on that day, deeply to be deplored. Assistant Surgeon Revere, of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteers, accompanying his regiment into the midst of the fight, fell by the hands of the enemy, nobly and fearlessly discharging his ditty to the wounded. I cannot act justly without mentioning the faithful services of Hos- pital Steward Robert Koldeway, U. S. Army, who has been constantly with inc. His attention to duty has been invariably most marked. Shrinking from no labor by day or by night, in everything he has ac- quitted himself to my entire satisfaction, and it gives me no little l)leasure to bring to the notice of the general commandimig a non-cont- missioned officer who has acted so well. I may have gone n more fully into the details of the operations of the me(lical (lepartmnent of the Army of the Potomac than will be coiisid- ered necessary, but upou my first interview with the commanding gen- eral at harrisons Landing, I perceived the deep interest taken by him iu everything connected with it. Time only strengthened my convic- tions and continued to assure me of his constant solicitude for the welfare of the sick amid wounded, and I feel the most grateful remein- brance of the unvarying confidence and support he gave me in every- thing which 1 considere(l conducive to that end. The efficiency of the medical department of this army owes much to the Surgeon-General. his a(lvice and authority upon all occasions were freely given, and enabled me to act without restraint. 1 beg t Page 117 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 117 assure the commanding general that the administration of this depart- nient, which he has more than once apprOve(l, has depended to a great extent upon the chief of the Medical Bureau in Washington. We crossed the Potomac and entered Virginia early in November, in anticipation of another battle soon taking place. Nothing of especial interest occurred in the medical department during our very rapid march through that portion of the State which was traversed by the army. My arrangements had been made, and the necessary instruc- tions given to the medical directors of corps, and with the hearty co- operation they were affording me I felt that should the anticipated battle occur shortly after our arrival at Warrenton, the in edical depart- inent would be more able than it had been hitherto to discharge the duties devolving upon it. The general was relieved; the battle did not take place. Very respectfully, your obedient ~ervant, JONA. LETTELIMAN, Surgeon, U. S. A., and ilfed meal Director Army of time Potomac. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant- Genera 1, Army of/lie Potomac. No. 5. Report of ilThj. Albert J. Myer, U. S. Army, Chief Signal Officer, qf opera tions August 30September 20. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TIlE POTOMAC, Camp near Sharpsburg, Aid., Octobcr 6, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of opera- tions of the Signal Corps of the Army of the Potomac, as in relation to tIme recent movements and battles in Maryland. On Saturday, August 30, 1862, the Signal Corps of this army had, after some delays in transportation, just arrived at Alexandria from the Peninsula. On the next day there were verbal instructions from Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief; that a party should report to Major-General Pope, then commanding an army near Centrevihle, Va. This army had then just met with some reverses. On the night of September 1, twelve officers, with their Ilagmen, were reported for duty at Centreville. At the formation of the line of battle near Fairfax Court-house, on the next day, these officers were assigned to stations, and when the army retired toward Washington, on that afternoon, they accompanied the rear guards, occupying different prominent positions for observa- tion, and giving to general officers such informnatiomi as came within their power. Among communicating lines established on this march was one extending from Annandale to Fairfax Seminary. During the few days the army lay near Washington there was little Opl)Ortunity for rest or re-equipment of the signal party. It was here joined by the officers who had been attached to the Army of Virginia, who had been scattered by the rapid movements in Virginia, and some of whom had lost both public and private property by the disasters then recent. The necessities of the time seemne(l urgent. Signal parties were poste(l oim the dominant heights about Washington, and the country withimi telescopic range was all the time under their observation Page 118 118 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. On Sunday, September 7, the Army of the Potomac took the field for the caml)aign in Maryland. On Monday, September 1, it had become evident to the generals commanding near Centreville that the enemy were passing the right of the arr~y commanded by General Pope near Fairfax Court-House, and menaced the crossings of the Upper Potomac. IJuder orders from Maj. (len. N. P. Banks. First Licut. W. W. Rowley, chief signal officer of the ~)arty serving with the Eleventh [Twelfth] Army Corps, started on the afternoon of that (lay from near Manassas with a party consisting of Capt. L. F. Fortescue, Lients. B. N. Miner, and E. A. Briggs, acting sigiial officers, to reach, if possible the summit of the Catoctin Mount- aimis, near the Potomac, l)rior to the arrival there of the enemy, and to thence report their movements to General Banks. Arriving on the Potomac, Captain Fortescue was ordered by Lieu- tenant Rowley to Maryland Heights, whence there is an ex~nsive view of the Shenandoah and Pleasant Valleys. Lieutenant Briggs was stationed at Poolesvihle to receive communications by signals from Sugar Loaf Mountain, and to thence transmit them by electric tele- graph to Washington, while Lieutenant Miner established a station upon the summit of that peak. The range of vision from this point is unequaled by that from any other in Maryland. It includes several l)rominent fords of the Potomac, the approaches to them in Virginia, and much of the country into which an army passing those fords would move. Lieutenant Miner occupied the summit of Sugar Loaf Monntain on the 3d of September. The l)o5itiOn was exposed to an attack, but was courageously held by the officer, who thence reported the advance of the enemy and the direction taken by their trains in the vicinity of Leesburg, their approach to the river, their crossing the Potomac near the Monocacy, and the commencement of their movement into Mary- land. He was last seen to send a message announcing the micar approach of the enemy, and to then furl his thags as if to leave the station. There is unofficial information that he left the summit of the mouiitain, en- countered an(1 captured when near its base a courier with dispatches, and, while examining the prisoner, was, together with his flagman, taken l)y the enemys cavalry. It seems probable that the first official infor- ination of the enemys approach to and passage of the Potomac was re- ceived at Washington froni this officer. Lieutenant Miner was faithfully aided in this service by Lieutenant Bri ggs, who only left Poolesvihle omi the arrival of the enemys cavalry at that place. The enemy at once occupied the mountain with infantry and artillery, and held it as a signal station. On Saturday evening, September 6, signal officers from our army oc- cupied stations on Seneca Ridge and near Great Falls, the line of stations thins reaching from Seneca Ridge to Fairfax Seinimiary, near Alexandria. On Sunday, Septemnber 7, the signal party of the Army of the Poto- mac, under the immediate charge of Capt. B. F. Fishier, under whose supervision the stations of observation near Washington had been es- tablished, left their camp at Halls Hill, Va. On Monday, September 8, the party were reported for duty at the headquarters of the army at Rockvihle, Md. On Tuesday, September 9, Wednesday, September 10, and Thursday, September 11, signal offi- cers took part in the operations of the advamice of the ai~iny at Poohes- vihle and near Sugar Loaf Mountain. At the latter l)lace communication was maintained between General Franklin at Barnesville an(l General Hancock at the foot of the mountain, while l)reparatiomls were making to occupy it. Omi Thursday, September 11, at al)out 3 p. in., the mount Page 119 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 119 mu was retaken l)y our forces, and was soon after reoccupied as a signal station, comniunicat in g with Poolesville, to whieli place Captain Fisher ha(l previously sent a party, and thence by electricity with the head- quarters of the army. The earliest reports announced that two regiments of the enemys cavalry were thence visible, but with no signs of the pres- ence of the enemy in force on the east side of Catoctin Ridge. A force was reported encamped near Point of Rocks. It had been particularly desired by the major-general commanding the army that the signal station upon Sugar Loaf, which kept under ol)servation the country upon his lcft, and from which the presence of the enemy could be rapidly reported, should be occupied by careful and skilled officers. Lients. XV. XV. Rowley, J. H. Spencer, XV. B. Roe, and J. S. Hall, acting signal officers, were assigned to this station, and from this time during the operations terminating in the (lefeat of the enemy at Antietam their duties were constant. From this station were transmitted to headquarters, while moving from Middle- brook to near Urbana, while at Urbana, at Frederick, at Middletown, and to the general commanding on the field during the battle of South Mountain, reports of observations made an(I the reports of the station established upon Point of Rocks on the advance of our army to that place. It was also used as a station for the transmission of some tele- graphic correspondence of the General-in-Chief from Frederick and from the field at South Mountain to Point of Rocks, to which station the electric telegraph had been extended from Washington before that de- stroyed by the enemy near Frederick was repaired. It was still held, by direction of the General-in-Chief, during the battle of Antietam, thence communicating with Frederick. On Friday, September 12, general headquarters moved from Middle- brook to a point near Urbana. At this point the occupation of Fred- erick by our troops was announced to the General-in-Chief by signals from Sugar Loaf as soon as the head of the column had entered that city. The presence of the enemys pickets was reported as visible at the bridge of the Monocacy, and information was given of the occupation of Point of Rocks by a small party of our forces on this night. On the night of the 12th, Licut. J. H. Fralick, who had gone forward with General Han- cock, reached Point of Rocks, then not yet possessed by our troops. Lieute~mant Fralick attempted to attract thence, by means of signals, the attention of the signal officer supposed to be at Maryland Heights. Rockets and red lights were fired, and the usual signals made by torch from Sugar Loaf for the same l)urpose. Point of Rocks is in easy signal distance from Maryland Heights, but no response was obtained from the latter post. It was afterward ascertained that Captain Fortescue had in so far misapprehended the position in which he could be of most service as to leave the Heights prior to their investment. It had not been indicated to Captain Fortescue in orders that he was to remain at that place. Lieutenant Fralick afterward first reported to General Franklin the occupation of Maryland Heights by the cuemy. Of this fact he had evidence satisfactory to himself by seeing their signal flag at work upon that station. On Saturday, September 13, the army occupied Frederick in force. A detail of officers was sent early on this day to occupy Point of Rocks, to report any approach of the enemny in that (lirectiolm, and to gain in- formation as to their presence on the west side of Catoctin Ridge, and of the condition of affairs at harpers Fermy. The stations at Seneca ammd at Great Falls were ordered to be broken up. The sounds of a cannena(lc attracting attention early in the morning Page 120 120 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [C1~AL. XXXI the position of the guns at Catoctiii Pass, west of Frederick, was at once reported to General McClellan, near Urbana. The camionade proved to be our advance attacking the rear of the enemy. Th~ pass was forced about noon. Lients. N. II. Camp and G. J. Glarke, who had been so fortunate as to be with the advance, were, by direction of Captain Fisher, stationed at the summit of the pass, and in communication with Lient. W. II. Hill, stationed with General I3urnside in Frederick. Messages relative to the movements of the trool)s were received and answered. Lieutenants Camp and Clarke being relieved at this station, proceeded with the forces under General Pleasonton to Middletown. The attempt was niade by Captain Fisher to connect with a signal line Middletown and Frederick. This, although easily feasible, failed in the confusion and change of camps. At about 1 p. m. signal reports from Sugar Loaf Mountain to the general commanding the army at Frederick an- nounced that no enemy was visible or apparently near our left. Later in the afternoon signal reports from Point of Rocks stated that the enemy were in Pleasant Valley; that a portion of their forces had been visible at Jefferson, and that they had cut the canal at Knoxville, to be able, if necessary, there to cross the Potomac into Virginia. No news had been received direct from Harpers Ferry at any station. A heavy cannonade had been heard in that direction. Iii the evening a message was received from Washington, transmitted through the signal station at Point of Hocks, from the President of the United States to General McClellan. A reply was in the same manner returned. The line ot~ signal communication extended on this day and night from the left of our forces near Point of Hocks to those on the right near Catoc- tin Pass. On this day Lieut. F. N. Wicker took possession, on the suni- mit of the ridge, of a rebel signal flag, which it is probable had been just used at one of their stations. On Sunday, September 14, was fought time battle of South Mountain. It was the plan of the signal stations ordered this day that the general commanding the army should be enabled to receive on the field reports from the Valley of the Potomac by the stations at Point of Rocks and Sugar Loaf Mountain, and from Pleasant Valley by a station established on some commanding eminence iii that valley. There woIll(l be thus information of any occurrences east of Catoctin Ridge or in the valley west of Catoctin Ridge on our right or left or on the ri(lges which might be visible from these stations. It was also intended, as is cus- tomary, that signal officers should accompany the a(lvance of our trool)s when attacking the enemys position, to communicate to time general commanding the field any informatiomi they might be able to gaimi at points from which it was possible to work stations in his vicinity. This part of the l)lan was not executed as well as was practicable, for the reason that no signal officer had early information as to the l)lan of attack. The stations at Sugar Loaf and Point of Rocks were maintained. As the general movement from Frederick to the pass at South Mount- ain commenced, a station was ordered to be located on Catoctin Ridge, and to communicate thence with Sugar Loaf and with the prominent tower of a church in Middletown, which was selected as a station ot observation for the valley. With the advance of our trool)s to the gap and th~ planting of our batteries, a station had been opemmed, under the supervision of Captain Fisher, at the battery near General A. Pleason- ton, communicating thence to the Tower station in Mi(ldletown. Dur- lug time mornings camimmomiade messages were here received fmomn the gap for MIaj. Gen. A. E. l3urnside and for ~laj. Gemi. G. B. McClellan, whil Page 121 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 121 their headquarters were in the vicinity. When General McClellan took his position upon the field of battle, the headquarters station was that, then near bun, which had previously been established near General Pleasonton. With the advance of General Jesse Renos division to the crest of the mountain south of the gap, a signal station ~x as ordered, as I am informed by Captain Fisher, to be located upon the crest. Owing to some conflicting instructions from some officer, this station was not established. Later in the afternoon Lients. J. C. l~aine and C. H. Carey were (ljrected to open a station at this point. The flag was l)rompt]y carried to the position indicated, and the communication opened with both the station of observation on the tower and a station near General McClellan, then on the field. A few reports were received from this station, but it was feebly worked, soon ceased to reply to calls, and became of no importance. At noon the whole hue of communi- cation mentioned was fully opened, and during the progress of the engagement there were given to General McClellan on the field reports from Point of Rocks, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and the other stations estab- lished. There were announced, among other reports, the movements of our troops visible in the valley and on the ridge, and at the time of their occurrence the facts of General Franklins engagement, then coin- mencing at the gap near Burkittsville, the sounds and smoke as of a battle on Maryland Heights, and that no enemy was visible anywhere on our left or in the valley of the Potomac. A message was signaled from the field, addressed to General II. W. Halleck, at Washington. The stations were fully employed throughout the engagement until night. Some of them had been working from early morning. Time officers remained at their posts throughout the night. There were, however, no occasions for night signals. At daylight on the following (lay it was found that the retreat of the enemy had rendered the further occupation of those upon and near the battle-field unnecessary. On Monday, September 15, following the retreat of tIme enemy, coin- mienced the advance of the army through the pass in South Mountain and toward the Antietam. Early in tIme morning the course of time enemys retreat and the positions they would select were uncertain. Oflicers were sent to the summit of the Blue Ridge with instructions to select statiomis, and also to examine and report their observations of time coumitry upon the west side of the Blue Ridge. A careful examination was made from the high peak of the Blue Ridge north of the gap knowi as Washington Monument, which overlooks all the valley between the North and South Mountains. From this point the forces of the enemy were visible near Sharps- l)urg, and thence to Shepherdstown. The line of battle beyond Antic- taum, then jusf beginning to be formed, was seen, and a full report of this and other facts sent to General McClellan. Time line was yet formim- ing as this dispatch was forwarded by orderly. It is possible it coum- tamed as early information as any given as to the position of the enemy. A signal station was established at this point. On the evening of this day it became evident that there would be an engagement of some magnitude, and preparations were commenced for the battle of Antietaum. At this time and early on the following mormin- jug instructions were received from General McClellan timat signal communication should be established between his position clmosen mor time field of battle to ~ far as practicable omi time rmglit and left withimin our lines ; that our left shoul(l be o1)served with l)artictmlar care, ami Page 122 122 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. that front the most commanding points of view reports should be made of any intbrmatioii iii regard to the battle. The Station on Sugar Loaf was retained, to warn against any possible movement in that vicinity. At 2 a. in. on September 16 orders were sent to Captain Fisher, in charge of the signal detachment then at Boonsborough, to bring the ~)arty forward as rapidly as practicable to near the Antietam. I-Ic was also directed to establish an officer on Washington Monument, the l)olnt above mentioned. The instructions of this officer were to report to time battle-field any movements of the enemy visible to him at any I)Oint in the valley, or clouds of dust, or signs of forces approaching or near the position held by our army. He was afterward illstrncte(l, l)y signals from the field during the progress of the battle at Antietani, to l)articularly notice any approach made in the valley behind, the Elk Mountains, which, bordering the Antietam, touch the Potomac micar the mouth of that creek. Additional instructions were given Captain Fisher upon his arrival at Keedysville. At 10 a. m. there had been established on the field at Antietam a signal station communicating with the station on the monument, one on the left, on an elevation nearthe left of General A. E. Burusides forces, which communicated with the station on Elk Mountain, and one on the right near General 0-. G. Meade. A station of observation IIa(l beemi J)reviously established on the crest of Elk Mountain at the gap, after- ward cut for the convenience of the officers there stationed, and now designated by the soldiers as McClellans Gap. The extensive view from this position commanded Sharpsburg and Shepherdstown, with very many points of the battle-field, the approaches to it, and the conutry in the vicinity. A careful telescopic examination of all points thought to be of interest was made, and a full report of the enemy, then in front of Sharpsburg, and of such movements as were visible, was sent to the general commanding. Officers wexe kept at their posts on this station by day and night, with but a few hours inter- val, from the commencement of the battle until the retreat of the enenmv 1)eyond the Potomac. The station was worked with peculiar labor, it being necessary to observe at times from the top of a tree, while the signals were made from a point beneath among time branches, where the flagman could only sustaimi himself by exertion. All stations communi. cate(l with a central or headquarters station. From these points re- J)orts amid messages of various value were transmitted througimout the (lay. Time movement of the enemy which seemed most to attract attemi- tion, aimd which was twice reportedonce from Washington Mommumnent and once from the station on Elk Mountainwas the apparent motion of large trains from behind the woods west of Slmarpsburg to Shepherds- town, and into Virginia. In the afternoon time enemys line of battle seemed to imave changed from in front of Sharpsburg. About dusk that evening commenced our attack upon their left. Lieuts. J. B. Brooks and W. H. Hill, ordered to move with Maj. 0-eu. Joseph Hooker, commanding the right, skill- fully located their station this night imear his headquarters, and close to time. Sharpsburg and Ilagerstown turnpike, and were ready at this posi- tion at daylight. On Wednesday, September 17, was fought the principal battle of time Antietam. The general plan of signal operations was similar to that of the prece(ling (lay, time reports from the station on time right amid fromii the station on Elk Mountain beino- concentrated at what was kimown as time Headquarters station, mmear General McClellan. A statio Page 123 (~ri~p. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 123 was posted on the left at the position of General Burnside oii the field, thence communicating with the mountain, aIl(l receiving reports for that officer. As our lines advanced on the west side of the Antic- tarn ( iii the left, iriving enemys stations were established as closely as possible behind the lines, and near to the generals coinmandin~ in that 1)ortion of the field. A station was thus established, slll)ject to artillery lire, by Lients. B. C. Pierce and W. F. Barrett, at the Miller house, near the position of General P. V. Sumner. The signal package car- ijed on the saddle by one of the ilaginen of this party was cut in two by a cannon-shot. When the field near Roulette house was cleared l)y our troops, an advance station was ordered to that position. The l)oiut was reached by Lients. F. N. Wicker and G. J. Clarke. They had transmitted but few messages when the station was displaced by the breaking of a part of our line. The position was soon retaken by our troops, but these officers did not reoccupy it. The fire had been close, the horse of one of the officers being slightly wounded. An hour afterward this station was occupied by Licuts. F. Wilson and F. W. Owen, sent to supply the places of the two officers first detailed, and was bravely and efficiently worked by them under a considerable artillery fire until night. These stations were kept in communication with general head- quarters. Throughout the battle the labors of the officers and men on some of these stations was almost incessant, an(l all exerted themselves zeal- ously to gain~and forward to headquarters any information or message to bear upon the result of the action. It was the fortune of Licuts. J. B. Brooks and XV. II. Hill to forward from the right some messages and reports of much importance. One of them, a message from General B. V. Sumner, announcing the wavering of the line and the need of re-enforce- ments, could probably have been sent so rapidly in no other manner. The reports from the mountain station so overlooking the field of battle were of peculiar interest, and the faithful manner in which this station was held and worked is worthy of commendation. All the stations were kept by the officers upon the field on the night of the 17th. Night signals were used, however, only between the mountain and general headquarters. On the day and nIght of September 18 the stations were held in the same positions. There was constamit observation arid report in refer- ence to the enemy, and movements noticed in (liflerent l)arts of the country. On this day the station communicating with Washington Monument, which had been withdrawn during the 17th, was reoccul)ie(l. At sundown and until dark the enemys smoke distinctly marked the l)ositions held by them on this side of the river and about Sharpsburg. During the hight they hastily retreated. On the morning of September 19, upon the advance of our cavalry, under General A. Pleasonton, in pursuit of the enemy, arid the opening of the enemys batteries in Virgimiia at the ford of the Potomac, officers who had accompanied the rapid movement of our troops established, under the direction of Captain Fisher, a station near Shepherdstown. This station communicated with the general commanding the army at headquarters until tIme occupatfomm of Slmarpsburg by our troops in force. On this day a signal party was ordered to Maryland Heights, whence, on the afternoon of the 20th, communication was opened with head- quarters of the army at Sliarpsburg. The earliest information was thus given on that day of the ocemipatiomi of that l)lace by our forces awl o Page 124 124 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CuAP. XXXI. the condition of Harpers Ferry as relating to the future movements of our army. From the day on which the enemy were (Iriven from Mary- land until the present time they have occupied points in Virginia par- tially visjble from the stations of observation established upon our lines. These have been maintained upon the mountain at McClellans Gap, east of Sharpsburg, on Headquarters Mountain, nearly east of Shepherds- town, on Maryland heights, on I~ohivar Heights, on Sugar Loaf Mount- ain, and on Fairview 1-leights, northwest of Martinsburg. The range of country brought within fair telescol)ic observation extends front the Seneca River oti the east to Hancock, M(l., on the west, far south into the Shenandoah Valley and north into Maryland. It has been difticult for any movement of importance to be made by the enemy without being noticed from sonic of these stations. As a summary of the operations of the corps as connected with this campaign, I have to report that these operations have extended in the establishment of stations from Alexandria, Va., to Fairview Heights, in Maryland. There have been occupied in all fifty-one stations. I forward herewith a map and list of the stations occupied, and a map showing the l)lan of the stations at the battle of Antietani. From be- fore the departure of this army from Washington to the present time, the country in which it was to operate, or through which it was to pass, has beeii always under observation from some of these positions. The (lutmes of the signal officers require that their watchfulness and reports should embrace occurrences in the night equally with those in the day. In each of the engagements of the campaign, officers of th6 corps have taken some part. They claim to have announced the entry of the enemy iiito Maryhand, and his retreat beyond the Potomac. Of the value to this army of the watchfulness of these officers, of their observation, and the consequent reports made by them, and of their transmission of intelligence, the general who commands the army can best judge. OC the zeal with which the officers have tried to aid its successes, and of the willingness an(l endurance with which they have undergone hardships few officers are required to meet, it is my (lilty to make mention. The following officers are mentioned for their services during this campaign: For services at Sugar Loaf Mountain, September 4, 1862, observing and reporting the advance of the enemy into Maryland: First Lient. 13. N. Miner, Thirty-fourth New York Volunteers. The signal station was held so bug by this officer that he was captured in leaving it. For services at Sugar Loaf Mountain from the time of its recah)ture and during the en~ao-ement at Catoctin Pass, alI(l the l)attles at South Mountaimi an(l Antietamn: First Lient. W. W. Rowley, Twenty-eighth New York Volunteers; First Lient. J. S. Hall, Fifty-third Pemmns.ylva~ nia Volunteers; First Licut. W. B. Roe, Sixteenth Michigan Volunteers; Second Lieut. J. H. Spencer, First Minnesota Volunteers. For services at Point of Rocks prior to and during the battle of South Mountain: First Lieut. I. J. Harvey, Second Penmisylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps; Second Lient. F. Homer, Sixth New Jersey Volumi- teers; Second Licut. A. B. Jerome, First New Jersey Volunteers. For services at the battle of South Mountain: First Lent. J. C. Paimme, Fifty-sevemith Nexv York Volunteers; First Lient. C. F. Stone, Sixth Maine Volunteers; First Lient. F. E. Yates, Fourth Excelsior; Second Licut. W. F. Barrett, Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Volun- teers, stationed at the tower at Middletown; First Lieut. S. Adams Page 125 CITAl. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 125 Sixty-sixth New York Volunteers; Secoiid Lieut. R. I)insinore, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, St~tiOlle(1 at Catoctin Ridge, west of Frederick; Second Lieut. N. II. Camp, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers; Second Licut. G. tJ. Clark, Sixty-second New York Volun- teers, stationed near the General-in-Chief. For services at the battle of Antietarn and on the 1)ursllit to Shep- lierdstown, Va.: First Licut. F. Wilson, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps; Second Lient. F. W. Owen, Thirty-eighth New York Volunteers, occu~)ying the advance station near Roulettes house, and bravely maintaining it for some hours nuder an artillery lire; First Lient. J. B. Brooks, Fourth Vermont Volunteers; Second Lient. W. II. lull, Ninety-ninth. Pennsylvania Volunteers, occupying a station near the Ilagerstown turnpike, an(l freely exposing themselves tinder fire in the discharge of their duties (this station was near the right of the army); First Licut. E. C. Pierce, Third Maine Volunteers; Second Licut. William F. Barrett, Twenty- seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, occupying a station iueai- the position of Generals Sumner an(l Smith 111)011 the field, and subject at times to artillery lire; First Lient. J. Gloskoski, Twenty-ninth New York Volunteers; Second Lent. N. H. Camp, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, at the signal station at MeClel- Iaiis Gap, on Elk Mountain, overlooking the field; First Licut. William S. Stryker, T~velftli Virginia Volunteers; First Lient. J. C. Paine, Fifty- seventh New York Volunteers; First Lient. C. F. Stone, Sixth Maine Volunteers; First Lient. P. A. Taylor, Forty-ninth New York Volun- teers, at Headquarters station, near the general commandiiig the army; First Licut. S. Pierce, Twenty- seventh New York Volunteers; First Lieut. C. S. Kendall, First Massachusetts Volunteers, near General Burnsides headquarters, on the left of the army; First Lient. E. L. Ilaisted, Fortieth New York Volunteers, on Washington Monument, on Blue Ridge; First Licut. J. A. Hebrew, Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers; Second Lient. F. Homer, Sixth New Jersey Volunteers, with the advance on the 19th and at the attack on the enemys batteries near Shepherdstowm Capt. B. F. Fisher, acting signal officer, in immediate charge of th~ party with the Army of the Potomac, and nuder whose personal super- vision many of the stations i-eported were established, is entitled to mention for the zeal which has characterized his conduct throughout the campaign, and the courage and ability with which he discharged his duties at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. There are laid before the commanding general in this list the names of officers who have serve(l in the presence of the enemy now for more thaii a year, and whose labors have elicited the official thanks of gen- ci-als and other commanders. There is Ilardly one whose name has not been more than once officially mentioned for gallant or faithful service upoti the Peninsula, in the Valley of the Shenandoah, or on the Rappa- hiannock. There is yet no definite mode by which to give them sub- stain itial rew aid or piomutotioli. I am, general, very res~)ectfully, your obedient servant, ALBERT J. MYER, & ynal Offlccr, and Major, U. S. Army. B rig. (en. S. WILLIAMS, A& s-i~taut Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac Page 126 126 OPERATJON~3 IN N. VA., XV. VA,, MD., AND PA. [CnAL~. XXXI. No. 6. Report of Capt. B. F. Fisher, Actiuq ASiqwi 0/Jicer, U. S. Army, of operattons & 7)tClUber 480. SIGNAL CAMI, NEAR TIlE MOUTH OF ANTJETAM, & ptcmber 30 1862. SIR: I have the honor to submit the followiig report of the manner in which the signal detachnient of the Army of the Potoma.c has been employe(l since the 4th of September, upon which day I again resumed command of it, having been absent for a short time to recruit my health. For a detailed account of the messages sent and received and special services rendered, I refer you to the individual reports of the several officers composing this detachment. The mornino~ of the 4th September 1 joined the party, then encampe(l near Alexandria, Va. During the day 1 rode along the front, ascertained the manner in which our troops were stationed, and made the details for the next morning accordingly. Ordered Lieutenants Frahick and Kendall to Maryland Heights, an(l sent aii order to Lieutenant Rowley to man Point of Rocks, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Poolesville, and Seneca with members of his party until I could send him assistance. Lieutenants Denicke and Daniels were ordered to Great Falls, Lieutenants Hebrew and Pierce to Fairfax Semiiiary, Lieutenants Jerome and Yates to Falls Church, Lieutenants Hill and Keel to Minors Hill, Lieutenant Carey to Uptons Hill, Lieutenants Gloskoski aird Owen to Halls honse, which was to be the center of all lilies, to receive the reports and communica- tions from all stations, and then transmit them by telegraph to Wash- iiigton. Friday, Septenibem 5, moved camp to the vicinity of Halls Hill as being more central; ordered Lieutenants liritehrinson and Hall to Fort I~eunsylvania. In the evening Lieutenant ilerzog and I traveled over the hills in the neighborhood of Langley, to watch for the appearance of the signal torches of Lieutenants Denicke and Daniels upon the tower of Great Falls, according to prearrangements. Not discovering them, ~ve returned to camp about 11 p. m. The next morning I rode up to Great Falls, and found that our lines were not extended to withiir a mile of our former station; was halted by Major-General Couch, and in- formed that it was not safe to go any farther in that direction; upon, however, being recognized by the general, I was permitted to use my own discretion, and l)rocee(led to the station and opened commuinicatiomi with Lieutenant Spencer, then at Seneca, some 6 miles farther up the ilver, and learned through signals from him of the presence of the eneny in Maryland and the breaking up of the stations of Sugar Loaf and Poolesville an(l of the necessity to abandon Seneca for a short time. At 5 oclock Lieutenants Daniels and Denicke arrived and occupied the station. Jmmediately upon giving my instructions, I rode rapidly back to Fort Pennsylvania from opened with Great Falls. which point communication was therm Sunday, September 7, upon returning to camp, I learned that the trool)s generally were on the road to l4ockville; whereupon I took steps to remove the camp at once to the north side of the Potomac, and re- ceived your order to report with the party to headquarters of the Army of the Potomac at Roekville, Md. On Monday morning, at daylight, we were in time saddle and oil tire road br the Upper Potomac, al~(l ic- ported oui~ arrival ~t Rockvillc, to Colonel Colburn at 10 a, in., encaml)e Page 127 ChAr. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 127 the party, and, with several companies, rode forward to learn the char- acter of the country in which we were expecting our services to be re- quired. We extended our ride, after visiting Seneca Station, to within a lbw miles of Poolesville, and then returned to canil). Tuesday, 9th, I drdered Lieutenants Gloskoski and Owen to reopen the station at Seneca, and Lieutenants Camp and Clark to report to General Pleasonton, who had advanced to Poolesville, and open communication with Seneca. In the afternoon I received instructions to connect the headquarters of General Sumner on the light and those of Major-General Couch on the left with those of General Franklin near the center; suc- ceeded in connecting the two latter, but it was late in the day to con- nect the two former. Wednesday, September 10, moved forward to Barnesville, taking with me Lieutenants Wicker, Hill, Brooks, Taylor, Hebrew, and Pierce. The cavalry had considerable skirmishing during the day, but ito opportu- nity & ffered for us to use our signals to any advantage. During the evening I was assured by General Pleasonton that our forces would occupy. Sugar Loaf Mountain during the next day. Thursday, September 11, connected the advance with General Frank- lins headquarters. Sent Lieutenants Brooks and Taylor to Poolesville, with instructions to watch for the appearance of our flag on Sugar Loaf Mountain. About 2 oclock, learning that the cavalry were on the iuountain, I asked for a detail of 20 men, and started forward, passing the l)ickets about a half a mile from the foot of the hill. We arrived on the summit about 3.30 in the afterimoon, and, opened communication immediately with the officers sent in the morning to Poo]esville; also with officers stationed near General Franklins head- quarters. Sent official reports of our pbservations to General McClellan and General Franklin, requesting permission from the latter to retain our escort until the iiext morning. Lieutenants Roe and Hall, who joined us on our way up the mountain, were left in charge of the station, in ac- cordance with your orders, though I had intended to leave Lieutenants Hill and Brooks with Lieutenant Wicker, who were acquainted with the country and its roads. Lieutenants Hill and Hebrew were then directed to select some poiiit near General Sumners headquarters, and open communication with the officers on the mountain, rel)orting the establishment of said communication to the general after it should be in successful operation. Friday, September 12, joined the camp near Urbana, having estab- lished two several points along the route with the station on the mountain and headquarters as it passed by. Opened communicatiol4 from a point near the camp-ground in the evening. During the day Lieutenants Rowley and Spencer were ordered by yourself to Sugar Loaf Mountain to assist in the managememit and working of said sti~- tion. Receiveda message from Lieutenant Fralick, stating that he had arrived at Point of Rocks. I sent him Lieutenants Harvey, Jerome, and Homer, who were to establish a station under time direction of Lieu- tenant Harvey at the Point. Saturday, September 13, went forward early in the morning to Fred- crick, which had been occupied by our troops the evening of the day before. Located two officers in the cemetery to open communicatiomi with the station on Sugar Loaf Mountain, while I rode out to the gal) west of Frederick and reported to General Pleasonton. Having left two officers there, and sent two back to the city, I had with little delay the pleasure of seeing the line working satisfitetorily. The enemy having been driveim back and closely folowed by our cavalry and artillery to the foot of the Sotith Mountain, two officers, Lieutenants Camp an Page 128 128 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., NV. VA, MD., AND PA. [Cmu. XXXI. Clark, accoInL)anie(l General Pleasonton to the village, while Licuten- ants Hebrew and Yates took positioii on the crest of the mountain, between Frederick and the former place, OI)Cning communication with the oflicers in 1\liddletown, but failing to attract attention of the officers at the headquarters station. This line was a failure, though at one time it was working and several important messages were sent to Gen. eral l3urnside by General Pleasonton. Sunday, September 14, moved forward to Middletown. Located Lieutenants IDiusmore and Adams on the crest of Short Mountain to communicate with the station on Sugar Loaf Mountain and the station at Middletown, near General McClellans headquarters, thus connect- ing our advanced position with the telegraph station at Point of Rocks. Opened communication between General Pleasontons position, upon the field of battle, then raging in the vicinity, where the Hagerstown l)ike crosses South Mountain, an(l that of General McClellan near Mid. dletown. During the afternoon I ordered Lieutenants Hill and Wicker to select a point as far up the mountain as possible, and communicate back to Middletown. This detail, I was informed, was interfered with by General Pleasonton, and the officers returned to their old position near the batteries. In the afternoon, by your direction, Lieutenants Paine and Carey were sent to the field on the mountain, but did not succeed in working to advantage before night terminated the contest that raged at times fearffilly along the side and summit of the mount- ain. During the day I sent Lieutenant Kendall to join Lieutenant Pierce, then with General Franklins column, with instractions to com- municate with Middletown, either directly or through the mountain station. Of these two officers I heard no more until they joined us at Keedysville. Monday, September 15, by your direction, Lieutenants Camp and Clark took position on the crest of South Mountain to communicate with Lieutenants Wilson and Owen, near General McClellans head- (luarters. Lieutenants Wicker and Gloskoski were ordered to report to General I3urnside, who was crossing the mountain on a road about a mile south of the main road and leading directly toward Sharpsburg. Lientenauts Halsted and E. Pierce took position on the mountain near the main road, but were withdrawn during the day, and Lieutenant Halsted ordered to Washington Monument. We remained over night near Boons borough, and next morning pushed forward to Keed ysville, expecting a decisive battle to be fought during the day. According to instructions, I placed Lieutenants Camp and Clark to open communica- tion with Lieutenant Halsted on the monument, on the summit of South Mountain; Lieutenant Wicker at a central point, near Keedysville, to communicate with Lieutenants Owen and Stone, on the extreme left; Lieutenants Hill and Carey at the center, and Lieutenants Wilson and Barrett on the right. During part of the day I was with General Meades coin inand, on the extreme right, making observations and reporting them to him and headquarters. In the afternoon I was at the central iiievening jfl~frl1OfiAn~ station an(l the receiving ~ you to opemi com munication with the mountain station, but received it too late for any effect that day. During the afternoon sent Lieutenant Hill to report to General hooker, who had moved to the right beyond General Meades l)Osition. The next morning, Wednesday, September 17, the great battle of the Autietam opened. Placed Lieutenants Wilson and Barrett on the hill near the headquarters of General McClellan, to communicate with Lieu- tenants lull and Brooks, near General Sumners headquarters, on the extrenie right. Established a station communicating with the statio Page 129 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 129 on the mountain, and assisted Lieuten~it Owen in receiving messages during the morning. In the afternoon I went out to Lieutenants Ken- (lall and L. Pierce, on the extreme left to assist in selecting a point from which we could communicate to headquarters; found that it was impossible to communicate direct, and therefore called the station on Elk Mountain, and through it opened communication from a point near General Burnsides position with the station at said headquarters. Lieutenants Pierce and Barrett were directed to go to the front, on the west side of the Antietam, and open communication with. headquar- ters, which was successfully accomplished, and reported by them to the generals commanding troops in that vicinity. Lieutenants Wicker and Clark were also directed to take position in a certain field beyond the position selected by Lieutenants Pierce and Barrett. They arrived at the designated place, opened communication with Lieutenant Wilson at headquarters, but shortly afterward, our line being driven back at that point, their flag disappeared, and when next heard from they were somewhere beyond Lieutenant Hills position. Lieutenant Clark states in his report that this to us unaccountable change of position was con- trary to his understanding of instructions received, but he was over- ruled by Lieutenant Wickers idea of what their instructions were, and thus yielded to the change. Lieutenants Wilson and Owen were after. ward directed to take the position thus left vacant, which they did, and bravely held it nutil the enemy retreated. Lieutenants Taylor and Stone, having charge of that part of Head- quarters station communicating with the stations on the west side of the Antietam, were very prompt and attentive to all calls given. After Lieutenant Owen was ordered to the other side of the Antietain, Lieu- tenant Stryker was left in charge of the one branch of Headquarters station, and, with the exception of several intervals, remained during the two succeeding days, almost constantly employed in receiving mes- sages from the station on Elk Mountain. I would here take the oppor- tunity of stating that the officers at this station, which was during the 17th and 18th a most important one, were undivided in their attention to their duties, answering calls promptly, and reading, with few excep- tions, with good success. During the day the officers from the stations along the road pursued during the advance of the army reported at Headquarters station, they having been called in for other duties, by an order that directed Lieutenants Diusmore and Adams to establish a station in the vicinity of Frederick, open communication with the station on Sugar Loaf Mountain, and send forward by telegraph all re- ports received. The station on Elk Mountain, manned by Lieutenants Gloskoski and Camp, sent many important messages during the day. In the afternoon, you being present on the mountain in person, we had the benefit of your own observations. At the approach Df night the wearied armies ceased their strife, and for the time the battle was over. About 8 oclock p. m. I returned to camp to attend to duties relating to the necessaries and comforts of my command. In the morning, expecting the battle to be renewed, 6 oclock found me at the Headquarters station. During the morning a continued stream of messages flowed from the mountain stations, and were received by Lieutenant Paine and myself, Lieutenant Stryker having accompanied Lieutenants Wicker and L. Pierce, who were stationed on the left, near General Burnsides position, the other stations remaining as they were the day previous, Lieutenant Stryker having returned from the left and Lieutenant Paine receiving the messages from the mountain during the day, Lieutenants Kendall and Hebrew relieving them in the evening. 9 U UVOL XIX~ PT Page 130 130 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL No attack was made by either atmy, both apparently gathering renewed strength for the battle we all felt must come. The night passed, and from the station on the mountain we learned next morning that the enemy had fallen back from Sharpsburg to the south bank of the Po- tomac. With Lieutenants Daniels, Fralick, Carey, Hebrew, and Homer, I joined the advancing cavalry, and opened communication from a position near, where a few hours afterward General Porter located his headquarters. Leaving the station in the charge of Lieutenants Hebrew and Homer, and sending Lieutenants Fralick and Daniels to Maryland Heights, I accompanied, by request, General Porter to the bank of the river, and received instructions that, as a battery would be quietly placed in position back of a hill, I should prepare my officers to (lirect the fire of the battery from my position on the bank of the river. I chose to take part myself in preference to sending others, and having been joined by Lientenant Owen, I sent him to the battery while I me- suined the forward position, where we remained during the entire after. noon, signaling the effect of the several shots as the battery played upon the opposite bank. Saturday, September 20, communication was established with Mary- land Heights. which has since been kept open from various points. Headquarters having moved forward, Lieutenants Stone and Taylor broke up their stations and established them near the new location. After whieh, changes were made which will be best understood by giving you a detailed account of the present disposition of the detachment. Corn. mencing with the right, we have at Fairview Lieutenants Rowley and Roe, with instructions to sen(l by signals to Hagerstown reports of ob- servations made, to be received by Lieutenant Spencer and forwarded by telegraph to Major-General McClellan. Near Downsville are Lieuten- ants Denicke and Clark, communicating with the Headquarters station, through the station on Elk Mountain, at which latter station are Lieu- tenants Jerome, E Pierce, and Owen. On the mountain, just east of headquarters, l)resent camp, are Lieutenants Wicker and L. Pierce. At Headquarters station are Lieutenants Stone and Taylor, communicating with stations on the right, and Lieutenants Kendall and Glosko~ki, corn- municatin g with stations on the left. On Maryland Heights are stationed Lieutenants Daniels and Hall. On Bolivar Heights, with General Sum- ncr, are Lieutenants Hill and Brooks. On Loudoun Heights, with General Greene, are Lieutenants Halsted and Camp. On Sugar Loaf Mountain are Lieutenants Hebrew, Yates, and Carey, communicating with Lieuten- ants Diusmore and Adams at Frederick, the two latter forwarding re- ports by telegraph. Lieutenant Harvey is on special duty, per order. Lieutenants Fralick, Barrett, and Wilson are sick, the two latter not seriously. In camp are Captain Fortescue and Lieutenants Homer, Paine, and Collin. Many of the officers need equipments, and are anx- iously awaiting the arrival of Lient. L. B. Norton, in order to thoroughly prepare the party for another campaign, if called upon during the fall. I look forward to better success and more pleasant duties hereafter. The officers, gathered from different divisions of the army, and not accustomed to each others mode of working, have become somewhat acquainted during the present campaign, and it can be expected that there will be an understanding and more harmony in the manner of communication. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. F. FISHER, Gaptain, Gommanding Signal Detachment, Army of the Potomac. Maj A. J MYER, Chief Signal Officer Page 131 CHAP. XXXL] GENERAL REPORTS. 131 No. 7. Report of Capt. Paul Babcock, Seventh New Jersey Ii~fttntry, Acting Sig nal Officer, U. S. Army, of operations October 17November 6. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, November 7, 1862. LiEUTENANT: In obedience to orders from the Chief Signal Officer, Army of the Potomac, 1 have the honor to make the following report: On the 17th October I reported to Major-General Porter, at Sharps- burg, Md., Lient. Thomas li. Clark and 4 men being with me ready for duty. General Porter immediately informed me of two points with which he desired communication, viz, Headquarters Army of the Potomac, and a point on the Potomac River overlooking a ford, over which he hourly expected a division of his troops. I immediately told him but ore of the communications could be established that night, as there were but two officers in my party. Twenty-five minutes after his decision which to do, communicatioii was established between his headquarters and the point indicated. Fifteen messages passed between the two points up to the time when Lieutenant Clark reported the division approaching the ford in good order, and no signs of any enemy. Upon receipt of this message, the general pronounced the station no longer necessary, and Lieutenant Clark came into camp. Early next morning (October 18) we opened with the station at White house, thus connecting General Porter with general headquarters. From this date to October 23 (the day on which you request a full report to commence), we kept General Porter in uninterrupted communication with the White House station, on Elk Mountain, the station of observation oh Mary- land Heights, and through it with headquarters Army of the Potomac, constantly receiving from Lieutenants Pierce and Fuller at one and Lieu- tenants Hall and Taylor at the other full and accurate reports of the positions and movements of the enemy, often in advance of any other, and generally confirmatory of that received from other sources. These reports seemed of great importance to the general, aiid he seemed much pleased with the facility and accuracy with which they were obtained. In addition to the foregoing, we frequently took observations from the river bank, and reported to General Porter the apparent position, force, & c., of the enemy opposite. On one occasion, Lieutenant Clark made such a report, upon which the general sent over and captured some 10 or 12 of their pickets. From October 28 to 30 we continued as befoi-e, and, I believe, to General Porters entire satisfaction. October 30, at 3.30 p. in., we broke up camp and followed General Porter to Pleasant Valley, almost directly under the Maryland Heights station. Here we tried to communicate with Maryland Heights, bat all our efforts ~vere fruitless. Rockets and red lights were burned, and the torches swung from 7 to 11.30 p. in., and within 3 miles of the station, but no answer could be gotten. Fortunately we were not called upon that night to send any messages. Next morning, October 31, we moved with the general, and encamped at Sandy Hook, within 2~ miles of Maryland Heights station. We immediately proceeded to open with them, and tied both large flags to the long pole, swinging for two hours without an answer, when I sent a man np to notify them of our position. They then saw us with naked eyes. At their request, we read their reports to General McClellan and gave them to General Porter. These reports were very full and important, and reflected great credit on Lieutenants Hall and Taylor Page 132 132 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. November 1, left Sandy Hook, crossed the Potomac, and marched to Neersville, Va., having requested Maryland Heights to look for us in that direction. Eighteen minutes after reaching Neersville we were in communication with Maryland Heights, and through them to General McClellans headquarters. This instance of prompt opening of corn- mnunication was entirely due to the vigilant watch kept up by Lieuten- ants Hall and Taylor. All that night and the next morning, up to the very minute of starting off, were employed in sending and receiving mes- sages of great importance, eighteen lengthy messages passing between us during the night and morning. November 2, started one hour after the general; overtook hhn on the road, and reached Snickers Gap while the enemy were.threatening it. On the road the day before, Lieutenants Pierce amid Fuller joined me, having been sent for by General Porter at my request. Their presence enabled me to accomplish that which the geueral iudicated immediately on arriving at Snickers Gap, viz, the establishing of two stations~ one at or near the front, connecting it with his headquarters. No sooner was this done than it was put in use by General Hancock, commanding the forces which held the gap, iii communicating with Generals Couch and Porter. No fight occurred, but the stations were well placed to be of use in case of an attack, and did good service in facilitating the trans- mittal of orders and information for the arrangement and disposition of our forces. The position at the gap was also a good one to see or be seen by any station on Short Mountain or up the valley, where we thought stations would be placed. November 3, we continued these two stations, and kept one officer seeking good points from which to observe enemys position and move- ments, full reports of which were immediately sent to the general. At 12 m. Captain FLsher visited us and expressed himself entirely satisfied with what we had done. At 9 p. mu. the mountain station was discon- tinued for the night, as Lieutenants Clark and Fuller had succeeded in finding general headquarters from their station at General Porters headquarters, through Lieutenants Yates and hebrew, who had been sent by the Chief Signal Officer to an intermediate point. This commu- nication was kept up through the entire night and mmext day (Novem- ber 4), up to about 2 p. in., aud constantly used by General 1~orter in communicating important information to General McClellan, whemi it vas suddenly destroyed by the breaking up of a station at Blooinfield, leaving several very important messages half way over tIme line, and several more at General Porters headquarters waiting to be sent. In the morning of November 4 we reopened the mountain station as one of observation, and also to endeavor to open with a station on Short Mountain. In reporting observations it was quite useftd, but we did not succeed in attracting Short Mountain, although a man was sent there to notify them where we were. November 5 we were still unable to reopen with headquarters. November 6, at 4 a. in., we started on the march and reached White Plains at 6 p. in., having seen during the day Lieutenants Brooks and Stone, Yates and Hebrew, all of whom were advised to report to head- quarters Signal Corps immediately. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. BABCOCK, JR Captain Seventh N. J. Volunteers, and Acting Signal Officer. Lient. WILLIAM S. STRYKER Page 133 (i~IIAP. xxxi.] GENERAL~ REPORTS. 133 [Thdorsement.] HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, White Plains, i/a., November 7, 1862. From the moment Captain Babcock and his party joined inc near Sharpsburg to the present time, the party has been actively, energet- ically, and in many cases perseveringly engaged in opening comfunnica- tion with general headqnarters and other points of observation, and has been of the best service to me and the corps. His difliculties are ex- I)ressed in the within commnnication of Captain Babcock, and also his labors to some extent. Wherever there was a failure to commnnicate with general headquarters, it was not due to any want of exertion of Captain Babcock or his party, which was ever ready for duty and watch- ful at all hours. If it were in the power of the commanding general to provide signal parties at each corps headquarters, the value of the system would be more highly appreciated and their presence always desired, if they work as faithfully and intelligently as Captain Babcock and his party. Their services at the present time, when there are so many prominent points of observation, are especially valuable in aiding cornmuuicatioii with different points of the army, and inestimable in case of a general action. F. J. PORTER, Major- General. Commanding. No.8. Report of First Lieut. Peter A. Taylor, Forty-ninth New York Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, U. S. Army, of operations September 1130. SIGNAL STATION. GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, October 1, 1862. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of signal duty in the month of September, 1862: (Received.) SEPTEMBER i1.(At Poolesville Station, Md.) To Major MYER: We occupy Sugar Loaf. FIShER AND OThERS. (Received.) To General MCCLELLAN, from Sugar Loaf: We see two regiments of cavalry near Frederick. No other signs of enemy in Mary- land. Opposite Point of Rocks is a large force encamped. HALL. (Sent.) SEPTEMBER 12. To B. F~ FIshIER: headquarters are at Middlebnrg. All right. Report any movement of enemy to. ward Frederick and Lcesbnrg. (Received.) Major MYER. To Lieutenants BROOKS and TAYLOR:. You will go to Urbana immediately. FIShER Page 134 134 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL 15TH. (Received.) To OFFICERS AT POOLESYILLE: You report to me immediately at Boonshorough. FISHER. (Received.) To Major 17r11.At Headquarters Station, near Sharpsburg, Md. We have found General Slocum. He is near ns. PIERCE AND BARRETT. (Received.) To General MCCLELLAN: The infantry are not engaged on our right, but are preparing to do so. WILSON. (Received.) l7iii. To General MCCLELLAN: There is no change in the position of troops. We are holding our own beautifully. WILSON. (Received.) To General MCCLELLAN: We have just heard from the front. General Hooker is wounded. General Sumner is in command. PIERCE AND BARRETT. (Received.) To General MCCLELLAN: Re-enforcements are badly wanted. Our troops are giving way. I am hunting for Frenchs and Slocums divisions. If you know where they are, send them immediately. General SUMNER. (Received.) To General MCCLELLAN: Do you think it proper to countermand the order to send Slocunis division to Richardsons support, as I shall need it on the right if I advance? General SUMNER. (Received.) 18Th. To General MCCLELLAN: The rebels sent flag of truce this morning, asking to bury their dead. Flag was sent hack. General SLOCUM. (Received.) To General MCCLELLAN~: All quiet this morning so far. The enemys pickets are in the front of me. General SUMNER. (Received.) 21sT. To Major MYER: We are in communication with General Sumner. MBN STATION. (Received.) To General MCCLELLAN: The station at Maryland heights reports a force of 5,000 inflintry and 60 wagons at Charlestown. MBN STATION. (Sent.) To MBN STATION: Where is General Sumner? (Sent.) Major MYER. ~2o MBN STATION: Look out for station near Williamsport. You will have to look from the tree. Major MYER Page 135 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 135 (Sent.) To General E. V. SUMNER: Have your command ready to move with your train to Harpers Ferry to-morrow morning at daylight. Order sent by orderly. R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff. (Sent.) To General SUMNER: Please acknowledge message sent to you as received. Major MYER. (Received.) To General MARCY: Dispatch received. Will come at daylight. General SUMNER. (Received.) 22D. To Major MYER: Order out of chaos. Communication with (ieneral Couch and Maryland heights. All right. FISHER. (Sent to MBN Station.) Can you send a message to General Couch now ~ Do not say yes unless you are certain. Major MYER. (Received.) To Major MYER: Yes. MBN STATION. (Sent.) To OFFICERS AT WILLIAMSPORT: Ascertain and report if any movements of the enemy have been visible near Will- iamsport to-day. Major MYER. (Received.) To Major MYER: There have been no movements visible. I reported to Couch. Franklia is in com- mand. OWEN. (Sent.) 23D. To CLARKE and BARRETT: Any report from General Conch this morning ~ Try and get three reports per day of the state of affairs on the right and send thens in. FISHER. (Sent to Maryland Heights.) Cut trees down to see station at general headquarters, a mile and a half to your right of the river. FIShER. (Sent.) To MBN: Any signs of enemy from the MBN? Major MYER. (Sent.) To General FRANKLIN, WiUiainsport: I have just sent you an order to move your command to near Bakersville; General Coneb to Downsville, on the same road. You can move at once. The orderly will meet you. R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff. (Sent.) To PAINE: Look out for a call from Wicker. Major Myer aud I are going there, and wi 11 report to you. FISHER Page 136 136 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAr. XXXI. To General MCCLELLAN: (Received.) Clouds of dust running parallel with mountains a little north of west are seen. It goes north. JEROME. To JEROME: (Sent.) The general says can you give more definite information. Ilow far off was the dust this side of Martinsbnrg or the other? P. (Received.) To General MCCLELLAN: The dust appears to be on a line between Williamsport and Martinsburg, about 11 miles from Sharpsburg, between the mountains an(l the river, going southwest, now extending a long distance. JEROME. (Received.) To Captain FISHER: Franklin and Couch are leaving. Any orders? CLARKE. To CLARKE: (Sent.) Go with them and open communication with the MBN, if possible, when they stop. STRYKER. (Sent.) 24111. To MBN: You will daily send to these headquarters three reports and one during the night at 7 a. in., 1 p. in., 6 p. in., and 12 p. m. If the state of the weather precludes the possibility of these reports being made precisely at these hours, they will be made as soon as possible thereafter. Give signatures to reports. B. F. FISHER, Captain, Commanding Signal Detachment. (Received.) 25Th. To General MCCLELLAN: A very considerable movement and much dust S. 150 W. from this mountain, ap- parently 5 miles distant southwest from Shepherdstown. Smoke of encampment and dust are seen in the vicinity of Martinsburg. The dust seen near Shepherdstown is close to a sharp cut in the woods, like one made for a railroad. I can see no enemy east of Shephmerdstown or south of Martinsbnrg. Major MYER. (Received12 and 6 report.) All quiet. Fog precluded the possibility of any report sooner emanating from here. JEROME. (Received I p. in.) Dust seen about 3 neiles south of Shepherdstown. JEROME. (Sent.) To MBN STATION: Another exhibition of such gross negligence will compel me to prefer charges of incompetency. The guard must not be permitted to leave the glass until relieved. FISHER. (Sent.) To MBN: Send a full and concise report immediately. FISHER. To Captain FISHER: (Reeeive(1.) No report. The smoke hides everything, and has all day. (Received 7 a. in.) 27TH. All quiet. Clarke not visible. JEROME Page 137 CIfAP. XXXI.l GENERAL REPORTS. 137 28TH. To General MCCLELLAN: Saw to night, 3 miles northwest of Falling Waters, two squadrons of enemys cavalry marching north. No signs of troops from this point except pickets half mile [of] river. DENICKE. 29TH. To General MCCLELLAN: heavy dust seen south-southwest, about 10 miles from Shepherdstown. Cannot make out anything in it. JEROME. (Received.) To Major MYER: Great smoke at the foot of the mountain, southwest of your headquarters. Extends along several miles. JEROME. (Sent.) Lieutenant Jerome will report the distance and the bearings of the smoke from Shepherdstown. Major MYER. (Received.) To Major MYER: It must be about 8 or 9 miles south-southwest from Shepherdstown. JEROME. (Received.) Cannonading heard 30 northwest of Shepherdstown and about 5 miles from that place. JEROME. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, P. A. TAYLOII, First Licut. Forty-ninth NeP York Vols., Actg. Signal Officer. Capt. B. F. FISHER, Commanding kSignal Detachment. ~o. 9. lieport of Lient. J. Gloskoski, Twenty-ninth New York Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, U. S. Army, of operations September 16November 29. CAMP NEAR FALMOIJTH, November 29, 1862. SIR: Agreeable to your circular, requesting us to make report of the service performed by us, the difficulties we have met, and of all that may be necessary for the Chief Signal Officer to know, I have the honor to submit the following: On the 16th of September I accompanied the Chief Signal Officer to the summit of Elk Mountain, Maryland, for the purpose to establish signal station there and observe the enemys movements. The point chosen for observations was an excellent one, and messages sent from it very important. From there we had full view of the enemys lines. We have reported immediately the positions and each change of position of all their batteries and their forces. From that point I have communi- cated to five different stations, viz, one at General McClellans head- quarters, one at General Burnsides (left wing), one at General Hookers, and two in the center of our lines. Same day we reported to General McClellan: An immense train of the enemys wagons is moving on the road froni Sharpsburg to Shepherdstown. They cross the Potomac and halt about a mile south of Shepherds- town Page 138 138 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. September 17 we received from General Burnside this: Can you see any movements of the. enemy on the road or elsewhere? General BURNSIDE. To General B.: Yes; they are moving now a strong force of infantry from Shepherdstown into the woods west of Sharpsburg and northerly to our right. Y. Y. Y. Can you see any movement of the enemy, particularly in rear of the corn-field in front of us? General BURNSIDE. I can see no movement, particularly in rear of that corn-field. Y. Y. Y. This last message, although insignificant now, was very important then, as it gave assurances that there was no immediate danger to be apprehended from that particular place. At 3 p. in. same day we sent: To General BunxsmE: Look out well on your left; the enemy are moving a strong force in that direction. Y. Y. Y. This warning was in time, and it was noticed by General Burnside, as at that hour, 1 think, General A. P. 11111 arrived with his forces from Harpers Ferry to re-enforce the enemy. These are all the messages I could preserve from that day, as then we had no tents on stations, no wagons, exposed for days and nights to constant rain, and consequently all papers, as everything else in onr possession, must have been wet and destroyed. From that time until the 28th ultimo I was posted on different signal stations, changing them almost every day, until we came to Rector- town, Va. From that place 1 was ordered to proceed with Lieutenant Owen to Thoroughfare Gap, and open communication with Water Mountain, Warrenton (9 miles distant, air line), and observe the line of railroad. The highest point in that vicinity is on the Bull Run Mountain, called the Leather Coat Hill, north of the gap, but un- luckily the woods on the mountains north and south of that gap were set on fire, and it was impossible for any one to ascend the summit with- out being roasted. The other hills there are of so almost equal height that it was no easy task to find the proper one to answer our purpose; still, I have found such, as I had the honor to report at that time. We have not sent any reports from that station, because there was nothing to report then; yet that station was very important, and, I think, if it had been allowed to remain there longer, our troops would not have left the gap in such a great haste as they did. A signal flag is a great annoyance to the enemy, as we have seen from their reports after tne battle of Antietam, and also inspires our troops with confidence; when seen by them on some high point, or near them, they know that those near that flag are on the lookout, and look with better eyes than they have. As a proof of this, I will relate a circum- stance from the battle at Gaines Mill, on the Peninsula. When the battle raged in its greatest fury, a few pieces of artillery from General Smiths division opened fire across the Chickahominy upon the enemy. All saw the smoke, but not many could tell where the shells fell or who fired, as the pieces were hidden by woods from our view. Our soldiers began to murmur, The rebels are outfianking ~ All eyes turned in that direction, when a signal flag emerged from the woods and bega Page 139 ChAP. XXXII GENERAL REPORTS. 139 to wave in answer to my call; every face then brightened up, and men exclaimed with smiles, Thats ours ~ November 15, I, in company with Lieutenant Owen, relieved the offi- cers on Watery Mountain. Watery Mountain is a fine point of obser- vation, and it is enough to ascend the top of it to find the desired place; there is a tree known to every one, called the View tree, and the place where it stands affords view almost in all directions. We reported from that station all we saw worthy of report, viz, smoke of the enemys camp-fires at Manassas Gap. From 19th to 24th instant we were posted on a station near Falmouth, close to Captain Pettits battery in position, and opposite the enemys guns. Our reports, then, if of any value, are of too recent a date to need repeating. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. GLOSKOSKI, J2ieut. Twenty-ninth Regiment N. Y. Vols., Acting Signal Officer. Lient. WILLIAM S. STRYKER, Adjutant, Signal Corps. No. 10. Reports of General Robert B. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding Army of Northern Virginia, of operations September 2November 15. HEADQUARTERS, TWO MILES FROM FREDERICKTOWN, Mn., September 7, 1862. (Received September 10, 1862.) SIR: I have the honor to inform you that Lieutenant-Colonel Funk reports that he took possession of Winchester at 11 oclock on the morn- ing of the 3d instant, the enemy having abandoned the town on the night of the 2d. They blew up their large magazine, burnt an enormous amount of quartermasters and commissary stores, and about two squares of the city. Still, a quantity of stores, a large amount of ammunition, some fine guns, medical stores, tents, cooking utensils~ & c., were left behind, which have been taken possession of by Colonel Funk. I have directed that he make reports of the captured articles to the proper departments, and I desire that th~y be secured. As I have directed that Winchester be made a depot for this army, and have sent there our disabled men, horses, batteries, and surplus wagon-trains, in order that they may be recruited and refreshed, I particularly want a good com- mander for that post, one of energy and experience~ who will bring everything into order, give confidence to the community, and take ad- vantage of the resources of the country. It has occurred to me that one of our gallant wounded generals, too enfeebled to take the field, might do valuable service in that position, and I would recommend that General Edward Johnson, if capable of performing the duty, be assigned to the post. His services have earned him promotion, which I earnestly recommend, and hope that circumstances may authorize it. I inclose you a report* of General Julius Whites command, lately in Winchester, whose troops retired in the direction of Harpers Ferry and Martinsburg, and, as I learn from rumor, have retreated to Pennsylvania. I wish shops opened at Winchester for the repair of our batteries, * Not found Page 140 140 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL trains, & c., and request that the Ordnance and Quartermasters Depart- ments may give the necessary directions for the purpose. I beg that you will endeavor now to gather in our conscripts to fill the reduced ranks of the Virginia regiments. Those in the Valley should be particularly attended to. I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, R E. LEE, General. lion. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH. Secretary of War, Richmond, Va. hEADQUARTERS, Sharpsburg, Md., September 16, 1862. Mr. PRESIDENT: My letter to you of the 13th instaij~ informed you of the positions of the different divisions of this army. ~earning that night that Harpers Ferry had not surrendered, and that the enemy was advancing more rapidiy than was convenient from Fredericktown, I (letermijiled to return with Longstreets command to the Blue Ridge, to strengthen ID. H. Hills and Stuarts divisions, engaged in holding the passes of the mountains, lest the enemy should fall upon MeLaws rear, (Irive him from 4ie Maryland Heights, and thus relieve the garrison at Harpers Ferry.J On approaching Boonsborough, I received information from General ]7Th1. Hill that the enemy in strong force was at the main pass on the Frederick and Hagerstown road, pressing him so heavily as to require immediate re-enforcements. Longstreet advanced rapidly to his support, and immediately placed his troops in position. By this time Hills right had be~ forced back, the gallant Garland having fallen in rallying his brigade. Under General Longstreets directions, our right was soon restored, and firmly resisted the attacks of the eneinyto the last. His superior numbers enabled him to extend beyond both of our flanks, and his right was able to reach the sumiuit of the mountain to our left, and press us heavily in that direction. The battle raged until after night; the enemys efforts to force a passage were resisted, but we had been unable to repulse him.J Learning later in the evening that Cramptons Gap (on the direct road from Fredericktown to Sharpsburg) had been forced, ~nd MeLaws rear thus threatened, and believing from, a report from General Jackson that harpers Ferry would fall next nioruin g, I (letermnined to withdraw Long- street and D. H. Hill from their positions and retire to the vicinity of Sharpsburg, where the army could be more easily united. Before aban- (honing the position, indications led me to believe that the enemy was withdrawing, but learning from a prisoner that Sumners corps (which had not been engaged) was being put in position to relieve their wearied troops, while the most of ours were exhausted by a fatiguing march and a hard conflict, and I feared would be unable to renew the fight suc- cessfully in the morning, confirmed me in my determination. Accord- ingly, the troops were withdrawn, preceded by the trains, with out mo~ lestation by the enemy, and about day~cweak took position in front of this place. The enemy did not pass through the gap until about 8 oclock of the morning after the battle, and their advance reached a position in front of us about 2 p. m. Before their arrival, I received intelligence from General Jackson that Harpers Ferry had surrendered early in the morning. I inclose his report.* Not found Page 141 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 141 From a more detailed statement furnished by General Jacksous ad- jutant-general, it appears that 49 pieces of artillery, 24 mountain how- itzers, and 17 revolving guns, 11,000 men fit for duty (consisting of twelve regiments of inflintry, three companies of cavalry, and six corn- l)anies of artillery), together with 11,000 small-arms, were the fruits of this victory. Part of General Jacksons corps has reached us and the rest are ap- proaching, except General A. P. Hills division, left at harpers Ferry to guard the place and take care of public property. The enemy have made no attack up to this afternoon, but are in force in our front. This victory of the indomitable Jackson and his troops gives us re- newed occasion for gratitude to Almighty God for His guidance and pro- tection. I am, with high respect, your obedient servant, It. E. LEE, General. His Excellency President DAvIs. HEADQUARTElIS, Sha~psburg, Md., September 18, 18626.30 a. m. Mr. PRESIDENT: On the afternoon of the 16th instant the enemy, ~vho, you were informed on that day, was in our front, opened a light fire of artillery upon our line. Early next morning it was renewed in earnest, and large masses of the Federal troops that had crossed the Antietam above our position assembled on our left and threatened to overwhelm us. They advanced in three compact lines. The divisions of Generals MeLaws, It. H. Anderson, A. P. Hill, and Walker had not arrived the previous night, as I had hoped, and were still beyond the Potomac. Generals Jacksons and Ewells divisions were throwii to the left of Generals D. H. Hill and Longstreet. The enemy advanced be- tween the Antietam and the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown turnpike, and was met by General Hills and the left of General Longstreets division, where the contest raged fiercely, extending to our entire left. The enemy was driven back and held in check, but before the divisions of MeLaws, Anderson, and Walkerwho, upon their arrival on the morn- ing of the 17th, were advanced to support the left wing and center could be brought into action, that portion of our lines was forced back by superior numbers. The line, after a severe conflict, was restored and the enemy driven back, and our position maintained during the rest of the day. In the afternoon the enemy advanced on our right, where General Jones division was posted, who handsomely maintained his position. General Toombs brigade, guarding the bridge over Autietain Creek, gallantly resisted the approach of the enemy; but his superior num- bers enabling him to extend his left, he crossed below the bridge, aimd assumed a threatening attitude on our right, which fell back in confu- sion. By this time, between 3 and 4 p. in., General A. P. Hill, with five of his brigades, reached the scene of action, drove the enemy immedi- ately from the position they had taken, and continued the contest nutil dark, restoring our right and maintaining our ground. * * * * * * * It. E. LEE, General, Commanding. His Excellency President DAVIS, Richmond, Va Page 142 142 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA, MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, September 20, 1862. SIR: Since my last letter to you of the 18th, fin ding the enemy iii- disposed to make an attack on that day, and onr 1)OSitiOfl being a bad one to hold with the river in rear, I determined to cross the army to the Virginia side. This was done at night successfully, nothing being left behind, unless it may have been some disabled guns or broken-down wagons, and the morning of the 19th found us satisfactorily over on the south bank of the Potomac, near Shepherdstown, when the army was immediately put in motion toward Williamusport. Before crossing the river, in order to threaten the enemy on his right an(1 rear and make him apprehensive for his communications, I sent the cavalry forward to Williainsport, which they successfully occupied. At night the infantry sharpshooters, left, in conjunction with General Pendletons artillery, to hold the ford below Shepherdstown, gave back, and the enemys cavalry took possession of that town, and, from General Pendletons report after midnight, I fear much of his reserve artillery has been cantured. I am now obliged to return to Shepherdstown, with the intention of driving the enemy back if not in position with his whole army; bnt, if in full force, I think an attack ~vommld be ina(lvisable, and I shall niake other dispositions. I am, with high respect, your obedient servant, It. B. L1~E, General. His Excellency JEFFERSON 1)AVIS, Richmond, Va. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, Camp on the Opequon, near Smoketown, September 21,1862. Mr. PRESIDENT: As stated to you yesterday, the niareb of the army toward Wilhmamsport was arrested. General Jacksons corps was turned back toward Shepheidstown, to rectify occurrences in that quarter. Only one or two brigades of the enemys infantry with cavalry had crossed the river, none of whom had entered Shepherdstown. They displayed a large force of artillery on the opposite bank. General A. P. Hills division pushed forward, an(l soon drove them across the river, when this army resumed its march. Only four i)ieces of artillery fell into the hands of the enemy, which they had carried across the river before they were attacked by A. P. Hill. I regret also to report that on the night of the 14th instant, when I de- termnined to withdraw from the gap in front of Boonsborough to Sharps- burg, a portion of General Longstreets wagon-train was lost. When his division was ordered back from Hagerstown to the support of D. I-I. Hill, his train was directed to proceed toward Wilhiamsport, with a view to its safety, and, if necessary, to its crossing the river. Unfortunately, that night the enemy~s cavalry at Harpers Ferry evaded our forces, crossed the Potomac into Maryland, passed up through Sharpsburg, where they encountered our pickets, and intercepted on their line of retreat to Penn- sylvania General Longstreets train on the Hagerstown road. The guard was in the extreme rear of the train, that being the only direction from which an attack was apprehended. The enemy captured and destroyed 45 wagons, loaded chiefly with ammunition and subsistence Page 143 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 143 The army is resting to-day on the Opequon, below Martinsburg. Its l)resent efficiency is greatly paralyzed by the loss to its ranks of the numerous stragglers. I have taken every means in my power from the beginning to correct this evil, which has increased instead of diminished. A great many meii belonging to the army never entered Maryland at all; many returned after getting there, while others who crossed the river kept aloof. The stream has not lessened since crossing the Poto- mac, though the cavalry has been constantly employed in endeavoring to arrest it. As illustrative of the fact, I inclose a report just received from General J. P~. Jones, who was sent to Winchester to arrest strag- glers at that point while the army was at Sharpsburg. It occasions me the greatest concern in the future operations of the army, for it is still my desire to threaten a passage into Maryland, to occupy the enemy on this frontier, and, if my purpose cannot be accomplished, to draw them into the Valley, where I can attack them to advantage. Some immne- diate legislation, in my opinion, is required, and the most summary pun- ishment should be authorized. It ought to be construed into desertion in face of the enemy, and thus brought under the Rules and Articles of War. To give you an idea of its extent in some brigades, I will men- tion that, on the morning after the battle of the 17th, General Evans re- ported to me on the field, where he was holding the front position, that he had but 120 of his brigade present, and that the next brigade to his, that of General Garnett, consisted of but 100 men. General Pendleton reported that the brigades of Generals Lawton and Armistead, left to guard the ford at Shepherdstown, together contained but 600 men. This is a woeful condition of affairs, and I am pained to state it, but you ought not to be ignorant of the fact, in order, if possible, that you may apply the proper remedy. It is true that the army has had hard work to l)erform, lono- and laborious marches, and large odds to encounter in b every conflict, but not greater than were endured by our revolutionary h~thers, or than what any army must encounter to be victorious. There are brilliant examples of endurance and valor on the part of those who have had to bear the brunt in the battle and the labor in the field in consequence of this desertion of their comrades. I hope by a few (lays rest, if it is possible to give it, and the regular issue of rations, to re- store the efficiency of the army for the work before it. The enemy I know has suffered on his side, especially his infantry, as they have been (Iriven in all encounters. His artillery is numerous and powerful, amid his re-enforcements arrive daily. I shall endeavor at least to detain him on this frontier and to give him sufficient employment. If ic-en- forc~mnents, clothing, and shoes could be forwarded to the army, it would be of the greatest benefit. I have not heard of General Loring for some time, nor do I know whether he is employed in the Valley of the Kanawha or where. From such information as I get, I believe the enemy has pretty much with- draw mm from Western Virginia. I am, with the highest respect, your obedient servant, It. E. LEE, General, Commanding. His Excellency President DAVIS, Richmond, Va. Not found Page 144 144 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., \V. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. HEADQUARTERS, August 19, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to forward a report of the capture of Harpers Ferry and the operations of the army in Maryland (1862). The official reports of Lieutenant-General Jackson and the officers of his corps have only been recently received, which prevented its earlier transmittal. This finishes the reports of the operations of the campaign of 1862. They were designed to form a continuous narrative, though, for reasons given, were written at intervals. May I ask yon to cause the several reports to be united, and to append the tabular statements accompanying each ~ Should this be inconvenient, if you could return the reports to me, I would have them properly arranged. With great respect, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va. CAPTURE OF HARPERS FERRY AND OPERATIONS IN MARYLAND. The enemy having retired to the protection of the fortifications around Washington and Alexandria, the army marched on September 3 toward Leesburg. The armies of Generals McClellan and Pope had now been brought back to the point from which they set out on the campaigns of the spring and summer. The objects of those campaigns had been frus- trated and the designs of the enemy on the coast of North Carolina and in Western Virginia thwarted by the withdrawal of the main body of his forces from those regions. Northeastern Virginia was freed from the presence of Federal soldiers up to the intrenchments of Washington, and soon after the arrival of the army at Leesburg information was re- ceived that the troops which had occupied Winchester had retired to Harpers Ferry and Martinsbnrg. The war was thus transferred from the interior to the frontier, and the supplies of rich and productive dis- tricts made accessible to our army. To prolong a state of affairs in every way desirable, and not to permit the season for active operations to pass without endeavoring to inflict further injury upon the enemy, the best course appeared to be the transfer of the army into Maryland. Although not properly equipped for invasion, lacking much of the ma- terial of war, and feeble in transportation, the troops poorly provided with clothing, and thousands of them destitute of shoes, it was yet be- lieved to be strong enough to detain the enemy upon the northern fron- tier nmmtil the approach of winter should render his advance into Vir- ginia difficult, if not impracticable. The condition of Maryland encour- aged the belief that the presence of our army, however mnfermor to that of the enemy, would induce the Washington Government to retain all its available force to provide against contingencies, which its course toward the people of that State gave it reason to apprehend. At the same time it was hoped that military success might afford us an oppor- tnmiity to aid the citizens of Maryland in any efforts they might be dis- posed to make to recover their liberties. The difficulties that surrounded them were fully appreciated, and we expected to derive more assistance in the attainment of our object from the just fears of the Washington. Government than from any active demonstration on the part of the peo- I)le, unless success should enable ns to give them assurance of continued proteetmon. Influenced by these considerations, the army was put in motion, ID. H Page 145 CHAP. XXXI.]. GENERAL REPORTS. 145 Hills division, which had joined us on the 2d, being in advance, and between September 4 and 7 crossed the Potomac at the fords near Lees- burg, and encamped in the vicinity of Fredericktown. It was decided to cross the Potomac east of the Blue Ridge, in order, by threatening Washington and Baltimore, to cause the enemy to with- draw from the south bank, where his presence endangered our communi- cations and the safety of those engaged in the removal of our wounded and the captured property from the late battle-fields. Having accom- plished this result, it was proposed to move the army into Western Mary- land, establish onr communications with Richmond through the Valley of the Shenandoah, and, by threatening Pennsylvania,induce the enemy to follow, and thus draw him from his base of supplies. It had been supposed that the advance upon Fredericktown would lead to the evacuation of Martinsburg and Harpers Ferry, thus open- ing the line of communication through the Valley. This not having oc- curred, it became necessary to dislodge the enemy from those positions before concentrating the army west of the mountains. To accomplish this with the least delay, General Jackson was directed to proceed with his command to Martinsburg, and, after driving the enemy from that place, to move down the south side of the Potomac upon Harpers Ferry. General McLaws, with his own and R. H. Andersons division, was ordered to seize Maryland Heights, on the north side of the Potomac, opposite Harpers Ferry, and Brigadier-General Walker to take posses- sion of Loudoun Heights, on the east side of the Shenandoah, where it unites with the Potomac. These several commands were directed, after reducing Harpers Ferry and clearing the Valley of the enemy, to join the rest of the army at Boonsborough or Hagerstown. The march of these troops began on the 10th, and at the same time the remainder of Longstreets command and the division of D. H. Hill crossed the South Mountain and moved toward Boonsborough. Gen- eral Stuart, with the cavalry, remained east of the mountains, to observe the enemy and retard his advance. A report having been received that a Federal force was approaching Hagerstown from the direction of Chambersburg, Longstreet continued his march to the former place, in order to secure the road leading thence to Williamsport, and also to prevent the removal of stores which were said to be in Hagerstown. He arrived at that place on the 11th, General Hill. halting near Boonsborough to prevent the enemy at Harpers Ferry from escaping through Pleasant Valley, and at the same time to support the cavalry. The advance of the Federal Army was so slow at the time we left Fredericktown as to justify the belief that the reduction of Harpers Ferry would be accomplished and our troops concentrated before they would be called upon to meet it. In that event, it had not been intended to oppose its passage through the South Mountains, as it was desired to engage it as far as possible from its base. General Jackson marched very rapidly, and, crossing the Potomac near Williamsport on the 11th, sent A. P. Hills division directly to Martins- burg, and disposed the rest of his command to cut off the retreat of the enemy westward. On his approach, the Federal troops evacuated Mar- tinsburg, retiring to Harpers Ferry on the night of the 11th, and Jack- son entered the former place on the 12th, capturing some prisoners and abandoned stores. In the forenoon of the following day his leading division, under Gen- eral A. P. Hill, came in sight of the enemy strongly intrenched on Bol- ivar Heights, in rear of Harpers Ferry. Before beginning the attack, General Jackson proceeded to put himself in communication with the 10 R RYOL XIX, PT Page 146 146 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. co-operating forces under Generals McLaws an(l Walker, from the for. mer of whom he was separated by the Potomac and from the latter by the Shenandoah. General Walker took possession of Loudoun Heights on the 13th, and, the next day was in readiness to open upon Harpers Ferry. General McLaws encountered more opposition. He entered Pleasant Valley on the 11th. On the 12th he directed General ~er- shaw, with his own and Barksdales brigade, to ascend the ridge, whose southern extremity is known as Maryland Heights, and attack the enemy, who occupied that position with infantry and artillery, protected by in- trenchments. He disposed the rest of his command to hold the roads leading from Harpers Ferry eastward through Weverton and northward from Sandy Hook, guarding the pass in his rear, through which he had entered Pleasant Valley, with the brigades of Semmes and Mahone. Owing to the rugged nature of the ground on which Kershaw had to operate and the want of roads, he was compelled to use infantry alone. Driving in the advance parties of the enemy on the summit of the ridge on the 12th, he assailed the works the next day. After a spirited con- test they were carried, the troops engaged in their defense spiking their heavy guns and retreating to Harpers Ferry. By 4.30 p. m. Kershaw was in possession of Maryland Heights. On the 14th a road for artillery was cut along & e ridge, and at 2 p. m. four guns opened upon the enemy on the opposite side of the river, and the investment of Harpers Ferry was complete. In the mean time events transpired in another quarter which threat- ened to interfere with the reduction of the place. A copy of the order directing the movement of the army from Fredericktown had fallen into the hands of General McClellan, and disclosed to him the disposition of our forces. He immediately began to push forward rapidly, and on the afternoon of the 13th was reported approaching the pass in South Mount- ain, on the Boonsborough and Fredericktown road. The cavalry under General Stuart fell back before him, materially impeding his progress by its gallant resistance, and gaining time for preparations to oppose his advance. By penetrating the mountain at this point, he would reach the rear of McLaws and be enabled to relieve the garrison at Harpers Ferry. To prevent this, General D. H. Hill was directed to guard the Boonsborongh Gap and Longstreet ordered to march from Hagerstown to his support. On the 13th General Hill sent back the brigades of Garland and Col- quitt to hold the pass, but subsequently ascertaining that the enemy was near in heavy force, he ordered up the rest of his division. Early on the 14th a large body of the enemy attempted to force its way to the rear of the position held by Hill by a road south of the Boonsborough and Fredericktown turnpike. The attack was repulsed by Garlands brigade, after a severe conflict, in which that brave and accomplished young officer was killed. The remainder of the division arriving shortly afterward, Colqnitts brigade was disposed across the turnpike road; that of G. B. Anderson, supported by Ripley, was placed on the right, and Rodes occupied an important position on the left. Garlands brigade, which had suffered heavily in the first attack, was withdrawn, and the defense of the road occupiel by it intrusted to Colonel Rosser, of the Fifth VirginIa Cavalry, who reported to General Hill with his regiment and some artillery. The small command of Gen- eral Hill repelled the repeated assaults of the Federal Army and held it in check for five hours. Several attacks on the center were gallantly repulsed by Colquitts brigade, and IRodes maintained his position against heavy odds with the utmost tenacity. Longstreet, leaving on Page 147 / CIIA1?.~ XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 147 brigade at Hagerstown, had hurried to the assistance of Hill, and reached the scene of action between 3 and 4 p. m. His troops, much exhausted by a long, rapid march and the heat of the day, were disposed on both sides of the turnpike. General D. H. Jones, with three of his brigadesthose of Pickett (under General Garnett), Kemper, and Jen- kins (under Colonel Walker)together with Evans brigade, was posted along the mountain on the left; General Hood, with his own and Whit- ings brigade (under Colonel Law), Draytons, and ID. H. Jones (under Col. G. T. Anderson), on the right. Batteries had been placed by General Hill in such positions as could be found, but the ground was unfavorable for the use of artillery. The battle continued with great animation until night. On the south of the turnpike the enemy was driven back some distance, and his attack on the center repulsed with loss. His great superiority of numbers enabled him to extend beyond both of our flanks. By this means he succeeded in reaching the sum- mit of the mountain beyond our left, and, pressing upon us heavily from that direction, gradually forced our troops back after an obstinate re- sistance. Darkness put an end to the contest. The effort to force the passage of the mountains had failed, but it was manifest that without re-enforcements we could not hazard a renewal of the engagement, as the enemy could easily turn either flank. In- formation was also received that another large body of Federal troops had during the afternoon forced their way through Cramptons Gap, only 5 miles in rear of McLaws. Under these circumstances, it was de- termined to retire to Sharpsburg, where we would be upon the flank and rear of the enemy should he move against McLaws, and where we could more readily unite with the rest of the army. This movement was efficiently and skillfully covered by the cavalry brigade of General Fitzhugh Lee, and was accomplished without interruption by the en- emy, who did not appear on the west side of the pass at Boonsborough until about 8 a. m. on the following morning. The resistance that had been offered to the enemy at Boonsborough secured sufficient time to enable General Jackson to complete the reduction of Harpers Ferry. On the afternoon of the 14th, when he found that the troops of Walker and McLaws were in position to co-operate in the attack, he ordered General A. P. Hill to turn the enemys left flank and enter Harpers Ferry. Ewells division (under General Lawton) was ordered to sup- port Hill, while Winders brigade, of Jacksons division (under Colonel Grigsby), with a battery of artillery, made a demonstration on the en- emys right near the Potomac. The rest of the division was held in reserve. The cavalry under Major Massie was placed on the extreme left, to prevent the escape of the enemy. Colonel Grigsby succeeded iu getting possession of an eminence on the left, upon which two batteries were advantageously posted. 4Aeneral A. P. Hill, observing a hill on ~ his own brigade and those of [General] Archer and Colonel Brocken- brough, to seize the crest, which was done with slight resistance. At the same time he ordered Generals Branch and Gregg to march along the Shenandoah, and, taking advantage of the ravines intersecting its steep banks, to establish themselves on the l)lain to the left and rear of the enemys works. This was accomplished during the night. Lieu; tenant-Colonel Walker, chief of artillery of A. P. Hills division, placed several batteries on the eminence taken by General Pender, and, under the directions of Colonel Crutchfleld, General Jacksons chief of artil- lery, ten guns belonging to Ewells division were posted on the eas Page 148 148 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W.~ VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. side of the Shenandoah, so as to enfilade the enemys intrenchments on Bolivar Heights, and take his nearest and most formidable works in. reverse. General McLaws in the mean time made his preparations to prevent the force which had penetrated at Cramptons Gap from coming to the relief of the garrison. This pass had been defended by the bri- gade of General Cobb, supported by those of Semmes and Mahone; but unable to oppose successfully the superior numbers brought against them, they had been compelled to retire with loss. The enemy halted at the gap, and during the night General McLaws formed his command in line of battle across Pleasant Valley, about 1~ miles below Cramp. tons [Gap], leaving one regiment to support the artillery on Maryland Heights, and two brigades on each of the roads from Harpers Ferry. The attack on the garrison began at dawn. A rapid and vigorous fire was opened from the batteries of General Jackson and those on Maryland and Loudoun Heights. In about two hours the garrison, consisting of more than 11,000 men, surrendered. Seventy-three pieces of artillery, about 13,000 small-arms, and a large quantity of military stores, fell into our hands. Leaving General A. P. Hill to receive the surrender of the Federal troops and secure the captured property, Gen- eral Jackson, with his two other divisions, set out at once for Sharps- burg, ordering Generals McLaws and Walker to follow without delay. Official information of the fall of Harpers Ferry and the approach of General Jackson was received soon after the commands of Longstreet and D. H. Hill reached Sharpsburg, on the morning of the 15th, and reanimated the courage of the troops. General Jackson arrived early on the 16th and General Walker came up in the afternoon. The pres- ence of the enemy at Cramptons Gap embarrassed the movements of General McLaws. He retained the position taken during the night of the 14th to oppose an advance toward Harpers Ferry until the capitu- lation of that place, when, finding the enemy indisposed to attack, he gradually withdrew his command toward the Potomac. Deeming the roads to Sharpsburg on the north side of the river impracticable, he resolved to cross at Harpers Ferry and march by way of Shepherds- town. Owing to the condition of his troops and other circumstances, his progress was slow, and he did not reach the battle-field at Sharps- burg until some time after the engagement of the 17th began. The commands of Longstreet and ID. H. Hill, on their arrival at Sharpsburg, were placed in position along the range of hills between the town and the Antietam, nearly parallel to the course of that stream, Longstreet on the right of the road to Boonsborough and Hill on the left. The advance of the enemy was delayed by the brave opposition he encount- ered from Fitzhugh Lees cavalry, and he did not appear on the oppo- site side of the Antietam until about 2 p. m. During the afternoon the batteries on each side were slightly engaged. On the 16th the artillery fire became warmer, and continued through- out the day. The enemy crossed the Antietam beyond the reach of our batteries and menaced our left. In anticipation of this movement, Hoods two brigades had been transferred from the right and posted between D. H. Hill and the Hagerstown road. General Jackson was now directed to take position on Hoods left, and formed his line with his right resting upon the Hagerstown road and his left extending to- w~%rd the Potomac, protected by General Stuart with the cavalry and horse artillery. General Walker, with his two brigades, was stationed on Longstreets right. As evening approached, the enemy opened more vigorously with his artillery, and bore down heavily with his infantry upon Hood, but the attack was gallantly repulsed. At 10 p. m. Hood Page 149 ChAP. XXXI.] GENERAL RRI~OR1~S. 149 troops were relieved by the brigades of Lawton and Trimble, of Ewells division, commanded by General Lawton. Jacksons own division, under General J. B. Jones, was on Lawtons left, supported by the remaining brigades of Ewell. At early dawn on the 17th the enemys artillery opened vigorously from both sides of the Antietarn, the heaviest fire being directed against our left. Under cover of this fire a large force of infantry attacked Gen- eTal Jackson. They were met by his troops with the utmost resolu- tion, and for several hours the conflict raged with great fury and alter- nate success. General J. iR. Jones was compelled to leave the field, and the command of Jacksons division devolved on General Starke. The troops advanced with great spirit, and the enemys lines were repeatedly broken and forced to retire. Fresh troops, however, soon replaced those that were beaten, and Jacksons men were in turn compelled to fall back. The brave General Starke was killed, General Lawton was wounded, and nearly all tIm field officers, with a large proportion of the men, killed or disabled. Our troops slowly yielded to overwhelming numbers and fell back, obstinately disputing the progress of the enemy. Hood re- turned to the field, and relieved the brigades of Trimble, Lawton, and Hays, which had suffered severely. General Early, who succeeded General Lawton in the command of Ewells division, was ordered by General Jackson to move with his brigade to take the place of Jacksons division, most of which was withdrawn, its ammunition being nearly exhausted and its numbers much reduced. A small part of the division, under Colonels Grigsby and Stafford, united with Earlys brigade, as did portions of the brigades of Trimble, Lawton, and Hays. The battle now raged with great violence, the small commands under HQod and Early holding their ground against many times their own numbers of the enemy, and under a tremendous fire of artillery. Hood was re-en- forced by the brigades of Ripley, Colquitt, and Garland (under Colonel McIRae), of D. H. Hills division, and afterward by D. B. Jones brigade, under Col. G. ~?. Anderson. The enemys lines were broken and forced back, but fresh numbers advanced to their support, and they began to gain groun& . The desperate resistance they encountered, however, delayed their progress until the troops of General MeLaws arrived and those of General Walker could be brought from the right. Hoods brigade, greatly diminished in numbers, withdrew to replenish their ammunition, their supply being entirely exhausted. They were relieved by Walkers command, who immediately attacked the enemy vigorously, driving him back with great slaughter. Colonel Manning, commanding Walkers brigade, pnrsued until he was stopped by a strong fence, behind which was posted a large force of infantry with several batteries. The gallant colonel was severely wounded, and his brigade retired to the line on which the rest of Walkers command had halted. Upon the arrival of the re-enforcements under General McLaws, Gen- eral Early attacked with great resolution the large force opposed to him. MeLaws advanced at the same time, and the enemy were driven back in confusion, closely followed by our troops beyond the position occupied at the beginning of the engagement. The enemy renewed the assault on our left several times, but was repulsed with loss. He finally ceased to advance his infantry, and for several hours kept up a furious lire from his numerous batteries, under which our troops held their position with great coolness and courage. The attack on our left was speedily followed by one in heavy force on the center. This was met by part of Walkers division and the brigades of G. B. Anderson and Bodes, of ID. H. Hills command, assisted by a few l)ieces of artillery Page 150 150 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAP. XXXI. The enemy was repulsed, and retired behind the crest of a hill, from which they kept up a desultory fire. General B. H. Andersons divis- ion came to Hills support and formed in rear of his line. At this time, by a mistake of orders, General Bodes brigade was withdrawn from its position during the temporary absence of that officer at another part of the field. The enemy immediately pressed through the gap thus created, and G. B. Andersons brigade was broken and retired, General Anderson himself being mortally wounded. Maj. Gen. B. II. Anderson and Brigadier-General Wright were also wounded and borne from the field. The heavy masses of the enemy again moved forward, being opposed only by four pieces of artillery, supported by a few hundred men be- longing to different brigades, rallied by General D. H. Hill and other officers, and parts of Walkers and B. H. Andersons commands, Colonel Cooke, with the Twenty-seventh North Carolina Begiment, of Walkers brigade, standing boldly in line without a cartridge. The firm front presented by this small force and the well-directed fire of the artillery, under Captain Miller, of the Washington Artillery, and Captain Boyces South Carolina battery, checked the progress of the enemy, and in about an hour and a half he retired. Another attack was made soou afterward a little farther to the right, but was repulsed by Millers guns, which continued to hold the ground until the close of the engage- ment, supported by a part of B. H. ~ troops. While the attack on the center and left was in progress, the enemy made repeated efforts to force the passage of the bridge over the An. tietam, opposite the right wing of General Longstreet, commanded by Brig. Gen. D. B. Jones. This bridge was defended by GeneralToombs with two regiments of his brigade (the Second and Twentieth Georgia) and the batteries of General Jones. General Toombs small command repulsed five different assaults made by greatly superior force, and main- tamed its position with distinguished gallantry. In the afternoon the enemy began to extend his line as if to cross the Antietam below fhe bridge, and at 4 p. m. Toombs r~iments retired from the position they had so bravely held. The enemy immediately crossed the bridge in large numbers and advanced against General Jones, who held the crest with less than 2,000 men. After a determined and brave resistance, he was forced to give way, and the enemy gained the summit. General A. P. Hill had arrived from Harpers Ferry, having left that place at 7.30 a. m. He was now ordered to re-enforce General Jones, and moved to his support with the brigades of Archer, Branch, Gregg, and Pender, the last of whom was placed on the right of the line, and the other three advanced and attacked the enemy, now flushed with success. Hills batteries were thrown forward and united their fire with those of General Jones, and one of General D. H. Hills also opened with good effect from the left of the Boonsborough road. The progress of the enemy was immediately arrested and his lines began to waver. At this moment General Jones ordered Toombs to charge the flank, while Archer, sup. ported by Branch and Gregg, moved upon the front of the Federal line. The enemy made a brief resistance, then broke and retreated in confu- sion toward the Antietam, pursued by the troops of Hill and Jones, until he reached the protection of his batteries on the opposite side of the river. In this attack the brave and lamented Brig. Gen. t. OB. Branch was killed, gallantly leading his brigade. It was now nearly dark, and the enemy had massed a number of bat. teries to sweep the approaches to the Antietain, on the opposite side o Page 151 CHAP. XXXt.] OtNERAL REPORTS. 151 which the corps of General Porter, which had not been engaged, now appeared to dispute our advance. Our troops were much exhausted and greatly reduced in numbers by fatigue and the casualties of battle. Under these circumstances it was deemed injudicious to push our ad- vantage further in the face of fresh troops of the enemy, much exceed- ing the number of our owi. They were accordingly recalled and formed on the line originally held by General Jones. While the attack on our center was ~)rogressing. General Jackson had been directed to endeavor to turn the enemys right, but found it extending nearly to the Potomac, and so strongly defended with artillery that the attempt had to be aban- doned. The repulse on the right ended the engagement, and, after a protracted and sanguinary conflict, every effort of the enemy to dislodge us from our position had been defeated with severe loss. The arduous service in which our troops had been engaged, their great privations of rest and food, and the long marches without shoes over mountain roads, had greatly reduced our ranks before the action began. These causes had compelled thousands of brave men to absent themselves, and many more had done so from unworthy motives. This great battle was fought by less than 40,000 men on our side, all of whom had undergone the greatest labors and hardships in the field and on the march. Nothing could surpass the determined valor with which they met the large army of the enemy, fully supplied and equipped, and the result reflects the highest credit on the officers and men engaged. Our artillery, though much inferior to that of the enemy in the number of guns and weight of metal, rendered most efficient and gallant service throughout the day, and contributed greatly to the repulse of the attacks on every part of the line. General Stuart, with the cavalry and horse artillery, performed the duty intrusted to him of guarding our left wing with great energy and courage, and rendered valuable assistance in de- feating the attack on that part of our line. On the 18th we occupied the position of the preceding day, except in the center, where our line was drawn in about 200 yards. Our ranks were increase(l by the arrival of a number of troops, who had not been engaged the day before, anQ, though still too weak to assume the offen- sive, we awaited without apprehension the renewal of the attack. The day passed without any d~onstratiou on the part of the enemy, who, from the reports received, was expecting the arrival of re-enforcements. As we could not look for a material increase in strength, and the enemys force could be largely and rapidly augmented, it was not thought pru- dent to wait until he should be ready again to offer battle. During the night of the 18th the army was.accordingly withdrawn to the south side of the Potomac, crossing near Shepherdstown, without loss or molestation. The enemy advanced the next morning, but was held in check by General Fitzhugh Lee with his cavalry, who covered our mdvement with boldness and success. General Stuart, with the main body, crosse(l the Potomac above Shepherdstown and moved up the river. The next day he recrossed at Williamsport, and took position to operate upon the right and rear of the enemy should he attempt to follow us. After the army had safely reached the Virginia shore with such of the wounded as could be removed and all its trains, General Porters corps, with a number of batteries and some cavalry, appeared on the opposite side. General Pendleton was left to guard the Pird with the reserve artillery and about 600 infantry. That night the enemy crossed the river above General Pendletons position, and his infantry support giving way, four of his guns were taken. A considerable force took position on the right bank, under cover of their artillery on the commanding hills on the oppo Page 152 152 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI site side. The next morning General A. P. Hill was ordered to return with his division and dislodge them. Advancing under a heavy fire of artillery, the three brigades of Gregg, Pender, and Archer attacked the enemy vigorously, and drove him over the river with heavy loss. The condition of our troops now demanded repose, and the army marched to the Opequon, near Martinsburg, where it remained several days, and then moved to the vicinity of Bunker Hill and Winchester. The enemy seemed to be concentrating in and near Harpers Ferry, but made no forward movement. During this time the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was destroyed for several miles, and that from Winchester to Harpers Ferry broken np to within a short distance of the latter place, in order to render the occupation of the Valley by the enemy after our withdrawal more difficult. On October 8 General Stuart was ordered to cross the Potomac above Williamsport with 1,200 or 1,500 cavalry, and endeavor to ascer- tain the position and designs of the enemy. He was directed, if prac- ticable, to enter Pennsylvania, and do all in his power to impede and embarrass the military operations of the enemy. This order was exe- cuted with skill, address, and courage. General Stuart passed through Maryland, occupied Chambersburg, and destroyed a large amount of public property, making the entire circuit of General McClellans army. He recrossed the Potomac below Harpers Ferry without loss. The enemy soon after crossed the Potomac east of the Blue Ridge, and advanced southward, seizing the passes of the mountains as he pro. gressed. General Jacksons corps was ordered to take position on the road between Berryville and Charlestown, to be prepared to oppose an advance from Harpers Ferry or a movement into the Shenandoah Valley from the east side of the mountains, while at the same time he would threaten the flank of the enemy should he continue his march along the eastern base of the Blue Ridge. One division of Longstreets corps was sent to the vicinity of Upperville to observe the enemys movements in front. About the last of October the Federal army began to incline east- wardly from the mountains, moving in the Uirection of Warrenton. As soon as this intention developed itself L ~igstreets corps was moved across the Blue Ridge, and about November 3 took position at Cul- peper Court-House, while Jackson advanced one of his divisions to the east side of the Blue Ridge. The enemy gradually coneentrated about Warrenton, his cavalry being thrown forward beyond the IRappahan- nock in the direction of Culpeper Court-House, and occasionally skir- mishing with our own, which was closely observing his movements. This situation of affairs continued without material change until about the middle of November, when the movements began which resulted in the winter campaign on the Lower Rappahannock. The accompanying return of the medical director will show the extent of our losses in the engagements mentioned. The reports of the differ- ent commanding officers must, of necessity, be referred to for the details of these operations. I desire to call the attention of the Department to the names of those brave officers and men who are particularly mentioned for courage and good conduct by their commanders. The limits of this report will not permit me to do more than renew the expression of my admiration for the valor that shrunk from no peril and the fortitude that endured every privation without a murmur. I must also refer to the report of General Stuart for the particulars of the services rendered by the cav- alry besides those to which I have alluded. Its vigilance, activit~, an Page 153 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS~ 153 courage were conspicuous, and to its assistance is due, in a great meas- ure, the success of some of the most important and delicate operations of the campaign. Respectfully submitted. 11. E. LEE, General. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and In~pector General, Richmond, Va. No. 11. Extracts from Journal of Lieut. Col. E. P. Alexander, Chief of Ordnance, Army of Northern Virginia, October 1November 15. Army encamped on the turnpike between Winchester and Bnnker Hill; ordnance office, with headquarters in camp, 6 miles from Win- chester. During this period [i] the arms and accouterments captured at Harpers Ferry and collected at Winchester were issued to recruits and returned sick, and 2,000 serviceable arms from those collected on the field at Groveton were brought up and distributed. Requisition made on Richmond for 3,000 arms and 4,000 accouter- ments. Captain McPhail ordered to open ammunition depot in Staunton. Lieutenant Anderson to relieve him with ordnance reserve train. Six- teen wagon-loads issued from this train, and wagons sent to Staunton and returned loaded. On the 7th, twenty-three more loads having been issued, the wagons were loaded with damaged stores, tools, & c., from the Winchester depot (which is being broken up), and sent to Staunton to unload and return with more ammunition, except three, which are to go to Strasburg for 75 000 rounds captured ammunition reported there. Application made by General Stuart, commanding cavalry, to exchange rifles for the En- field carbines (artillery) in the hands of our infantry. Agreed to, where he could give rifles with bayonets, and in sufficient numbers to exchange the arms of an entire company and not mixed calibers. Eighteen inefficient batteries broken up, and horses, men, and guns given where needed to other batteries. Extra guns turned in to Ord- nance Department, and arrangements made for transporting them to Staunton. Friday, October 10.Position of army unchanged. Saturday, October 11.Position of army unchanged. Letter from and to General Pendleton on assignment of Parrott 20-pounders (coming from Richmond) to Lanes battery, and arrangements for sending to the rear light guns now in its possession. Note from General Jackson that all deficiencies of ordnance wagons in~ his corps should be made up. Requisitions for about twelve wagon-loads ammunition for Stuarts cavalry division. Sunday, October 12.Position of army unchanged. Monday, October 13.Position of army unchanged. Tuesday, October 14.Position of army unchanged. Cavalry under General Stuart returned from a raid into Pennsylvania and entfrely around the army of the enemy, crossing the river at Hancock, going via Mercersburg, Chambersburg, Gettysburg, Hyattstown, and Urbana, and recrossing at Whites Ford; thence to Leesbnrg and Snickersville Page 154 154 OPERATIONS IN N. VA, XV. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAr. XXXI destroying much property of the enemy and bringing back upward of 600 captured horses. Wednesday, October 15.Position of army unchanged. Telegram from Captain McPhail concerning disposition of guns turned in at Staunton. Reply: Keep all serviceable rifle and Napoleon gnus and send others to Richmond. Are any small-arms on road to Winchester I Tele- graphed to Colonel Gorgas for 2,000 arms additional to 6,000 already ordered. Telegraphed to Lieutenant Ward, Staunton: How soon can you commence supplying arms for issue, and how many per day~? Note to Capt. John Lane, Irwin Artillery, advising retention in his battery of the 3-inch navy Parrott guns, and offering to have special ammuni- tion prepared for them. Requisition from Lieutenant Fry, commanding battery, for four guns; referred to General Pendleton, to be filled from inefficient batteries; failing in this, from Stannton. Requisition from Captain Poague for 200 rounds 20-poundei Parrott ammunition tele- graphed for to Staunton. Following dispatch receiv~id 10 p. m. from Captain MePhail, Staunton: The wagons have arrived, and nothing to load them with. I have repeatedly telegraphed for what is needed to Richmond. Will send special messenger to Coloiiel Gorgas in the morning. Will not you also telegraph him 1 Telegraphed accord- ingly to Colonel Gorgas to fill all requisitions, telegraphic or written, from Captain MePhail. Thursday, October 16.Position of army unchanged. Requisition for 4,000 arms for General Longstreets corps and 1,000 extra belts for cartridge-boxes; telegraphed to Captain McPhail to prepare the latter. Seventeen wagons returned from Staunton, bringing small amount of ammunition and cavalry equipments in default of more ammunition of proper kinds at Staunton. Application from Lieutenant Archer, ord- iiance officer, General A. P. Hills division, to exchange ammunition un- suitable from exchange of armament of division for Enfield and 3-inch rifle ammunition; approved and ordered. Letter from McPhail ~n con- dition of depot at Staunton, and asking authority for the erection of sheds; referred to General Lee, who declined authorizing it. Enemy advancing apparently in force in the afternoon, driving in our pickets. Notice from General Lee, at 10 p. in., to be prepared for a fight or a marchon to-morrow morning. Friday, October 17.Troops nuder arms in camp, and wagon trains loaded and harnessed up. Headquarters camp removed half a mile to a grove. Enemy in position in Trout of our pickets during the day, but withdrew near sundown. Telegram received from Gorgas: McPhails requisitions have all been filled. Telegram from Captain McPhail: No accouterments on hand. Another: Enough received to load train; sent to Richmond for more; 2,000 taken away by Jacksons ord- nance officer on 5unday.~~ General Jacksons ordnance officer arrived to-day with twenty wagon-loads of arms and accouterments. Tele- graphed to Colonel Gorgas requisition for 600 rounds ammunition for Lanes 3-inch navy Parrotts, 300 percussion shell, and 300 spherical case. Saturday, October 18.Position of army unchanged. Sunday, October 19.Position of army unchanged. Report received from Colonel Manning of number of guns lost and abandoned in recent engagements by batteries now attached to Longstreets corps, showing one 3-inch rifle, two 12-pounder howitzers (see October 21), one 6- pounder gun, three 10-pounder Parrotts, seven caissons, and one forge. Letters written to Captains Read, Maurin, and Moorman, by whom four ~f these guns were lost, calling for explanation of the circumstatice Page 155 CHAP. XXXI.] GENERAL REPORTS. 155 attending their loss, the loss of the other three being already understood. Telegram from Captain MePhail of arrival of 3,000 arms and ~ccouter- ments in Staunton. Reply: Forward immediately. General Lee orders reduction of corps ordnance reserve trains of Jackson and Long- street to supply missing division wagons41 missing in Jacksons and 55 in Longstreets corpsbut will order no more wagons to the divisions. * * * * * * * Tuesday, October 21.Telegram from Captain McPhail of arrival at Staunton of thirty-eight guns turned in by broken-up batteries, with chests full of ammunition. Reply: Write to Colonel Gorgas for boxes and men to pack it. Colonel Corley requested to hurry quartermaster at Staunton in sending forward arms. Telegram from MePhail of ar- rival of heavy guns from Winchester. Replied: Send to ~Richmond. Letter from Captain Read that the 3-inch gun lost by him was brought off the field by my reserve ordnance train and saved. From Captain Manrin that rifled piece lost by him was abandoned in woods at night, his road being lost and horses broken down; sent for next day, but had been removed; does not know by whom. From Captain Moormah, that Colonel Mannings report that he had lost two Parrotts and a caisson was incorrect; one Parrott only had axle cut, and was hauled to the rear, and taken by some one (probably my reserve train, which brought off several) while the men had gone for another carriage for it. This reduces Mannings report of losses by two Parrotts and one 3-inch. Wednesday, October 22.Position of army unchanged. Thursday, October 23.Position of army unchanged. Friday, October 24.Position of army unchanged. Saturday, October 25.General Walkers division moved to Paris Gapq of the Blue Ridge. General Jacksons corps tearing up Baltimore and Ohio Railroad beyond Martinsburg. Position of rest of army unchanged. Letter to Colonel Gorgas, asking 1,000 arms and 2,000 extra accouter- ments in addition to those already asked for; also for extra fuses, Whit- worth shell, Manuals prepared by Ordnance Board, and recent edition of Ordnance Manual, mallets, Borman fuse-openers, concerning examina- tion of Lieutenants Duffy and Ward, and recommending that a gun and two caissons lost by Captain Lloyd be charged to him. Report received from Captain Baruwell and Colonel Cutts of losses of ordnance in Mary- land campaign and of ammunition on hand in reserve batteries. Colonel Cutts reports having been left on mountain at Boonsborough on the morning after the battle without orders, with four 6-gun batteries, and having found Captains Bondurant and Lloyd near by, also without orders. Not knowing where the army was, he withdrew as best he could, being nearly surrounded by enemy, and in retreating had to leave two guns, whose axles brokeone of Captain Lloyds (iron 6-pounder) and one of Captain Ross (12-pounder howitzer). Report submitted to Getieral Lee. Sunday, October 26.Position of army unchanged. Monday, October 27.Position of army unchanged. Requisition from Capt. J. B. Cooke, chief of ordnance cavalry division, for 500 Sharps carbines, 6 Smiths carbines, 500 saddles, bridles, halters, & c. Reply: None on hand. Requisitions will be made on Richmond for saddles, & c.~ Army en route for eastern slope of mountains. Orders received to move with reserve ordnance train between Pendletons artillery and Longstreets corps. Wednesday, October 29.Left General Lees headquarters, and, join- ing ordnance train, marched to INineveh, 11 miles from Winchester, and encamped. In passing through Winchester heard of arrival on anothe Page 156 156 OPflRATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. tOHAP. XXXI. road of ten wagon-loads of arms and accouterments from Staunton. Dispatched messenger to take them to Colonel Manning for General Longstreets corps. Thursday, October 30.In camp at Kineveli, awaiting passage of Long- streets corps. Friday, October 31.In camp, awaiting passage of Longstreets corps. Saturday, November 1..Moved with reserve ordnance train from Nineveh across the Shenandoah, and encamped near Front Royal, in rear of General Pendletons reserve artillery. Sunday, November 2.Moved with train across the Blue Ridge Mountains, and encamped near Gaines Cross-Roads. Monday, November 3.Moved with train on road to Culpeper Court- House, via Sperryville, and encamped on pike 16 miLes from Culpeper. Issued on road 200 rounds 3-inch ammunition and 500 friction-primers to Stuart Horse Artillery. Tuesday, November 4.Moved with train to Culpeper Court-House, and encamped with General Lees headquarters train, encamping near town. Telegram from Captain McPhail, October 29, that Captain Strib. ling wanted two 24-pounder howitzers, captured at Harpers Ferry. Replied: Issue them, and move everything to Gordonsville. Thursday, November 6.Longstreets corps in position about Cul. peper; Jackson across Blue Ridge, about Manassas Gap. Large force of enemy advancing toward the Rappahannock, and continued hot skir- mishing of the cavalry in front. Moved ordnance train to camp nearer headquarters. Friday, November 7.Ordered to assume command of Col. S. ID. Lees battalion of artillery, but not relieved from ordnance duty until arrival of some officer to replace me. Monday, November 10.Reconnaissance in force made by General Stuart, causing heavy firing in front all day. Wagon trains and bat- teries harnessed up all day. Saturday, November 15.Report from Colonel Manning, chief [of] ordnance, First Corps, of probably 1,500 surplus arms, & c., on hand after arming. recruits for whole corps. Requisition received at night (after telegrm~phing to General Jackson to know if he still wanted arms) for 4,500 arms and accouterments for General Jacksons corps (Second). Enemys camp shelled by General Stuart Page 157 CHAr. XXXL.] TIlE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 157 SEPTEMBER 3-20, 1862.The Maryland Campaign. SUM fAR~Y OF TIE{E~ PRINCIPAL EVENTS. Sept. 3, 18(52.The Army of Northern Virginia marches toward Leesburg, Va. Occupation of Winchester, Va., by the Confederate forces. Skirmish near Martinsbarg, W. Va. Brig. Gen. Aiphens S. Williams, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Second Corps, Army of Virginia. Maj. Gen. Jesse L. Reno, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Ninth Army Corps. 3 4, 1862.Skirmishes at Falls Church, Va. Skirmish at Bunker Hill, W. Va. Skirmish at Edwards Ferry, Md. Reconnaissances from Harpers Ferry to Lovettsville and Charles- town, W. Va. Skirmish at Monacacy Aqueduct, Md. 4 5, 1862.Skirmishes at Poolesville, Md. Skirmishes at Point of Rocks an(l Berlin, Md. 4- 7, 1862.The Army of Northern Virginia crosses the Potomac by the fords near Leesburg. 5, 18(52.The armies of the Potomac and of Virginia being consolidated, Maj. Gen. John Pope, U. S. Army, is relieved, and directed to report for orders to tbe Secretary of War. 7, 1862.Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Third Corps, Army of Virginia, vice Mnj. Gen. Irvin McDowell. Skirmish at Darkesyille, W. Va. Skirmish at Point of Rocks, Md. 8, 1862.Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Arn~y, assumes command of the Defenses of Washington. Skirmish at Poolesyille, Md. 9, 18(52.Skirmishes at Monocacy Church and Barnesville, Md. 10, 18(52.Skirmish near Boonsborougb, Md. Skirmish near Frederick, Md. 1011, 1862.Skirmishes at Sugar Loaf Mountain, Md. 11, 1862.Skirmish between Williamsport, Md., and Martinsbnrg, W. Va. 12, 1862.The First, Second, and Tbird Corps, Army of Virginia, designated respectively as the Eleventh, Twelfth, and First Army Corps. Skirmishes at Frederick, Md. 1215, 1862.Siege and capture of Harpers Ferry, W. Va., including actions on Maryland and Bolivar Heights. 13, 1862.Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, U. S. Army, assigned to command of the Second Corps, Army of Virginia. Skirmishes at Catoctin Mountain, Middletown, Jefferson, and South Mountain, Md. 14, 1862.Battles of South Mountain (Boonsborough, Boonsborough Gap, or Turners Pass) and Cramptons Pass, Md. Skirmish near Petersville, Md. Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Ninth Army Corps. 15, 1862.Maj. Gen. Joseph R. F. Mansfield, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Second Corps, Army of Virginia. Skirmish at Boonsborough, Md. Skirmish on Antietam Creek, near Keedysville, Md. 1617, 1862.Battle of Antietam, or Sharpsburg, Md Page 158 158 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., Ml)., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. Sept. 17, 1862.Brig. Gen. Aipheus S. Williams, U. S. Army, resumes command of the Second Corps, Army of Virginia. Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, U. S. Army, nssumes command of the Third Corps, Army of Virginia. 18, 1862.Brig. Gen. Aipheus S. Williams, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Twelfth Army Corps. 1819, 1862.The Army of Northern Virginia recrosses the Potomac near Shepherds- town, W. Va. 19, 1862.Skirmishes at Sharpsburg, Shepherdstown (Blaclifords, or Botelers) Ford, and near Williamsport, Md. 20, 1862.Action near Shepherdstown, W. Va. Skirmish near Hagerstown, Md. Skirmish near Williamsport, Md. I~EPORTS.* ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. No. 1.Organization of the Army of the Potomac, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, U. S. Army, commanding, September 1417, 1862. No. 2.Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, U. S. Army, commanding Army 6f the Potomac, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, with congratu- latory orders, & c. No. 3.Return of casualties in the Union forces at the battle of Cramptons Pass, Md. No. 4.Return of casualties in the Union forces at the battle of South Mountain (Turners Pass), Md. No. 5.Return of casualties in the Union forces at the battle of Antietam, Md. No. 6.Return of casualties in the Union forces in the skirmishes at Sharpsburg, Shepherdstown Ford, and near Williamsport, Md., September 19, and action near Shepherdstown, W. Va., September 20, 1862, and general summary for the campaign. No. 7.Brig. Gen. Henry J. Hunt, U. S. Army, Chief of Artillery, Army of the Po- tomac, of operations September 520. No. 8.Brig. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton, U. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division, of operations September 417. No. 9.Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, U. S. Army, commanding First Army Corps, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, with congratulations of General McClellan. No. 10.Brig. Gen. John P. Hatch, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, of the battle of South Mountain. No. 11.Brig. Gen. Abner Doubleday, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 12.Capt. J. Albert Monroe, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Chief of Artil- lery First Division, of the battle of Antietam. No. 13.Licut. James Stewart, Battcry B, Fourth U. S. Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. No. 14.Col. Walter Phelps, jr., Twenty-second New York Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 15.Licut. Col. J. William Hofmann, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, com. manding Second Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 16.Col. William P. Wainwright, Seventy-sixth New York Infantry, of the bat- tle of South Mountain. No. 17.Lient. Col. J. William Hofmann, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of South Mountain. * See also general reports, pp. 4139 Page 159 CuAr. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 159 No. 18.Capt. Frederick Williams, Fifty-~dxth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 19.Brig. Gen. Marsena R. Patrick, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 20.Licut. Col. Theodore B. Gates, Eightieth New York Infantry (Twentieth Militia), of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 21.Brig. Gen. John Gibbon, U. S. Army, commanding Fourth Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 2~2.Col. Solomon Meredith, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, of the battle of South Mountain. No. 23.Capt. William XV. Dudley, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 24.Col. Lucius Fairchild, Second Wisconsin Infantry, of the battle of South Mountain. No. 23.Lient. Col. Edward S. Bragg, Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 26.Capt. John B. Callis, Seventh Wisconsin Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Autietam. No. 27.Brig. Gen. James B. Ricketts, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 28.Capt. James MacThomson, One hundred and seventh Pennsylvania Infan- try, First Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 29.Lient. Col. Richard H. Richardson, Twenty-sixth New York Infantry, Second Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 30.Lient. Samuel A. Moffett, Ninety-fourth New York Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 31.Capt. Henry R. Myers, Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, of thebattle of Antietam. No. 32. Col. Peter Lyle, Ninetieth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 33.Brig. Gen. George G. Meade, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 34.Capt. James H. Cooper, Battery B, First Pennsylvania Light Artillery, of the battle of South Mountain. No. 33.Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of South Mountain. No. 36.Col. Albert L. Magilton, Fourth Pennsylvania Reserves, commanding Sec- ond Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 37.Lieut. Col. Robert Anderson, Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves, commanding Third Brigade, of the battle of South Mountain. No. 38.Maj. Gen. Edwia V. Sumner, U. S. Army, commanding Second and Twelfth Army Corps, of the battle of Antietam. No. 39.Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, Second Army Corps, of the battle of Antietam. No. 4Q.Capt. Rufus D. Pettit, Battery B, First New York Light Artillery, of skir- mish on Antietam Creek and battle of Antietam. No. 41.Lieut. Evan Thomas, Battery A, Fourth U. S. Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. No. 42.Brig. Gen. John C. Caidwell, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 43.Col. Edward E. Cross, Fifth New Hampshire Infantry, of skirmish at Boons- borough and battle of Antietam. No. 44.Capt. Charles Brestel, Seventh New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 43.Col. Francis C. Barlow, commanding Sixt~v-first and Sixty-fourth New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam Page 160 160 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAP. XXXL No. 46.Lient. Col. Nelson A. Miles, Sixty-first New York Infantry, commanding Sixty-first and Sixty-fourTh New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 47.Maj. H. Boyd MeKeen, Eighty-first Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 48.Brig. Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 49.Lient. Col. Henry Fowler, Sixty-third New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 50.Maj. James Cavanagh, Sixty-ninth New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 51.Lient. Col. Patrick Kelly, Eighty-eighth New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 52.CoL John R. Brooke, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 53.Capt. David L. Stricker, Second Delaware Infantry, of skirmish on Antietam Creek and battle of Antietam. No. 54.Col. Paul Frank, Fifty-second New York Infantry, of skirmish on Antietam Creek and battle of Antietam. No. 55.Maj. Alford B. Chapman, Fifty-seventh New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 56.Capt. Julius Wehie, Sixty-sixth New York Infantry, of the battle of An- tietam. No. 57.Lieut. Col. Richards McMichael, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 58.Brig. Gen. Oliver 0. Howard, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, of the battle of Antietam. No. 59.Capt. John A. Tompkins, Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. No. 60.Lient. George A. Woodruff, Battery I, First U. S. Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. No. 61.Brig. Gen. Willis A. Gorman, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 62.Lient. Col. John W. Kimball, Fifteenth Massachnsetts Infantry, of the bat- tle of Antietam. No. 63.Col. Alfred Sully, First Minnesota Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 64.Col. James A. Suiter, Thirty-fourth New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 65.Col. Henry W. Hudson, Eighty-second New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 66.Col. Joshua T. Owen, Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 67.Brig. Gen. Napoleon J. T. Dana, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 68.Col. Norman J. Hall, Seventh Michigan Infantry, commanding Third Bri- gade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 69.Capt. H. G. 0. Weymouth, Nineteenth Massachusetts Infantry, of the bat. tle of Antietam. No. 70.Brig. Gen. William Th French, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, of the battle of Antietam. No. 71.Capt. John D. Frank, Battery G, First New York Light Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. No. 72.Capt. Charles D. Owen, Battery G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, oi the battle of Antietam. No. 73.Brig. Gen. Nathan Kimball, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of Antietam Page 161 THE MARYLAND CAMPAiGN. CHAP. XXXI.] . 161 No. 74.Col. William Harrow, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, of the battle of An- tietam. No. 75.Licut. Col. Franklin Sawyer, Eighth Ohio Infantry, of the battle of An- tietam. No. 76.Lieut. Col. Vincent M. Wilcox, One liundred and thirty-second Pennsyl- vania Infantry,.of the battle of Antietam. No. 77.Col. Joseph Snider, Seventh West Virginia Infantry, of the battle of An- tietam. No. 78.Col. Dwight Morris, Fourteenth Connecticut Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 79.Lieut. Col. Sanford H. Perkins, Fourteenth Connecticut Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 80.Col. Oliver H. Palmer, One hundred and eighth New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 81.Col. Henry I. Zinn, One hundred and thirtieth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 82.Col. John W. Andrews, First Delaware Infantry, commanding Third Bri- gade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 83.Col. John W. Andrews, First Delaware Infantry, of the battle of Antietani. No. 84.Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter, U. S. Army, commanding Fifth Army Corps, of the battle of Antietam, skirmish at Blackfords or Botelers Ford, and action near Shepherdstown. No. 85.Licut. Col. William Hays, U. S. Army, conimanding Artillery Reserve, of the battle of Antietam and skirmish at Blackfords or Botelers Ford. No. 86.Capt. XVilliam M. Graham, Battery K, First U. S. Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. No. 87.Capt. John B. Isler, First U. S. Sharpshooters, of skirmish at Blackfords or Botelers Ford. No. 88. Col. James Barnes, Eighteenth Massachusetts Infantry, commanding First Brigade, First Division, of action near Shepherdstown. No. 89.Lient. Col. James Gwyn, One hundred and eighteenth Pennsylvania Infan- try, of action near Shepherdstown. No. 90.Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade, First Division, of operations September 1727, including skirmish at Blackfords or Botelers Ford. No. 91.Brig. Gen. George Sykes, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, of the battle of Antietam, skirmish at Blackfords or Botelers Ford, and action near Shepherdstown. No. 92.Lient. Alanson M. Randol, Battery E, First U. S. Artillery, of the battle of Antietam, and skirmish at Shepherdstown Ford (Blackfords or Botelers Ford). No. 93.Capt. Stephen H. Weed, Battery I, Fifth U. S. Artillery, of the battle of Antietam, skirmish at Blackfords or Botelers Ford, and action near Shepherdstown. No. 94.Lient. William E. Van Reed, commanding Battery K, Fifth U. S. Artillery, of operations September 1122, including the battle of Antic tam, skirmish at Blackfords or Botelers Ford, and action near Shepberdstown. No. 95.Lient. Col. Robert C. Buchanan, Fourth U. S. Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of Antietam and skirmish at Shepherdstown Ford. No. 96.Capt. John D. Wilkins, Third U. S. Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 97.Capt. Hiram Dryer, Fourth U. S. Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 98.Capt. Matthew M. Blunt, Twelfth U. S. Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 99. Capt. Thomas M. Anderson, Twelfth U. S. Inflintry, of the battle of Antic- tam. 11 R HVOL XIX, PT Page 162 162 OPERATIONS iN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. No. 100.Capt. W. harvey Brown, Fourteenth U. S. Infantry, of the battle of Antie- tam. No. 101.Capt. David B. McKibbin, Fourteenth U. S. Infantry, of the battle of An- tietam. No. 102.Maj. Charles S. Lovell, Tenth U. S. Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of action near Shepherdstown. No. 103.Licut. John S. Poland, Second U. S. Infantry, commanding battalion Second and Tenth U. S. Infantry, of the battle of Antietam and action near Shep- herdstown. No. 104.Capt. Levi C. Bootes, Sixth U. S. Infantry, of the battle of Antietam and action near Shepherdetown. No. 105.Maj. DeL. Floyd-Jones, Eleventh U. S. Infantry, of the battle of Autietani and action near Shepherdstown. No. 106.Maj. George L. Andrews, Seventeenth U. S. Infantry, of action near Shop- herdstown. No. 107.Capt. Cleveland Winslow, Fifth New York Infantry, Third Brigade, of the battle of Antietam, skirmish at Shepherdstown Ford, and action near Shepherdstown. No. 108.Brig. Gen. Andrew A. Humphreys, U. S. Army, conimandiug Third Divis- ion, with application for a Court of Inquiry. No. 109.Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, U. S. Army, commanding Sixth Army Corps, of the battles of Cramptons Pass and Antietam. No. 110.Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, of the battles of Cramptons Pass and Antietam. No. 111.Cot A. T. A. Torbert, First New Jersey Infantry, commanding First Bri- gade, of the battle of Cramptons Pass. No. 112.Lient. Col. Mark W. Collet, Third New Jersey Infantry, commanding First New Jersey Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 113.Col. Samuel L. Buck, Second New Jersey Infantry, of the battles of Cramp- tons Pass and Antiet~m. No. 114.Col. Henry W. Brown, Third New Jersey Infantry, of the battle of Cramp- tons Pass. No. 115.Col. William B. Hatch, Fourth New Jersey Infantry, of the battle of Cramptons Pass. No. 116.Col. Joseph J. Bartlett, Twenty-seventh New York Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of the battle of Cramptons Pass. No. 117.Col. Nathaniel J. Jackson, Fifth Maine Infantry, of the battle of Cramp- tons Pass. No. 118.Lient. Col. Joel J. Seaver, Sixteenth New York Infantry, of the battle of Cramptons Pass. No. 119.Licut. Col. Alexander D. Adams, Twenty-seventh New York Infantry, of the battle of Cramptons Pass. No. 120.Col. Henry L. Cake, Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battles of Cramptons Pass and Antietam. No. 121.Brig. Gen. John Newton, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade, of the battle of Ciamptons Pass. No. 122.Lient. Col. George R. Myers, Eighteenth New York Infantry, of the battle of Cramptons Pass. No. 123.Lient. Col. Francis E. Pinto, Thirty-second New York Infantry, coruniand- ing Thirty-first New York Infantry, of the battle of Cramptons Pass. No. 124.Col. Gustavus W. Town, Ninety-fifth Iennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Cramptons Pass. No. 125.~Iaj. Gen. William F. Smith, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, of ~he battles of Cramptons Pass and Antietam Page 163 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 163 No. 126.Capt. Roineyn B. Ayres, Fifth U. S. Artillery, Chief of Artillery, of the battles of Cramptons Pass and Antietam. No. 127.Lient. Theodore J. Vanneman, Battery B, Maryland Light Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. No. 128.Capt. Andrew Cowan, First New York Battery, of the battle of Antie- tam. No. 129.Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of the battles of Cramptons Pass and Antietam. No. 130.Brig. Gen. W. T. H. Brooks, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade, of the battles of Crarnptons Pass and Antietam. No. 131.Col. William H. Irwin, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of the battles of Cramptons Pass and Antietain. No. 132.Maj. Thomas W. Hyde, Seventh Maine Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 133.Col. Ernest Von Vegesack, Twentieth New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 134.Lient. Col. Joseph W. Corning, Thirty-third New York Infantry, of the battles of Cramptons Pass and Antietam. No. 135.Maj. George W. Johnson, Forty-ninth New York Infantry, of the battle of Autietam. No. 136.Capt. Nathan S. Babcock, Seventy-seventh New York Infantry, of the battles of Cramptons Pass and Antietam. No. 137.Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Buruside, U. S. Army. commanding Right Wing, Army of the Potomac, of operations September 719. No. 138.Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, U. S. Army, commanding Ninth Army Corps, of the battle of Antietam. No. 139.Brig. Gen. Orlando B. Wilcox, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 140.Capt. Asa M. Cook, Eighth Massachusetts Battery, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 141.Lient. John N. Coffin, commanding left section Eighth Massachusetts Bat- tery, of the battle of Antietam. No. 142.Lient. Samuel N. Benjamin, Battery E, Second U. S. Artillery, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 143.Col. Benjamin C. Christ, Fiftieth Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 144.Col. Thomas Welsh, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding Sec- ond Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 145.Lieut. CoL Joseph Gerhardt, Forty-sixth New York Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 146.Brig. Gen. Samuel D. Sturgis, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 147.Brig. Gen. James Nagle, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of the bat- tles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 148.Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 149.Col. Harrison S. Fairchild, Eighty-ninth New York Infantry, commanding First Brigade, Third Division, of skirmish near Jefferson, and battles 01 South Mountain and Antietam. ~ No. 150.Maj. Edward Jardine, Eighty-ninth New York Infantry, First Brigade, Third Division, of colors captured at Autietam. No. 151.Col. Edward Harland, Eighth Connecticut Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, Third Division, of the battle of Antietam. No. 152.Maj. J. Edward Ward, Eighth Connecticut Infantry, of the battle of An- tietam Page 164 164 OPERATIONS iN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. No. 153.Lieut. Col. Joseph B. Curtis, Fourth Rhode Island Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 134.Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, U. S. Army, commanding Kanawha Division, of the battle of South Mountain. No. 155.Col. Eliakim P. Scammon, Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of South Mountain, and, commanding Kanawha Division, of the battle of Antietam. No. 156.Col. Hugh Ewing, Thirtieth Ohio Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 157.Capt. James R. MeMullin, First Ohio Battery, of the battle of South Mountain. No. 158.Col. Carr B. White, Twelfth Ohio Infantry, of the battles of South Mount- ain and Antietam. No. 159.Ma.j. James M. Comly, Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 160.Col. Hugh Ewing, Thirtieth Ohio Infantry, of the battle of South Mountain. No. 161.Maj. George H. Hildt, Thirtieth Ohio Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 162.Col. George Crook, Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry, commanding Second Bri- gade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 163.Maj. Lyman J. Jackson, Eleventh Ohio Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. No. 164.Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams, U. S. Army, commanding Twelfth Army Corps, of the battle of Antietam. No. 165.Capt. Clermont L. Best, Fourth U. S. Artillery, Chief of Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. No. 166.Capt. George W. Cotliran, Battery M, First New York Light Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. No. 167.Brig. Gen. Samuel W. Crawford, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, of the battle of Antietain. No. 168.Col. Joseph F. Knipe, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 169.Lient. CoL James S. Fillebrown, Tenth Maine Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 170.Lient. Col. James L. Selfridge, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 171.Maj. Isaac L. Haldeman, One hundred and twenty-fourth Pennsylvania In- fantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 172.Col. Jacob Higgins, One hundred and twenty-fifth Pennsylvania infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 173.Maj. Joel B. Wanner, One hundred and twenty-eighth Pennsylvania In- fantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 174.Brig. Gen. George H. Gordon, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 175.Col. Silas Colgrove, Twenty-seventh Indiana Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 176.Col. George L. Andrews, Second Mmsaehusetts Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 177.CoL Ezra A. Carman, Thirteenth New Jersey Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 178.Col. Robert B. Van Valkenburgh, One hundred and seventh New York in- fantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 179.Col. Thomas H. Huger, Third Wisconsin Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 180.Brig. Gen. George S. Greene, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, of the battle of Antietam Page 165 t~TIAP. XXXI.1 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 165 No. 181.Maj. Orrin J. Crane, Seventh Ohio Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 182.Maj. John Collins, Fifth Ohio Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 183.Capt. Fred. A. Seymour, Seventh Ohio Infantry, of the battle of Antie- tam. No. 184.Lient. Col. Eugene Powell, Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 185.Maj. William Raphael, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the bat- tle of Antietam. No. 186.Lieiit. CoL James C. Lane, One hundred and second New York Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 187.Lieut. Col. Joseph M. Sudsburg, Third Maryland Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 158.Lient. Col. James C. Lane, One hundred and second New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietarn. No. 189.Maj. Thomas M. Walker, One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 190.Lient. Col. Charles R. Brundage, Sixtieth New York Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. No. 191.Capt. Levin B. Day, Third Delaware Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 192.Lient. Col. Benjamin L. Simpson, Purnell Legion, Maryland Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 193.Lient. CoL Charles R. Brundage, Sixtieth New York Infantry, of the bat- tle of Antietam. No. 194.Capt. Henry R. Stagg, Seventy-eighth New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. No. 195.Col. Arno Voss, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, of skirmishes at Bunker Hill and Darkesville, W. Va. No. 196.Maj. Gen. John E. Wool, U. S. Army, commanding Middle Department, of the siege of Harpers Ferry. No. 197.Brig. Gen. Julius White, U. S. Army, commanding, of the evacuation of Martinsburg and the siege of Harpers Ferry. No. 198.Lient. Henry M. Binney, Tenth Maine Infantry, aide-dc-camp, of opera- tions at Harpers Ferry September 115. No. 199.Col. George L. Willard, One hundred and twenty-fifth New York Infantry, of the siege of Harpers Ferry September 1415. No. 200.Col. Thomas H. Ford, Thirty-second Ohio Infantry, commanding brigade, of action on Maryland Heights. No. 201.Maj. Henry B. McIlvaine~ Fifth New York Heavy Artillery, of operations at Harpers Ferry August 27September 15. No. 202.Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Maryland Heights and Harpers Ferry. No. 203.Record of the Harpers Ferry Military Commission. ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. No. 204.Organization of the Army of Northern Virginia, General Robert E. Lee commanding, during the Mary land Campaign.* No. 205.Snrg. Lafayette Guild, C. S. Army,~Medical Director Army of Northern Vir- ginia, of killed and wounded at Boonsborough (South Mountain or Tur- ners Pass), Cramptons Gap, Harpers Ferry, Sharpsbnrg (Antietam), and Shepberdstown (Blackfords or Botelers Ford). No. 20(i.Maj. Gen. James E. B. Stuart, C. S. Army, commanding cavalry, of opera- tions September 220. * For General Lees report, see p. 139 Page 166 166 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. No. 207.Brig. Gen. Wade Hampton, C. S. Army, commanding cavalry brigade, of operations September 220. No. 208.Col. Thomas T. Munford, Second Virginia Cavalry, commanding brigade, of operations September 420. No. 209.Brig. Gen. Beverly H. Robertson, C. S. Army, commanding cavalry, of op- erations September 4. No. 210.Brig. Gen. William N. Pendleton, C. S. Army, Chief of Artillery, of opera- tions August 20September 24. No. 211.Capt. John G. Barnwell, Reserve Artillery, of operations September 1419. No. 212.Lient. Gen. James Longstreet, C. S. Army, commanding. Army Corps, of operations September 218. No. 213.Lient. Col. P. T. Manning, Chief of Ordnance, of the number of guns and caissons lost, & c., in the Maryland Campaign. No. 214.Col. Stephen D. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding artillery battalion, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 215.Capt. Marcellus N. Moorman, commanding artillery battalion, of the loss of artillery at Sharpsburg. No. 216.Capt. Victor Maurin, commanding company of Donaldsonville Artillery, of the loss of artillery, & c., at Blackfords or Botelers Ford. No. 217.Col. J. B. Walton, Washington (Louisiana) Artillery, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 218.Maj. Gen. Lafayette MeLaws, C. S. Army, commanding division, of opera- tions September 1017. No. 219.Brig. Gen. J. B. Kershaw, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of operations September 1218. No. 220.Capt. John P. W. Read, commanding battery, of operations September 17. No. 221.Col. James D. Nance, Third South Carolina Infantry, of action on Maryland Heights and battle of Sharpsburg. No. 222.Brig. Gen. Howell Cobb, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of the battle of Cramptons Pass. No. 223.Lient. Col. William MacRae, Fifteenth North Carolina Infantry, command- ing Cobbs brigade, of the battle of Sharpsbnrg. No. 224.Brig. Gen. Paul J. Semmes, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of the battles of Cramptons Pass and Sharpsbnrg. No. 225.Capt. Basil C. Manly, commanding North Carolina Battery, of the battle of Cramptons Pass. No. 226.Maj. W. C. Holt, Tenth Georgia Infantry, of the battle of Cramptons Pass. No. 227.Capt. P. H. Loud, Tenth Georgia Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 228.Capt. S. W. Marshborne, Fifty-third Georgia Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 229.Capt. E. J. Willis, Fifteenth Virginia Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 230.Col. E. B. Montague, Thirty-second Virginia Infantry, of the battles of Cramptons Pass and Sharpsburg. No. 231.Brig. Gen. William Barksdale, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 232.Capt. A. M. Feltus, Sixteenth Mississippi Infantry, of Featherstons bri- gade, Andersons division, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 233.Maj. Gen. David R. Jones, C. S. Army, comman(ling division, of operations September 219. No. 234.Brig. Gen. Robert Toombs, C. S. Army, commanding division (temporary), of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 235.Brig. Gen. Richard B. Garnett, C. S. Army, commanding Picketts brigade, of the battles of Boonshorough and Sharpsburg. No. 236.Col. Eppa Hunton, Eighth Virginia Infantry, of the battles of Boonsbor- ough and Sharpsburg Page 167 CSAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 167 No. 237.Maj. George C. Cabefl, Eighteenth Virginia Infantry, of the battles of Boons- borough and Sharpsburg. No. 238.Capt. B. Brown, Nineteenth Virginia Infantry, of the battles of Boonsbor- ough and Sharpsburg. No. 239.Col. William D. Stuart, Fifty-sixth Virginia Infantry, of the battle of Boonshorough. No. 240.Capt. John B. MePhail, Fifty-sixth Virginia Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 241.Col. Montgomery D. Corse, Seventeenth Virginia Infantry, Kempers bri- gade, Jones division, of the battles of Boousborough and Sharpsburg. No. 242.Col. Joseph Walker, Palmetto Sharpshooters, commanding Jenkins bri- gade, of operations September 1419. No. 243.Col. George T. Anderson, Eleventh Georgia Infantry, commanding brigade, of operations September 217. No. 244.Maj. F. H. Little, Eleventh Georgia Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 245.Brig. Gen. John G. Walker, C. S. Army, commanding division, of operations September 919. No. 246.-Col. B. D. Hall, Ferty-sixth North Carolina Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 247.Brig. Gen. Robert Ransom, jr., C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 248.Brig. Gen. John B. Hood, C. S. Army, commanding division, of the battles of Boonshorough and Sharpsburg. No. 249.Maj. B. W. Frobel, C. S. Army, Chief of Artillery, of the battle of Sharps- burg. No. 250.Col. W. T. Wofford, Eighteenth Georgia Infantry, commanding Hoods brigade (Texas Brigade), of the battle of Shar~sburg. No. 251.Lient. Col. S. Z. Ruff, Eighteenth Georgia Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 252.Lieut. CoL M. W. Gary, Hampton Legion, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 253.Lient. Col. P. A. Work, First Texas Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 254.Lieut. Col. B. F. Carter, Fourth Texas Infantry, of the battle of Sharps- burg. No. 255.Capt. Ike N.M. Turner, Fifth Texas Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 256.Col. B. M. Law, Fourth Alabama Infantry, commanding brigade, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 257.Brig. Gen. Nathan G. Evans, C. S. Army, commanding brigade and division, of operations September 1417. No. 258.Col. P. F. Stevens, Holcombe (South Carolina) Legion, commanding Evans brigade, of the battles of Boonshorough and Sharpsburg. No. 259.Capt. II. Boyce, commanding Macbeth (South Carolina) Light Artillery, of the battle of Sharpsbnrg. No. 260.Col. F. W. McMaster, Seventeenth South Carolina Infantry, of the battles of Boonshorough and Sharpsburg. No. 261.Col. W. H. Wallace, Eighteenth South Carolina Infantry, of the battles of Boonshorough and Sharpsbnrg. No. 262.Maj. M. Hilton, Twenty-second South Carolina Infantry, of the battles of Boonshorough and Sharpsbnrg. No. 263.Capt. 8. A. Durham, Twenty-third South Carolina Infantry, of the battles of Boonsborough and Sharpsburg. No. 264.Lient. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, C. S. Army, commanding Army Corps, of operations September 527. No. 265.Capt. J. L. Bartlett, Signal Officer, C. S. Army, of operations about lIar- pers Ferry, W. Va Page 168 168 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AN~ PA. [CHAP. XXXi. No. 266.Maj. John A. Tiarman, C. S. Army, Chief Quartermaster, of captured prop- erty during the second and third quarters, 1862. No. 267.Maj. W. J. Hawks, C. S. Army, Commissary of Subsistence, of captured property. No. 268.Col. S. Crutelifield, C. S. Army, Chief of Artillery, of operations September 1319. No. 269.Brig. Gen. Jubal A. Early, C. S. Army, commanding Ewells division, of operations September 327. No. 270.Mnj. J. H. Lowe, Thirty-first Georgia Infantry, commanding Lawtons brigade, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 271.Col. James A. Walker, Tbirteentli Virginia Infantry, commanding Trim. bles brigade, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 27-2.Brig. Gen. Harry T. Hays, C. S. Army, commanding First Louisiana Bri- gade, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 273.Maj. Gen. Ambrose P. Hill, C. S. Army, commanding Light Division, of operations September 2November 3. No. 274.Lient. Col. R. L. Walker, C. S. Army, commanding Artillery Battalion, of operations September 1317. No. 275.Brig. Gen. James H. Lane, C. S. Army, commanding Branchs brigade, of operations September 220. No. 276.Brig. Gen. Samuel McGowan, C. S. Army, of operations of Greggs brigade, September 3December 3. No. 277.Col. D. H. Hamilton, First South Carolina Infantry, of operations Septem- ber 220. No. 278.Lient. Col. James M. Perrin, First South Carolina Rifles, of operations September 1520. No. 279Maj. W. H. McCorkle, Twelfth South Carolina Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg and action near Shepherdstown. No. 280.Col. 0. E. Edwards, Thirteenth South Carolina Infantry, of operations September 1519. No. 281.Capt. Joseph N. Brown, Fourteenth South Carolina Infantry, of operations September 1520. No. 282.Brig. Gen. James J. Archer, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of opera- tions September 1420. No. 283.Capt. F. M. Johnston, Nineteenth Georgia Infantry, of operations August 16September 21. No. 284.Maj. James H. Neal, Nineteenth Georgia Infantry, of operations September 4October 19. No. 285. Brig. Gen. Willi~m D. Fender, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of opera- tions September 15-20. No. 286.Brig. Gen. Edward L. Thomas, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of opera- tions September 1420. No. 287.Brig. Gen. John R. Jones, C. S. Army, commanding Jacksons division, of operations September 717. No. 2~8.Capt. W. T. Poaguc, commanding Rockbridge Artillery, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 289.Maj. H. J. Williams, Fifth Virginia Jufantry, commanding Winders bri- gade, of operations September 119. No. 290.Capt. F. C. Wilson, Twenty-seventh Virginia Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 291.Col. Leroy A. Stafford, Ninth Louisiana Infantry, commanding Starkes brigade, of operations August 31October 5. No. 292.Col. Edmund Pendleton, Fifteenth Louisiana Infantry, commanding Starkes brigade, of operations September 1317 Page 169 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 169 No. 293.Maj. Gen. Daniel H. 11111, C. S. Army, commanding divisiofl, of operations July 2:3September 17. No. 294.Capt. Thomas H. Carter, commanding King William (Virginia) Artillery, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 295.Brig. Gen. Roswell S. Ripley, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of the battles of Boonsborough and Sharpsburg. No. 296.Brig. Gen. B. E. Bodes, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of the battles of Boonsborough and Sharpsburg. No. 297.CoL D. K. McRae, Fifth North Carolina Infantry, commanding Garlands brigade, of the battles of Boonsborongh and Sharpsbnrg. No. 298.Capt. Thomas M. Garrett, Fifth North Carolina Infantry, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 299.Lieut. Col. Thomas Ruffin, jr., Thirteenth North Carolina Infantry, of the battle of Boonsborough. No. 300.Col. R. T. Bennett, Fourteenth North Carolina Infantry, commanding Andersons brigade, of the battle of Sharpsburg. No. 301.Col. Bryan Grimes, Fourth North Carolina Infantry, of the battle of Boons- borough. No. 302.Capt. A. J. Griffith, Fourteenth North Carolina Infantry, of operations September 1417. No. 303.Maj. William W. Sillers, Thirtieth North Carolina Infantry, of the battles of Boonsborough and Sharpsburg. No. 304.Col. A. H. Colquitt, Sixth Georgia Infantry, commanding brigade, of the battles of Boonsborough and Sharpsbnrg. No. 305.Confederate Roll of Honor. No. 1. Organization of the Army of the Potomac, .Miaj. Gen. George B. McClellan, U. AS~. Army, commanding, & ptember 1417, 1S62.* [Compiled from the records of the Adjutant-Generals Office.] GENERAL HEADQUARTERS. ESCORT. Capt. JAMES B. McINTYRE. Independent Company Oneida (New York) Cavalry, Capt. Daniel P. Mann. 4th U. S. Cavalry, Company A, Lient. Thomas H. McCormick. 4th U. S. Cavalry, Company B, Capt. James B. McIntyre. VOLUNTEER ENGINE~IR BRIGADE.t Brig. Gen. DANIEL P. WOODBURY. 15th New York, Col. John MeL. Murphy. 50th New York, Lieut. Col. William H. Pettes. REGULAR ENGINEER BATTALION. Capt. JAMES C. DUANE. On September 14 the right wing of the army, consisting of the First and Ninth Corps, was commanded by Major-General Buruside; the center, composed of the Second :uiid Twelfth Corps, by Major-General Sumner; and the left wing, comprising the Sixth Corps and Conchs 4ivisioa (Fourth Corps), by Major-General Franklin. tDetached at Washington, D. C., since September 7 Page 170 170 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. PROVOST GUARD. Maj. WILLIAM H. WOOD. 2(1 U. S. Cavalry, Companies E, F, H, and K, Capt. George A. Gordon. 8th U. S. Infantry, Companies A, D, F, and G, Capt. Royal T. Frank. 19th U. S. Infantry, Company G, Capt. Edmund L. Sniith. 19th U. S. Infantry, Company 11, Capt. Henry S. Welton. hEADQUARTERs GUARD. Maj. GRANVILLE 0. HALLER. Sturges (Illinois) Rifles,t Capt. James Steel. 93d New York, Limit. Col. Benjamin C. Butler. QUARTERMASTERS GUARD. 1st U. S. Cavalry, Companies B, C, H, and I, Capt. Marcus A. Reno. FIRST ARMY CORPS4 (1.) Maj. Gen. JOSEPH HOOKER. ~S (2.) Brig. Gen. GEORGE G. MEADE. ESCORT. 2d New York Cavalry, Companies A, B, I, ail(l K, Capt. John E. Naylor. FIRST DIVISION. (1.) Brig. Gen. RUFUS KING. I (2.) Brig. Gen. JOHN P. hATCH. (3.) Brig. Gen. ARNEn I)OUBLEDAY. First Brigade. Third Brigade. Col. WALTER PHELPS, Jr. Brig. Gen. MARSENA R. PATRICK. 22d New York, Lient. Col. John MeKie, Jr. 21st New York, Co]. William F. Rogers. 24th New York, Capt. John D. OBrian. 23d New York, Col. lIenry C. Hoffman. :10th New York, Col. William M. Searing. 35th New York, Col. Newton B. Lord. 84th New York (14th Militia), Maj. Will- S0~h New York (20th Militia), Lient. Col. iam H. de Bevoise. Theodore B. Gates. 2d U. S. Sharpshooters, Col. Henry A. V. Post. Fourth Brigade. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. JOHN GIBRoN. (1.) Brig. Gen. ABNER DOUBLEDAY. 19th Indiana: (2.) Col. William F. WAINWRIGHT.~S Col. Solomon Meredith. (3.) Lient. Col. J. WILLIAM HOFMANN. Lient. Col. Alois 0. Bachman. Capt. William W. Dudley. 7th Indiana, MaJ. Ira G. Grover. 2d Wisconsin: 76th New York: Col. Lucius Fairchild. Col. William P. Wainwright. Lient. Col. Thomas S. Allen. Capt. John XV. Young. 6th Wisconsin: 95th New York, Maj. Edward Fye. Lient. Col. Edward S. Bragg. 56th Pennsylvania: Maj. Rnfus R. Dawes. Lient. Col. J. William Hofmann. 7th Wisconsin, Capt. John B. Callis. Capt. Frederick Williams. * The composition of this command is not fully reported on the returns. Detached at Washington, D. C., since September 7. Designation changed from Third Corps, Army of Virginia, to First Army Corps by General Orders, No. 129, Adjutant-Generals Office, September 12, 1862. ~ Wounded September 17. II Relieved September 14. Wounded September 14 Page 171 171 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. Artillery. Capt. J. ALBERT MONROE. New Hampshire Light, First Battery, Lient. Frederick M. Edgell. 1st Rhode Island Light, Battery D, Capt. J. Albert Monroe. 1st New York Light, Battery L, Capt. John A Reynolds. 4th UnIted States, Battery B: Capt. Joseph B. Campbell. Lient. James Stewart. SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. JAMES B. RICKETTS. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. ABRAM DURYEA. 97th New York, Maj. Charles Northrup. 104th New York, Maj. Lewis C. Skinner. 105th New York, Col. Howard Carroll. 107th Pennsylvania, Capt. James Mac Thomson. Second Brigade. (1.) Col. WILLIAM A. CHRISTIAN. (2.) Col. PETER LYLE. 26th New York, Lient. Col. Richard TI. Richardson. 94th New York, Lient. Col. Calvin Lit- tiefield. 88th Pennsylvania: Lient. Col. George W. Gile. Capt. Henry R. Myers. 90th Pennsylvania: Col. Peter Lyle. Lient. Col. William A. Leech. Third Brigade. (1.) Brig. Gen. GEORGE L. IIARTSUFF.* (2.) Col. RICHARD COULTER. 16th Maine,t Col. Asa W. Wildes. 12th Massachusetts: Maj. Elisha Burbank. Capt. Benjamin F. Cook. 13th Massachusetts, Maj. J. Parker Gould. 83d New York (9th Militia), Lieut. Col. William Atterbury. 11th Pennsylvania: Col. Richard Coulter. Capt. David M. Cook. Artillery. 1st Pennsylvania ]Aght, Battery F, Capt. Ezra W. Matthews. Pennsylvania Light, Battery C, Capt. James Thompson. THIRD DIVISION. (1.) Brig. Gen. GEORGE G. MEADE. (2.) Brig. Gen. TRUMAN SEYMOUR. First Brigade. Second Brigade. (1.) Brig. Gen. TRUMAN SEYMOUR. Col. ALBERT L. MAGILTON. (2.) Col. R. BIDDLE ROBERTS. 3d Pennsylvania Reserves, Lient. Col. 1st Pennsylvania Reserves: John Clark. Col. R. Biddle Roberts. 4th Pennsylvania Reserves, Maj. John Capt. William C. Talley. Nyce. 24 PennsylvaniaReserves, Capt. James 7th Pennsylvania Reserves: N. Byrnes. Col. Henry C. Bolinger. 5th Pennsylvania Reserves, Col. Joseph Maj. Chauncey A. Lyman. W. Fisher. 8th Pennsylvania Reserves, Maj. Silas M. 6th Pennsylvania Reserves, Col. Will- Baily. jam Sinclair. 13th Pennsylvania Reserves (1st Rifles): Col. Hugh W. McNeil. Capt. Dennis McGee. * Wounded September 17. t Joined September 9, and detached September 13 as railroad guard. CHAP.~ XXXI. Page 172 172 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXt Third Briqade. (1.) Col. THOMAS F. GALLAGHER.~ (2.) Lient. Col. ROBERT ANDERSON. 9th Pennsylvania Reserves: Lient. Col. Robert Anderson. Capt. Samuel B. Dick. 10th Pennsylvania Reserves: Licut. Col. Adoniram J. Warner. Capt. Jonathan P. Smith. 11th Pennsylvania Reserves, Liect. Col. Samuel M. Jackson. 12th Pennsylvania Reserves, Capt. Richard Gustin. Artillery. 1st Pennsylvania Light, Battery A, Lient. John G. Simpson. 1st Pennsylvania Light, Battery B, Capt. James II. Cooper. 1st Pennsylvania Light, Battery G,t Lient. Frank P. Amsden. 5th United States, Battery C, Capt. Dunbar R. Ransom. SECOND ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. EDWIN V. SUMNER. ESCORT. 6th New York Cavalry, Conipany D, Capt. Henry W. Lyon. 6th New York Cavalry, Company K, Capt. Riley Johnson. FIRST DIVISION. (1.) Maj. Gen. ISRAEL B. RICHARDSON. t (2.) Brig. Gen. JOHN C. CALDWELL. (3.) Brig. Gen. WINFIIeLD S. HANCOCK. First Brigade. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. JOIIN C. CALDWELL. (1.) Brig. Gen. THOMAS F. MEAGITER. (2.) Col. JOHN BuJI1I~. 5th New hampshire, Col. Edward E. 29th Massachusetts, Licut, Col. .Joseph H. Cross. Barnes. 7th New York, Capt. Charles Brestel. (33d Neu York: (list New Yorl- ( Col. Francis C. Barlow. Col. John Burke. 64th New ~ Lient. Col. Nelson A. Lieut. Col. Henry Fowler. York,~M iles. Maj. Richard C. Bentley. 81st Pennsylvania, Maj. H. Boyd MeKeen. Capt. .Iosei)li ONeill. 69th New York: Lient. Col. James Kelly. Maj. James Cavanagh. 88th New York, Lient. Ccl. Patrick Kelly. Third Brigade. Col. JOHN R. BROOKE. 2d Delaware, Capt. David L. Stricker. 52d New York, Col. Paul Frank. 57th New York: Lieut. Col. Philip J. Parisen. Maj. Alford B. Chapman. 66th New York: Capt. Julius Wehie. Lient. Col. James ii. Bull. 53d Pennsylvania, Lient. Col. Richards MeMiehaci. Wounded Septeniher 14. Detached at Washington, D. C., since, September 6. Wounded September 17 Page 173 CuAr. XXXI.J THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 173 Artillery. 1st New York Light, Battery B, Capt. Rufus D. Pettit. 4th U. S., Batteries A and C, Lieut. Evan Thomas. SECOND DIVISION. (1.) Maj. Gen. JOHN SEDGwIcK.* (2.) Brig. Gen. OLIVER 0. HOWARD. First Brigade. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. WILLIS A. GORMAN. (1.) Brig. Gen. OLIVER 0. HOWARD. John W. (2) Col. JOSHUA T. OWEN. 15th Massachusetts, Licut. Col. (3:) Col. Dn WITT C. BAXTER. Kimball. 1st Minnesota, Col. Alfred Sully. 69th Pennsylvania, Col. Joshua T. Owen. 34th New York, Col. James A. Suiter. 71st Pennsylvania: 82d New York (2d Militia), Col. Henry Col. Isaac J. Wistar. W. Hudson. Licut. Richard P. Smith (adju- Massachusetts Sharpshooters, First Coin- tant). pany, Capt. John Saunders. Capt. Enoch E. Lewis. Minnesota Sharpshooters, Second Coin- 72d Pennsylvania, Col. DeWitt C. Bax- ~)any, Capt. William F. Russell. ter. 106th Pennsylvania, Col. Turner G. More- head. Third Brigade. (1.) Brig. Gen. NAPOLEON J. T. DANA.* (2.) Col. NORMAN J. HALL. 19th Massachusetts: Col. Edward W. Hinks. Lieut. Col. Arthur F. Devereux. 20th Massachusetts, Col. William R. Lee. 7th Michigan: Col. Norman J. Hall. Capt. Charles J. Hunt. 42d New York: Lient. Col. George N. Boinford. Maj. James E. Mallon. 59th New York, CoL William L. Tidball. Artillery. 1st Rhode Island Light, Battery A, Capt. John A. Tompkins. 1st United States, Battery I, Lient. George A. Woodruffi THIRD DIVISION. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM H. FRENCH. Second Brigade. Col. DWIGHT Moinas. .14th Connecticut. Lient. Col. Sanford 11. Perkins. 108th New York, Col. Oliver 1-I. Palmer. 130th Pennsylvania. Col. henry I. Ziun. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. NATHAN KIMBALL. 14th indiana, Col. William Harrow. 8th Ohio, lAcut. Col. Franklin Sawyer. 132d Pennsylvania: Col. Richard A. Oakford. Lient. Col. Vincent M. Wilcox. 7th West Virginia, Col. Joseph Snider. Third Brigade. (1.) Brig. Gen. MAX WEBER. (2.) Col. JOHN W. ANDREWS. 1st Delaware: Col. John W. Andrews. Lient. Col. Oliver Hopkinson. 5th Maryland: Ma.j. Leopold Blunienberr. Capt. E. F. M. Faehtz. 4th Ne~v York, Licut. Col. John I). McGregor. * Wounded September 17 Page 174 174 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CuAr. XXXL UNATTAChED ARTILLERY. 1s~ New York Light, Battery G, Capt. John D. Frank. 1st Rhode Island Light, Battery B, Capt. John G. Hazard. 1st Rhode Island Light, Battery G, Capt. Charles D. Owen. FOURTH ARMY CORPS. FIRST DIvISIoN.~ Maj. Gen. DARIUS N. CoUcii. J!trst Brigade. Second Brigade. Brig. Gee. CHARLES DEVENS, Jr. Brig. Gen. ALIIION P. hOWE. 7th Massachusetts, Col. David A. Russell. 62d New York, Col. David J. Nevin. 10th Massachusetts, Col. Henry L. Eustis. 93d Pennsylvania, Col. James M. Me- 36th New York, Col. William H. Browne. Carter. 2d Rhode Island, Ccl. Frank Wheaton. 98th Pennsylvania, Ccl. John F. Ballier. 102d Pennsylvania, Col. Thomas A. Row- ley. 139th Pennsylvania,t Cob Frank H. Col- lier. Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. JOHN COORRANE. 65th New York, Col. Alexander Shaler. 67th New York, Cob Julius W. Adams. 122d New York, Col. Silas Titus. 23d Pennsylvania, Col. Thomas H. Neill. 61st Pennsylvania, Col. George C. Spear. 82d Pennsylvania, Col. David H. Williams. Artillery. New York Light, Third Battery4 Capt. William Stuart. 1st Pennsylvania Light, Battery C, Capt. Jeremiah McCarthy. 1st Pennsylvania Light, Battery D, Capt. Michael Hall. 2d United States, Battery G, Lieut. John H. Butler. FIFTH ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. FITZ Jo~ PORTER. ESCORT. 1st Maine Cavalry (detachment), Capt. George J. Summat. FIRST DIVISION. Maj. Gcn. GEORGE W. MORELL. 11!tr8t Brigade. Second Brigade. Col. JAMES BARNES. Brig. Gen. CHARLES GRIFFIN. 2d Maine, Col. Charles W. Roberts. 2d District of Columbia, Col. Charles 18th Massachusetts, Lieut. Cob Joseph M. Alexander. Hayes. 9th Massachusetts, Col. Patrick R. 22d Massachusetts, Licut. Col. William Guiney. S. Tilton. 32d Massaohusetts,Col. FrancisJ. Parker. 1st Michigan, Capt. Emory W. Belton. 4th Michigan, Col. Jonathan W. Childs. lJth New York, Cob Elisha G. Marshall. 14th New York, Col. James McQuade. 25th New York, Cob Charles A. Johnson. 62d Pennsylvania,Col. Jacob B. Sweitzer. 11~th Pennsylvania, Col. Charles M. Pre- yost. Ma~ssachusetts Sharpshooters, Second Com- pany, Capt. Lewis E. Wentworth. * Assigned to the Sixth Corps as tl~e Third Division September 26, 1862. Joined September 17. Joined September 1.~ Page 175 CHAr. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 175 Third Brigade. Col. T. B. IV. STOCKTON. 20th Maine, Col. Adelbert Ames. 1(ith Michigan, Lieut. Col. Norval B. Welch. 12th New York, Capt. William Huson. 17th New York, Lient. Col. Nelson B. Bartrani. 44t1~ New York, Maj. Freeman Conner. & ld Pennsylvania, Capt. Orpheus S. Woodward. Michigan Sharpshooters, Bradys company, Lient. Jonas Ii. Titus, Jr. Artillery. Massachusetts Light, Battery C, Capt. Augustus P. Martin. 1st Rhode Island Light, Battery C, Capt. Richard Waterman. 5th United States, Battery D, Licut. Charles B. Hazlett. Sharpshooters. 1st United States, Capt. John B. Isler. SECOND DIVISION. Brhr. Gen. GEORGE SYKES. Ezrst Brigade. Second Brigade. LieiA. Col. ROBERT C. BUCHANAN. Maj. CHARLES S. LOVELL. 3d United States, Capt. John D. Wilkins. 1st and 6th United States, Capt. Levi C. itls United States, Capt. Hiram Dryer. Bootes. 12th United States, First Battalion, Capt. 2d and 10th United States, Capt. John Matthew M. Blunt. S. Poland. 12th United States, Second Battalion, 11th United States, Capt. DeL. Floyd- Capt. Thomas M. Anderson. Jones. 14th United States, First Battalion, Capt. 17th United States, Maj. George L. An W. Harvey Brown. drews. 14th United States, Second Battalion, Capt. David B. MeKibbin. Third Brigade. Col. GOIJVERNEUR K. WARREN. oth New York, Capt. Cleveland Winslow. 10th New York, Lient. Col. John W. Marshall. Artillery. 1st United States, Batteries B and G, Lient. Alanson M. Randol. 5th United States, Battery I, Capt. Stephen H. Weed. 5th United States, Battery K, Lieut. William E. Van Reed. THIRD DIvISIoN.* Brig. Gen. ANDREW A. TIUMPHREYS. First Brigade. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. ERASTUS B. TYLER. Col. PETER H. ALLABACH. 91st Pennsylvania, Col. Edgar M. Greg- 123d Pennsylvania, Col. John B. Clark. ory. 131st Pennsylvania, Lient. Col. William 126th Pennsylvania, Col. James G. Elder. B. Shaut. 129th Pennsylvania, Col. Jacob G. Prick. 133d Pennsylvania, Col. Franklin B. 134th Pennsylvania, Col. Matthew S. Speakmar~. Quay. 155th Pennsylvania, Col. Edward J. Allen. * This (hivision was organized September 12, and reached the battlc-Iiehl Septem- ber 16 Page 176 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CIIAP. XXXI. 176 Artillery. Capt. Lucius N. ROBINSON. 1st New York Light, Battery C, Capt. Aliiiont Barnes. 1st Ohio Light, Battery L, Capt. Lucius N. Robinson. ARTILLERY RESERVE.* Lieut. Col. WILLIAM HAYS. 1st Battalion New York Light, Battery A, Lieut. Bernhard Wever. 1st Battalion New York Light, Battery B, Lient. Alfred von Kielser. 1st Battalion New York Light, Battery C, Capt. Robert Langner. 1st Battalion New York Light, Battery D, Capt. Charles Kusserow. New York Light, Fifth Battery, Capt. Elijah D. Taft. 1st United States, Battery K, Capt. William M. Graham. 4th United States, Battery G, Lient. Marcus P. Miller. SIXTH ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. WILLIAM B. FRANKLIN. ESCORT. 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Companies B and G, Capt. Henry P. MLlirheid. FIRST DIvI~oN. Maj. Gen. hENRY W. SLOCUM. Pirat Brigade.. Second Brigade. Col. ALFRED T. A. TORBERT. Col. JosEPh J. BARTLErr. 1st New Jersey, Licut. Col. Mark W. Col- 5th Maine, Col. Nathaniel J. Jackson. let. 16th New York, Lieut. Col. Joel J. Seaver. 2d New Jersey, Col. Samuel L. Buck. 27th New York, Lient. Col. Alexander D. 3d New Jersey, Col. Henry W. Browim. Adams. 4th New Jersey, Col. William B. Hatch. 96th Pennsylvania, Col. Henry L. Cake. Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. JOHN NEWTON. 18th New York, Lient. Col. George R. Myers. 31st New York, Licut. Col. Francis E. Pinto. 32d ~ew York: Col. Roderiek Matheson. Maj. George F. Leinoim. 95th Pennsylvania, Col. Gustavus W. Town. Artillery. Capt. EMORY UPTON. Maryland Light, Battery A, Capt. John W. Wolcott. Massachusetts Light, Battery A, Capt. .Josiah Porter. New Jersey Light, Battery A, Capt. Williammi Hexarner. 2(1 United ~tates, Battery D, Lient. Ed~vard B. Williston. * Batteries detached from the reserve are embraced in the Foster of the eommapd~ with which they served Page 177 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 177 SECOND DIvISION. Maj. Gon. WILLIAM F. SMITH. Fir8t Brigade. Second Brigade. (1.) Brig. Gen. WINFIELD S. HANCOCK.~ Brig. Gen. XV. T. H. BROOKS. (2.) Col. AMASA COBB. 2d Vermont, Maj. James H. Waibridge. 6th Maine, Col. Hiram Bnrnham. 3d Vermont, Col. Breed N. Hyde. 43(1 New York, Maj. John Wilson. 4th Vermont, Lieut. Ccl. Charles B. 49th Pennsylvania, Lient. Col. William Stoughton. Brisbane. 5th Vermont, Col. Lewis A. Grant. 137th Pennsylvania, Col. Henry M. Bcs- 6th Vermont, Maj. Oscar L. Tuttle. sert. 5th Wisconsin, Col. Amasa Cobb. Third Brigade. Col. WILLIAM H. IRWIN. 7th Maine, Maj. Thomas XV. Hyde. 20th New York, Col. Ernest von Vegesack. 33d New York, Licut. Col. Joseph W. Corning. 49th New York: Lieut. Col. William C. Alberger. Maj. George W. Johnson. 77th New York, Capt. Nathan S. Babcock. Artillery. Capt. ROMEYN B. AYRES. Maryland Light, Battery B, Lieut. Theodore J. Vanneman. New York Light, 1st Battery, Capt. Andrew Cowan. 5th United States, Battery F, Liout. Leonard Martin. NINTH ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. AMBROSE E. BUENSIDE. ~ Maj. Gen. JESSE L. RENO. ~ Brig. Gen. JACOB D. Cox. ESCORT. 1st Maine Cavalry, Company G, Capt. Zebulon B. Blethen. FIRST DIvISION. Brig. Gen. ORLANDO B. WILLOOX. Fir8t Brigade. Second Brigade. Col. BENJAMIN C. CHRIST. Col. THOMAS WELSH. 28th Massachusetts, Capt. Andrew P. Ca- 8th Michigan:11 raher. Licut. Col. Frank Graves. 17th Michigan, Col. William H. Withing- Maj. Ralph Ely. ton. 46th New York, Licut. Col. Joseph Ger- 79th New York, Licut. Col. David Morn- hardt. son. 45th Pennsylvania, Lient. Col. John I. 50th Pennsylvania: Curtin. Maj. Edward Overton. 100th Pennsylvania, Lient. Col. David A. Capt~ William H. Diehl. Leckey. * Assigned to command of First Division, Second Army Co-ps, September 17. The Third Battery New York Light Artillery transferred to Couchs division Sep- tember 15. ~ On the 16th and 17th Major-General Buruside exercised general command on the left, and Brigadier-General Cox was in immediate command of the corps. ~S Killed September 14. II Transferred from First Brigade September 16. 12 R RVOL XIX, PT Page 178 178 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL Artillery. Massachusetts Light, Eighth Battery, Capt. Asa M. Cook. 2d United States, Battery E, Lieut. Samuel N. Benjamin. SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. SAMUEL D. STURGIS. Ifir8t Brigade. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. JAMES NAGLE. Brig. Gen. EDWARD FERRERO. 2d Maryland, Lient. Col. J. Eugene 21st Massaehu8etts, Col. William S. Clark. Duryca. 35th Massachusetts: 6th New Hampshire, Col. Simon G. Griffin. Col. Edward A. Wild. 9th New Hampshire, Col. Enoch Q. Fel- Lient. Col. Sumner Carruth. I& ws. 51st New York, Col. Robert B Potter. 48th Pennsylvania, Lient. Col. Joshua K. 51st Pennsylvania, Col. John F. Hart- Sigfried. ranft. Fir8t Brigade. Col. HARRISON S. FAIRCHILD. 9th New York, Lieut. Col. Edgar Kimball. 89th New York, Maj. Edward Jardine. 103d New York, Maj. Benjamin Ringold. Artillery. Pennsylvania Light, Battery D, Capt. George W. Durell. 4th United States, Battery E, Capt. Joseph C. Clark, jr. THIRD DIVISION. Brig. Gen. ISAAC P. RODMAN.* Second Brigade. Col. EDWARD IIARLAND. A. 8th Connecticut: Licut. Col. Hiram Appehnan. Maj. John E. Ward. 11th Connecticut, Col. Henry W. Kings- bury. 16th Connecticut,t Col. Francis Beach. 4th Rhode Island: Col. William H. P. Steere. Licut. Col. Joseph B. Curtis. Artillery. 5th United States, Battery A, Licut. Charles P. Muhlenberg. KANAWHA DIVISION. - (1.) Brig. Gen. JACOB D. Cox. (2.) Col. ELIAKIM P. SCAMMON. J!ir8t Brigade. (1.) Col. ELIAKIM P. SCAMMON. (2.) Col. HUGH EWING. 12th Ohio, Col. Carr B. White. 23d Ohio: Lieut. Col. Rutherford B. Hayes. Maj. James M. Comly. 30th Ohio: Col. Hugh Ewing. Lient. Col. Theodore Jones. Maj. George H. Hildt. Ohio Light Artillery, First Battery, Capt. James R. MeMullin. Gilmores company West Virginia Cavalry, Lient. James Abraham. Harrisons company West Virginia Cav- alry, Lient. Dennis Delaney. * Wounded September 17. Second Brigade. Col. GEORGE CROOK. 11th Ohio: Lient. Col. Augustus II. Coleman. Maj. Lyman J. Jackson. 28th Ohio, Lient. Col. Gottfried Becker. 36th Ohio, Lient. Col. Melvin Clarke. Sehambecks conipany Chicago Dra- goons, Capt. Frederick Schambeck. Kentucky Light Artillery, Simmonds bat- tery, Capt. Seth J. Simmonds. t Assigned September 16 Page 179 ChAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 179 UNATTACHED. 6th New York Cavalry (eight companies), Col. Thomas C. Devin. Ohio Cavalry, Third Independant Company, Lieut. Jonas Seamen. 3d U. S. Artillery, Batteries L and M, Capt. John Edwards, jr. TWELFTH ARMY CORPS.* (1.) Maj. Gen. JOSEPH K. F. MANSFIELD.t (2.) Brig. Gen. ALPHEUS S. WILLIAMS. ESCORT. 1st Michigan Cavalry, Company L, Capt. Melvin Brewer. FIRST DIVISION. (1.) Brig. Gen. ALPHEUS S. WILLIAMS. (2.) Brig. Gen. SAMUEL W. CRAWFORD4 (3.) Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. GORDON. First Brigade. Third Brigade. (1.) Brig. Gen. SAMUEL W. CRAWFORD. (1.) Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. GORDON. (2.) Col. JOSEPH F. KNIPE. (2.) Col. THOMAS H. RUGER. 5th Connecticut,~ Capt. Henry W. Da- 27th Indiana, Col. Silas Colgrove. boll. 2d Massachusetts, Col. George L. An- 10th Maine, Col, George L. Beak drews. 28th New York, Capt. William H. II. 13th New Jersey, Col. Ezra A. Carruan. Mapes. 107th New York, Col. R. B. Van Valken- 4(5th Pennsylvania: burgh. Col. Joseph F. Knipe. Zonaves dAfrique,II Pennsylvania. Lient. Col. .James L. Selfridge. 3d Wisconsin, Col. Thomas H. Ruger. 124th Pennsylvania: Col. Joseph W. hawley. Maj. Isaac L. Haldeman. 125th Pennsylvania, Col. Jacob Higgins. 128th Pennsylvania: Col. Samuel Croasdale. Licut. Col. William W. 11am- mersly. Maj. Joel B. Wanner. SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. GEORGE S. GREENE. First Brigade. Second Brigade. (1.) Lieut. Col. HECTOR TYYDALE. Col. HENRY J. STAINROOK. (2.) Maj. OnRIN J. CRANE. 3d Maryland, Lient. Col. Joseph M. 5th Ohio, Maj. John Collins. Sudsburg. 7th Ohio: 102d New York, Lient. Col. James C. Maj. Orrin J. Crane. Lane. Capt. Frederick A. Seymour. 109th Pennsylvania,tt Capt. George E. 29th Ohio,** Lient. Theron S. Winship. Seymour. 66th Ohio, Lient. Col. Eugene Powell. 111th Pennsylvania, Maj. Thomas M. Wal- 28th Pennsylvania, Maj. Ario Pardee, jr. ker. * Designation changed from Second Corps, Army of Virginia, to Twelfth Army Corps, by General Orders, No. 129, Adjutant-Gencrats Office, September 12, 1862. Mortally wounded September 17. ~ Wounded September 17. ~S Detached at Frederick, Md., since September 15. ii No officers present; enlisted men of company attached to Second Massachusetts. Wounded September 17. ~** Detached September 9. tt Detached September 13 Page 180 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. Third Brigade. (1.) Col. WILLIAM B. GooDRICIr.* (2.) Lient. Col. JONATHAN AUSTIN. 3d Delaware, Maj. Arthur Maginnis. Purnell Legion, Maryland, Licut. Ccl. Benjamin L. Simpson. 60th New York, Lient. Col. Charles R. Brundage. 78th New York: Lieut. Col. Jonathan Austin. Capt. Henry R. Stagg. ARTILLERY. Capt. CLERMONT L. BEST. Maine Light, 4th Battery, Capt. ONeil W. Robinson. Maine Light, 6th Battery, Capt. Freeman MeGilvery. 1st New York Light, Battery M, Capt. George W. Cothran. New York Light, 10th Battery, Capt. John T. Bruen. Pennsylvania Light, Battery E, Capt. Joseph M. Knap. Pennsylvania Light, Battery F, Capt. Robert B. Hampton. 4th United States, Battery F, Lieut. Edward D. Muhlenberg. CAVALRY DIVISION. Brig. Gen. ALFRED PLEASONTON. First Brigade. Third Brigade. Maj. ChARLES J. WnITING. Col. RICHARD H. RUSH. 5th United States, Capt. Joseph H. Mc- 4th Pennsylvania: Arthur. Col. James H. Childs. 6th United States, Capt. William P. San- Lieut. Col. James K. Kerr. ders. 6th Pennsylvania, Liemit. Col. C. Smith. Second Brigade. Col. JOHN F. FARNSWORTH. 8th Illinois, Maj. William H. Medill. 3d Indiana, Maj. George II. Chapman. 1st Massachusetts, Capt. Casper Crownin- shield. 8th Pennsylvania, Capt. Peter Keenan [I]. Fifth Brigade. Col. BENJAMIN F. DAVIS. 8th New York, Col. Benjamin F. Davis. 3d Pennsylvania, Lient. Col. Samuel W. Owen. Fourth Brigade. Col. ANDREW T. MCREYNOLDS. 1st New York, Maj. Alouzo W. Adams. 12th Pennsylvania, Maj. James A Comvr~ don. Artillery. 2d United States, Battery A, Capt. John C. Tidball. 2d United States, Batteries B and L, Capt. James M. Robertson. 2d United States, Battery M, Lient. Peter C. Hams. 3d United States, Battcries C and G, Capt. Horatio G. Gibson. Unattached. 1st Maine Cavalry,t Col. Samuel H. Allen. 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry (detachment), Col. William J. Palmer. *Killcd September 17. t Detached at Frederick; Md. 18 Page 181 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 181 No. 2. Reports of ]Ifaj. Gen. Georqe B. McClellan, U. S. Army, commanding Army of the Potonwc, of the battles oJ ~SOuth ]liountain and Antietarn, with congratulatory o~rdcrs,~ & c. NEAR SHARPSBURG, MD., September 29, 18621.30 p. in. I have the honor to report the following as some of the results of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam: At South Mountain our loss was 443 killed, 1,806 wounded, and 76 missiu~ total, 2,325. At An- tietam our loss was 2,010 killed, 9,416 wounded, and 1,043 missing; total, 12,469. TotaL loss in the two battles, 14,794.t The loss of rebels in the two battles, as near as can be ascertained from the number of their dead found upon the field, and from other data, will not fall short of the following estimate: Major Davis, assistant inspector-general, who superintends the burial of the dead, reports about 3,000 rebels buried upon the field of Antietamby our own troops. Previons to this, how- ever, the rebels had buried many of their own dead upon the distant l)ortion of the battle-field, which they occupied after the battleprob- al)ly at least 500. The loss of the rebels at South Mountain cannot be ascertained with accuracy, but as our troops continually drove them from the commencement of the action, and a much greater number of their dead were seen on the field than of our own men, it is not unrea- sonable to suppose that their loss was greater than ours. Estimating their killed at 500, the total rebel killed in the two battles would be 4,000, according to the ratio of our own killed and wounded. This would make their loss in wounded 18,742, as nearly as can be deter- mined at this time. The number of prisoners taken by our troops in the two battles will, at the lowest estimate, amount to 5,000. The full re- turns will no doubt show a larger number. Of these about 1,200 are wounded. This gives the rebel loss in killed and wounded and prison- ers 25,542. It will be observed that this does not include their strag- glers, the number of whom is said by citizens here to be large. It may be safely concluded, therefore, that the rebel army lost at least 30,000 of their best troops during their brief campaign in Maryland. From the time our troops first encountered the enemy in Maryland until he was driven back into Virginia, we cal)tnred 13 guns, 7 caissons, 9 lim- bers, 2 field forges, 2 caisson bodies, 39 colors, and 1 signal flag. We have not lost a single gun or color on the battle-field of Antietamn. Four- teen thousand small-arms were collected, besides the large number car- ried off by citizens and those distributed on the ground to recruits and other unarmed men arriving immediately after the battle. At South Mountain no collection of small-arms was made, owing to the haste of the pursuit from that point. Four hundred were taken on the opposite side of the Potomac. GEG. B. McCLELLAN, Major- General, Commanding. Major-General JIALLECK, General-in- Chief. WASHINGTON, D. C., September 30, 1862. Major-General MCCLELLAN, Commanding, & c.: GENERAL: Your report of yesterday, giving the results of the battles of South Mountain and Autietam, has been received and submitted to the President. These were hard-fought battles, but well-earned and * See also general reports, pp. ~I694. t But see revised statement, pp. 184~O4 Page 182 182 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAP. XXXL decided victories. The valor and endurance of your army in the sev- eral conflicts which terminated in the expulsion of the enemy from the loyal State of Maryland are creditable alike to the troops and to the officers who commanded them. A grateful country, while mourning the lamented dead, will not be unmindful of the honors due the living. H. W. HALLECK, Chief. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, September 19, 1862.8.15 p. m. (IReceived 8.30 p. in.) Maj. Gen. II. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief: As an act of justice to the merits of that most excellent officer, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, who was eminently conspicuous for his gallantry and ability as a leader in several hard-fought battles in Virginia, and who, in the battle of Antietam Creek, on the 17th instant, was wounded at the head of his corps while leading it forward in action, I most urgently recommend him for the appointment of brigadier-general in the U. S. Army, to fill the vacancy created by the (heath of the late Brigadier-General Mansfield. This would be but a lit reward for the service Genera] Hooker rendered his country. I feel sure his appoint- ment would gratify the entire army. GEG. B. MCCLELLAN, Major- General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Camp near ASrharp8burg, Md., September ~ Brigadier-General THOMAS, 1862. Adjutant- General, U. S. Army: GENERAL: There will be sent to you, with other trophies of the en- gagement on Antietam Creek, a battle-flag which was taken by Private Thomas flare, of Company I), Eighty-ninth Regiment New York Volun- teers, in the most gallant manner. Private Hare was afterward killed. I beg that a copy of this letter may be referred to the Commissioner of Pensions, with the request that he will extend every facility to the fiunily of the deceased in obtaining readily the pension to which they are entitled under the law. I also request that this communication may be laid before the President, with the hope that he will be pleased to ask of Congress to mark their appreciation of the gallantry and devo- tion of Private Hare by some additional provision for his family any other way in which they may see fit. or in I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant GEO. B. MCCLELL~& N ]Ifajor- General, U. S. Army. GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, No. 160. Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., October 3, 1862. The commanding general extends his congratulations to the army under his command for the victories achieved by their bravery at the passes of the South Mountain and upon the Antietam Creek. The brilliant conduct of ILlenos and Hookers corps, under Burnside, at Turn~~~~ Gap, and of Franklins corps at Cramptons Pass, in which, in the face of an enemy strong in position and resisting with obstinacy, they carried the mountain and prepared the way for the advance of the army, won for them the admiration of their brethren in arms Page 183 CuAP. XXXI.) THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 183 In the memorable battle of the Antietam we defeated a numerous and powerfal army of the enemy, in an action desperately fought and remarkable for its duration and for the destruction of life which attended it. The obstinate bravery of the troops of Hooker, Mansfield, and Sum- ner, the dashing gallantry of those of Franklin on the right, the sturdy valor of those of Burnside on the left, and the vigorous support of Porter and Pleasonton, present a brilliant spectacle to our countrymen which will swell their hearts with pride and exultation. Fourteen guns, 39 colors, 15,500 stand of arms, and nearly 6,000 prisoners taken from the enemy, are evidences of the completeness of our triumph. A grate- fiil country will thank this noble army for achievements which have rescued the loyal States of the East from the ravages of the invader and have driven him from their borders. While rejoicing at the victories which, under Gods blessing, have crowned our exertions, let us cherish the memory of our brave compan- ions who have laid down their lives upon the battle-field. Martyrs in their countrys cause, their names will ever be enshrined iii the hearts of the people. By command of Major-General McClellan: S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 3. Return of Casualties in the Union forces at the battle of Gramptons Pass Md. [Compiled from nominal lists of casualties, returns, & e.] Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. a a a Command. ~ - . a ~ a ~ Q ~t (~ -~ p., -~ p., o 0 0 ~jJ o j~ a Q ~ o r~ 0 0 ~1 -~ General staff 1 1 5th Maine Infantry 4 1 27 32 lit New Jersey Infantry 7 3 31 41 2d New Jersey Infantry 10 1 44 55 3(1 New Jersey Infantry 11 2 27 . 40 4th New Jersey Infantry 1 9 3 23 36 litliNewYorklnfantry 20 1 40 61 18th New York infantry 1 10 1 40 2 54 27th New York Infantry 6 2 25 33 31st New York Infantry 1 3 4 :32d New York Infantry 1 10 3 37 51 95th Pennsylvania Infantry 1 14 15 96th Pennsylvania Infantry 2 18 71 91 2d ve~ont Infantry 5 4th vermont Infantry 1 10 11 6th Yermont Infantry 1 2 3 Total - 5 108 19 399 2 533 OFFICERS KILLED. Lient. Josiah S. Studdeford, Fourth New Maj. Lewis J. Martin, 96th Pennsylvania. Jersey. Lient. John Dougherty, 96th Penusyl- Capt. William Horsfall, 18th New York. vania. Lieut. Louis R. Wright, 3-2d New York. OFFICERS MORTALLY WOUNDED. Col. Roderick Matheson, 32d New York. Maj. George F. Lemon, :32d New York Page 184 184 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAr. XXXI. No. 4. Return of Casualties in the Union forces at the battle of South Mountain (Turners, Mid. [Compiled from nominal lists of casualties, returns, & c.] Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. ci ci ci Command, S ci u . . cc a ci U~ ci ~ p.. p.. .p~ Q cc ci cc ci ci p.. :~ ~ ;~ Hi 0 F~ 0 r~ o RIGHT WING, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. Maj. Gen. AMBROSE E. BURXSIDE. FiRST ARMY Coups. Maj. Gen. JosEPH HOOKER. FiRST DIViSION. (1.) Brig. Gen. JOHN P. HATcff.* (2.) Brig. Gen. ABNER DOUHLEDAY. Staff First Brigade. Col. WALTER PHELPS, Jr. 22d New York 24th New York... 30th New York 84th New York (14th Militia)..... 2d U. S. Sharpshooters..... Total First Brigade Second Brigade. (I.) Brig. Gen. AHNER DOUBLEDAY. (2.) Col. WILLIAM P. WAINWRiOHT.* (3.) Lient. Col. J. WILLIAM HOFMANN. 7th Indiana ... . 76th New York 95th New York 56th Pennsylvania Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. MARSENA 11. PATRICK. 21st New York 21d New York 35th New York Total Third Brigade Fourth Brigade. Brig. Gen. Jomi GIBBON. 19th Indiana 2d Wisconsin 6th Wisconsin 7th Wisconsin Total Fourth Brigade Total First Division * Wounded. 1 1 10 1 19 30 1 3 22. 4. 5 9 5 15 8 28 2 2 20 4 63 8 95 12 12 17 20 3 8 1 12 1 11 3 15 3 4 48. 4 59 1 3 4 6 6 2 10 1 13 3 19 1 23 9 2 35 7 53 5 1 18 1 26 ii V 78 2 92 11 2 114 20 147 36 6 245 30 318 62 15 375 43 49 Page 185 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. Return of Casualties in the Union forces, ~5c.Continued. Killed. Command. S U 0 Wounded. S U o o F~1 Captured or missing. Id S ui U n 0 F~1 SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. JAMES B. RICKETTS. First Brigede. Brig. Gen. ABRAM DURYEA. 97th New York 194th New York - 105th New York 107th Pennsylvania Total First Brigade Second Brigade. Col. WILLIAM A. CHRISTIAN. 26th New York 94th New York 90th Pennsylvania Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. GEORGE L. IIARTSUFF. 12th Massachusetts 83d New York 11th Pennsylvania Total Third Brigade. Total Sceond Division THIRD DIVISION. Brig. Gen. GEORGE G. MEADE. first Brigade. Brig. Gen. TRUMAN SEYMOUR. 1st Pennsylvania Reserves 2d Pennsylvania Reserves 5th Pennsylvania Reserves Otis Pennsylvania Reserves. 13th Pennsylvania Reserves (1st Rifles) Total First Brigade Second Brigade. Col. ALBERT L. MAGILTON. 4th Pennsylvania Reserves 7th Pennsylvania Reserves 8th Pennsylvania Reserves Total Second Brigade 2 2 5 1 1 3 1 2 9 15 5 1 3 12 21 2 2 2 1 1 4 .. 2 2 2 1 5 8 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 4 6 9 2 24 35 3 7 3 27 40 5 1 11 17 1 9 10 11 1 42 54 1 10 2 37 50 4 34 7 126 171 5 22 27 5 7 12 1 14 1 33 1 50 1 241 1 62 1 89 ChAr. XXXI.] 18 Page 186 I OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. LCHAP. XXXL Return of Casualties in the Union forces. 4~c.Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or mlSSing. Command. a 8 0 8 a 0 I C ci Di a IS II Third Brigade. (1.) Col. THOMAS F. GALLAOHER..* (2.) Limit. CoL ROBERT ANDERSON. 9th Pennsylvania Reserves 10th Pennsylvania Reserves 11th Pennsylvania Reserves. 12th Pvnns& lvania Reserves Total Third Brigade Total Third Division Total First Army Corps NINTh ARMY CORPS. (1.) Mnj. Gen. JESsE L. RENO.t (2.) Brig. Gen. JACOB D. Cox. Staff FIRST DIvISION. Brig. Gen. ORLANDO B. WILLCOX. First Brigade. Col. BENJAMIN C. CHRIST. 28th Massachusetts 8th Michigan 17th Michigan 79th New York 50th Pennsylvania Total First Brigade Second Brigade. Col. THOMAS WELSH. 40th New York 45th Pennsylvnnia 100th Pennsylvania Total Second Brigade Artillery. Massachnsctts Light, 8th Battery Total artillery Total First Division SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. SAMUEL D. STuliciS. First Brigade. Col. JAMES NAGLE. 9th New Hampshire 48th Pennsylvania Total First Brigade * Wonnded. 2 10 4 10 6 30 1 I 5 1 8 32 17 25 18 92 43 22 42 25 132 7 88 16 280 1 392 8 159 33 079 44 923 1 1 1 6 7 . ... 8 8 26 4 102 132 12 12 3 3 26 5 131 162 2 1 6 9 2 25 5 102 134 8 2 33 45 ~7 -~- ~ 1-h 1 4 5 5 2 62 13 278 23. 6 21) 11 1 12 :14 41 Killed, 18 Page 187 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. Return of Casualties in the Union forces, ~5-c.Continued. Killed. Command. 0 Wounded. 3 o r~ Captured or missing. 3 U 02 o o 02 0 P~ Second Brigade. Col. EDWARD FERRERO. 21st Massachusetts 35th Massachusetts 51st New York 51st Pennsylvania Total Second Brigade Total Second Division THIRD DIVISION. Brig. Gen. ISAAC 1?. RODMAN. First Brigade. Col. HARRISON S. FAIRCUILD. 89th New York Total First Brigade Total Third Division KANAWHA DlVISION. (1.) Brig. Gen. JACOB D. Cox. (2.) Col. ELIAKIM P. ScAMMON. First Brigade. (1.) Col. ELIAKIM P. ScAMMON. (2.) Col. Huo~ EWING. 12th Ohio 23d Ohio 30t.h Ohio Ohio Light Artillery, 1st Battery Total First Brigade .. Second Brigade. Col. GEORGE CuooK. 11th Ohio 28th Ohio 36th Ohio Total Second Brigade Total 1{anawha Division Total Ninth Army Corps Cavalry Division (Pleasonton) Total 1 3 4 3 3 1 7 33 12 26 23 7 63 16 30 1 9 5 78 23 116 I ~ 5 112 30 157 2 1 17 20 2 1 17 20 2 1 17 20 13 3 44 5 65 32 8 87 3 110 17 53 70 1 6 1 62 11 190 8 272 7 3 7 17 3 3 31 12 18 61 3 3 44 15 25 84 1 79 14 251 11 356 5 ~ 33 4~ -~ 1 13 312 I 66 1,337 85 1 1,813 CHAP. XXXI.] 1 8( a HI HI H Page 188 188 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. OFFICERS KILLED. NEW YOEK. Lient. Charles F. Springweiler, 51st Infantry. OHIO. Limit. George L. Crome, 1st Battery. PENNSYLVANIA. Capt. Thorhas P. Dwin, 1st Reserves. Lient. Walter F. Jackson 11th Reserves. Lient. John D. Saddler, 1st Reserves. Lient. Charles Bitterling,l3th Reserves. Lient. John H. Taylor, 1st Reserves. Lient. George D. Smith, 45th Infantry. Lieut. William M. Carter, 8th Reserves. Lient. James M. Cole, 45th Infantry. Capt. Evans R. Brady, 11th Reserves. UNITED STATES. Maj. Gen. Jesse L. Reno. WISCONSIN. Capt. Wilson Colwell, 24 Infantry. OFFICERS MORTALLY WOUNDED. MASSAChUSETTS. Lient. Charles F. Williams, jr., 35th Infantry. MIChIGAN. Lient. George R. Galligan, 17th Infantry. OHIO. Capt. William W. Liggett, 12th Infantry. PENNSYLVANIA. Capt. Nathaniel Nesbitt, 11th Reserves. I Limit. Samnel Fair, 51st Infantry. Capt. William P. Grove, 45th Infantry. Page 189 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 189 No. 5. Return of Casualties in the Union forces at the battle of Antietam, Md.. [Compiled from nominal lists of casualties, returns, & e. I killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. Command. a a 3 3 3 ~i B - B B a a CI a ~i, a a -a a~ a a a .- a 3 ~ a rAl Q p~ 0 ~A1 FIRST ARMY Cones. (1.) Maj. Gen. JosEPH IJOOKER.* (2.) Brig. Gen. GEORGE G. MEADE. Staff FIRST DIVISION. Brig. Gen. An~ER DOUBLEDAY. First Brigade. Col. WALTER PHELrS, Jr. 22d New York 24th New York 30th New York 84th New York (14th Militia) 2d U. S. Sharpshooters. - Total First Brigade Second Brigade. Lient. Col. J. WILLIAM ROFMANN. 7th Indiana 76th New York 95th New York 56th Pennsylvania Total Seeond Brigade Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. MARSENA Ti. PATRICK. 21st New York 23d Now York 35th New York 80th New York (20th Militia) Total Third Brigade - . - - Fourth Brigade. Brig. Gen. JOHN GIBBON. 19th Indiana 2d Wisconsin 6th Wisconsin 7th Wisconsin Total Fourth Brigade Artillery. Capt. J. ALBERT MONROE. New llampshire Li~ht, 1st Battery 1st Rhode Island Light, Battery 1) 3 * Woun4e4 September 17. 1 1 1 27 30 3 2 13 1 19 6 5 1 12 6 1 20 27 3 10 3 48 2 66 4 26 7 113 4 154 ... 1 3 4 3 1 4 1. 1 1 1 .. 4 6 10 12 2 55 2 71 4 1 34 .3 42 1 7 5 50 4 67 1 5 2 38 8 54 2 28 10 177 17 214 1 32 1 58 72 19 6 61 86 3 23 5 121 152 10 23 5 18 4 64 12 263 5 348 3 7. 8 3 18 CRAP. XXXI.] 1 Page 190 190 OPERATIONS IN N. VA, W. VA., MD., AND PA. [ChAr. XXXI. Return of Casualties in the Union forces, 4~c.Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. Q Command. . ,~ . 0 ~2 .~ 4 .~ ~ 0 0 U2 0 ~ ~ a 0 N 0 N 0 N ~I ArtilleryContinued. 1st New York Light, Battery L 4th United States, Battery B Total artillery Total First Division SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. JAMES B. RICKEYTS. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. ABRAM DURYRA. 97th New York 104th New York 105th New York 107th Pennsylvania Total First Brigade Second Brigade. Col. WILLIAM A. CHRISTIAN. 26th New York 94th New York 88th Pennsylvania 90th Pennsylvania Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. (1.) Brig. Gen. GEORGE L. HARTSUFF.* (2.) Col. RICHARD COULTER. Staff 12th Massachusetts 13th Massachusetts 83d New York (9th Militia) 11th Pennsylvania Total Third Brigade Artillery. 1st Pennsylvania Light, Battery F Pennsylvania Light, Battery C Total artUlery Total Second Division 9 1 5 30 5 40 12 1 45 8 66 10 130 34 004 34 812 1 23 2 72 9 107 1 6 3 57 15 82 1 8 3 51 11 74 19 1 44 64 3 56 9 224 35 327 5 41 20 66 12 1 13 10 8 54 5 77 13 5 77 3 98 28 13 184 29 254 1 1 3 46 10 155 10 224 14 3 116 3 136 6 3 102 3 114 13 4 103 4 124 3 79 21 476 20 599 3 8 11 11 2 13 3 19 2 24 6 166 43 903 06 1,204 THIRD DiVISION. (1.) Brig. Gen. GEORGE G. MEADE. (2.) Brig. Gen. TRUMAN SEYMOUR. First Brigade. (1.) Brig. Gen. TRUMAN SEyMoUR. 2.) Col. R. BIDDLE ROBERTS. 1st Pennsylvania Reserves 5 2d Pennsylvania Reserves 2 1 ~ Wounded September 17. 1 1 21 20 27 2 Page 191 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. Return of Gasualte8 in the Union forces, 4~c.Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. Command. d a a S ,~ . 2 02 ~ 02 ~ 02 52 ~ 02 ~2 02 ~ 22 4) 02 ~ 02 ~) 02 12 22 .~ 22 .~ .~, ~5 ~ o ~ 0 F~1 0 ~ First BrigadeContinued. 5th Pennsylvania Reserves 6th Pennsylvania Reserves 13th Pennsylvania Reserves (1st Rifles) Total First Brigade Second Brigade. Col. ALBERT L. MAGILTON. 3d Pennsylvania Reserves 4th Pennsylvania Reserves 7th Pennsylvania Reserves 8th Pennsylvania Reserves Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. Lient. Col. ROBERT ANDERSON. 9th Pennsylvania Reserves 10th Pennsylvania Reserves 11th Pennsylvania Reserves 12th Pennsylvania Reserves Total Third Brigade Artillery. 1st Pennsylvania Light, Battery A 1st Pennsylvania Light, Battery B SLh United States, Battery C Total artillery Total Third Division Total First Army Corps SECOND ARMY CORPs. Ma]. Gen. EDWIN V. SUMNER. Staff ESCORT. 1 2 2 8 4 3 2 7 57 18 10 69 25 155 5 19 8 123 1 11 2 32 46 5 3 40 48 2 10 1 59 72 12 3 41 56 3 38 9 172 222 1 16 66 83 1 8 9 7 2 13 22 13 2 44 2 61 1 36 5 131 2 175 1 3 4 2 2 2 13 15 3 18 21 9 96 22 444 2 573 25 392 100 1, 951 122 2, 590 2. 2 1 1 = 2...... 1 7 10 92 1 111 1 14 1 45 61 1 5 2 32 1 41 8 1 41 50 1 6 3 41 51 4 40 17 251 2 314 tith New York Cavalry, Companies D and K FIR5T DIvIsION. (1.) Maj. Gen. IsRAEL B. IIICHARDsON.* (2.) Brig. Gen. JOHN C. GALDWELL. (3.) Brig. Gen. WINFIELD S. HANCOCK. Staff First Brigade Brig. Gen. JOHN C. CALDWELL. 5th New Hampshire 7th New York 61st New York ~.. .. 64th New York .~ 31st Pennsylvania .~ Total. First iI~rigad.e. - ~. . 02Wounded September 17. 2 CHAr. XXXI.] 19 Page 192 192 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. Return of Caaualtie8 in the Union force8, ~-c.Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. a a a Command. ~ CS a ~ a ~J) a, +~ ~ a a ~ 31 ii ~ r~l 0 ~1 0 [~ ~ 4 4 2 7 31 40 25 Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. THOMAS F. MEAGHER. Staff 29th Massachusetts Old New York. 69th New York 88th New York Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. Col. Joun 11. BROOKE. 2(1 Delaware 52d New York 57th New York 66th New York 53d Pennsylvania Total Third Brigade Artillery. 1st New York Light, Battery B 4th United States, Batteries A and C Total artillery -. Total First Division SECOND DIVISION. (1.) Maj. Gen. JOHN SEDOWICK.* (2) Bri~. Gen. OLIvER 0. HOwARD. Staff Fir8t Brigade. Brig. Gen. WILLIS A. GORMAN. 15th Massachusetts 1st Minnesota 34th New York S2d New York (2d Militia) Massachusetts Sharpshooters, 1st Company Minnesota Sharpshooters, 2d Company Total First Brigade Second Brigade. (1.) Brig. GaD. OLIVER 0. HOWARD. (2.) Col. JOSHUA T. OWEN. 69th Pennsylvania 71st Pennsylvania 72d Pennsylvania 106th Pennsylvania Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. (1.) Brig. Gen. NAPOLEON J. T. JIANA.b (2.) Col. NORMAN J. HALL. Stiff 19th Massachusetts 1 7 * Wounded September 17. 1 S 6 2 3 2 29 160 146 73 1 39 202 196 102 10 103 14 408 5 540 12 2 42 2 58 4 3 9 2 18 3 16 6 73 3 101 1 10 1 90 1 103 1 5 1 17 1 25 5 47 13 231 9 305 1 3 1 3 19 191 46 893 16 1,165 - - 2 3 54 7 231 23 318 1 14 4 56 15 90 1 32 2 109 1 9 154 21 4 88 15 128 2 6 17 1 26 21 3 24 7 127 17 522 1 66 740 2 17 3 55 1 14 92 1 25 8 87 18 139 2 36 5 158 36 237 1 9 3 60 4 77 6 87 19 360 1 72 545 2. 7 101 30 2 146 1 3 4 Page 193 193 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. Return of Ga8ualties in the Union forces, ~c.Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. Command. a a a S 0 C- $.~ -~ ~2 ~ 2 a a a a a a~ 5 S S 5 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ Third BrigadeContinued. 20th Massachusetts 7th Michigan 42u1 New York 59th New York Total Third Brigade Artillery. 1st Rhode Island Light, Battery A 1st United States, Battery I Total artillery Total Second Division THIRD DIVISION. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM H. FRENCH. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. NATHAN KIMBALL. Staff 14th Indiana. 8th Ohio. 1& .d Pennsylvania 7th West Virginia Total First Brigade Second Brigade. Col. DWIGHT MORRIS. 14th Connecticut 108th New York 130th Pennsylvania Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. (1.) Brig. Gen. MAX WEHEII.* (2.) CoL JOHN W. ANDREWS. Staff 1st Delaware 5th Maryland 4th New York Total Third Brigade Total Third Division UNATTACHED ARTILLERY. 1st New York Light, Battery 0- 1st Rhode Island Light, Battery G Total unattached artillery Tottd Second Army Corps 1 3 2 3 10 11 311 33 45 132 3 12 8 10 42 81 166 119 143 610 1 1 28 4 18 23 103 124 221 181 224 898 4 15 19 6 6 4 21 25 23 350 80 1,513 3 241 2,210 1 1 2 28 9 141 180 2 30 7 122 161 2 28 4 110 8 152 3 26 4 112 145 9 112 25 485 8 639 2 18 3 85 48 156 3 23 2 120 47 195 1 31 8 138 178 6 72 13 343 95 529 2 2 3 28 10 172 17 230 1 24 4 119 15 163 2 42 6 136 1 187 6 94 22 427 33 582 21 278 60 1,255 136 1,751) 1 4 5 5 5 9 63 8201 188j 3,6711 31 393 10 5, 138 \Voun4t~l Septen~be~ 17, 13 ~ 1L-YOL XIX, PT I CHAP. XXXI. Page 194 OPERATIONS IN N. VA, W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XX~. Return of Casualtics in the Union forces, ~5c.Continncd. Killed. Wounded. or missing. Command. si B ((2 a ~ a a -~ ,~ a ,~ a w ~ -S o r~ 0 F~ 0 Focam ARMY Coaps. FIRST DlVISION.* Maj. Gen. DARIUS N. Couca. Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. JOhN COCIIRANE. 65th New York 67th New York l~2d New York 23d Pennsylvania 61st Pennsylvania 82d Pennsylvania. 1 1 1 2 Total Third Brigade t Total First Division FIFrLI ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. FITz JOHN PORTER SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. GEORGE SYKES. First Brigade. Licut. Col. ROBERT C. BUChANAN. 4th United States 12th United States, 1st Battalion 14th United States, 1st Battalion 14th United States, 2d Battalion Total First Brigade . Second Brigade. Maj. CHARLES S. LOVELL. 2d and 10th United States. 11th United States Total Second Brigade Artillery. 5th United States, Battery I Total Second Division ARTILLERY RESERVE. Liout. Col. WILLIAM HAYS. 1st Battalion New York Light, Batteries A, B, C, and 1). 1st United States, Battery K Total Artillery Reserve Total Fifth Army Corps...... 8 1 8 3 1 28 32 1 3 4 2 2 1 1 4 1 34. 39 8 1 45 1 55 1 1 8 1 46. 1 56 3 12 2 83 1 98 I 1 4 5 4 5 1 11 16 2~__ 88f 2 109 2 9 * Not engaged in the battle proper. It reached the field September 18. These casualties occurred September 18. In reserve; only a portion of the corps engaged. 194 (2$ CI be be b Page 195 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. Return of Casualties in the Union forces, 5c.Continned. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. Commasid. a a ~ a ~J2 a w 4~ a. .~ a a a a a a a .11 S a 5 5 p~ 0 ~1 .I~ Sixiti ARMY Coiws. Maj. Gen. WILI.IAM B. FRANKLIN. Stair FIRST DIVISiON. Maj. Gen. hENRY W. SLOCUM. First Brigade. Ccl. ALFRED T. A. roRRERr. 1st New Jersey 2~t hew Jersey :1 Th,w Jersey 4th New Jersey rotRi First Brigade Second Brigade.. Cot. Josiis~u J. BARTLETT. 5th Maine huh New York 90th 1~ennsyl~anui - - Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. Brig. Geu. JoHN NEWTON. 18th New York list New York :1241 New York 95th Pennsylvania Total Third Brigade Artillery. Capt. EMORY ULTON. ~harytani1 Light, Battery A 2d United States, Battery I) Total artiliery Total First Division SECOND DIVISION. Mnj. Gen. WILLIAM F. SMITh. First Brigade. (I.) lirig. Gen. WINFIELD S. I[ANCOCK.* tI.) Cub AMASA Conis. 6th Maine 49th Pennsylvania Total First Brigade 1. 1 1 1 6 7 3 16 0 9 1 3 19 5 2 9 0 2 1 1 1 8 4 4 1 2 3 4 4 1 9 10 1 1 19 21 1 11 2 14 2 2 1 13 2 16 5 2 56 2 65 1 4 4 - 6 6 * Assigned to cousniand of First Division, Second Corps, September 17. CHAP. XXXI.~ 19 Page 196 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAr. XXXI. Return of Casualties in the Union forces, #c.Continued. Xilled. Wounded. Captured or missing. Command. a a a ~2 a a a a -~ ~. -4.~ a a a a a 0 a II ~ .~ ~n o ~ 0 P~ 0- ~ 2d Vermont 3d Vermont - 4th Vermont. 5th Vermont - . . 6th Vermont Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. Col. WILLIAM H. lawix. 7th Maine 20tii New York 33d New York 49th New York 77th New York. Total Third Brigade.... Total Second Division Total Sixth Army Corps NLNTH Ai~av Coals. Maj. Gun. AMBROSE B. BuaNsmsx* Brig. Gun. JACQa 1). Cox. FIRST DIVISION. Brig. Gun. ORLANDO B. WILLCOX. First Brigade. CoL BENJAMLN C. CHRIST. 28th Massachusetts 17th Michigan 79th New York 50th Pennsylvania Total First Brigade Second Brigade. CoL TnoMAs Wm.sii. 8th Michigan 46th New York 45th Pennsylvania 100th Pennsylvania - -. Total Second Brigade Artillery. Massachusetts Light. 8th Battery Toial First Division. . . 1 1 3 S 2 8 5 4 6 2 8 1 1 23 25 2 10 7 56 2 18 95 J 33 4 92 11 145 6 3 38 47 - 2 2 19 23 - 6 3 23 32 7 57 19 228 2 29 342 7 18 20 257 2 29 373 8 63 22 313 2 31 439 1 11 1 36 48 18 9 80 107 5 2 25 32 1 7 1 45 3 57 2 41 13 385 3 244 4 25 2 31 2 3 Ii 16 1 36 1 38 7 1 8 3 7 79 4 93 1 1 2 44 20 265 7 338 General Buruside exercised general oomrnt~nd cii the left1 and Generid Ccx wo~ iii imme4iate command of the corps. 196 Second Brigade. Brig. Gun. W. T. H. BRooKs Page 197 rilE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. ,Return of Casualties in the Union forces, ~5c.Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or IIu8slng. Command. SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. SAMUEL B. STURGIS. FIr8t Brigade. Brig. Gen. JAMES NAGLE. 2d Maryland 6th New Hampshire 9th New Hampshire 48th Pennsylvania Total First Brigade Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. EDWARD FERRaRO. 21st Massachusetts 35th Massachusetts 51st New York 51st Pennsylvania Total Second Brigade Artillery. Pennsylvania Light, Battery B 4th United States, Battery E Total artillery Total Second Division THIRD DIVISION. Brig. Gen. Is~c P. RODMAN.* Staff First Brigade. Col. HARRISoN S. FAIRCHILD. 9th New York 89th New York lOld New York Total First Brigade Second Brigade. Col. EDWARD HARwrn. 8th Connecticut 11th Connecticut 16th Connecticut 4th Rhode Island Total Second Brigade Artillery. vi 4, 0 0 4, 0 vi 0 vi 4, 0 4, 0 4, a .r;LI 4; vi 67 18 59 6t) 2 37 8 152 5 204 1 6 3 18 48 1 47 12 148 6 214 1 18 4 64 87 3 18 5 94 120 6 89 24 344 6 469 3 B 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 3 6 9 127 33 499~ 11 679 ~ = 1 I 1 44 8 168 14 235 18 4 73 8 103 24 3 65 25 117 1 86 15 306 47 455 1 13 10 129 21 194 2 34 1 102 139 4 38 9 134 185 21 5 72 2 100 7 126 25 437 23 618 3 3 5th United States, Battery A Total Third Division 8 212 41 * Wounded September 17. 746 70 1,077 CHAP. ~tXXI.1 197 3 1 16 4 43 4 13 1 It) 3 46 1 7 1 50 Page 198 OPEI~ATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. Return of Casualtics in the Union forces, 4~c.Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. 0 0 0 Command. a . a ~ bI (~ -.~ ~ 0 ~i) 0 ui 0 Q IS S 15 a IS n 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ KANAWIIA DIVISION. Col. ELIAKIM P. SGAMMON. First Brigade. Col. HUGH EWING. 12th Ohio 234 Ohio 30th Ohio Ohio Light Artillery, 1st Battery Gilmores company West Yirghiia Cavalry Harrisons company West Virginia Cavalry Total First BrigaAle Second Brigade. CoL GEORGE CROOK. jitli Ohio 28th Ohio 3Gth Ohio Kentucky Light Artillery, Simmonds Battery Total Second Brigade Total Kanawha Division Total Ninth Army Corps TWELFTh ARMY Coups. (1.) Maj. Gen. JOsEPH K. F. MANS1iIELD.* (2.) Brig. Gen. ALPURUS S. WILLIAMS. Staff FIRST DIVISION. (1.) Brig. Gen. ALPHEUS S. WILLIAMS. (2.) Brig. Gen. SAMUEL W. CuAwFO1W.t (3.) Brig. Gen. GEORGE 11. GoRDON. Staff First Brigade. (1.) Brig. (len. SAMUEL W. CRAXYFORn. (2.) Col. JOSEPH F. KswE. 10th Maine 28th New York 46th Pennsylvania 124th Pennsylvania 125th Pennsylvania 128th Pennsylvania Total First Brigade 7 I 1 26 58 48 2 16 113 69 80 3 25 2 132 2 18 182 1 3 1 11 5 21 2 19 21 1 1 21 2 25 1 5 6 2 6 2 56 7 73 o 31 4 188 2 25 255 24 414 98 1,698 2 113 2,349 1 . 1 I 2 19 4 46 1 72 2 1 8 1 12 1 .) 13 19 5 2 40...... 17 64 1 27 7 108 2 145 2 24 1 85 6 118 6 82 15 300 . 27 430 Third Brigade. (1.) Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. Gounou. (2.) Col. ThoMAs II. HUGRII. 1 27th Indiana 24 Massachusetts 11th New Jersey 107th New York * Killed. 198 1 1 17 12 6 7 4 3 2 186 . 52 2 72 19 49 5 XVonnded. 209 70 101 6 Page 199 ~ri1E MARThAND CAMPAIGN. Return of Casualties in the Union forces, 4~c.Continuied. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. Command. a a ~ n a a a 15 a -.-. ;-4 -... a a ~ .3 ~ ;~ ~b a ~ ~ 11 0 0 F~1 ~ Third BrigadeContinued. Zonaves dAfrique, Pennsylvania 3d Wisconsin Total Third Brigade Total First Division SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. GEORGE S. GItEENE. First Brigade. (1.) iLient. Col. HECTOR TYNDALE.* (2.) Maj. ORItIN J. CRANE. .5th Ohio. 7th Ohio 66th Ohio 28th Pennsylvania Total First Brigade. Secead Brigade. Col. HENRY J. STAINROOK. 3d Maryland 1021 New York ilitil Pennsylvania Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. (1.) Col. WILLIAM B. GoonRlcn. (2.) Lieut. CoL JONATHAN AUSTIN. 3d Delaware Purnell Legion, Maryland OGIli New York 78th New York Total Third Brigade. - Total Second Division Artillery. Capt. CLERMONT L. BEST. 1st New York Light, Battery M Pennsylvania Light, Battery E Pennsylvania Light, Battery F Total artillery Total Twelfth Army Corps CAVALRY DIVISION. Brig. Gen. ALFRED PLEASONTON. First Brigade. Maj. CHARLES J. WHITING. 5th United States Total First Brigade 1 26 7 2. 1 3 166 200 3 68 21 527 27 646 9 150 37 827 54 1,077 11 2 83 2 48 - 5 1 32 18 1 1 22 24 2 42 9 208 5 266 2 59 13 295 7 376 1 2 23 1 29 1 4 27 1 37 1 25 5 71 8 110 2 30 7 121 16 176 1 5 2 9 17 3 3 20 26 1 3 18 22 1 7 1 18 7 34 3 18 6 65 7 99 7 107 26 481 30 651 6 6 1 6 1 8 3 3 1 15 1 17 17 258 63 1,323 85 1,746 1 1 1 1 * Wounded Septeluber 17. Killed Soptombor 17. CHAP. XXkI.] 19 Page 200 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAP. XXXt Return of Ca4ualties in the Union force8, 4c.Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. 5) 5) Command. tee 4~ s~ ~ .,~ ~ .- a o r~ o ~i o r~1 -~ Seccmd Brigade. Col. JOHN F. FARNSWORTH. 8thThinois 1 1 3d Indiana 5 5 Total Second Brigade 6 .1 6 Third Brigade. Col. RICHARD U. RUSH. 4th Pennsylvania 1 2 7 10 6th Pennsylvania 3 3 Total Third Brigade 1 2 10 13 - .__.~- Artillery. 2(1 United States. Battery A 1 3 4 2d United States. Battery M 2 3 5 Total Artillery 3 6 9 Unattached. 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry (de4achment) 1 1 Total cavalry division 1 6 23 30 R1~JAP-ITULATION. First Army Corps 25 392 100 1,951 122 2, 500 Second Army Corps 63 820 188 3,671 3 393 5, 138 Fourth Army Corps (First Division) 1 8 9 Fifth Army Corps . - 1 16 2 88 2 109 Sixth Army Corps 8 63 22 313 2 31 439 Ninth Army Corps 24 414 98 1,698 2 113 2,349 Twelfth Army Corps 17 258 63 1, 323 85 1, 746 Cavalry Division 1 6 23 30 Total Army of the Potomac 139 1, 969 474 9,075 7 746 12,410 OFFICBRS KILLED. CONNECTICUT. Lient. Marvin Wait, 8th Infantry. Capt. John L. Drake, 16th Infantry. Col. Henry W. Kingsbnry, 11th Infantry. Capt. Newton S. Manross, 16th Infantry. Capt. John Griswold, 11th Infantry. Capt. Samuel Brown, 16th Infantry. Capt. Samuel Willard, 14th Infantry. Lieut. William Horton, 16th Infantry. Capt. Jarvis E. Blinn, 14th Infantry. DELAWARE. Capt. James Leonard, 1st Infantry. Capt. ,Jnmes Rickards, 1st Infantry. Capt. Evan S. Watson, 1st Infantry. Capt. William H. Plnnkott, 3d Infantry. 20 Page 201 ChAP. XXXI.J THE MARYLANI~ CAMPAIGN. 201 INDIANA. Lient. I?orter B. Lundy, 14th Infantry. Lient. Col. Alois 0. Bachman, 19th In Lient. Levins E. Bostwick, 14th Infantry. fantry. Lient. William Yanorsdall, 27th Infantry. MAINE. Lieut. Charles A. Goodwin, 7th Infantry. Capt. Nehemiah T. Furbish, 10th In Lient. Harlan P. Brown, 7th Infantry. fantry. Lient. William Wade, 10th Infantry. Capt. Malcolm Wilson, 2d Infantry. MARYLAND. Lient. Magnus Moltke, 5th Infantry. MASSACHUSETTS. Capt. John Saunders, 1st Company Sharp- Capt. Clark S. Simonds, 15th Infantry. shooters. Capt. Richard Derby, 15th Infantry. Lient. William Berry, 1st Company Sharp- Lieut. Frank S. Corbin, 15th Infantry. shooters. Maj. George W. Batebelder, 19th Infantry. Ileut. Lysander F. Cusbing, 12th Infantry. Surg. Edward H. R. Revere, 20th Infantry. Lient. William G. White, 12th Infantry. Lieut. Henry C. Holbrook, 21st Infantry. Asst. Surg. Albert A. Kendall, 12th In- Lieut. Nichols J. Barrett, 28th Infantry. fantry. Capt. Albert W. Bartlett, 35th Infantry. Capt. J. Henry Turrill, 7th Infantry. Lient. John A. Clarke, 7th Infantry. MICHIGAN. Lieut. John P. Eberhard, 7th Infantry. MINNESOTA. Capt. Gustavus A. Tlolzborn, 1st Infantry. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Lieut. George A. Gay, 5th Infantry. NEW JERSEY. Capt. Hugh C. Irish, 13th Infantry. NEW YORK. Maj. Albert Arndt, 1st Battalion Light Artillery. Capt. John S. Downs, 4th Infantry. Lient. Henry K. Chapman, 4th Infantry. Lient. Hugo Loetze, 7th Infantry. Lient. Edward C. Cooper, 9th Infantry. Lient. Gustav A. Lorenz, 20th Infantry. Lient. Jacob Pabst, 20th Infantry. Lient. Charles Voelker, 20th Infantry. Lieut. Adolph Frick, 20th Infantry. Lieut. Louis Krans, 20th Infantry. Lient. Charles Cnshing, 22d Infantry. Lient. Clarence E. hill, 34th Infantry. Capt. James R. Barnett, 35th Infantry. Capt.. Charles McPherson, 42d Infantry. Lient. Samuel Dexter, 42d Infantry. Lient. Andrew L. Fowler, 51st Infantry. Lient. Col. Philip J. Parisen, 57th Infantry. Lient. Henry A. Fol~er 57th Infantry. Lient. Henry H. Higbee, 57th Infantry. Lient. Col. John L. Stetson, 59th Infantry. Capt. Charles H. Whitney, 59th Infantry. Lieut. William H. Smurr, 59th Infantry. Col. William B. Goodrich, 60th Infantry. Capt. Manton C. Angell, 61st Infantry. Capt. John Kavanagh, 63d Infantry. Lient. Patrick W. Lydon, 63d Infantry. Lieut. Cadwalader Smith, 63d Infantry. Lient. henry McConnell, 63d Infantry. Lieut. Frederick M. Crissey, 66th In- fantry. Capt. Felix Duffy, 69th Infantry. Lient. John Conway, 69th Infantry. Lient. Patrick J. Kelly, 69th Infantry. Lient. Charles Williams, 69th Infantry. Capt. Peter M. G. Mitchell, 78th Infantry. Lient. Martin H. Sxvarthout, 80th In- fantry. Capt. John 0C. Joyce, 88th Infantry. Capt. Patrick F. Clooney, 88th Infantry. Lient. Louis Delorini, 97th Infantry. Capt. M. Eugene Cornell, 102d Infantry. Capt. John Kelly, 104th Infantry. Lient. Charles C. Buckley, 105th Infantry. Maj. George B. Force, 108th Infantry. Lient. David B. Tarbox, 108th Infantry. Lient. Robert E. h-holmes, 108th Infantry Page 202 ~O2 OPERATIONS iN N. VA., W. VA., Mb., AND PA. CHAP. xxxt 01110. Lient. John Lantry, 8th Infantry. Lient. Charles Dutlield, 30th Infantry. Lient. Horace H. Bill, 8th Infantry. Lieut. Reese H. Furbay, 30th Infantry. Lient. Col. Augustus H. Coleman, 11th In- Lieut. Stephen B. Wilson, 30th Infantry. fi~tutry. Col. Melvin Clarke, 36th Infantry. PENNSYLVANIA. Col. James H. Childs, 4th Cavalry. Lient. Augustus T. Cross, 2d Reserves. Lieut. Max Weimpfheimer, 2d Reserves. Capt. Florentine H. Straub, 3d Reserves. Lieut. Ilardman P. Petrikin, 5th Reserves. Capt. James M. Colwell, 7th Reserves. Lient. Daniel L. Saunders, 7th Reserves. Lient. John Langbien, 9th Reserves. Col. Hugh W. McNeil, 13th Reserves. Lieut. William Allison 13th Reserves. Capt. Peter F. Laws, 28th Infantry. Lient. Joseph L. Markley, 28th Infantry. Capt. George A. Brooks, 46th Infantry. Limit. William Cullen, 48th Infantry. Capt. James B. Ingham, 50th Infantry. Lient. Col. Thomas S. Bell, 51st Infantry. Lieut. J. Gilbert Beaver, 51st Infantry. Lient. Davis Hunsicker, 51st Infantry. Lient. John D. Weaver, 53d Infantry. Capt. Francis V. Bierworth, 69th Infantry. Lieut. Joseph McHugh, 69th Infantry. Lieut. John Convery, 71st Infantry. Capt. Peter H. Willitts, 72d Infantry. Lient. Adolphus W. Peabody, 72d In- fantry. Lieut. William H.Van Dike, 81st Infantry. Lieut. William Bryan, 106th Infantry. Capt. Arthur Corrigan, 111th Infantry. Lient. Robert M Johnston fantry. 125th In Col. Samuel Croasdale, 128th Infantry. Capt. William H. An4rews, 128th In- fantry. Lient. William A. Givler, 130th Infantry. Col. Richard A. Oakford, 132d Infantry. Lient. Anson C. Cranmer, 132d Infantry. UNITED STATES REGULARS. Limit. William L. Baker, Battery E, 4th Surg. William J. II. White. Artillery. UNITED STATES VOLUNTEERS. Maj. Gen. Joseph K. F. Mansfield. Licut. John I. Whitman, 2d Sharpshoot- Lient. Lewis C. Parmelee, 2d Sharp- ers. shooters. Lient. John W. Thompson, 2d Sharpshoot- ers. WEST VIRGINIA. Capt. Daniel C. M. Shell, 7th Infantry. Limit. James Schwarz, 7th Infantry. Lient. Benjaniiii L. Shriver, 7th Infantry. WISCONSIN. Lient. Alexander N. Reed, 3d Infantry. Capt. Edwin A. Brown, 6th Infantry. Capt. Werner von Bachelle, 6th Infantry. Lient. William .J. Bode, 6th Infantry. OFFIORES MORTALLY WOUNDED. CONNECTICUT. Lient. Edwin G. Main, 8th Infantry. Capt. Frederick M. Barber, 16th Infantry. Lient. George I-I. D. Croiliy, 14th Infantry. INDIANA. Lent. Edward Balleuger, 14th Infantry. Lient. Robert B. Gilmore, 27th Infantry. Capt. Peter Kop, 27th Infantry Page 203 THE MARYLANfl CAMPAIGN. MAINE. Lieut. George W. True, 10th Infantry. MARYLAND. Capt. James A. Martin, 2d Infantry. MASSACHUSETTS. Lieut. Col. Wilder Dwight, 2d Infantry. Maj. Elisha Burbank, 12th Infantry. Lient. George W. Orne, 12th Infantry. Lient. Thomas J. Spurr, 15th Infantry. Capt. Horace Niles, 35th Infantry. Lieut. William Palmer, :35th Infantry. MICHIGAN. Capt. Allen II. Zacharias, 7th Infantry. Licut. William M. Duffield, 17th Infantry. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Lient. Charles W. Bean, 5th Infantry. NEW YORK. Capt. Charles Huesler, 7th Infantry. Capt. Robert Merkie, 20th Infantry. Lient. Lonis Roth, 20th Infantry. Lieut. Christian Lohman, 20th Infantry. Capt. Edward H. Wade, 59th Infantry. Capt. Abraham Florentine, 59th Infantry. Capt. Miller Moody, 59th Infantry. Capt. Gould J. Jennings, 59th Infantry. Lient. Stephen C. Roosa, 59th Infantry. Lient. Benjamin Yansteinberg, 59th In- fantry. Lient. James E. Maekey, 63d Infantry. Lient. George Lynch, 63d Infantry. Capt. Timothy L. Shanley, 69th Infantry. Lient. Pierson B. Peterson, 78th Infantry. Capt. David Myers, 84th Infantry. Lient. Garret Van Ingen, 89th Infi~ntry. Capt. Henry A. Sand, 103d Infantry. Col. Howard Carroll, 105th Infantry. OHIO. Lient. William Delany, 8th Infantry. Lient. Charles W. Barnes, 8th Infantry. PENNSYLVANIA. Capt. Daniel Kistler, jr., 11th Reserves. Capt. John Ree(l, 11th Infaniry. Lient. Arnold Lobaugh, 11th Infantry. Lient. James Dnnn, 69th Infantry. Lient. William Wilson, 71st Infantry. Capt. Edward G. Ronsse~, 72d Infantry. Licut. Robert I. Parks, 72d Infantry. Capt. Philip R. Schnyler, 81st Infantry. Capt. Timothy Clarke, 106th Infantry. Lient. Isaac Finch, 124th Infantry. UNITED STATES VOLUNTEERS. Maj. Gen. Israel B. Richardson. I Brig. Gen. Isaac P. Rodman. WEST VIRGINIA. Lient. John Garvey, 7th Infantry. WISCONSIN. Lieut. Oliver W Sanford, 2d Infantry. Lient. Joseph P. Shepard, 3d Infantry. CnAP. XXXII 20 Page 204 204 OPERATIONs IN N. VA., W. VA., MD, AND PA. (CRAP. XXXI. No. 6. Return of casualties in the Union forces in the skirmishes at Sha~psburg, Shepherdstown Ford, and near Williamsport, Md., September 19, action near Shepherdstown, Va., September 20, 1862, and general summary for the campaign. [Compiled from nominal lists of casualties, returns, & c.] Killed. Wounded. Captured or nussing. Command. Cd Q () ,,, (~ be (C a C) Cd (2 n ~ _______________ be 0 F~1 0 P~ 0 ~ 2d District of Columbia Infantry 2 2 24 Maine Infantry 2 20th Maine Infantry 3 18th Massachusetts Infantry 2 10 2 it 22d Massachusetts Infantry 2 32d Massachusetts Infantry 2 lit Michigan Infantry. . 1 1 2 4th Michigan Infantry . -. 1 1 5 York Infantry 1 1 13th New York Infantry 1 5 12 18 25th New York Infantry 9 12 44th New York Infantry 2 2 83(1 Pennsylvania Infantry 1 1 118th Pennsylvania Infantry*. 3 60 4 97 3 102 269 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery C 1 1 5th U. S. Cavalry 1 . 1 24 U. S. Artillery, Battery M 1 1 3(1 U. S. Artillery, Batteries C and G 1 1 5th U. S. Artillery, Battery I 5th U. S. Artillery, Battery K 1 . 1 1st and 6th U. S. Ynfantry 2 2 24 and 10th U. s. Infant~y 1 I 2 llthThSInfautry I 3 j 1 1 1st U. S. Sharpshooters 2 7 Total 3~ ~ 6 155 ~ 128 363 GENERAL SUMMARY. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. Engagements, & e. ~~ C) a - -u - U) CA (C CC CC _______________________ be 0 ~ 0 Skirmishes at Falls Church, Va., September 3 and 4 2 -.2~. -- 3 Skirmish at Pooleaville, Md., September 8 1 1 ..~. 13 Skirmishes at Sugar Loaf Mountain, Md., Septem 1 .....J... -- 2 her 11) and 11. Skirmishes at Frederick City, Md., September 12.. - -- - - - 2 1 1 ii 15 Skirmishes nt Catoctin Monn~ain. Middletown, Jef- 5 1 21 5 32 ferson. and South Mountain, Md., September 13. Battle of South Mountain (Turners Pass), Septem- 13 312 66 1, 137 85 1, 813 her 14. Battle of Cramptons Pass, Md., September 14 5 108 19 199 2 531 Skirmish at Boonsborough, Md., September 15 1 1 14 3 19 Battle of Anti etam, Md., September 16 and 17.~. 139 1, 969 474 9, 075 7 746 12, 430 Skirmishes at Sharpshurg, Shepherdstown Ford, 3 68 6 155 3 128 363 mn(l near Williamsport, Md., September 19, and netion near Sheplierdstown, Va., September 20. Total itso ~,469 568 11,015 Ii ~ 15203 * (1ipts .Joseph XV. Ricketts and Courtland Sttiintlcrs ~L11(l Licut. JoMe1)lt Morn MOSS kiJ le(L at Shepherdstown Septetuber 20 Page 205 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 205 No. 7. Report of Brig. Gen. Henry J. Hunt, U. S. Army, Chief of Artillery, Army of the Potomac, of operations September 520. ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Camp near Falmouth, Va., February 6, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to report the general operations of the artillery of the Army of the Potomac, from the date of my appoint- ment as chief of artillery, September 5, 1862, to the close of the Mary- land campaign. The report, although it embraces the whole period of the campaign, must be necessarily brief, and, as regards battles, general, as the reports of action were made by battery commanders mostly to division and corps commanders. Oti assuming the command, I found the artillery much disorganized. The batteries of the Army of the Potomac reached Aquia Creek from the Peninsula, drivers and horses in one class of transports, the batteries and cannoneers in another; consequently Major-General Porter, who directed that every cLergy should be employed in organizing the troops to move up the Rappahannock, ordered that as rapidly as batteries could~ be equipped they should be pushed forward, without regard to the troops with which they belonged. They were accordingly forwarded as fast as completed to Falmouth, where they were assigned to whatever divisions were ready to march. A number of the batteries of the Artillery Reserve then became separated from their command, and attached to troops not oiily of the Army of the Potomac, but to those of the Army of Virginia; and when I reached Fahnouth from Aquia Creek, where I had been left in charge of the debarkation, 1 found that General Porter had gone for- ward, and I reported to General Burnside with the remainder. When the army left Washington, I was compelled to obtain on the roads the names and condition of the batteries and the troops to which they were attached. Not only were the batteries of the Army of the 1~otomac dispersed as stated, and serving with other divisions than their own, but I had no knowledge of the artillery of the corps that had joined from the other armies other than what I could pick up on the road. Many had not been refitted since the August campaign; some had lost more or less guns; others were greatly deficient in men and horses, and a number were wholly unserviceable from all these causes combined. The first measures were directed to procuring supplies of ammunition, and several hundred wagon-loads were, when we were at iRockville, ordered to be forwarded from the arsenal at Washington. Batteries were supplied from the Artillery Reserve to the corps and divisions de- ficient in guns. Horses were taken from the baggage train and mcii temporarily detailed from the infantry, and by the time the artillery reached the Antietam it was (considering the condition in which the disastrous campaign in August had left it) very respectably provided. Like the rest of the army, the artillery may be said to have been organized on the march and in the intervals of conflict. The horse artillery, consisting of Gibsons, Tidballs, Robertsons, and Hams (late Bensons) batteries, were attached to the cavalry, and, under the orders of Brigadier-General Pleasonton, were actively and efficiently employed throughout the entire campaign. On the 13th of September the enemy attempted to stop the march of our columns between Ham- burg and Middletown. His guns were silenced and his force driven off by Gibsons and Hams batteries, and followed up to a point a mile be- yo~d Midclletown. where he agalu attempted to make a stand, with th Page 206 206 OPI~RATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAr. XXX~ same results. The horse artillery was also partially engaged at Souti Mountain, on the roads to Boonsborough, ilagerstown, Sharpsburg3 and in various affairs in front and on the flanks of the army, and always (lischarged its duties in a manner worthy of the reputation it had ac- quired in similar service. Its duties were arduous, requiring constant watchfulness, enterprise, and labor on the part of officers and men, and the horses, often on scant forage, were in harness for a week or ten days, day and night. For special information on these parts of their service, I beg leave to refer to the reports of the commanders of cavalry under whom they served. At the battle of South Mountain (September 14), Gibsons, Ben Stewarts, and McMullins batteries were engaged and rendered excellent service. Stewarts battery being attached to Gibbons brigade in its attack on the enemy on the right of the National road, one of McMul- lins sections was moved by hand to the top of South Mountain under a severe fire, and opened at close range on the enemy. In this affair Lieutenant Crome, commanding the section, was killed. From the artillery of General Franklins command in the battle at Cramptons Pass I have received no reports. They were made to divis- i(n commanders. On the evening of September 15, the enemy opened a heavy artillery tire on our advance near the Antietam, and were replied to by a portion of our own, particularly by Tidballs battery of horse artillery, which maintained a cannonade against a 1-argely superior force of the enemys guns from early in the afternoon until near dark. At sunset I received orders from Major-General McClellan in person to select places for our guns of position. They were posted next morn- ing, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Hays, commanding the Artillery Reserve, on the positions indicatedthe long ridge on the east- ern branch of the Antietam, overlooking the field of battle of the next day. Tafts, Langners, Von Kleisers, and Wevers batteries were placed on the ridge between the turnpike bridge and the house occu- pied as general headquarters (Prys). The enemy soon opened upon them. The fire was promptly returned, and the enemy ceased his fire and withdrew his guns. In this cannonade Maj. Albert Arndt, com- manding the First (German) Battalion New York Artillery, an experi- enced and excellent officer, was mortally wounded while personally directing one of his guns, and died on the 18th. During the afternoon Tafts and Von Kleisers batteries were moved to the heights below the bridge. At daylight on the 17th, Hazletts battery was placed in the position occupied on the day before by Tafts; Durells and Weeds were stationed farther down on the crest; Kusse- rows on the height overlooking the bridge and sweeping its approaches; Benjamins still farther to the left and rear, overlooking Sharpsburg and the country below it, and near Benjamins were planted a couple of rifle boat howitzers. These completed the line of guns of position. They overlooked the enemy, and swept most of the ground between them and our troops. They were well served, especially the guns of Benjamins battery. Their field of fire was extensive, and they were usefully em- ~)loyed all day, and so constantly that the supply of ammunition for the 20-pounders ran short. In the course of the afternoon a rifled battery of the Reserve Artillery was asked for by General Hancock, who succeeded General Richardson in the command of his division when the latter was wounded. There was none disposable; all were actively engaged or had been detached to other points, but Grahams light 12s were sent instead. This bat Page 207 CHAP. XXXI.1 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 207 tery was placed in position under difficult circumstances, and beauti- fully handled by Captain Graham under a severe fire, in which he lost heavily in men and horses. Colonel Hays, under whose observation the service was rendered, has recommended Captain Graham and Lieutenant Elder, his first lieutenant, for a brevet, in which I concnr. The horse artillery accompanied the cavalry, and occupied the gap in the center of the line of battle, between Hancocks division and Burusides corps, and became warmly engaged with the enemy. On the 19th instant the horse artillery accompanied the cavalry in l)ursnit of the enemy. They were closely followed by the Reserve Artil- lery under Colonel Hays, a number of whose batteries took part in the artillery combat between the batteries on opposite sides of the Potomac. The enemys gunners and their supports being driven off, a small body of our infantry crossed the river and secured six of the abandoned guns. As these operations took place under the immediate orders of General Porter, I respectfully refer you to his report for the particulars. The artillery attached to the divisions performed their duties credit- ably and gallantly, and there were many instaiices of desperate fighting. The enemy repeatedly attempted to carry our batteries, but were in every instance driven back, a circumstance due in a great degree to the care taken in posting their supports. I have to acknowledge the services in this campaign of Lient. E. 11. Warner, Third Art~illery, my assistant adjutant-general, and the only officer on my staff. He was zealous and indefatigable in his labors to ascertain and provide for the deficiencies of the batteries, and performed his duties gallantly on the field. Lieutenant-Colonel Hays, commanding the Reserve Artillery and bat. teries of position, performed his duties with his usual skill, judgment, and effect. His reputation is too well established to require further commendation from me. Lieut. W. D. Fuller, Third Artillery, in charge of the reserve ammu- nition column, is entitled to special credit for his energy in organizing the train and bringing it forward from Washington. Upon his labors depended the supply of ammunition not only to the reserVe, but to most of the division batteries on the field, and he did his work thoroughly and efficiently. The conclusion of the battle left the artillery of the army scant of men, of horses, of ammunition, of supplies of every description. The (~reate1 portion of the batteries before on this ~~ had, entering neither the time nor the opportunity to repair the losses and daiuages or replace the expenditures of the previous one. An almost coniplete reorganization and reassignment was necessary. All efforts were mi- mediately directed to placing them in condition again to take the field. Notwithstanding these efforts, they were not fully prepared when the army crossed the Potomac, and large portions of the supplies they required were not received until after they reached this place. To the constant employment of the battery officers, chiefs of artillery, and myself in the performance of these, the most important and iiecessary duties at the time, must be attributed my inability to prepare a more complete or satisfactory report of the artillery operations of the cam- paign. Respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY J. HUNT, Brig. Gem Vols., Chief of Artillery, Army of the Potomac. Brig. Gen. R. B. MAnGY, (Late) Chief of kSttjt ~, Army oJ the Potomac Page 208 208 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. No. 8. Report of Brig. Gen. A~frcd Pleasonton, U. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division, of operations September 417. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION, Camp near Sharpsburg, September 19, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of serv- ice performed by this division in the late operations of the Army of the Potomac, comprehending the expulsion of the enemy from Maryland: On the 4th instant the command moved from Falls Church, on the south side of the Potomac, passed over the Aqueduct Bridge to Ten. nallytown, and from thence proceeded to reconnoiter all the fords on the Potomac as far as Seneca Mills, finally assuming a position at Muddy Run. This occupied the 4th, 5th, and 6th instant. On the 6th instant the First New York Cavalry moved to Middleburg, and sent four companies to occupy Clarksburg, at the same time scout- ing the country to llyattstown. The First U. S. Cavalry proceeded to Brookville, to scout in the direction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The Eighth illinois and Third Indiana Cavalry moved the same day in advance of Darnestown, picketing the roads in the direction of Pooles- ville and the fords on the Potomac. On the 7th instant two squadrons of the Eighth Illinois and two of the Third Indiana, under Major Chapman, of the Third Indiana, made a dash on Poolesville and captured two cavalry vedettes, all of the enemy in the town at the time. The next day, the 8th instant, Colonel Farnsworth moved his commandthe Eighth Illinois, Third Indiana, and a section of horse artillery of Company M, Second Artillery, under First Lieutenant Chapiuto occupy Poolesville and picket the roads to Conrads Ferry, Edwards Ferry, Barnesville, and the Monocacy. As this force neared Poolesville, the enemys cavalry were observed retreat. big on the road leading to Barnesville, and some squadrons of the Third Indiana pushed after them. They had not proceeded far before the ciiemy opened a fire from some guns strongly posted on the right of the town. The section of artillery, under Lieutenant Chapin, soon silenced these guns, which made off in the direction of Barnesville. The squadrons of the Third Indiana, under Major Chapman, were now ordered to charge the battery, which was handsomely done, the en- emys cavalry and artillery being driven over 3 miles, when the Eighth illinois coming up, under Major Medill, the chase was continued until after dark. In this affair the Third Indiana lost 1 killed and 11 wounded; the Eighth Illinois 1 wounded. The rebel loss amounted to 8 killed, 16 wounded, and 6 prisonersall cavalry. On the 9th instant Farnsworth with his command proceeded toward Barnesville, and observing a squadron of the enemys cavalry near Mon- ocacy Church, he directed Captain Farnsworths squadron, of the Eighth illinois, to gain their rear and cut them off. This movement succeeded in dividing the enemy and in capturing their battle-flag (that of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, called the Ashby Cavalry), besides several prisoners. The march being continued toward Barnesville, Captain Kelleys squadron, Eighth Illinois, being in advance, encountered the enemys vedettes on the edge of the village. A dash was made on them through the village and some 2 miles beyond, the troopa being engaged twice in a hand-to-hand fight. The days work restdted in ~iUin~ 4 o Page 209 CHAr. XXXI.J THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 209 the enemy, wounding 5, and taking 27 prisoners, while we lost not a man or a horse. On the 10th instant Captain Sanders, Sixth Cavalry, with a cavalry fbrce and two guns, attempted to dislodge the enemy from the base of Sugar Loaf Mountain, but the latter was too strongly posted to be moved except by a larger force thami was at my disposal. Franklins corps arrived in the afternoon, an(l on the 11th instant the rebels were soon retreat ILimi in , cocks briga(lc, of Fran kbis corps, and Farnsworths brigade of cavalry beiiig the Threes cn~age(l. On the 12th instant Farnsworths brigade moved by the way of Clarks- burg to Frederick City, and also Robertsons and hams batteries. The Sixth Cavalry, and a section of artillery, under Captain Sanders, moved to the Monocacy, and was afterward under the orders of Franklin at .J ciferson. About 5 oclock in the evening I entered Frederick with my command, having been joined by the First New York, under Colonel MciReynolds, a rid a portion of the Twelfth Pennsylvania. The enemys pickets were driven out of Frederick as we advanced on the Urbana road, while Burnsides corps pushed them on the New Market road, from which direction he entered about half an hour before my advance, On the morning of the 13th instant Melteynolds brigade, with a sec- tion of artillery, was sent in the direction of Gettysburg by orders from your headquarters, while Rushs Lancers joined Franklins corps at Jef- lerson. At the same time, after an arrangement with General Buruside as to the manner of l)roceeding, and in which he most generously offered every assistance, the remainder of my command started at daylight on the Hagerstown turnpike, and had l)roceeded some 3 or 4 miles when he enemy opened npon the advance with artillery from the ridge to the left of where the road passes over the Catoctin range of the Blue Ridge. Their batteries were supported by (lislnounted cavalry. A couple of sections from Robertsons and Hams batteries were immediately opened on our side, and some squadrons of the Eighth Illinois and Third In- diana were dismounted, and sent up the mountain to the right as skir- nuishers. After a severe cannonading and several warm volleys with c~~rbines, the enemy retreated hastily, havimig previously barricaded the road in several places. A rapid pursuit was made and a number of l)risoners taken, when the enemy made a second stand on the east side of Middletown. Gibsons battery then came up, and soon in beautiful style induced another backward movement. Farnsworths brigade then advanced, and engaged the cavalry until they were driven beyond the town about 1,000 yards, to a third position they had selected to deThud. A section of Gibsons battery engaged them here, and in a few minutes the enemy retreated rapidly to Turners Gap of the South Mountain; but before doing so they blew up the bridge on the Catoctin Creek, and set fire to the barn and other valuables of the persons residing at that l)oint. As the creek was easily fordable, this did not l)revent my a(l- vance to the foot of the mountain, which was found to be too strong a 1)osition to be carried by my force. BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. Being soon satisfied that time enemy would defend his position at Turners Gal) with a large Three, 1 sent back to General Buruside for some infantry, and in the intermediate time I caused h force of (us- mounted cavalry to move up the mountain on the right of the turnpike, to examine the position on that side. This produced some skirmishing 14 R RYOL XIX, PT Page 210 210 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL with the enemy, and induced huiti to mass a considerable force on that side during the night. I learned also that there were two roads, one on the right and the other to the left of the gap, both of which entered the turnpike beyond the gap, and would assist us materially in turning the enemys position on both flanks. General Burnsides troops did not arrive in time to engage on the 13th, but on the morning of the 14th instant the general kindly sent me a brigade of infantry, under Colonel Scammon, and some heavy batteries. Scaminons brigade I directed to move up the mountain on the left-hand road, gain the crest, and then move to the right to the turnpike in the enemys rear. At the same time I placed Gibsons battery and time heavy batteries in position to time left, covering the road on that side, and obtaining a direct fire on the enemys position in the gap. Shortly after this, General Cox arrived with a second brigade of in- fantry, and upon my explaining the position to him, he move(l to the support of Scammon, who was successful in his movement to gain the crest of the mountain. During the cannonading that was then going on, the enemys batteries were several times driven from the gap, but the contest assuming on each side large proportions, and Major-General iteno having arrived on the field, I pointed out to him the positions of the troops as I had placed them, giving him at the same time those of the enemy. He immediately assumed the (lirection of the operations, passed to the front on the mountaimi height, and was eminently success- ful in driving the enemy, until he fell at the moment he was gallantly leading his command to a crowning victory. Time clear judgment and determined courage of Iteno rendered time triinnphant results obtained by the operations of his corps second to none of the brilliant deeds accomplished on that field. At his loss a master-mind had passed away. During this action the First Massachusetts and Third Indiana Cav- alry were detached to serve with hookers corps. THE PURSUIT. At daylight on the morning of the 15th, I started in pursuit of the enemy with a part of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry. The advance came up with the enemys rear guard of cavalry on entering Boousborough, charged them repeatedly, and drove them some 2 miles beyond the town. A section of Tidballs battery came up at this time and gave them a few shells, when they broke and ran in every direction, leavimig two pieces of artillery behind them, 30 dead on the field, some 50 wounded, and a very large number of prisoners, among whom were several hundred stragglers. Our loss was 1 killed and 15 woummded. Among the latter was the brave Captain Kelley, of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, who was shot while gallantly charging at the head of his squadron. In this affair the enemy outnumbered us three to one, and the number of desperate personal encounters that (lay clearly shows the superiority of our cavalry. Colonel Farnsworth, Captains Kelley, Medill, and First Lieutenant and Adjutant ilynes, of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, were conspicuous for their gallantry on this occasion; also Captain Custer and First Lieutenant Martin, aides-dc-camp on the staff of General McClellan, and who were serving with inc at time time. In obedience to my instructions, I then moved in the direction of Sharps- burg, and caine up with Richardsons divisiomi in line of battle in ad- vance of Keedysville, the enemy being in positiomi this side of Sharps- burg. General Richardson having no batteries with him, requested o Page 211 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 211 me Tidballs four guns, to reply to the enemys batteries, which had opened at four different points of their line. Tidball was soon placed in position, and returned fire, and this was continued at intervals on this and the succeeding day by numerous batteries engaged on both sides. On the 16th instant my cavalry was engaged in reconnaissances, escorts, and supports to batteries. THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAN. On the morning of the 17th instant, after the commencement of the action on the right, I was directed by Major-General McClellan, ver- bally, to advance with my division of cavalry and horse batteries of artillery on the turnpike toward Sharpsburg, to some suitable position beyond the bridge over the Antietam Creek, and support the left of Sumners line of battle with my force. Finding the enemy had a cross-fire of artillery on the bridge, and that his sharpshooters covered it iii front, I first threw forward some cavalry skirmishers, and then advanced Tidballs battery by piece, under a heavy fire, to drive off the sharpshooters with canister. This plan in a short time succeeded in clearing the front sufficiently to obtain posi- tions for Gibsons, Robertsons, Tidballs, and Hams batteries, who opened on the enemy with great effect, having a direct fire in front and an enfilading fire in front of Sumners corps on the right, and support- ing the right of Burnsides corps on the left, the distance to Sumners corps being nearly a mile, and something greater to that of Burnsides, my force being the only one in front, connecting the two corps. The fire was kept up over two hours, when the enemys fire had slackened very much, and my batteries, requiring ammunition, retired by piece and by section to supply themselves, being replaced by Randols battery and Kusserows battery, from Sykes division. I was also indebted to Gen- eral Sykes for five small battalions of infantry he kindly placed at my disposal, to assist in supporting my position. The following cavalry supports were to the right and left of my posi- tion, viz: The Fifth Regular Cavalry, Farnsworths brigade, Rushs brigade, and two regiments of the Fifth Brigade, under Colonel Davis, of the Eighth New York. About 3 oclock in the afternoon three of my batteries, Tidballs, Robertsons, and Hams, returned to their positions, Randols battery being relieved and Gibsons being placed in position on the right of the road, in rear, to cover the bridge. The fight was then renewed with increased vigor and energy, the enemys batteries being soon driven from their position in front of us. At the same time a heavy column of dust could be seen moving behind the Sharpsburg Ridge toward Sumners left. I (lirectcdthe fire of the batteries into this dust, and soon the development of the enemys line of battle, fully a mile long, could be seen bearing down upon Richard- sons division on Sumners left, then commanded by Hancock, Richard- son having been badly wounded. The enemys batteries were also play- ing heavily upon this division. At this time Hancock requested some guns to assist him. None could l)e spared at that moment but I directed the fire of some eighteen guns upon the enemys line in front of him for twenty minutes, when we had the satisfaction of seeing this immense line first halt, deliver a desul- tory fire, and then break and run to the rear in the greatest confusion and disorder. A section of Tidballs battery was immediately advanced - to the crest of a hill several hundred yards to the front, and in front o Page 212 212 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. ICITAr. XXXL the inflintry of Hancocks left. This was a most favorable position for operating on a battery then in full play upon the center of Sumners line. Tlie fire from this section contributed in no small degree toward silencing this battery. It was now 4 oclock in the afternoon. Burnsides corps had driven the enemy back upon the hill upon which his batteries were placed and in conjunction with the repulse of the enemy in front of Hancock, left the field open to the Sharpsburg Ridge, to which point I desired to for- ward my batteries, to obtain an enfilading fire upon the enemy in front of Burnside, and enable Sumner to advance to Sharpsburg. I was so satisfied that this could be done at that moment, that I sent a request to Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter, asking for the assistaiice of some infantry to support my advance to the Sharpsburg Ridge. This request was not entertained by General Porter, and I have since been informed the force I needed was not then at his disposal. I held my position until 7 oclock iii the evening, when I was withdrawn, by the orders of Major-General McClellan, to the bivouac at Keedysville. On the 18th instant my cavalry were engaged collecting stragglers and feeling the enemy on the different roads. On the 19th instant I started in pursuit of the enemy, who had fled to the opposite side of the Potomac. Before reaching the river, I suc- ceeded in capturing 167 prisoners, one gun left behind by the enemy in his haste, and one color. On arriving near the river on the turnpike, the enemys batteries ol)ened a heavy fire from several positions below Shepherdstown, cover- ing Blackfords Ford. Gibsons, Tidballs, and Robertsons batteries re- l)hied with such effect that the enemy drew off the greater part of his guns. This cannonade lasted about two hours, when, a part of Porters corps coming up, my command was relieved from this position, aiid with- (Irew to camp. The services of this division from the 4th of September up to the 19th of the same were of the most constant aud arduous character. For fif- teen successive days we were in contact with the enemy, amid each day conflicts of some kind were maintained, in which we gradually but stead- ily advanced. The officers and men have exerted themselves to insure the success of every expedition, and their efforts have been fortunate, as no mishaps have occurred beyommd the casualties imwident to such service. The losse~of the division in time campaign were as follows: 17 killed, 78 wounded, and 13 missing, making a total of 108. The distinguished service rendered by the officers of the horse artillery renders it proper to mention their several names in this report. In Gib- sons battery, Third Artillery, there were Capt. 11. G. Gibson, First Lients. E. Pendleton and II. Meinell, and Second Licut. F. D. L. Rus- sell, Fourth Artillery. In Robertsons battery, Second Artillery, there were Capt. James M. Robertson and Second Lient. Albert 0. Vincent. In Tidballs battery, Second Artillery, were Capt. John C. Tidball, First Lieut. A. C. M. Pennington, jr., Second Lients. William N. Demmison and Robert Clarke. In Hams battery, Secomid Artillery, were First Lient. Peter C. Hams and Second Lient. Robert 11. Chapin. The officers of the cavalry who are entitled to mention, from their position and gallant service, are a~ follows: First Brigade.Maj. C. J. Whiting comnnianding, and Capts. J. B. Harrison and Wesley Owens, of time Fifth Cavalry. Sixth Cavalry, Capt. XV. P. Sanders comnumanditig, and Capts. George C. Cram and Hepry B. Hays, and Lieut. Albert Coats, adjutant Page 213 ChAP. XXXI.] TIlE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 213 & cond Brigade.Col. J. F. Farnsworth, Eighth Illinois, command- ing; Capts. W. II. Mcdiii, E. S. Kelley, Aipheus Clark, E. J. Farns- worth, J. D. Ludlam; First Lient. P. J. Hynes, Adjt. Daniel W. Buck, Second Licut. I. W. Trask, of the Eighth Illinois Regiment. Third Th- diana Cavalry, Major Chapman; Captains Patton and Lemmon. Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Capt. Peter Keenan. First Massachusetts Cav- airy, Captain Crowninshielil. Third Brigade.Col. IR. II. Rush commanding; Lient. Col. C. Ross Smith, Sixth Pennsylvania Lancers. Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Col. J. II. Childs (who was killed); Lieut. Col. J. K. Kerr. Fourth Briyade.Col. A. T. MclReynolds commandiug, First New York Cavalry; Major Adams, First New York Cavalry; Maj. J. A. Congdon, Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry. F.fth Brigade.Two regiments of which were engaged in the battle of Antietam, under Colonel Davis~ Eighth New York, Col. B. F. 1)avis; TIii rd Penn sylvania, Lieutenant-Colonel Owen commanding. A l)ortion of the First Regular Cavalry were under my command in the pursuit of the enemy to the river, and did good service under Capt. Marcus A. Ileno. To the following officers of my staff I am much indebted for their effi- cient and valuable services: Capt. A. J. Cohen, assistant ad.jutant-geu- eral; First Lieuts. Isaac M.Ward, Sixth Cavalry, and C. Thompson, First New York Cavalry, aides-de-camp; First Lieut. J. W. Spangler, Sixth Cavalry, division quartermaster; First Lieut. J. A. Hall, First Cavalry, (livisiOll commissary of subsistence. Also to First Lieut. Leroy S. El- bert, Third Cavalry, acting aide-de-camp. The five small battalions of regular infantry from Sykes division on the 17th at the battle of Antietam kept a superior force from my gulls for the greater part of the day. These men behaved splendidly through - out the tight, and Capt. Hiram Dryer, of the Fourth Infantry, who was iu command, distinguished himself by his gallantry and good service. This conunand was composed of a battalion from each of the following reThiar , . e Second, Fourth, Tenth, Twelfth, and Four- regiments viz~ Th tecuth Infantry. To the Signal Corps and to the members of the special service I have been in(lebted for important information furnished at various times. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. PLEASO~TON, Brigadier- General, Commanding Dirision. Brig. (len. It. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac. No. 9. Reports of M~j. (Jen. Joseph Hooker, U. S. Army, commanding First Army Corps, of the battles of South llliountain and Antietam, with eon- qra tulations of General hue (Jiellan. HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS, Washington City, D. C., November 7, 1862. COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the First Corps coni- meneed its march from the camp on the Monocacy at daylight on the morning of the 14th September, and continued it over the Nationa Page 214 214 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. turnpike to the vicinity of Middletown, which place it reached about 1 oclock p. in. While here I was requested by the major-general corn- inanding the Army of the Potomac to ride to the front and examine the country in the neighborhood of where it was proposed to pass the army over South Mountain. The enemy had taken possession of the turnpike and the crests of the mountain, prepared to dispute its passage. On my way I passed (Joxs corps, withdrawing from the contest,* and still farther on I came up with some of our batteries, exchanging shots at long distance with some of the rebel batteries posted near the turnpike, and apparently about half way up the slope of the mountain. Still farther on was lienos corps, moving into position to the south ofethe turnpike, over what appeared to be a trail, his troops stretching from the summit to the base of the mountain. The general direction of this ridge is perpendicular to the line of the road. iFroin a point near to where our batteries were placed, I was enabled to make an excellent reconnaissance of the eastern slope, extending fhr to the north and south of the pike. While here, about 2 oclock, Meades division of my corps was ordered to make a diversion in favor of lieno, to the right of the turnpike, and soon after I received instruc- tions from the major-general commanding the Army of the Potomac to hold my whole corps in readiness to support the First Division. Ac- cordingly, they were all put en route, and marched to the base of the foothills, where the divisions were deployed for battle as rapidly as they arrivedMeades division on the right, Hatchs on the left, that of hlticketts being held in reserve. The right of Meades division rested nearly 14- miles from the turn pike. Williams First Regiment Massachusetts Cavalry was dispatched higher up the valley, to observe the movements of the enemy, if any, in that direction. In front of us was South Mountain, the crest of the spinal ridge of which was held by the enemy in considerable force. Its slopes are l)recipitous, rugged, and wooded, and difficult of ascent to an infantry force, even in absence of a foe in front. The National turnpike crosses the summit of this range of mountains through a gentle depression, and near this point a spur projects from the body of the ridge, and running nearly parallel with it about a mile, where it is abruptly cut by a rivulet from the main ridge, and rises again and extends far to the northward. At and to the north of the pike this spur is separated from the main ridge by a narrow valley, with cultivated fields, extending well up the gentle slope of the hill on each side. Here the enemy had a strong in- fantry force posted, and a few pieces of artillery. Through the break in the spur at the base of the principal ridge were other cleared fields, occupied by the enemy. Coopers battery was brought into position on high ground, and opened on the enemy visible on this part of the field. While this battery was moving to its position, and while the infantry were deploying, the enemy threw a few shot from a battery on the side of the mountain, but at long range, producing little or no effect. As soon as these dispositions were made, and, from my observation, anticipating no important sequence from the attack to the south of the turnpike, it was resolved to move to the assault at once, [which was] commenced with throwing forward a heavy body of skirmishers along my whole line, and directions were given for Meade and Hatch to sup. port them with their divisions. Meade moved forward with great vigor, and soon became engaged, driving everything before him. Every step * See Burnsidc8 report of January 20, 1863, p. 422 Page 215 CHAr. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 215 of his advance was resisted stubbornly by a numerous enemy, and, be- sides, he had great natural obstacles to overcome, which impede(l his advance but did not check it. From its great elevation and the dense smoke which rose ovcr the top of the forest, the progress of the battle on this part of the field was watched with anxious interest for miiiles aroun(l, an(l while it elicited the applause of the spectators, they could not fail to admire the steadi- ness, resolution, and courage of the brave officers and men engaged. At this moment word was received that the enemy were attCm~)tiflg to turn Meades right, when Duryeas brigade, IRicketts division, was (1i5])atChICd to thwart it, an(l reached there in good time to render sub- stantial aid in this, an(l also in assisting their comrades in crowning the summit with our arms. This was taken possession of in fine style l)etween sundown and dark, and from that moment the battle was won. From here we threatened the retreat of the rebels posted between the main ridge and the spur of the mountaimi, while it commanded the turn- I)ike on both sides of the mountain. On reaching the smnruit, Meade was ordered to hold it until further orders. Meantime I-latch had pressed into the forest on the left, and, after (lrivillg in their advanced pickets, encountered a heavy fire from the emmemy massed in his front. The struggle became violent and pro- tracted, his troops displaying the finest courage and determination. An excellent brigade had been withdrawn from this division by the major-general commanding the right wing without my knowledge, and ordered to advance to the turnpike, but as no report of their operations has been rendered me by General Gibbon, I can only call your attention to their list of casualties; it speaks for itself. hatch being outnumbered, sorely pressed, and almost out of ammunition, Christians brigade, Rick- etts division, was ordered forward to strengthen lmim ,and in this ren- dered good service. On this part of the field the resistance of the enemy was centinued until after dark, and only subsided on his being driven from his position. It being very dark, our trOOl)5 were directed to re- main in position, and Hartsuffs brigade was brought np and formed a line across the valley, connecting with Meades left and Hatchs right, and all were directed to sleep on their arms. At dawn Hartsnffs skirmishers were thrown forward, supported by his brigade, to the Mountain House, a mounted picket of the enemy re- treating as they advanced. The enemy had been re-enforced by twenty regiments of Longstreets corps during the early part of the night, but between 12 and 1 oclock commenced a hurried and confused retreat, leaving his dead on our hands and his wounded uncared for. Notwithstanding we had remained in the undisturbed possession of every foot of ground we had fought on, driven them from one end of our line to the other, and taken upward of a thousand prisoners, with shame- ful effrontery this field was heralded from the rebels capital as a victory. When the advantages of the enemys position are considered, and his preponderating numbers, the forcing of the passage of South Mountain will be classed among the most brilliant and satisfactory achievements of this army, and its principal glory will be awarded to the First Corps. I have omitted to mention that Brigadier-General Richardson had re- ported to inc at the head of his splendid division at daylight on the morning of the 15th, and, as it was well in hand, he was directed to pur- sue tlme enemy in their hurried retreat, which was promptly executed by that distinguished officer. The especial attention of the major-general commanding is called to the reports of division, brigade, regimental, and battery commanders Page 216 216 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [ChAr. XXXI herewith transmitted, as they uniformly bear testimony to the noble conduct of our troops in this battle. To theirs I must add the heartfelt and gratefal testimony of their commander. I must also respectfully refer you to these reports for the evidences of signal and distinguished services on the part of individuals and of corps. I desire to make special mention of Brigadier General Meude for the great intelligence and gallantry displayed by him. Also Brigadier. General Hatch, who was severely wounded, ati(l Briga(lier- General Ricketts and Brigadier-General Doubleday, wli o rendered inc an en- lightened and generous assistance. The limits of a report only allow me to speak in general terms of my brigade, regimental, and battery commanders. Their services were eminently meritorious and satisfactory. I further desire to make my acknowledgments to Brigadier-General Marcy, chief of staff of the Army of the Potomac, for his valuable services. He remained with me throughout the greater 1)art of the engagement. I am also under obli- gations to Major Hammerstein, aide-de-carnp, at the same headquarters, for his a~sistance and support. My staff, Licut. Col. Joseph Dickinson, assistant adjutant-general; Maj. William H. Lawrence, Capts. William L. Candler an(l Alexander Moore, aides-de-camp, assisted me with their accustom c(I intelligence and courage. The list of killed and wounded is herewith respectfully forwarded, numbering 878.* Very respectfully, your obedient servant,. JOSEPH llOOKEl~~, Major- Gcnera 1, Commandinq First Corps. Lient. Col. LEWIS RICHMOND, Asst. A djt. (Thu., Right Winq, Army of the Potomac. ANTIETAM. I HEADQUARTERS FIRST Coups, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Washington, D. C., November 8,1862. GENERAL: At dawn the morning following the battle of South Mountain, September 15, llartsuffs skirmishers, supporte(l by his bri- gade, were thrown forward, when it was ascertained that the emmemy had fallen back from our front, leaving his dead and wounded in our I iands, toward Boonsborou o-h an Sharpsburg. ~ , d from thence had taken the road to Soon after Hartsuffs advance, General Richardson, ~vith his l)rigade of Sumnems corps, was ordered to take the place of Hartsuff, and to l)roceed in vigorous pursuit, with no other instructiomis than not to engage the enemy if lie overtook hium, but await my arrival. Mean- time mmiy corps were ordered to make a little coike and eat their break- fasts. which they had not been able to do since the beginning of their mnarch from the Monocacy, the morning 1)revious. Pleasontons cavalry followed in the footsteps of Richardsons brigade, and soon after the First Corps resumed its march in pursuit of the enemy. * But see revised statemeuit, p. 1s4. Unfinished report, found in records of First Corps, Army of the Potomac Page 217 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 217 About 10 oclock a. m. word was received that he had made a stand a mile or more in front of Sharpsburg, and about that distance from Richardsons command. As General Richardson was without artillery, he had borrowed a section from Pleasonton, and had already opened on the enemy when I reached the field. The rebels appeared to be osten- tatiously deployed in two lines, perpendicular to the road leading to Sharpsbnrg, with his batteries posted to resist the passage of our forces over the bridge which crosses that stream. All of his troops appeared exl)ose(l to view, and numbered, as nearly as I could estimate about 8(),(N)0 mcii. Fully conscious of my weaI~ness in number and more le,J (11(1 not feel strong enough to attack him in front, even after the arrival of the First Corps, and it was only after the left of the enemy was (d)served to break into column and march to the rear, behind a forest, (HI which appeared to be the Williamsport road, that Maj. D. C. Houston, ot the Engineers, was dispatched up the river to find practicable fords, by the means of which my troops might be thrown across the Antietam River to attack the enemy, and perhaps cut off his artillery, as soon as his numbers were sufficiently reduced to justify the movement. A l)ritl ge was found, and also two fords, which with little labor on the banks were rendered practicable for the passage of infantry and artillery. At 5 oclock p. m. about one-half of the enemys infantry force had l)assed to the rear, when I deemed it too late to make the detour, in order to come up with the enemy, without a night march through a country of which we were profoundly ignorant. Meanwhile the bulk of the army was arriving in the valley of Antie- tam, and all the enemys artillery, with a considerable portion of his infhntry, remained in the position in which we had found them in the in orning. Between 1 and 2 oclock the day following, I received instructions from the major-general commanding the Army of the Potomac to cross the river with the First Corps, and attack the enemy on his left flank, Meades and Ricketts divisions crossing the bridge near Keedysville, and 1)oubledays division at the ford just below it. As soomi as I saw my command under way, I rode to the headquarters of the commanding general for any further orders he might have to give me, when I was informed that 1 was at liberty to call for re-enforce- ments if I should need theni, and that on their arrival they would be l)laced under my command, and I returned and joined my troops on their march. Our direction was nearly perpendicular to the river we hIa(l crossed, mimy object being to gaul the high ground or divide between the Potomac and Antietam Rivers, and then incline to the left, following the elevation toward the left of the rebel army. Two regiments of Mea(ies division were thrown forward as skirmishers, followed by a squadron of Owens cavalry, and all supported by Meades divisiomi. We had not proceeded over a half a mile before the commanding general with his staff joined me, apparently to see how we were progressimig. Among other subjects of conversation, I said to the general that he had ordered my small corps, now numbering between 12,000 and 13,000 (as I had just lost nearly 1,000 men in the battle of South Mountain), across the river to attack tile whole rebel army, amid that if re-emiforcements were not forwarded promptly, or if another attack was not made oii the enemys right, the rebels would eat me up. I~retty soon after this inter- view, my skirmishers became en gaged with the enemys advanced post, and the firing was continued incessantly until dark, ~~re advancing slowly, and the enemy retiring before us. During the last part of the time th Page 218 218 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [ChAP. XXXI. resistance became formidable and we all slept on our arms that night. The cleared space between the forests necessitated a change in my front from a division to a brigade, and Seymours command held the advance when night overtook us, and bivouacked in advance of my corps when operations were suspended. The ilight becoming dark and drizzly, I sought shelter in Millers barn, a few yards to the left of the Hagerstown pike (facing the south), and (lirectly in the rear of Seymours brigade. Desultory firing was kept ill) between the pickets almost throughout the night, and about 9 oclock p. m. I visited them in order to satisfy myself concerning this firing, and found that the lines of pickets bf the two armies were so near each other as to be able to hear each other walk, but were not visible to each other. I found Seymours officers and men keenly alive to their proximity to our enemy, and seemed to realize the responsible character of their serv- ices for the night. Indeed, their conduct inspired me with the fullest confidence, and on returning to the barn I immediately dispatched a cou- rier informing the commanding general of my surroundings, and assur- ing him that the battle would be renewed at the earliest dawn, and that re-enforcements should be ordered forward iii season to reach me before that moment. General Mansfield, with his corps, did cross the creek that night, and encamped his command abont 1 mile in rear of my own, and in the morning participated actively in the battle. We were now 3 or 4 miles in advance of x~ere we had crossed the Autietam Bridge. At daylight we were fully prepared to renew our march, which lay through orchards, corn-fields, and over plowed ground, skirted on either side by forests, the cleared space between which averaging not more than 400 or 500 yards in width, the field and the object in view narrowing my front to quite a limited degree. Doubledays division was posted on the right, Iticketts on the left, and Meades in reserve. At daylight Gibbons and llartsuffs brigades were thrown forward, supported with the brigades of their respective divisions, while Meade followed them up in the cen- ter, instructed to spring to the assistance of either, as circumstances might require. Seymour continued to hold the advance, with the ut- most firmness and resolution, until our troops had passed him. With these dispositions completed, the battle was soon renewed on the morn- ing of the 17th. My object was to gain the high ground nearly three- quarters of a mile in advance of me, and which commanded the position taken by the enemy on his retreat from South Mountain; to prevent which he had been reenforced by Jacksons corps during the night, and at the same time had planted field batteries on high ground on our right and rear, to enfilade our lines when exposed during the advance. We had not proceeded far before I discovered that a heavy force of the enemy had taken possession of a corn-field (I have since learned about a thirty-acre field) in my immediate front, and from the suns rays fall- ing on their bayonets projecting above the corn could see that the field was filled with the enemy, with arms in their hands, standing appar- ently at support arms. Instructions were immediately given for the assemblage of all of my spare batteries, near at hand, of which I think there were five or six, to spring into battery, on the right of this field, and to open with canister at once. In the time I am writing every stalk of corn in the northern and greater part of the field was cut as closely as could have been done with a knife, and the slain lay in rows precisely as they had stood in their ranks a few moments before. It was never my fortune to witness a more bloody, dismal battle-field Page 219 ChAP. XXXI.) THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 219 Those that escaped fled in the opposite direction from our advance, and sought refuge behind the trees, fences, and st6ne ledges nearly on a line with the Dunker Church, & c., as there was no resisting this tor- rent of death-dealing missives. I have since been informed by a divis- ion commander of Jacksons corps that the latter was waiting for some stragglers to arrive which had been left during his night march from Harpers Ferry, in anticipation of delivering an attack on my command. The whole morning had been one of unusual animation to inc and fraught with the grandest events. The condnct of my troops was sub- lime, and the occasion almost lifted me to the skies, and its memories will ever remain near me. My command followed the fugitives closely until we had passed the corn-field a quarter of a mile or more~ when I was removed from my saddle in the act of falling out of it from loss of blood, having previously been struck without my knowledge. While my wound was being examined by the surgeons, Sumners corps appeared upon the field on my immediate right, and I have an indistinct recollec- tion of having seen Sedgwicks division j~tss to the front. I do not think that I examined my watch that morning, but feel confident as to the timnelO oclock a. m. I was carried to the rear at once, to the house of Mr. Pry, on the left bank of Antietam Creek. Throughout the foregoing operations all of my officers and men of all arms, as well as the officers composing my staff, without a solitary ex- ception, seemed to be emulous of each other in their eagerness to learn my wishes and execute my orders.* [HOOKER] Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS Assistant Adjutant- General, Army of the Potomac. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TIlE POTOMAC, Marpsbury, & ptember 20, 1862. Maj. Gen. JOSEPH HOOKER, Commanding Corps: M~ IJEAR HOOKER: I have. been very sick the last few days, and just able to go where my presence was absolutely necessary, so I could not come to see you and thank you for what you did the other day, and express my intense regret and sympathy for your unfortunate wolln(L. Had you not been wounded when you were, I believe the result of the battle would have been the entire destruction of the rebel army, for I know that, with you at its head, your corps would have kept on until it gained the main road. As a slight expression of what I think you merit, I have requested that the brigadier-generals commission rendered vacant by Mansfields death may be given to you. I will this evening write a private note to the President on the subject, and I am glad to assure you that, so far as I can learn, it is the universal feeling of the army that you are the most deserving in it. With the sincere hope that your health may soon be restored, so that you may again be with us in the field, I am, my dear general, your sin cere friend, GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major- General. * Not finished Page 220 220 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [ChAP. XXXI. No. 10. Report of Brijq. Gen. John P. Hatch, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, of the battle of South Mountain. MIDDLETOWN, Mm, September 15, 1802. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following rel)ort of the oper- ations of my division on the 14th instant, from the opening of the action on that day to the time I was compelled to leave the field by a })ainful, though not dangerous, woundA On leaving the turnpike to take up position, Gibbons brigade, the largest in the division, was detached by order of Major-General Burn- side, leaving but three brigades, the total effective force of which could not have exceeded 3,500. The Twenty-first New York, under Colonel I~ogers, was first thrown forward, deployed as skirmishers, with orders to move up a ravine leading to a low place on the crest of the mountain on my right. The Thirty-fifth ~ew York, uu(ler Colonel Lord, was also deployed as skirmishers, and directed to move to the crest of the mount- ain, connecting on the right with the Twenty-first, and covering the whole front of the division. The remainder of Patricks brigade was moved to the front, as a support for the two regiments deployed as skirmishers. Through some misunderstanding of the order, Colonel Rogers regiment, instead of going to time point designated, moved up the mountain iu front of the division. Of tIme further movements of this regiment I have no information up to the time of my leaving the field. The error of Colonel Rogers beino discovered, the Second U. S. Sharp- shooters, Colonel Post, were detached from the First Brigade, and pro- ceeded up the ravine to the point indicated. I have received no i~port from this regiment, but have been informed that it came early into action and rendered very important service during the day.. The Thirty-fifth New York, supported by two regiments of Patricks bri- gade, moved very slowly up the side of the mountain, followed by the First Brigade, commanded by Colonel Phelps, and the Second, General I)oubheday, in line of battle of battalions in mass. The cause of the delay iii the first line can best be explained by General Patrick, whose report, I suppose, has been submitted to the present commander of the division. To ascertain the cause of the delay, I proceeded to the summit of the mountain, where I was only able to find time Thirty-fifth New York. The two supporting regiments were not to be found. The Thirty-fifth New York was then advammeed, supported immediately by time First Brigade. The enemy was found posted behind a fence at time edge of a wood, through which our attacking column was advanced, deployed iim line of battle. The firing was very heavy, time enemy umaking a des- perate resistance, and our troops advancing with determined courage. After about fifteen minutes of heavy firing, a charge was made by time First Brigade, which succeeded in gaining and taking possessiomm of tIme fence held by the enemy; but the resistance of time enemy being so much mere determined tlman had been anticipated, Doubleday was. ordered up to support the First Brigade. At the momemmt of carrying the fence I myself received a wound, which forced me to leave the field, the command of the division devolving upon General Doubleday. On arriving at the foot of the hill, I requested and obtained fromn General Rick etts a brmgade as a support for General I)oubheday. Subordinate reports not having been rece ive(l by me, I aiim only able t Page 221 CiiAI. XXXII TilE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 221 niention as (leserving of 1)artidular ])raise such individuals as attracted my own attention. (Jo]. Walter 1helps, jr., rfxventy second New York, commanding First Brigade, displayed the most distinguished courage, l)ringing up and hand1in~ his brigade in the most gallant manner. Major IJe Bevoise, commanding Fourteenth New York State Militia, gallantly led a gallant regiment, which this day added fresh laurels to those already won. Capt. John ID. OBrian, commanding the brave Twenty-fourth ~ew York, attracted the attention of all by his energy an(l activity. Capt. James Benkard, jr., additional aide-dc-camp of Ceneral Kings staff, and Lient. James Lyon, Fourth New York Chv- airy, my aide-dc-camp, also rendered important services, bearing mes- sages front 1)oiut to l)oint on the field, and in encouraging and urging on the troops. The latter oflicer has oii several former occasions been mentioned for his gallant l)earing nuder fire, and it is hoped may nicet with the advancement lie so well deserves. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. P. HATCH, Brigadier- General. Maj. JOSEPH DICKINSON, Assistant A djut ant- General, First Corps dArmle. No. 11. Reports of Brig. Gen. Abner i)oubieday, U. S. Army, commanding First Dieisw)l, oJ the battles oJ South Mountain and Antietam. hEADQUARTERS Fmsr l)IYIsIoN, FIRST Au~iY Coups, Near Sliarpsburg, Md., September 23, 1862. MAJOn: I have the honor to report that this division left the Mo- nocacy at 6 a. in. September 14, and arrived at the Catoctin al)out 12.30 p. in. here the column halted until 2.80 p. iii., when Brigadier-General Hatch assumed the command, ill place of General King, who was assigned to other duty. The enemys 1)ositiOn wa~ on the summit of South Mount- ain. To avoid the fire of his batteries the division now diverged from the main road and struck off into a by-road to the right, which led to a stone church at the foot of the mountain, where we found General hooker and his staff. The division at this time consisted of Double- days, Patricks, and Phelps (late Hatchs) brigades, General Gibbon having been detached with his brigade on special service. The general order of battle was for two regiments of Patricks bri- ga(le to l)reeede the main body, deployed as skirmishers, and supported by l~atricks two remaining regiments; these to be followed by Phelps 1)11 gade, 200 paces in the rear, and this in turn by Doubledays brigade, with the same interval. In accordance with this disposition, General 1~atrick deployed the Twenty-first New York, under Colonel liogei-s, as skirmishers on the right, and the Thirty-fifth New York, under Colomiel Lord, on the left, supporting the former with the Twentieth New York Militia, Lieutenant-Colonel Gates, and the latter with the Twemity-third New York, Colonel Hoffman. By General Ihatchs order, Phelps brigade advanced in column of divisions at half distance, preserving the intervals of deployment. My brigade advanced in the same order. On reaching a road part way Ill) the mountain, and l)arallel to its summit, each brigade (leh)loyed in tnl-n and advanced in line of battle. Colonel Phelps brigade, owimig to a Page 222 222 OPERATIONS IN N. VA, W. VA., MD., AND PA. [ChAP. XXXI. accidental opening, preceded for a while our line of skirmishers, but soon halted, and advanced in line some 30 paces in their rear. General Patrick rode to the front with his skirmishers, drew the fire of the en- emy, and developed their position. They lay behind a fence on the ~uinmit running north and south, fronted by a woods and backed by a corn-field, full of rocky ledges. Colonel Phelps now ordered his men to advance, and General Hatch rode through the lines, pressing them for- ward. They went in with a cheer, poured in a deadly fire, and drove the enemy from his position behind the fence, after a short and desper- ate conflict, and took post some yards beyond. Here General Hatch was wounded and turne(l over the command to me, and as during the action Colonel Wainwright, Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers, was also wounded, fhe comlnan(l of my brigade sub- sequently devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Hofmann. Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Phelps brigade being few in number, aiid having suffered severely, I relieved them just at dusk with my brigade, reduced by former engagements to about 1,000 men, who took l)O5itiOn beyond the fence referred to, the enemy being in heavy force some 30 or 40 paces in our front. They pressed heavily upon us, attempting to charge at the least cessation of our fire. At last I ordered the troops to cease firing, lie down behind the fence, and allowed the enemy to charge to within about 15 paces, apparently under the impression that we had given way. Then, at the word, my men sprang to their feet and poured in a deadly volley, from which the enemy fled in (lisorder, leaving their dead within 30 feet of our line. I learned from a wounded prisoner that we were engaged with 4,000 to 5,000, under the immediate command of General Pickett, with heavy niasses in their vicinity. He stated also that Loiigstreet in vain tried to rally the men, calling them his pets, and using every effort to induce them to renew the attack. The firing on both sides still continued, my men aiming at the flashes of the enemys muskets, as it was too dark to see objects distinctly, until our cartridges were reduced to two or three rounds. General iRicketts now came from the right and voluntarily relieved my men at the fence, who fell back some 10 paces and lay (lown on their arms. A few volleys from iRicketts ended the contest in about thirty minutes, and the enemy withdrew fromu the fieldnQt, however, until an attempt to flank us on our left, which was gallantly met by a J)artial change of front of the Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers nuder Colonel Wainwright, and the Suventh Indiamia, under Major Grover. In this attempt the enemy lost heavily, and were compelled to retreat in disorder. While the main attack was going on at the fence referred to, Colonel Rogers, with his own and Lieutenant-Colonel Gates regiments (the Twentieth New York State Militia and Twenty-first New York Volun- teers, of Patricks brigade), rendered most essential service by advanc- ing his right and holding a fence bounding the northeast side of the same corn -field, anticipating the enemy, who made a furious rush to seize this fence, but were driven back. Colonel Rogers was thus enabled to take the enemy in flank, and also to pick off their cannoneers and silence a battery which was at the right and behind their main body. Our men remained in position all night, sleeping on their arms and ready for any attack; but with the dawn it was discovered that the enemy had fled, leaving large numbers of dead and wounded. Among them was Col. J. B. Strange, of the Nineteenth Virginia, and some other officers whose names I am unable to report Page 223 CHAP. XXXI.] TIlE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 223 I desire to mention in terms of just commendation General Patrick, whose long experience and cool bravery were never better attested; Colonel Phelps, commanding Hatchs brigade, and Colon~A Wainwright aiid Lientenant-Colonel llofmann, commanding in tnru my own brigade. Their gallantry and good conduct did much toward winning the victory. I (lesire also to mention Capt. B. P. Halstead, assistant adjutant-gen. eral, and Lient. B. T. Marten, aide-dc-camp, who carried my orders faith- fully into the thickest of the fight, and who each spent several hours in the night in the difficult and dangerous task of verifying the enemys 1)ositioll. Also Capt. George F. Noyes, commissary of subsistence, who stood npon the fence during the hottest of the fire, cheering on the men, an(l otherwise rendered me valuable assistance. 1 inclose herewith a tabular statement of the killed and wounded.* I am, major, very respectfully, your o~edient servant, A. DOUBLEDAY, Brigadier- General of Volunteers, Commanding Division. Maj. JOSEPH DICKINSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. hEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FIRST CORPS, Sharpsburg, lid., & ptember 1862. MAJOR: I have the honor to report that this division crossed the Antietam near Keedysville. at a ford prepared by the pioneers, on the afternoon of the 16th instant, and marched on the left of an(l parallel to, the divisions of iRicketts and Meade, Patricks brigade leading the way. Just at dusk, when within three-quarters of a mile of the road which leads from Sharpsburg to Williamsport, the Pennsylvania Iteserves, under command of General Meade, became engaged with the enemy on our left. I immediately halted my division and closed it up in column in mass, after which I advanced at the head of the leading brigade to take the position assigned me by General Hooker, who commanded the corps. As we came on, we were assailed by one of the enemy~s advanced batteries, the first discharge wounding several of Patricks men and dismounting three orderlies behind me. General Ricketts division having been ordered into the woods on my left, it cut my line of march and occasioned a long delay in the arrival of my other brigades. In the mean time I had posted Patricks brigade in a small triangular piece of woods on our right, bordering the road already referred to. As soon as the other brigades came up, they were formed in line of battle to connect with General Meades division, which was on our left at the edge of the woods, where he first encountered the enemy. General Patrick, as I have already stated, held the little piece of woods on our right. Lieutenant-Colonel Hofmanns brigade was l)osted on Patricks left, to connect with General Meades right, and my two other brigades, those of Gibbons and Phelps, were massed in reserve in rear. That night we slept on our arms. At dawn of day on the 17th the battle was opened with great spirit by the enemys batteries, which were promptly answered by those of my division. Soon after I was directed by General Hooker to have my brigades in readiness to be sent as cir- cumstances might require. I had previously designated Gibbons bri- gade to take the advance, to be followed in succession by Phelps, Pat- * Ernbodiedi in rcvisc(l statement, m 1S4 Page 224 224 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL ricks, and Iiofiiianiis brigades. The latter, however, was left as a guard to our batteries in rear, whicli were opposing the attempt of some rebel batteries to enfilade our hues. Hofmanns brigade was ordered forward at a later period of the action, but General Hooker directed it to remain, as the guns thcre were doing excellent service in silencing the enemys artillery. On this account two additional rifled guns were sent to him, and were supported in their advanced position by the Ninety-fifth New York Volunteers, under Major Pye, of that regiment. J now sent General Gibbons brigade forward to commence the attack on the enemys position, followed by Phelps brigade, as a support, and about twenty minutes afterward Patricks brigade was also sent for- ward, by order of General Hooker. Gibbon advanced in column of divi- sion on the left of the ilagerstown turnpike until he reached an open sl)ace. He then deployed the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers on the right and the Second Wiscon~n Volunteers on the left, and threw them lbrward into a corn-field in his front. A section of Campbells bat- tery, under Lieutenant Stewart, was also brought into action on an eii~inence in rear, to fire over the heads of the troops, in answer to the enemys batteries in front. The two regiments pushed gallantly forward, s1ll)ported by the Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers and the Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers. After a short engagen~ent, General Gibbon saw that his line would probably be flanked on the right from the woods, which extended down in that direction. To meet this contingency, he ordered upa section of Campbells battery, and directed time Seventh Wisconsin and Nineteenth Indiana liegiments to cross the road, deploy on the right of the others, and push forward rapidly into the woods. his entire brigade soon becam@ hotly engaged. In the mean time Phelps brigade had followed that of Gibbon, and when it reached the open space already referred to, beyond the woods where Campbells battery was posted, it moved by the flank and deployed forward into a corn-field in rear of Gibbons command. Phelps position being some 90 paces in front of the battery, as soon as Gibbons brigade became en me-ed Phelps moved his line and formed about 25 paces in his up, rear. Observing that the enemys line now formed a crotchet, which [)artially flanked Gibbons line, Colonel Phelps ordered Colonel Post, who was in command of the Second Regiment of IT. S. Sharpshooters, to move to tbe right and front, advance his left, and engage that por- tion of the enemys line that flanked ours. In this engagement the Sharpshooters suffered severely, and Colonel Post was wounded, after (-a~)turing two battle-flags from the enemy. While this was going on, I sent Patricks brigade to follow the two others. It advanced, and for a short time took post in the same corn-field as a support. A strong enfilading fire, as has already been stated, came from the woods against our trool)s in the corn-field. To meet this, I directed General Patrick to occupy and hold the woods, detaching, however, one of his regiments to suI)port Campbells battery, a section of which had moved forward to time road in the vicinity of a barn and somne haystacks. I stated in the first part of this report that the Seventh Wisconsimi Volunteers and Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers moved into the woods to drive off the enemy, who were acting against our right flank. This movement was simultaneous with that of Patricks brigade, all crossing the road and moving forward into time woods at time samne time. The two regimuents named took l)ositiolm in a(lvalmce of, and parallel to, the rest of Gibbons line. Patricks tlmree regiments Imad scarcely taken position in the woods before a body of the enemy appeared on their right, guarding a battery of light gnus they had posted there. General Hooker directed that one of Patricks regiments be sent to watch this battery, and th Page 225 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 225 Twenty-third New York Volunteers, under Colonel Hoffman, was de- tached for that purpose. The two remaining regiments, the Twenty-first New York Volunteers and Thirty-fifth NewYork Volunteers, closed up on the Seventh Wisconsin and Nineteenth Indiana, and all moved forward together. The enemy previous to this had kept up.a brisk fire, but was sheltered by a series of rocky ledges, which afforded them almost per- fect security; they poured in heavy volleys of musketry. To meet this increase of fire, ~ two regiments were thrown forward in the first line. To all appearance the enemy had been strongly re-enforced, and they not only resisted our farther advance, but moved to try and cap- ture Campbells battery and regain possession of the corn-field. This charge was handsomely repulsed by the fire of the Second Wisconsin and Sixth Wisconsin Regiments, by the rapid discharges of the battery, which fired double canisters, and by the flank fire of the Seventh Wis- consin and Nineteenth Indiana Regiments, of Gibbons brigade, and the Twenty-first New York and Thirty-fifth New York Volunteers, of Pat- ricks brigade, these four regiments having taken up a position perpen- dicular to their former one, which enabled them to pour in a heavy fire upon the flank of the charging column. Patrick could not have changed position in this way under ordinary circumstances, but it was evident that a large part of the troops that had been in his front were detached to aid in the charge. These united agencies drove the enemy back, saved the guns, and gave us a reuewed possession of the corn-field. General Patrick now pushed his regiments up to the road, which he held firmly for some time, capturing two battle-flags from the rebel regiments which advanced against him. He was finally attacked both on his right flank and rear, and compelled to fall back. He withdrew to a line of rocks at right angles to the general direction of the strip of woods, and about 15 rods from them. There he remained waiting for ammunition and re-enforcements to be sent him. General Williams, of Mansfields corps, now came up with re-enforce- ments. He sent a regiment at my request to watch the rebel force that supported the enfilading battery which was acting against the right of Patricks line. The other regiments that he brought up with him were notified of the nature of the ground and of the position of the enemy, and were instructed by General Patrick as to the position they ought to assume to enfilade the enemys line and drive him from his strong posi- tion, near the IDunker Church, which seemed to be the key of the battle- field. The re-enforcements sent us did not attack in the right place, and they were soon swept away by a terrific fire against their left and front from an enemy behind the rocks they could not see. Their line gave way, and the main body of the rebels advanced. We had no troops left to stem the shock. My own command had been fighting since day- light, and being out of ammunition was obliged to fall back. Patricks brigade covered our retreat, resisting the enemy gallantly and retiring in perfect order. Campbells battery having lost 38 men in killed and wotinded, including its commander among the latter, and having had 27 horses killed, was no longer in a condition for active service, and was compelled to retire behind the supports of Sedgwicks division. It was soon followed by Gibboiis and Phelps brigades, exhausted as they were by long-continued fighting, nearly out of ammunition, and too few in number to keep back the overpowering forces that were advanc- ing. Colonel Phelps reports his whole brigade on the field as not numbering more than 150 men at this time. The division fell back in perfect order to a new line of defense. In the mean time General Hooker had been wounded and General Meade had assumed command 15 R UVOL XIX, PT Page 226 226 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL of the corps. Thirty guns had been concentrated on the right flank of the general line of battle, and my division was directed to join the remains of General Sumners corps as a support to these guns. Gen- eral Sumner assumed command in person, and I was directed by Gen- eral Meade, who received the order from General Sumner, to assume special command of these thirty guns in addition to the command of my division. About 5.30 p. m. the enemy massed his infantry and opened fire with his artillery to force our position, but my thirty guns replied with such vigor an(l effect that the columns of attack melted away and the rebels gave up the attempt. After this we were not dis- turbed. It only remains for me to speak in terms ofjust commendation of my brigade corn manders, General Patrick, General Gibbon, Colonel Phelps, and Lieutenant-Colonel llofmann, each of whom displayed great per- sonal gallantry and the ability to meet every contingency that occurred. In this, as on similar occasions, I was much indebted to the skill and bravery of Capt. E. P. llalstead, assistant adjutant-general, who was slightly wounded in the engagement; Capt. George F. Noyes, commis- sary of subsistence, acting aide-de-camp, and Lient. B. T. Marten, aide- de-camp, who composed my personal staff. I inclose herewith a tabular statement of the killed, wounded, and missing, the aggregate amounting to 862.* I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ABNER DOUBLEDAY, Major-General of Vols., Gomdg. First Division, First Corps. Maj. JOSEPH DICKINSON, Assistant Adjutant-General, First Corps. NoTE.The tabular statement referred to in report cannot now be found. Brigade commanders report their losses as follows: First Bri- gade, Colonel Phelps, reports 10 killed, 147 wounded. 29 missing; Sec- ond Brigade, llofmann, few losses; Third Brigade, Patrick, 20 killed, 180 wounded, 17 missing; Fourth Brigade, Gibbon, 61 killed, 274 wounded, and 45 missing.* MEMORANDA.The date at which this report was originally sent on to the War Department is nnknown, and therefore I have left it blank. Campbells battery was in reality Gibbons battery of the Regular Army, but, as Campbell commanded it, I styled it Campbells battery to avoid confusion. A shell exploded under my horses nose in the beginning of this action on the 17th. This caused him to run over some steep, sharp rocks. He fell, and I was very much bruised and nnable to hold the reins in my hands for a long time. No. 12. Report of Capt. J. Albert Monroe, First Rhode island Light Artillery, Chief of Artillery First Division, of the battle of Antietam. HDQRS. ARTILLERY, FIRST Div., FIRST ARMY CoRPS, Camp near Sharpsbury, lEd., September 26, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the l)art the light batteries of this division took in the engagement of the 17th instant: Early in the morning the enemy opened upon us an exceedingly brisk * But see revised statenicut, pp. 1~9. 190 Page 227 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 227 fire. In an extraordinarily short time all the division batteries except Company B, Fourth Artillery, were in position on the ridge upon which they had been during the night, and which ran nearly parallel with the position occupied by the enemys guns, and about 800 or 1,000 yards from it. Before the enemys batteries were silenced, which was done in about one hour and a quarter, Company L, First New York Artillery, was ordered through the wood at the left into the plowed land beyond, leaving in the position but Company D, IRhode Island Artillery, com- manded by myself, and the First New Hampshire Battery, Lieutenant Edgell. But two batteries from another division came up and took position on the right. Company B, Fourth Artillery, Capt. J. B. Campbell, accompanied General Gibbons brigade throngh the wood to the open ground beyond, where Lieutenant Stewarts section was detached from the battery, and ordered to a position near the turnpike, to shell the woods beyond. Here the section suft~red severely in men and horses, but it did excel. lent service, throwing a body of the enemy, 400 or 500 strong, into con- siderable confusion, so that they partially broke and ran through a hollow, gaining the cover of some fence-rails. About this time Captaimi Campbell placed his other four guns in posi- tion on the left of Lieutenant Stewarts section. In the mean time the enemy had crel)t into a corn-field near the battery and on the left of the turnpike, all(l opened a murderous fire, which was replied to with canister with good effect. Captain Campbell was here severely wounded in the shoulder, and the command of the company devolved upon Lieutenant Stewart. The battery was supported by General Gibbons brigade and the Twentieth New York. Being very much weakened, General Gibbomi directed Lieutenant Stewart to change position to the right, out of range of the enemys musketry, and to shell the woods in front; but only one section went into position, on account of the great number df wounded men and horses in the other two sections. Company L, First New York Artillery, Capt. J. A. Reynolds, after moving through the woods, was ordered to move forward into the plowed ground, where it took position and opened upon one of the enemys batteries in the field beyond the turnpike, silencing it after a sharp fire of some time. From this position Captain Reynolds was ordered by General Gibbon to move to the right and shell the woods in front. Company L and the section of Company B took this position about the same time, the sec- tion of Company B on the left of Company L. Soon after both of these batteries were ordered to the rear. Captain Reynolds went back to the ordnance train to obtain a supply of ammunition, and upon his return was ordered to the extreme right, where he had no opportunity to use his guns. Lieutenant Stewart retired to the rear of the wood through which he had advanced, reiuoved his disabled horses, and regulated Ins men and horses throughout. Shortly after the enemys batteries upon the hill were silenced, and about the time Company B, Fourth Artillery, and Company L, New York Artillery, were ordered to the rear, Company D, Rhode Island Artillery, commanded by myself, was ordered through the wood, and immediately after the First New Hampshire Battery, Lieutenant Edgehl, was ordered to follow. General Hooker directed me to move forward beyond the second corn-field, if possible, and take position as near the wood as the ground would admit. I advanced, followed by Lieutenant Edgell, First New Hampshire Battery, and went into battery about 50 yards from the wood, the New Hampshire battery taking position, and about 100 yards to the rear Page 228 228 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAP. XXXI. A battery of the enemy here opened upon me, but no attention was paid to it, and its fire was perfectly ineffective; but the battery with one section oj)ened upon a body of the enemy, who was seen retreating at the left of their front, and about 125 yards distant, throwing them into great confusion. The other four guns opened with canister and case upon a large force advancing through the woods in front, which were very open, and, with the assistance of the other section, which had accomplished its object by a few shots, aud the First New Hampshire Battery, checked the enemy, and he retired out of sight. While engaged forcing back the enemy in the wood, a body of sharp- sirnoters had, unobserved, crept along under a little ridge that ran diago- nally to the front of the Rhode Island battery, and opened a most un- erring fire upon it, killing and disabling many horses and men. As quick as possible, a section was directed to open upon them with canister, which, though it caused them no injury, they lying down under the ridge, kept them almost silent, they firing but an occasional shot, but without effect. While this section was keeping the sharpshooters silent, the other four guns, with the guns of Lieutenant Edgell, opened upon the battery that was still fifing, and soon silenced it. I then ordered my battery to limber to the rear. The sharpshooters took advantage of the oppor- tunity thus a~fforded, and opened most briskly, severely wounding a number of men and killing and disabling a large number of horses. My own horse was pierced by six bullets. All the horses but one lead- horse of one piece were either killed or disabled, and the piece had to be drawn away by hand by means of a prolonge. The limber was left, but was subsequently recovered. The New Hampshire battery left its position at the same time, and went back to its original positiou. After securing the piece that was drawn away by hand to its caisson, I moved my battery into the lot between the second corn-field and the plowed land beyond the first corn-field, and went into position with five guns, and shelled the woods beyond the turnpike. After firing a short time, I retired to my original position, when the disabled piece was sent to the rear. Soon after taking this position, the enemys artil- lery opened from the same hill that it did in the early morning, but they were soon silenced by the New Hampshire and the Rhode Island bat- teries, with the assistance of the two other batteries that were still there. Lieutenant Stewart, after rearranging his horses, harness, and men, took position upon the same hill. There the batteries remained inactive until about 5 oclock, when the enemy again opened a brisk fire upon the opposite hill, which was immediately replied to by all the guns we had in position on the hill, silencing the enemy in about ten minutes. Lieutenant Stewart, Company B, Fourth Artillery, speaks with high praise of the following non-commissioned officers and privates of his company, and desires their names may be brought to the favorable notice of the general commanding: First Sergt. John Mitchell, Corn pany B, Fourth Artillery; Sergt. Andrew McBride, Company B, Fourth Artil- lery; Sergt. William West, Company B, Fourth Artillery; Corpl. Fred- erick A. Chapin, Company B, Fourth Artillery; Lance Corpl. Alouzo Priest, Sixth Wisconsiu Volunteers; Lance Corpi. Henry 0-. McDougal, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers; Privates Henry A. Chills, Sixth Wis. cousin Volunteers; James Cahoo, Company B, Fourth Artillery; Will- iain Kelly, Company B, Fourth Artillery; John B. Lackey, Corn pany B, Fourth Artillery; William Green, Company B, Fourth Artillery Page 229 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND (~AMPAIGN. 229 Jeremiah Murphy, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers; Charles Harris, Sev- enth Wisconsin Volunteers; Elbridge E. Packard, Second Wisconsin Volunteers. Very respectfully, J. ALBERT MONROE, Capt., Comdg. Artillery, First Div., First Army Corps. No. 13. Report of Lieut. James Stewart, Battery B, Fourth U. S. Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. CAMP NEAR SHARPSI3TJRG, MD., September 24, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the opera- tions of Light Company B, Fourth U. S. Artillery, during the engage- ment of the 17th instant: I was ordered by General Gibbon to bring my section forward and place it in position, about 75 yards distant from and to the left of the turnpike, for the purpose of shelling the woods, distant from 800 to 900 yards, directly in my front. After shelling for some time, General Gibbon ordered the section to be still farther advanced to a position in front of some straw-stacks, about 30 yards to the right of the turnpike. As soon as I came into battery in this position, I observed large bodies of the enemy from 400 to 500 yards distant, and ordered the guns to be loaded with spherical case, i~ and 1~ seconds, because the ground was undulating, and not suitable for canister. After firing two or three rounds from each gun, the enemy partially broke, ran across a hollow in front of the section, crossed to the left of the turnpike, entered a corn-field, and, under cover of the fences an(l corn, crept close to our guns, picking off our cannon- eers so rapidly that in less than ten minutes there were 14 men killed and wounded in the section. About this time Captain Campbell, commanding the battery, brought the other four guns into battery on the left of my section, and com- menced firing canister at the enemy in the cormfield, on the left of the turnpike. In less than twenty minutes Captain Campbell was severely wounded in the shoulder, his horse shot in several places, and the com- mand of the battery devolved upon me. General Gibbon was in the battery, and, seeing the advantage which the enemy had, ordered one of the guns which was placed on the turnpike to be used against the enemys infantry in the corn-field, General Gibbon acting both as cannoneer and gunner at this l)iece. The fire was continued by the entire battery for about ten minutes longer in this position, the enemy part of the time being but 15 or 20 yards distant. The loss of the entire company whilst in this l)osition was 1 captain wounded, 3 sergeants, 4 corporals, 32 privates killed and wounded, and 26 horses killed and 7 wounded. While in this position the battery was supported by General Gibbons brigade and a part of the Twentieth New York Volunteers. General Gibbon ordered me to limber to the rear and place the battery in battery in the same position my s& tion first ocdul)ied in the morning. LUcre I found Captain Itansorns battery, of the Fifth Artillery, in pos Page 230 230 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA, MD., AND PA. [CHAF. XXXL tion, and immediately came in battery on his left, but had no opportunity to use my guns, as some of our infantry were formed 20 yards in front of the battery; so I limbered up and followed Captain Ransoms battery to the edge of the woods in rear, having my horse shot under me in two places in less than two minutes. Here I removed my wounded horses, and regulated the men and horses throughout the battery. At this time I received an order from General Gibbon to place the battery in the same position my section first occupied in the mornin~g, but to fire to the right. I immediately took a section to the point indi- cated, sending word to the general that I could not take the battery, as we had not men and horses to man the six pieces. I went into bat- tery on the right of Captain Reynolds New York battery, who was then under a very heavy fire from two of the enerny~s batteries. After my section had been firing for some time, part of General Sumners corps passed to the rear very much disorganized, through the woods on the right of my section, closely followed by the enemy. During this time I was in a very difficult position, as the enemy had ascertained my exact range, and I was utterly unable to get his on account of the smoke from the musketry. After carefully viewing the ground, I limbered to the rear, and came in battery upon Captain Reynolds left, when one of my cannoneers reported to me that the turnpike directly in my front and about 75 yards distant was full of the enemys infantry. I ordered my guns to be loaded. The enemy commencing to fall back on the same road, I waited until I saw four stand pf the enemys colors directly in front of my section, and then commenced firing with canister, which scattered the enemy in every direction. I kept up the fire until the enemy were out of sight. In a few minutes Captain Clarke, chief of General Sumners artillery, advised me to limber to the rear and cross the 1)lowed field, as I had no infantry support, and he was going to retire his batteries, which were in my rear on the left, and the enemy then advancing on the l~lt in force. I remained in the plowed field for some time, when, learn- ing that General Gibbon had placed the other four guns of the battery in position, and seeing there was no use for me there, I joined them on an eminence in rear of the woods between 1 and 2 oclock p. in., remain- ing there inactive until 5 p. in., when the enemy opened from two bat- teries. I opened with my entire battery on the nearest battery, which was on my right, and from 800 to 900 yards distant, and after firing two or three rounds from each gun, the enemy not responding, I ceased firing. The behavior of my men was all that could be desired, but the men whose names are given below came nuder my immediate observation, and discharged their duties with such calm, cool courage and discretion that I would earnestly request that their conduct may be brought to the favorable notice of the general commanding. Their names are as follows: First Sergt. John Mitchell, Light Com- pany B, Fourth U. S. Artillery; Sergt. Andrew McBride, Light Coin- ~any B, Fourth U. S. Artillery; Sergt. William West, Light Company B, Fourth U. S. Artillery; Corpl. Frederick A. Chapin, Light Company B, Fourth U. S. Artillery; Lance Corpl. Alonzo Priest, Sixth Wiscon- sin Volunteers; Lance Corpl. Henry G. McDoagal, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers; Privates Henry A. Childs, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers; James Cahoo, Light Company B, Fourth U. S. Artillery; William Kelly, Light Company B, Fourth U. S. Artillery, John B. Lackey; Light Com- pany B, Fourth U. S. Artillery; Jeremiah Murphy, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers; William Green, Light Company B, Fourth U. S. Artillery Page 231 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 231 Charles Harris, Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers; Elbridge E. Packard, Second Wisconsin Volunteers. I desire to state that since the battery first went into action on the 26th of August, Benjamin N. Needs, clerk at headquarters of General Gibbon, and private belonging to Company B, Sixth Wisconsin Volun- teers, has voluntarily acted as cannoneer in my section in each and every engagement in which my section has participated, and although he h~s never been drilled with the battery, has rendered cheerful and very efficient service, so much so that I desire to bring his name particularly to the notice of the commanding general. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES STEWART, Second Lient. Fourth U. S. Artillery, Corndg. Light Company B. Capt. JOHN P. Woon, Assistant Adjutant- General, Gibbons Brigade. No. 14. Reports of Col. Walter Phelps,jr., Twenty-second New York Infantry, com manding First Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. HEADQUARTERS HATCHS BRIGADE, In the Field, near Sharpsburg, lId., September 20, 1862. SIR: I herewith submit the following report of the part taken by this brigade in the late engagement on South Mountain, Sunday, September 14,1862: In compliance with orders from General Hatch, I assumed command of his brigade Sunday, September 14, at 10 a. m. The column of Gen- era] Bookers corps was then moving through Frederick toward Middle- town on the pike. About 4p. m. General Patricks brigade and this com- mand were ordered to move to the right on a road running at right angles with the pike, and aJ)parently following the chain of mountains some half mile from their base. General Patrick had the advance. About 14 miles from the pike I received orders from General Hatch, then in command of the divisiou, to move the brigade from the road to the base of the mountain, forming line of battle of column by division at half distance, at deploying distances. This order was complied with, and the command moved to the left, where the woods and the nature of the ground afforded protection from the enemys batteries, which were playing upon us from the left. I was then ordered by General Hatch to move forward some 80 rods to a road running parallel with the mountains, and deploy masses to move forward steadily toward the summit. I was advised of General Patricks bri- gade in front, deployed as skirmishers, and ordered to support them. I moved the brigade forward, and unconsciously passed in advance of the skirmishers, through an interval in their line, which had become dis- connected. I haited the brigade, and dispatched one of my aides to inform General Hatch of my l)osition. He immediately rode to the front, ordering the skirmishers to advance, and this brigade to advance with them, about 30 paces in their rear. The nature of the ground afforded me an excellent opportunity to advance unobserved by the enemy, whom I discovered, by riding to the front, were posted behind a line of fence on the summit. The line of skirmishers, steadily moving forward, at length drew a scattering fire from the enemy, and perceiving that the distanc Page 232 232 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. to their position was but about 80 paces, I ordered the brigade to advance in line of battle. Here General Hatch, riding through the lines, pressed the men forward, and with a cheer the brigade moved splendidly to the front, pouring in a deadly tire upon the eneixiy. Here General Hatch was wounded, and was obliged to leave the field, but the brigade, encour- aged by his valor and inspiriting orders, moved forward with unbroken front, and the engagement became general through my entire line. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the officers and men of this brigade for their noble conduct on this occasion. Although the enemy were strongly posted behind a fence, and apparently in larger force than our own troops, they could not withstand the terrific fire and steady veteran advance of my line. The conflict at the fence became desperate, many of the enemy at this time being less than 8 rods in our front, but the undaunted bravery of officers and men enabled me to drive them from their position and capture a number of prisoners. The loss of the brigade at this point was much heavier than at any other on the field. Having succeeded in forcing the enemy from their position, I advanced my line about S rods, where I obtained partial shelter for my men from an abrupt rise of ground. Perceiving that the right of my line extended beyond the enemys left, I ordered the Fourteenth Brooklyn to advance their right, which being done enabled them to enfilade the enemys ranks with a fire which did great execution. This brigade held its posi- tion until relieved by Doubledays brigade, which was in turn relieved by General iRicketts, when I ordered this command to fall back slowly and in good order, when I formed the third line of battle, General Rick. etts having the first and General Doubleday the second. These three lines occupied the battle-field at this point during the night of Sunday. The regiments of this brigade engaged at this point were the Four- teenth New York State Militia, Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth, and Thirtieth New York Volunteers. The Second U. S. Sharpshooters, at- tached to this command, were ordered to the right of the general line by command of Major-General Hooker before I moved up the mountain, and were temporarily detached from the brigade. I cannot allow the conduct of Lieutenant Cranford, Fourteenth New York State Militia, and Lieutenant Scheuck, Twenty-second New York Volunteers, aides to myself; to pass unnoticed. I was often obliged to send them, through a galling fire, to different parts of the field with orders. Their conduct on this occasion was most gallant, and all that I could hare desired. It was the more striking that their line of duty did not require their presence on the field at that time, the former being acting commissary of subsistence, and the latter regimental quarter- master. Captain Monroe, Battery D, First Rhode Island Artillery, attached to this brigade, now acting chief of division artillery, will for- ward, at the earliest possible moment, a consolidated report of the cas- ualties in the batteries in the engagements of September 114, 16, and 17. The loss in this brigade at South Mountain, Sunday, September 14 (see report of casualties already forwarded you), was as follows: En- listed men killed, 20; commissioned officers wounded, 4; enlisted men wounded, 63; missing, 8. Total, 95. I went into this action with less than 400 officers and men, and our loss on that day is a fraction less than 25 per cent. Very resl)ectfully, & c., WALTER PHELPS, JR., Colonel Twenty-8econd New York Volunteers, Comdg. Brigade. Captain HALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant. General Page 233 QEAP. XXXI.1 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 233 HEADQUARTERS HATCHS BRIGADE, Near Sha~psburg, 8ejpternber 23, 1862. CAPTAIN: I herewith transmit a report of the action of this brigade in the engagement near Sharpsburg, Wednesday, September 17: I took position with the other brigades of the division (Brigadier- General Doubleday commanding) Tuesday night, September 16, and the men slept on their arms. At 5.30 a. m. Wednesday the enemys batteries opened upon our lines, and I was ordered by General Double- day to move to the support of Gibbons brigade, which had already advanced to attack the enemys lines. Advancing through a belt of woods, in which Major-General Hooker and staff were stationed, and which was directly in rear of Campbells (late Gibbons) battery, I was ordered by General Hooker, who in person designated the position for this brigade to occupy, to move by flank through the open field in which this battery had taken position, and, passing into a corn-field, to form line of battle and support Gibbons brigade, which I observed was steadily advancing to the attack. The direct and cross artillery fire from the enemys batteries playing upon this field was very heavy, but my brigade was moved without loss to a position some 90 paces in ad. vance of Campbells battery, where I deployed column, and in line of battle moved steadily forward some 50 paces in rear of Gibbons in- fantry, who at this time had not engaged the enemy, but were cautionsly advancing through the corn-field. This command consisted of the Sec- ond U. S. Sharpshooters (which was temporarily detached from the brigade during the engagement of Sunday), the Fourteenth New York State Militia, the Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth, and Thirtieth New York Volunteers. Gibbons brigade having engaged the enemy, who were posted in the road behind a line of fence, and sheltered by woods, I moved this bri- gade fdrward, and halted about 25 paces in rear of his line, ordering the men to lie down, and was prepared to move to his support when necessary. Having ascertained that the enemys line was formed with their left advanced, making a crotchet, and that they were in position to partially enfilade our lines, I ordered the Second U. S. Sharpshooters, Colonel Post, to move to the right and front, advancing his left, and to engage the enemy at that point. I immediately advised General Doubleday (in command of the division) of the enemys position in front, on my right, and of the disposition of the Second U. S Sharpshooters; Gen- eral Doubleday approved the movement, and ordered a brigade to their right while the Sharpshooters were engaging them. The remainder of this brigade still held its position in the rear of Gibbons line. The effect of the engagemeiit between the Sharpshooters and the enemy was to draw a very heavy fire from their advanced line, and I ordered the brigade forward to the support of the line in front. The musketry fire at this point was very heavy, but the two brigades appeared to hold their position easily. The loss of the Second U. S. Sharpshooters at this point was severe. The entire brigade suffered heavily in wounded, the proportion of killed being very small (see report of casualties in that engagement, already forwarded you), but, with General Gibbons regiments, held their position until relieved by General Sedgwicks divis- ion, when I fell back slowly and in good order some 80 paces in rear of the corn-field, and again formed line of battle. In this engagement Colonel Post was wounded, Adjutant Parmelee and Lieutenant Thompson killedall of the Second U. S. Sharpshooters; Lieutenant Cushing, Twenty-second New York Volunteers, killed; Cap Page 234 234 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL tam OBrian, Twenty.fourth, lost a leg; Captain Myers, Fourteenth New York State Militia, lost a leg. As I have already forwarded a list of killed and wounded, I will not enter into details here. The aggregate of killed, wounded, and missing is as follows: Commissioned officers killed and wounded, 10; enlisted men killed aiid wounded, 147; missing, 29. Total, 186.* The brigade went into the action of Wednesday, September 17, with about 425 officers and men, and their loss in killed, wounded, and miss- ing (the missing being about 29) is a fraction over 43 per cent. of those engaged. Their loss on Sunday, September 14, at South Mountain (see report of killed, wounded, and missing) was a fraction less than 25 per cent. of those engaged. The conduct of officers and men was all that I could have wished. Major De Bevoise, commanding Fourteenth New York State Militia, had his horse shot, and was considerably injured by his fall, but remained on the field to the end, acquitting himself with great credit. Lieutenant Becker, Thirtieth New York Volunteers; Lieutenant Cranford, Four. teenth New York State Militia, and Lieutenant Scheuck, Twenty-second New York Volunteers, acting aides to myself, conducted themselves gal. lantly on the field, and afforded me great assistance. The brigade remained in line of battle until ordered by General Doubleday to fall back slowly and in good order, and, having gained the other brigades of the division, I stacked arms and allowed the men to rest. This was about 1.30 p. m. Very respectfully, & c., WALTER PHELPS, JR., Colonel Twenty-second New York Volunteers, (Jomdg. Brigade. Captain HALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 15. Reports of Lieut. Col. J. William Ilofmann, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania In. fantry, commanding Second Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. IIDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FIRST DIV., FIRST ARMY CoRps, Near Sharpsburg, Aid., September 21, 1862. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the operations of this brigade, late under the command of General Doubleday, since the afternoon of the 14th instant: At about 6 p. m. on that day, the brigade, under command of Briga- dier-General Doubleday, was deployed in line of battle and ascended the South Mountain on its eastern slope as a support to Colonel Phelps, commanding the brigade late under General Hatch, and then hotly engaged with the enemy at the summit of the mountain. The brigade was moving forward, and, when about entering the woods near the sum- mit, General Hatch, who had been in command of the division, passed to the rear very severely wounded. This placed General Doubleday in command of the division, and myself, by Colonel Waiuwright being subsequently wounded, in command of the brigade. The brigade moved steadily on to the summit, relieved Colonel Phelps But see revised statement, p. 189 Page 235 CUAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 235 command and immediately opened fire on the enemy, then posted in a corn-field, and only some 30 or 40 pates in front of our hues. The fire of the brigade was continued for an hour and a half; and evidently with terrible effect upon the enemy, who made several desperate efforts to approach our lines, but failed. The enemy then attempted to turn our left flank, but by a change of front then he was also foiled an(l repulsed with considerable los~. The ammunition of the brigade was fast giving out, when we were relieved by the arrival of General Ricketts division. Our brigade was ordered by General Doubleday 10 paces to the rear, to allow room for the troops of General iRicketts to form line of battle. After the troops of this division (General iRicketts) had been engaged for thirty or forty minntes, the enemy withdrew. Whilst withdrawing our line to the position indicated by General Doubleday, the Seventh Indiana and a portion of the Ninety-fifth New York Volunteers with- drew to some 100 yards in rear of the brigade, having misunderstood the order, and unable in the darkness to see the new line formed by the brigade. They joined the brigade after daylight next morning. Although it was quite dark when the brigade under my command took its position in front, so that the position of the enemy could be discerned only by the flashes of his firing, the morning revealed how well the fire of our troops had been directed. The enemy had retired without bury- ing their dead or removing their wounded. The body of a colonel of the enemy was found next morning a distance of only 20 yards from our lines. The body was brought in and buried. The wounded were also cared for by the surgeons. The conduct of the officers and men engaged in this action was such as to meet my hearty approval. A list of the casualties occurring is hereto appended.* Very respectfully, yours, J. W. IIOFMANN, Lieut. Col. Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania TTols., (Jomdg. Brigade. Captain IIALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant- General, Doubledays Division. IIDQRS. 2D (IIoFMANNS) BRIG., 1ST (DOUBLEDAYS) Div., 1ST (IIoQKERs) ARMY CORPS, ARMY OF VIRGINIA, in Camp near ~3harpsburg, Aid., & ptember 23, 1862. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the operations of this brigade during the battle of the 16th and 17th instant: At 2 oclock p. m. on the 16th the brigade under my command left camp on the left bank of the Antietain Creek, about 2 miles north of Sharpsbnrg, and, having forded the creek, waited for the rear brigades to cross. During this time the skirmishers of the enemy opened a lively fire upon us. They were, however, soon driven back by a force sent from our division, and without having inflicted any loss upon this brigade. The whole division having crossed the creek, the march was renewed, General Patricks brigade leading and this one following his. in obedience to instructions from General Doubleday, I kept the head of this brigade within a few yards of the rear of the first. We had marched in a northwest direction for about 2 miles when we halted, and, in obedience to instructions, formed in columns of divisions closed in mass. In a short time we resumed the march, moving by the right Embodied in revised statement, p. 1S4 Page 236 236 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. flank. After marching a short distance there was a momentary halt. During this halt the division column was cut in front of this brigade by a body of troops moving to our left. It was now quite dark. When the troops had passed, I found that the brigade of General Patrick had moved on unobserved by me in the darkness. After endeavoring in vain to ascertain the direction taken by his brigade, I applied to General Hooker for instructions, and was by him directed to take possession and hold a piece of wood extending along the Sharpsburg road. While in the act of placing my command in the position indicated, I was met by yon and informed that the posi- tion was already occupied by General Patrick, by direction of General Doubleday, and that General Doubledays instructions to me were te place my command near the road, my right resting on the left of General Patricks command and my left connecting with the troops of General Meade. Having made these dispositions and thrown out pickets to the front, communicating with those of the troops on our right and left, the men were ordered to lie on their arms. At 5 oclock on the morning of the 17th, I directed my brigade bat- tery, the First New Hampshire, consisting of six 12-pounder howitzers, under the comm and of Lieutenant Edgell, to be placed on the right of the brigade; the left of the adjoining brigade breaking to the rear to allow room for the operation of the battery. I had five pieces placed in the field and one in the road, to en able us to enfilade the enemy should he approach from our right or left. The battery had scarce been placed in position when the enemy ol)ened fire upon us from a battery placed in a corn-field, some 800 yards to our front and left. Our battery replied immediately, firing evidently with good effi~ct for one hour, when the battery of the enemy was withdrawn beyond the range of the guns of ours. The firing ceased. At about 10 oclock the battery was, by order of General Hooker, removed to a position beyond this brigade. During the time it was with us the officers and men acted with the utmost energy and spirit, whilst I observed at the same time that the best order per- vaded the battery. Before the First New Hampshire Battery was removed, a section of rifled guns, under command of Lieutenant , of ,was, by order of General Hooker, posted in a corn-field, about 200 yards in front of the right of this brigade. In compliance with an order from General Hooker, I sent the Ninety-fifth iRe~-iment New York Volunteers, under command of Major Pye, to support these guns, which, as soon as they were in posi- tion, opened fire upon the enemy, who had withdrawn beyond the range of the howitzers, and soon drew the fire from the enemypartially the object of stationing the guns in that position. During this time the brigade was stationed in the position assigned it the night before. They were lying close to the fence and well sheltered. About 11.30 oclock, by order of General Doubleday, I moved the brigade to oi~ front and left about 300 yards, and posted the section of rifled guns in front of the line. As soon as the guns were in l)osition, they opened upon the enemy, who replied with shell and musketry. The brigade had been in this position about half an hour, when a large cavalry force was ~)assing in rear of a narrow strip of wood, evidently attempt- ing to attack us in flank; on the right a heavy body of infantry, much larger than my own, immediately followed. Under these circumstances I retired to a corn-field in rear, some 200 yards, and reformed line of battle. This position I deemed a strong one, as it would have been necessary for the enemy to pass over a clear field, unprotected from our fire had he advanced upon it Page 237 CHAP. XXXI] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 237 Shortly after forming line in this place, I moved the brigade to the left about half a mile, by order of General Doubleday. Here we rested until late in the afternoon, when, by order of General Sumner, I placed the brigade in front line of battleone of three lines then being formed. Our position was just below the crest of a hill, and immediately in rear of a long line of artillery. After being in position about half an hour, the enemy opened fire from a battery in front, throwing shell, several of which exploded over our line, but caused us no loss. The fire of the enemy was immediately responded to by our artillery, and was soon silenced. This ended the battle as far as our brigade was concerned. By my direction, the men lay on their arms until daylight, ready for action at a moments notice. The casualties in this brigade (a list of them is herewith transmitted*) were small. During the action the conduct of the officers and men under my command fully met my approbation. Major Grover, command- ing the seventh Jndiana Volunteers; Major Pye, commanding Ninety- filth New York Volunteers; Captain Williams, commanding Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Captain Young, commanding Seventy- sixth New York Volunteers, rendered very effective service in their respective commands. Lieutenant Healy, of the Fifty-sixth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, my acting assistant adjutant-general, was worthy of commendation. I am, very respectfully, yours, J. W. HOFMANN, Iiieut. Cot. Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania 17ols., Comdg. Second Brigade. Captain HALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant- General, Doubledays Division. No. 16. Reports of Cot. William P. Wainwright, Seventy-sixth New York Infantry, of the battle of South Mountain. MIDDLETOWN VALLEY, SHEFFERS HOUSE, Near Mount Tabor, September 16, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report, for the information of General Don. bleday, that on the afternoon of the 14th instant, after the battalions had been moved up to the ed~e of the wood, the Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers passed through a line of troops under the command of General Patrick. The regiment formed with perfect steadiness on the extreme left. They were well in hand during the whole engagement, always obeyed the orders to fire and to cease firing readily, and although not many cartridges were expended, the repulse of an attempt to turn our left, which, iu conjunction with the left wing of the Seventh Indiana Regiment, was brilliantly accomplished, and the orderly manner in which they afterward passed the line of troops coming up to relieve them, showed that they are fast becoming veteran soldiers. I would again (as in a note sent yesterday afternoon by Surgeon Met- calfe) call the generals attention to the weakened state of the regiment. They went into action on this occasion with only forty files. Their loss was, so far as ascertained, 2 killed and 13 woundedof the latter, 2 mortally. t I doubt whether they can now furnish more than thirty files, * Embodied in revised statement, p. 189. t But see revised statement, p. 184 Page 238 238 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI commanded by four lieutenants, in any line of battle that may be called for at present. In the above action First Lieutenants Crandall and Goddard and Second Lieutenants Byram and Foster were the only officers present under me. They all conducted themselves admirably. I think it was Lieutenant Goddard who first called my attention to the enemy steal- ing through the corn in order to gain our flank. Sergeant Stamp, just promoted for good conduct in a former battle, was shot through the head while gallantly carrying the national colors.. Owing to a wound in the arm received during the action, I am unable to join the regiment. First Lieutenant Crandall is next in command. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant W. P. WAINWRIGIIT, Colonel Seventy-sixth Regiment New York Volunteers. Capt. E. P. IIALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant- General, Do~~bl~days Brigade. WASHINGTON, D. C., September 24, 1862. CAPTAIN: It was with great regret, after making my report on the battle of the 14th instant at South Mountain, that I remembered having omitted the name of First Lient. Robert Story, Company II, as present during the action. The lieutenant was present and in command of his company, and conducted himself very meritoriously. I have the honor to be, your obedient servaiit W. P. WAINWRIGIIT, Colonel Seventy-sixth Regiment New York Volunteers. Capt. E. P. IIALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant- General, Doubledays Brigade. No. 17. Report of Lieut. Col. J. William flofmann, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania In fantry, of the battle of South Mountain. IIDQRs. FIFTY-SIXTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLS., Camp at Hunters Gap, September 15, 1862. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the operations of the Fifty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers since the morning of the 14th in- stant: The regiment left camp on the left bank of the Monocacy Creek, near the National road, on the morning of the 14th instant, at 6 a. m. Pres- ent for duty: One field officer, 1 captain, 6 lieutenants, 239 enlisted men. The regiment passed over the National road toward the South Mountain. At Middletown our regiment, in common with the brigade under command of General Doubleday, verged to the right, marching in a northwesterly direction for about 2 miles, when we formed in line of battle and marched up the mountain. At the crest of it we found Gen- eral Hatchs brigade warmly engaged with the enemy. General Hatchs troops forming the extreme right of our line, we formed in rear of them, and as soon as we had relieved them we opened fire on the enemy, posted some 40 yards in front of us, in a corn-field. It was now quit Page 239 CHAP. XXXL] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 239 dark, and the position of the enemy could be ascertained only from the flashes of his fire. Our men fired continually for about one hour and a half, when our ammunition gave out. We were at this moment relieved by the arrival of General iRicketts division, and, by order of General Doubleday, we retired 10 paces to the rear, where the men slept on their arms, the enemy having retired shortly after the arrival of General Rick. etts troops. The conduct of the officers and men was all that could have been asked of them. There is every reason to believe that the fire of our regiment was very destructive to the enemy. This was made man- ifest by the number of dead that lay in the morning in front of the posi- tion that our regiment had occupied. The following is a list of casual- ties occurred during the action: Killed, 1; wounded, 11; missing,3(all enlisted men). I am under obligations to Lieutenant Healy, my acting adjutant, for valuable assistance rendered by him during the action. At 2 oclock this morning, by direction of General Doubleday, I assumed, as senior officer, the commaud of the brigade, Captain Williams, of Com- pany D, succeeding to the command of the regiment. Respectfully, yours, J. W. HOFMANN, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding. Captain IIALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant- General, Doubledays Brigade. No. 18. Reports of Capt. Frederick Williams, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. HDQRS. FIFTY-SIXTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, Near Sharjpsburg, Mid., September 22, 1862. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 15th instant, while we still remained on the battle-field of the previous evening, I was placed in command of the Fifty-sixth Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteers, in consequence of Lient. Col. J. XV. llofmann, of this regiment, being in command of the brigade. About 8 oclock a. m. we left the battle-field with the brigade, taking a southeasterly course. We soon struck i~he pike road to ilagerstown. Following the road for 14 miles, we encamped in a field to the right. Here we cooked coffee, and rested about two hours. We then took up our line of march for Sharps- burg, via Boonsborough. Arriving at Boonsborongh, we took the pike road for Sharpsburg, which runs a little to the south of west from Boons- borough. We followed this road to within about 3 miles of Sharpsburg, when we were drawn up in line of battle to the right of the road, where we remained until dark, when we changed our position to the ridge on the left bank of the Antietam Creek. Here we bivouacked for the night. About 10 a. m. Tuesday, after receiving rations, we changed our posi- tion some half a mile nearer the road. Here we rested until about 5 p. in., when we forded the creek. After crossing, we were halted some fifteen or twenty minutes, when we were marched in a northerly direc- tion, and shortly after dark took our position on General Meades right. We were here drawn up in line close to the fence which borders the road. We lay on our arms all night, the line of pickets being about 40 yards in our front. Just at daylight a rebel battery planted in th Page 240 240 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL woods on a ridge a little to the left of our front opened fire on us. Our batteries to the right, and those on the ridge almost directly behind us, returned the fire almost instantly. This was the opening of Wednes- days fight. The men lay fiat on the ground close to the fence from this time (as both the rebel and our batteries were playing directly over our heads) until about 10 a. in., when we were marched out to support a battery of two pieces. We remained but a few moments, the battery being withdrawn, and we, receiving orders to fall back, moved to the rear in good order, and formed line of battle some 500 yards in rear of our former position. After remaining here about half an hour, we were marched off by the left flank, and, after some little maneuvering, finally took our post on the left of Gibbons brigade, forming, with this brigade and Gormans on its right, and the Seventy-second Pennsylvania Volun- teers on our left, a front line in support of some thirty-odd pieces of artillery. Here we bivouacked. Thursday, September 18, we remained in our position in support of the battery during the day and night. About 8 oclock a. in. Friday we took up our line of march for this place, and finally encamped about 2 p. in. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. WILLIAMS, Captain, Comdg. Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Lient. S. HEALY, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, lliofmanns Brigade. HDQRS. FIFTY-SIXTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLS., Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 28, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that our regiment has, since the report made to you by Lieutenant-Colonel Hofmann (September 5), been engaged in two actions, one at South Mountain, Sunday, 14th in- stant, and that of Antietam, on the 16th and 17th instant. The con- duct of officers and men was all that could have been asked. In the action at South Mountain the men stood under a galling fire from the enemy for an hour and a half, until their ammunition was exhausted. They were at this moment relieved by the arrival of General Ricketts division. Having been ordered to retire 10 paces to make room for the formation of troops under General Ricketts, the regiment retained that position. The troops of General Ricketts had been engaged about thirty minutes, when the enemy retired. Our regiment was then ordered to lie down upon their arms, where they remained during the night. The regiment sustained comparatively few casualties in this action, having 1 killed, 11 wounded, and 3 missing. The next morning the regiment was moved near and toward Sharpsburg, where they lay under the fire of the enemys battery for several hours without sustain- ing any loss. On the following afternoon the regiment forded the Antietam Creek, where they were fired upon by the skirmishers of the enemy, not, how- ever, sustaining any loss; marched in a northeasterly direction about 3 miles, where they were placed in position, facing the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown pike. It was now quite dark, and the men were directed to rest upon their arms; when, on the 17th, at 5.30 a. in., the enemy opened upon us from a battery about 800 yards to our front and left. The brigade of which our regiment formed a part had since the after- noon of the 14th been commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Hofmann, o Page 241 CHAP. XXXI. 1 TIlE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 241 this regiment, and on this occasion formed the extreme right of our lines. This position was held until after 12 oclock, when they were relieved by fresh troops under General Franklin, and the regiment, in common with other regiments of the brigade, was move(l to the left and rear a distance of about a quarter of a mile, where it reste(l for several hours. Between 4 and 5 oclock p. m. the regiment, in common with other regi- ments of the brigade, was I)laced in the front line of battle, being one of the three lines formed by command of General Sumner in rear of a long line of artillery. The line had scarcely been formed when the enemy oI)ened fire upon us, throwing shot and shell, several of the shells ex- ploding over our lines, but caused no loss in this regiment. The battery of the enemy was soon silenced by our artillery. This finished the battle so far as this regiment was concerned. The men were ordered to sleep on their armsto be prepared fizr action at a moments notice. The conduct of officers and men on this occasion was such as to merit my approbation. The general commanding the division has expressed his approbation of the conduct of the officers and men in the various battles enumerated below, and recommends that application be made to the Governor of our State for permission to inscribe upon our flag the names of the following battles: Rappahannock, Sulphur Springs, Gainesville, Manassas, South Mountain, and Antietam. Trusting this may meet the approbation of the Governor, I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. WILLIAMS, Captain, Cotndg. Fifty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. A. L. RUSSELL, Adjutant-General, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Harrisburg, Pa. .No. 19. Reports of Brig. Gen. Marsena R. Patrick, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietain. HEADQUARTERS PATRICKS BRIGADE, September 20, 1862. CAPTAIN: In obedience to the call from division headquarters, I have the honor to transmit the following report .f the operations of this brigade on the 14th of September, in the affair on South Mountain: The brigade marched with the division from the Monocaey at 6 oclock a. in., and arrived at the Catoctin about 12.30 p. in., where the men made cofi~e, and about 2.30 p. in. resumed the march, under the orders of Gen- eral Hatch, wrho had just relieved General King in command of the divis- ion. Striking off on a by-road to the right of the turnpike to avoid the fire of the enemys batteries, we reached the stone church at the foot of the mountain at about 3.30 p. in., near which General Hooker and staff had, halted. Under his direction, a regiment was ordered to as- cend the ravine that partially divided the eastern slope of the mountain, throwing out skirmishers to the right and left. Colonel Rogers, Twenty-first NewYork Volunteers, was assigned to this position, and went immediately forward. Subsequently General Hatch directed the other regiments forward to ascend the mountain in a line with the Twenty-first. Colonel Lord, commanding Thirty-fifth 16 II RVOL XIX, PT Page 242 242 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. New York Volunteers, deployed his entire regiment to the left, which eventually overlooked the pike at the foot of the southern and western slopes. This regiment breasted the mountain with a rapid step, and without unslinging knapsacks; but, in consequence of the previous ad- vance of the Twenty-fir4, its left flank was lost sight of. and the right of the Thirty-fifth failed to connect with it. Just before reaching the top of the mountain, the Twentieth New York State Militia (Eightieth New York Volunteers), Lieutenant-Colonel Gates commanding (Col. G. W. Pratt having died of wounds received at Groveton), was thrown in to cover this opening until its extent could be ascertained by examina- tion~ The Twenty-third Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Hoff- man commanding, supported the Thirty-fifth on its left and center. The point of direction for the left wing was now changed farther to the right, and, while this was in progress, I went to the right and front to recon- noiter, for the purpose of connecting the skirmishers of the Thirty-fifth with the left of the Twenty-first, and while thus engaged drew the fire of the enemy, which revealed their l)OsitiOn and enabled me to make the necessary preparations to meet them. A few minutes only were occu- pied in connecting the line of skirmishers, when Lieutenant-Colonel Gates with the Twentieth (Eightieth New York Volunteers) was ordered to join Colonel Rogers on the right and support him. At this moment the head of General Hatchs brigade, Colonel Phelps commanding, arrived in supl)ort of my line, and the whole moved for- ward. The firing commenced within a few rods of this point, and ap. peared to be concentrated near the top of the mountain in front and on our right. The skirmishers of the Thirty-fifth and their supports of the Twenty-third were drawn in from the left, and merged in the general line of battle that was now moving steadily toward the summit of the mountain, under a most galling fire from the enemy above us, posted behind the trees and among the rocks. Before reaching the top of the hill, we were joined by Doubledays brigade, and pushed to the summit, where the enemy were posted in force - behind the fences, in the corn- field, and behind the rocky ledge. On the right of my line Colonel Rogers, with the Twentieth (Eightieth New York Volunteers) and Twenty-first, had advanced cautiously until the enemys position in the corn-field was discovered and a battery still higher np and farther to the right. Arrived within 30 paces of the to~ (eastern slope) of the mountain, Colonel Rogers pushed his command, in double-quick, up to the fence of the corn-field just in time to seize and hold it against a strong force of the enemy advancing to take possession of it. From this point the cannoneers of the battery were picked off so effectually as to silence it, and these two regiments participated in the general engagement that ensued all along the lines of Hatch, Meade, and Ricketts, resulting in a complete victory over the rebels and the possession of the open fields upon the mountain-top. Darkness came on long before the firing had ceased, and it was im- possible to rally, as a brigade, a line which had extended nearly 2 miles. over an exceedingly rough and rocky mountain side and crest, covered sparsely in some places with oak and in others densely wooded with young pines. The Twentieth (Eightieth New York Volunteers) and. Twenty-first remained during the night by the corn-field on the mount- ain, while the Twenty-third and Thirty-fifth, after the firing had ceased, retired to an open wood on the mountain side, where the Twenty-third had thrown off their knapsacks when ascending the heights. On the morning of the 15th the brigade was reunited, and scarcely one man had failed to find and join his regiment during the night. Th Page 243 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. officers and mcii, although fatigued, pushed rapidly up the mountain, went into the engagement with spirit, an(l their conduct was such as to meet my entire approbation. The casualties were as fo]lows * Very respectfully, yours, & c., M. Il. PATRICK, Br igadier- General, Gomma nding. Capt. E. P. HALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant-General, Division Headquarters. HEADQUARTERS PATRICKS BRIGADE, Camp near 8harpsburg, Aid., & ptember 21, 1862. CAPTAIN: In obedience to the call from division headquarters for a report of the operations of the brigade under my command on the 17th instant, I have the honor to report the following statement: The brigade, composed of the Twentieth New York State Militia, Twenty-first, Twenty-third, and Thirty-fifth New York Volunteers, leav- ing its position with the main body of the army near Keedysville toward evening on the 16th, crossed the ford of the Autietam, a~nd marched nearly parallel with the other columns, my brigade leading the division commanded by General Doubleday. Arrived within three-quarters of a mile of the road from Sharpsburg to Wilhiamsport, the Pennsylvania Reserves, General Meade commanding, became engaged on our left and in the woods with the enemy, whom they drove about half a mile. Mean- fime, and just as darkness was coming on, I was directed by a staff offi- cer of General Hooker to place my brigade in and hold an open wood, skirting the Sharpsburg road. Although taking no part in the action, several of my men were wounded by the enemys fire before and while taking position in the wood. I was then directed to connect my pickets with those of General Meade on my left, but owing to the darkness it was some time before this could be accomplished. At this time Lieutenant-Colonel llofmann, of Doubledays brigade, coining up with his command, was placed in the interval between the Reserves and my brigade. As Colonel Hofmann was directly exposed to the action of a battery in his front, he brQught up in the night some guns, and placed them in position to meet the fire of the enemy. The whole command lay on arms during the night, and at daybreak next morning (17th) the enemy opened fire npon us with round-shot, shell, and canister, by which a few of our men were wounded. My brigade, hav- ing led the day before, was now ordered to follow and support Gibbons brigade, which ha1 remained over night at some distance on my left and rear. Putting my brigade in motion, we marched across the open field and into the wood beyond, through the plowed field and orchard into a corn-field, where Gibbons brigade lay, and where my own was placed in its support. We could not have remained here more thami from five to seven minutes, when I received an order from General Doubleday to march my brigade rapidly across the road, and hold the woods at a lit- tle distance on the right of the road. This movement was rapidly exe- cuted, but while in progress an order from General Doubleday directed me to send a regiment to protect a battei-y in the corn-field near the straw-stack. The Twentieth Regimeiit New York State Militia, Lieu- Nominal list, omitted, shows 3 killed, 19 woHnded, and 1 missing Page 244 244 OPERATIONS IN N. A, W. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAP. XXXI. tenant-Colonel Gates commanding, was instantly countermarched, and reported to General Gibbon, at Battery B, Fourth LI. S. Artillery, where it remained until the battery was withdrawn, some hours after. The Seventh Wisconsin Regiment crossed the road at the same time with my brigade, and took position in the wood parallel with and ~n advance of the lines, on the other side of the road beyond the battery, where it joined the Nineteenth Indiana, which had preceded it by only a very few minutes. Scarcely had my three regiments reached the woods when a body of the enemy was discovered filing off to our right and rear into a corn- held, where a small battery had already been placed, and, on reporting the fact to General Hooker, he directed that one of my regiments should be detached to watch and check the movement. Colonel Hoffman, with the Twenty-third Regiment, was (lispatched to the right to head off the enemy in that direction, and the Twenty-first and Thirty-fifth moved for- ward into the wood, closing upon the two regiments of Gibbons brigade, whose skirmishers were now at the brow of the little eminence above the low grounds, in front of which was a corn-field, from which came the enemys fire. The fire of the enemy up to this time was brisk, not heavy, but on reaching this point a most galling fire was poured in from the enemy, strongly l)Osted behind the rocks on our left, and my two regiments, Twenty-first and Thirty-fifth, were thrown forward into the first line to meet it. The troops on the opl)osite side of the road and fields and along the edge of the woods were now being rapidly driven back, and to check this advantage of the enemy, as well as to l)rotect Battery B, on my left, I threw my whole command, inclndiig the Seventh Wis- consin and Niueteenth Indiana, across the open space and under the rocky ledge, perpendicular to my former l)osition and parallel to the road, when I was joined at double-quick by the Twenty-third, now re- lieved on the right by General iVicade. We remained but a few minutes here before we had checked the enemys advance sufficiently to push our lines np to the road, which we held firmly for some time, the Thirty- fifth Regim cut capturing the colors of the rebel regiment advancing on our battery. Rallying once more, the enemy (irove us back to the rocky ledge, which we held until our ammunition being almost exhausted and the line attacked in flank and rear on the right, I directed my command to ftmll back to a line of rock at right angles to the road and about 15 rods from the woods, to hold there until ammunition amid re-enforcemnents could be obtained. We remained here between the fires of our owii and the enemys batteries long enough for the men to make coffee, they hay- ing moved so early as to fail of breakfast. Meanwhile, re-entbrcements having arrived, although without getting ammunition except by equali zation. the brigade (except the Twentieth Regiment, which had retired with the battery) again moved into the wood, in supI)ort of the new troops that were coining in. These troops, which I understood belonged to General Williams command, came in in succession and at consi(lerable intervals. The first line (composed, I think, of the Sixtieth and Sev- enty-eighth New York) being first in, were informed of the nature of the ground and position of the enemy before advancing, which was done cautiously, but not without loss, Colonel Goodrich, commanding (bri- gade, I understood), being killed on the spot. The other regiments of General Williams filed in obliquely and in front of Colonel Goodrichs line with a rapid step, and under the impression that the enemy were being driven Page 245 CHAP. XXXI.] TilL MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 245 The whole force now in the wood rnove(1 forward, when its advance was suddenly checked by a terrific fire oii the left and front. As be- fore, the lines of our trOOl)5 were broken and thrown into confusion. All were retiring ra])i(lly before the enemy along the same line as in the preceding engagement, and I once more threw my brigade nnder the ledge, partly to rally the retiring trOol)s and l)artly to hold with our re- maining cartridges until order could be restored. But few of the troops rallied, however, and after holding my command here until the enemy were close np~n our right flank, the brigade was with(lrawn in an un- broken line to the wood on the other side of the road, an(1 took position to arrest the flight of stragglers. From this wood, after about three- quarters of an hour, we retired to a position near to and supporting the batteries in the open field, where we were joined by Lieutenant-Colonel G~~tes,of the Twenmieth, who had been serving with Campbells battery an(l had eal)tured the battle-flag of one of f he rebel regiments. The troops under my command behaved in the most satisfactory manner, being perfectly cool and obedient to every word of command. Here, as at South Mountain and Groveton, Captain Kimball and Lieu- tenant Beckwith, of my staff; were invaluable, making up by their activity and energy the loss of my aide, Lieutenant Bouvier , seriously wounded at Groveton. The casualties are as follows: Killed, 20 wounded, 180; missing, 17. A list of names is hereto appended.* I am, captain, very respectfully, yours, N. 11. PAThICK, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Capt. E. P. HALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant- General, Division head quarters. No. 20. Reports of Licut. Col. Theodore B. Gates, Eightieth New York Infantry (Twentieth Militia), of the battles of South Mountain and Antieta?n. IIDQRS. TWENTIETH REGT. NEW YORK STATE MILITIA, Near Sharpsburg, AId., September 20, 1862. GENERAL: I beg leave to submit the following report of the opera- tions of my command at South Mountain: We marched with the brigade from the soutlm bank of the Monocacy, Frederick, on the morning of the 14th instant, and reached Catoetin Creek ~ibout noon. here we halted cor an hour or more, when we were ordered forward, and, l)assing a short distance beyond tlme creek on the Great Western turnpike, we turned to the right and followed an ob- scure road along the foot of South Mountain for a mile, when we turned to the left, ammd I was ordered by General Patrick to support the Thirty- fifth liegimnent New York Volunteers, whiclm was throwmi forward and Up the mountain side, on the right of the turnl)ike, as skirmishers. I deployed my regiment, and followed the movement of the line of skir- mishers, who advanced over the ridge of the umountain at that l)oint and descended nearly to the turnpike. The skirmishers were recalled, and I was ordered to join the Twenty-first Regiment New York Volunteers with my command, which I did, finding it on the mountain side and Omitted; see revised statement, p. 189 Page 246 246 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD, AND PA [CHAP. XXXI. abont midway between the two roads crossing the mountain in front of Middletown. Forming on the left of the Twenty-first, the two regi- ments advanced up the mountain side in line of battle, l)recede(l by a line of skirmishers. Arriving near the crest of the mountain, our skir- mishers became engaged with the enemys. Soon afterward the two regiments l)ushed , arul, i)asSillg over the mountain crest at that point, my regiment passed the line of skirmishers, an(l poured a volley into the enemy, who were lying behind a fence an(l in a corn-field. About this time the Fourteenth Regiment New York State Militia marched upon my left and likewise l)ecame engage(l. The action con- tinued until some time after (lark, when fining ceased. During time lat- ter part of the action the Twenty-sixth New York Volunteers came for. ward and relieved the Fourteenth, whose right was about 100 feet in rear of my left, and, not being advised of my position, fired a volley into my left, supposing it to be the enemy. No im~jum-y was sustained, however, and before its repetition I advised the officer commanding the Twenty- sixth of my own position and of that of the enemy. At daylight next morning it was discovered that the enemy had retired, leaving his dead and wounded on the field. I rejoined the brigade by your order the next morning, and soon afterward resumed our niarcim to~vard Boons- borough. I am, general, very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, THEODORE B. GATES, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding. General M. R. PATRICK, Commanding Brigade. IIDQRS. TWENTIETH REGT. NEW YORK STATE MILITIA, Near AS1harpsburg, Aid., September 21, 1862. GENERAL: I beg leave to submit the following report of the opera- tions at Sharpsburg, in the battle of the 17th instant: Having been posted with the brigade during the night of the 16th in a piece of woods south of the Williamsport road, and omi the right of our line of battle, I marched at 6 a. m. on the 17th with the other regi- ments of the brigade, which advanced in line of battle, amid deployed across the fields and throngh the woods on time left of the road, until we reached a narrow meadow lot between an orchard and a corn-field, in the latter of which the enemy were posted ainni were keeping up a brisk fire of musketmy. We were now in range of their fire. On the right of the road, and a little to the front of our position, were t~vo sections of Battery B, Captain Campbell, posted between some stacks of straw amid a barn, and within short range of the enemys sharpshooters. Your brigade was soon ordered to cross the road and move toward the iight. Having crossed the road, my regiment was (letached to support Bat- tery B, which was said to be in great (langer. I moved back at a double-quick, and took position with the right wing of mny regiment (the whole command did not number 150) in rear of the battery, and ordered the major to advance along time road next to the corn-field with the left wing. The infantry fire was very heavy during all this time, com mene- ing from the corn-field and over a knoll in front of tIme battery. Major H. [HardenberghJ pushed forward down the road, driving the enemy from the fences and the edge of the corn-field, and su~)porting the Sixth Wisconsin, whic4h was on his left and in some disorder. For a time the enemy were completely driven from their cover, amid in their flight aba Page 247 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 247 doned their battle-flag (the bearer being shot down by Isaac Thomas of Company G), which was brought oft by Major II., as was also the regi- mental colors of the Sixth Wisconsin, which they had been compelled to leave on the field. The Wisconsin regiment falling back, and the enemy advancing, strongly re-enforced, Major II. fell back with his small party to the right wing. The enemy advanced, apparently with the in- tention of taking the battery, and drove the gnnners from their pieces for a time, but thesteady fire of my battalion checked and (Irove them back nntil the other regiments of your brigade reached the field to my right and front, when the enemy were driven to the left and rear. The battery being no longer of service here, was removed to the hill on the left of the road, and some half an liour afterward I fell back to a piece of woods on the same side of the road, and subsequently re- joined the brigade. My loss was 1 officer and 6 men killed, and 3 officers and 37 men wounded.* I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, THEODORE B. GATES, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding. General M. II. PATRICK, Commanding Brigade. No. 21. Reports of Brig. Gen. John Gibbon, U. S. Army, commanding Fourth Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp near Sharpsburg, Md~ September 20, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the opera- tions of my brigade in the action of the 14th instant at South Mountain, near Middletown, Md.: On the afternoon of that day my brigade was detached from the division and ordered to report for duty to Major-General Burnside. Late in the afternoon I was ordered to move up the Tiagerstown turn- pike with my brigade and one section of Gibbons battery, to attack the position of the enemy in the gorge. The Seventh Wisconsin and the Nineteenth Indiana were placed respectively on the right and left of the turnpike, to advance by the head of the company, preceded by two companies of skirmishers from the Sixth and Second Wisconsin, and followed by these regiments, formed iu double column at half distance, the section of the battery under Lieutenant Stewart, Fourth Artillery, keeping on the pike a little in rear of the first line. The skirmishers soon became engaged, and were supported by the leading regiments, while our guns moved forward on the turnpike until within range of the enemys guns, which were firing on our column from the top of the gorge, when they opened with good effect. My men steadily advanced on the enemy, posted in the woods and behind stone wails, driving him before them until he was re-enforced by three additional regiments, making five in all opposed to us. Seeing we were likely to be outflanked on our right, I directed Lien- tenant-Colonel Bragg, of the Sixth Wisconsin, to enter the wood on his right, and deploy his regiment on the right of the Seventh. This was But see revised statement, p. 189 Page 248 248 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA, MD., AND PA. (CHAP. XXXI. successfully accomplished, while the Nineteenth Indiana, supported by the Second Wisconsin, deployed, and, swinging around parallel to the turnpike, took the enemy in the flank. Thus the fight continued until long after dark, Stewart using his guns with good effect over the heads of our own men. My men, with their ammunition nearly exhausted, held all the ground they had taken, and were late in the night relieved, with the exception of the Sixth Wisconsin, which occupied the battle- field all night, by General Gormans brigade. The conduct of the officers and men was during the engagement everything that could be desired, and they maintained their well-earned reputation for gallantry and discipline acquired in the engagements of the 28th and 30th of August. Lieutenant Stewart used his guns with good judgment and efl~ct, and begged to ~emain upon the field after his section was relieved by the other four pieces of the battery under Captain Campbell. I be~ to recommend him to the favorable notice of the authorities. My aides, Lieutenants Haskell and Huldreth, were prompt and ener- getic iii transmitting orders, as was also Captain Cutting, of General Bnrnsides staff, who kindly volunteered his services for the occasion. The loss in the brigade was 37 killed, 251 wounded, 30 missing; total, 318. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN GIBBON Lieutenant-Colonel RICHMOND, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant- General, Burnsides Corps. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH BRIGADE, Camp near iSharpsburg, & ptember 20, 1862. SiR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the opera- tions of my brigade during the action of the 17th near this place: The brigade was, by direction of Major-General Hooker, detaqhed from the division, and ordered to advance into a piece of wood on the right of the Hagerstown turnpike, toward the village of Sharpsburg. The brigad~ advanced in column of divisions on the left of the turnpike until the head of it reached an open space, when the Sixth Wisconsin was deployed and pushed forward into a corn-field in our front, the Second Wisconsin being deployed and formed on its left, while a section of Gibbons battery, under Lieutenant Stewart, was brought into action in the rear, to fire over the heads of our men in reply to one of the enemys batteries in their front. The Sixth and Second pushed gallantly for- ward, supported by the Seventh Wisconsin and Nineteenth Indiana, when, finding the enemy was likely to flank us on the right in the wood, which extended down in that direction, I o rdei ed up Stewarts section, and directed the Seventh Wisconsin aIl(l Nineteetith Indiana to deploy to the right of the line, and push forward rapidly into the woods. The whole line soon became hotly engaged, and the enemy, heavily re- enforced from the woods, made a dash upon the battery. This attack, however, was successfully repelled by heavy discharges of canister from the guns, the fire of the few remaining mcmi of the Second and Sixth Wisconsin, and the flank fire poured in by the Seventh Wisconsin and Nineteenth Indiana, which had been brought around to sweep the front of the battery with their fire, Captain Campbell having in the mean time joined Stewarts with the other four pieces of the battery. In this severe contest Lieutenant-Colonel Bragg, Sixth Wisconsin, an Page 249 CHAP. XXXI.] TIlE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 249 Lieutenant-Colonel Allen, Second Wisconsin. both colnman(hng their regiments, were wounded and takeu from the field. The gallant Lieu- tenant-Colonel Bachmn an, commanding the Nineteenth Indiana, fell mortally wounded, and Captain Campbell, while gallantly serving his guns, was stricken down by a l)all through the shoulder. Thirty-eight of the battery men were killed and wounded, 27 of the horses killed, and, finding the guns almost deprived of support and of cannoneers to work them, I ordered them to limber to the rear and fall back, followed soon after by the infantry of my brigade, mumnch reduced iu numbers and scant of ammunition. The loss of the brigade is again au evidence of its well-earned honors. While referring to the regimental reports for special mention of men- torious individuals, I beg leave to call attention to the steadiness and gallantry of both officers and men, and especially to the coolness and bravery of Lieutenant-Colonels Bragg, Bachman, and Allen; Major Dawes, Captaiu Callis, and Captain Campbell, and Lieutenant Stewart, of Gibbons battery. My aides, Lieutenants Haskell and Hildreth, were, as nsual, prompt and active in conveying my orders, and the former, while carrying a message to General Hooker, had his horse killed under him. The loss in the brigade is as follows: 61 killed, 274 wounded, 45 missing; total, 380.* I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN GIBBON,~ Capt. E. P. HALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant- General, Kings Division. No. 22. Report of Gol. Solomon Meredith, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, of the battle of South Mountain. HEADQUARTERS GIBBoWS BRIGADE, Camp near $harpsburg, Md., September 20, 1862. DEAR Sin: I most respectfully subunit to you the following report of the part taken by the Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers in the battle of the 14th instant at South Mountain: On the evening of the 13th we encamped 2 miles southeast from Frederick, Md. We left camp soon alter sun-np, marched through Fred- erick, took the road toward Hagerstown, an(l marched 12 miles. On arriving near South Mountain, it was ascertained that the enemy was in force on the mountain and in the l)ass. I was ordered to form a line of battle about 3 oclock p. inn., which was done on the hill facing the mountain. Remained there until about 5 oclock, when we were ordered to go forward. We went forward in line of battle on the left of the pike leading through the I)a55, supported by the Second Wisconsin, two companies of which (commanded by Captain Colwell) had been deployed as skirmishers. I also deployed Company B, Captain I)udleys, as flankers, to protect our left flank. We moved slowly and cautiously, but steadily, forward. The skirmishers were soon fired on, but pressed forward with caution. On arriving near a house on our extreme left, surrounded on the south- west and north by timber, I discovered large numbers of the enemy in But see revised statemuciut, i. 189 Page 250 2~O OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL and around the house. They had been annoying us as well as the skir- mishers by firing from the house an(l outhouses; also from the woods near the house. I ordered Lieutenant Stewart, who commanded a sec- tion of Battery B, Fourth Artillery, to come forward and open fire upon the house. He moved forward his section of two pieces and threw sev- eral splendid shots, the first of which took elkct in the npper story, causing a general stampede of their forces from that point, enabling us to go forward more rapidly, and with less loss from their sharpshooters. Their skirmishers soon opened a sharp fire upon ours, which made it nec- essary for us to push forward. We then ol)ened fire on the enemy at short range, who were concealed in part under cover. The fire became general on both sides. The Nineteenth gave a shout, and pressed for- wardcontinued a steady step forward, cheering all the time. It was a most magnificent sight to see the boys of the Nineteenth going forward, crowding the enemy, cheering all the time. After driving the enemy abont three-quarters of a mile, I discovered a stone fence in front, which the enemy had fallen back to. At that point they were annoying us very much. I then ordered Captain Clark, Company 0-, to wheel his company to the left, and move by the right flank until he could command the line of battle lying directly behind the stone fence. They then opened a flank fire upon the enemy, caus- ing theni to retreat precipitately, which gave us an opportunity of pour- irig upon them a raking fire as they retreated. Captain Clark here took 11 prisonersi major, 1 captain, and 1 lieutenant amongst them. The firing then ceased in front of us. The Second Wisconsin came to our support promptly as soon as the firing became general, and stood by the Nineteenth until the enemy fled over the mountain. After the firing ceased in front, we discovered the enemy, who was concealed behind a stone fence on the right of the pike, in front of the Seventh Wisconsin, annoying them by a deadly fire behind their breastworks. Colonel Fairchild, commanding Second Wisconsin, wheeled the left wing of his regiment, and opened an enfilading fire ~upon the enemy. After ex- hausting their ammunition, he withdrew them and ordered up his right wing to take their place, in which position they remained until they ex- hausted their ammunition, when they were withdrawn. I then took forward my regiment arid occupied the same position, and continued an enfilading fire upon the enemy, who soon fell back from their strong position, the Wisconsin an(I Indiana boys giving three hearty cheers as the fate of the (lay was thus decided. It was then after 9 oclock in the night, and pursuit being considered dangerous, we lay down on our arms, holding the battle-field. Small detachments of my command were now engage(l in bringing in wounded prisoners. We held the field until about 12 oclock, when we were re- lieved by fresh troops. The loss in the Nineteenth Indiana was 9 killed, 37 wounded, and 7 missing, making an aggregate of 53. It was a glorious victory on the part of General Gibbons brigade, driving the enemy from their strong position in the mountain gorge. The boys of the Nineteenth Indiana behaved most gloriously. Too much praise cannot be besto~ved upon them for their courage and gallantry. The officers were active in the discharge of their duties. Lieutenant- Colonel Bachman was very efficient on this occasion, rendering me im- portant service. Very respectfully, your obedient- servant, S. MEREDITH, Colonel Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers. Lient. FRANK A. HASKELL, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General Page 251 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 25t No. 23. Report of Capt. William W. Dudley, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. CAMP, GIBBONS BRIGADE, September 21, 1862. DEAR SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers in the battle of the 17th instant: Owing to the fall which Colonel Meredith received in the battle of the 28th of August, and the subsequent fatigue and exposure of the marches up to the 16th instant, he was unable to take command on our move- ment across the Antietain Creek. The command now fell upon Lieu- tenant-Colonel Bachman. Immediately on crossing the creek we were advanced in line of battle up the hill in a plowed field which coyered the brow of the hill. Lieutenant-Colonel Bacliman immediately de- ployed Company A, Sergeant Eager, forward as skirmishers through the corn-field, in order to protect our front and the crossing of our divis- ion, which, being accomplished, we were ordered to join the brigade and move farther up to the right. We stopped for the night, having closed column by division on first division, right in front. Early on the morning of the 17th instant we were called up and pre- pared to go into action. We moved directly to the front, in column by division. Our first casualty occurred in a peach orchard near the des- tined battle-field. We now moved to the edge of a corn-field near a stone house, which was immediately used as a hospital. here we lay down, while our skir- mishers were scouring the corn-field in front. We were soon ordered to the right, to a piece of woods which skirted the battle-field on the right. Here we deployed column and formed our line of battle on the right of the Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers, and Lieutenant-Colonel Bachmaim ordered Company B, then my command, to deploy forward as skirmishers. This being done, the regiment moved slowly forward till the right was through the wood, when we halted. It was at this time that the attempt was made to take Battery B, Fourth Artillery, which was stationed at the straw-stacks near the stone house hospital. Upon seeing the advance of the enemy, Lieutenant-Colonel Bachman at once called in the skirmishers, and changed front forward on the tenth com- pany, so as to front the left flank of the enemy. As soon as it was practicable we opened fire on them, ai~d we have every reason to believe that our fire was very effective in repulsing their attack on the battery. Soon we saw the enemy falling back in great disorder, and it was at this juncture that the gallant Lieutenant. Colonel Bachman, yielding to the urgent appeals of the men, gave the order to charge, amid, hat in hand and swor(l drawn, he gave the order double-quick, and bravely led on, the men following, cheering as they advanced. We charged across the pike and followed the retreatin~ rebels to the brow of the hill, over which they had a strong reserve of infantry and three pieces of artillery, which pieces seeme(1 to have been abandoned by horses and men. It was at this point that brave Lieu- tenant-Colonel Bachman fell, mortally wounded, and I took command immediately - As soon as we could carry his body to the rear, we fell back to the pike and rallied. Here we received an enfilading fire, the enemy having succeeded iii approaching within 100 yards of our right Page 252 252 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. under cover of the woods. We again fell back to our old position, and remained there until relieved by one of General Patricks regiments. We then fell back in good order slowly about 3() rods into the open field. In making the charge and retiring, our colors fell three times, the bearers severely wounded. When they fell the last time, they were J)icked up and carried off the field by Lient. I). S. Holloway, of Company D. One of our men captured a rebel flag and took it to the rear. In this charge Lieut. William Orr, Company K, was severely wounded. At this time, about 2 oclock p. in., we retired from the field in good order, and formed in a strip of woods to the rear of the battle-field with the other three regiments of our brigade, for the purpose of stopping stragglers. Our loss was, killed, Lieut. Col. A. 0. Bachman and 7 men; wounded, Lieut. William Orr, Company K, and 70 men; missing, 26 men.* The officers all vied with each other in the l)erformance of their duty, and too much praise cannot be awarded to the non-commissioned offi- cers for their gallant conduct; and the men of this regiment are all brave men, if we except the few who found their way to the rear when danger approached. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM XV DUDLEY, Captain Company B, Comdg. Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers. Lieat. FRANK A. HASKELL, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General, Gibbons Brigade. No. 24. Report of Col. Lucius Fairchild, Second Wisconsin Infantry, of the battle of South Mountain. CAMP, GIBBONS BRIGADE, Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 20, 1862. Sin: I have the honor to report the following as the l)art takeii by the Second Wisconsin Volunteers, under my command, in the battle of South Mountain, Maryland, on Sunday, September 14, 1862: Soon after a large portion of Hookers corps were in line, and advane- lug up the mountain on the right of the turnpike, Gibbons brigade ad. vanced on the pike to the foot of the mountain. On arriving there, the Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers and my regiment filed into the field on the left. Companies B and E of my regiment were deployed as skir- mishers, and ordered to advance, their right resting on the pike. The Nineteenth Indiana followed, with my regiment in their rear about 200 yards. By order of General Gibbon, we in oved thus in double column until well within the gal). While lying (lowil in that position, a shell from the enemy struck and exploded in the ranks of the second divis- ion of the Second Regiment, killing 4 and badly wounding 3. Soon after, I deployed my column, the skirmishers being briskly engaged, and, when the Nineteenth Indiana opened fire, I moved forward to their right, the right of my regiment resting on the turnpike, and opened fire. After expending some 20 rounds of ammunition, I (liscovered the enemy had entirely disappeared from our front. Then I ordered the * But see revised statement, p. 189 Page 253 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 253 men to fire by the right-oblique, on a line of the enemy who were firing on the Seventh XVisconsin. After a short time I ceased firing, and, the better to get at the enemy, changed direction with the right wing of my regiment. In that position good execution was done until their ammu- nition was all expended, when they were withdrawn to the line, and the left wing took their place. After the left wing had expended their am- munition and had been withdrawn, the Nineteenth took the same posi- tion, by wings. All were then ordered to lie down. The fire from the enemy ceased and all was quiet. I ordered Company A to deploy as skirmishers to the extreme left of the Nineteenth Indiana, and sent a few men to the front a short dis- tance, to prevent a surprise. Thus we lay until nearly midnight, when part of General Gormans brigade took our ground, while we l~ll back a short distance for ammunition. The action was not resumed after my regiment left the front line. Fortunately the Second suffered lightly in comparison with other regi- ments of the brigade, as the list of killed and wounded, heretofore for- ~varded, will show. As usual, the officers and men behaved well. Captain Col,well, of Company B, was killed while in command of the line of skirmishers. His place can hardly be filled. lie was a fine officer and beloved by the whole regiment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LUCIUS FAIRCHILD, Colonel Second Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. FRANK A. HASKELL, I,ieut. and A. D. C., Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Gibbons Brigade. No.25. Reports of Lieut. Col. Edward S. Bragg, Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietarn. GIBBONS BRIG., HnQRs. SIXTH REGT. WISCONSIN VOLS., In the Field, September 20, 1862. SIR: In compliance with circular from headquarters, I have the honor to report that at the battle of South Mountain, on the 14th instant, the Sixth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers moved up the mountain gorge to the right of the turnpike, in support of the Seventh Wisconsin Vol- unteers, who were moving in front, supporting a line of skirmishers. The skirmishers soon found the enemy in front, and an irregular fire commenced. This was past twilight. The Seventh moved to the sup- port of the skirmishers, and was soon engaged with the enemy, who was concealed in a wood on their left and in a ravine in front. So soon as the Seventh received the fire of the enemy and commenced replying, I deployed the Sixth, and with the right wing opened fire upon the enemy concealed in the wood upon the right. I also moved the left wing l)y the right flank into the I-ear of the right wing, and commenced a fire by the wings alternately, and advancing the line after each volley. At this time I received an order frGm the general, directing me to flank the enemy in the wood. The condition of the surface of the ground, and the steepness of the ascent up the mountain side., rendered this move- ment a difficult one; but without hesitation the left wing moved by th Page 254 254 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. flank into the wood, firing as they went, and advancing the line. I directed Major I)awes to advance the right wing on the skirt of the wood as rapidly as the line in the wood advanced, which he did. This movementforward and by the flank I continued until the left wing rested its right on the crest of the hill, extending around the enemy in a semi- circular line, and then nioved the right wing into the wood so as to con- nect the line from the open field to the top of the hill. While this was being done, the fire of the enemy, who fought ns from behind rocks and trees, and entirely nnder cover, was terrific, bnt steadily the regiment dislodged him and kept advancing. Ammunition commenced to give out, no man having left more than four rounds, and in any without any. It was dark, and a desperate enemy in front. At this moment I received an order from General Gibbon to cease fir~ and maintain the position, and the battle was won. I directed my meu to reserve their fire, nnless compelled to use it, and then only at short range, and trust to the bayonet. No sooner did the time of fire cease than the enemy, supposing we were checked, crept close up in the wood and commenced a rapid fire. I directed a volley in reply, and then, with three lusty cheers for Wisconsin, the ineu sat cheerfully down to await another attack; but the enemy was no more seen. I held the ground until daylight, when I threw out skirmishers, and soon found the enemy had withdrawn in the night, leaving a few dead on the field, and a large number of muskets also. Soon after daylight my regiment was relieved by the Second New York, from Gormans brigade, who had been lying in the field, nnder cover of a stone wall, at a safe distance in the rear, refreshing them- selves with a good nights sleep, after a long and fatigning march of some 10 miles. The object accomplished, and the time and place of doing it, speak all that need be said for officers and men of the regiment. Our loss was 11 killed and 79 wounded; total, 90.* I have the honor to be respectfully, EDWD. S. BRAGG, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Sixth Wisconsin~ Lient. FRANK A. HASKELL, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. GIBBONs BRIG., IIDQRS. SIXTH IIEGT. WIscONsIN VoLs., In the Field, September 21, 1862. CAPTAIN: In compliance with circular from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to report that, early on the morning of the 17th, the Sixth Wisconsin Yolunteers, under my command, supported by the brigade, commenced the attack npon the enemys left flank. No sooner was the column in motion than the enemy opened fire on us with artillery, and so accurate was his range that the second shell exploded in the ranks,. disabling 13 men, including Captain Noyes, Company A. Notwithstand- ing this shock, the column moved steadily forward until it reached the wood, when, by direction of General Gibbon, Company I was deployed to the left and Company C to the right in front of the line as skirmish- ers, and the regiment immediately deployed and advanced to their sup- port. * But see revised statement, p. 184 Page 255 CHAP. XXX1.I THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 25& The skirmishers soon found the enemy lodged in a corn-field and hi~ advance concealed along fences and nnder cover, but rapidly drove in his advance, and the regiment moved up steadily in support, the right and center on and to the right of the ilagerstown turnpike, and the left across a corn-field. While advancing into the corn-field, Capt. Edwin A. Brown, Company E, a good officer and a genial gentleman, fell, killed instantly by a musket ball. The portion of the line in the corn-field was nnder the immediate coin- mand of iNJaj. Rufus iR. Dawes, who discharged his duty in watching and guiding its movements with signal courage and ability. This por- tion of the line was soon under heavy fire, and drove the enemy from his cover. The advance of the right wing did not discover the enemy until it reached a rise of ground in front of the barn and stacks to the right of the road, when the enemys skirmishers lying along the edge of a wood running down in a point to the right of the barn, where they were lying undisturbedthe right of my line of skirmishers having failed to ad- vance, either from a failure to hear or heed commands. [Sic.] At this moment a piece of artillery which had been stationed in front of my left changed its position and passed into the road in my front. I immediately ordered the company in the road to advance to the su~n- mit of a ridge of ground a few rods in front and open fire upon the horses attached to the piece, with a view of disabling and capturing it; and at the same time I ordered Companies G and K, on the right, to advance and occupy a basin between two ridges, and a few yards nearer the enemy. So soon as this was attempted I discovered the enemy in force, lying in line of battle along the fence and across the field to the wood, at right angles with the road, his line being then within musket range. At the same time he increased his fire from the woods on the right flank. This rendered the advance impracticable, and I ordered the company in the road to lie down under coVer of the fence. No sooner had I given this order, and while it was being executed, than I received a slight but painful wound in the left arm, but still was able to direct the right companies, G and K, to draw back their line under cover of the fence and fronting the road, which was being executed when faint. ness compelled me to go to the rear, and I was unable to rejoin my regiment until it had been relieved. At the request of Major Dawes, who was in command during my ab- sence, I have the honor to report that the regiment conducted itself dur- ing the fight so as to fully sustain its previous reputation; that it did not abandon its colors on the field; that every color-bearer and every member of the guard was disabled and compelled to leave; that the State color fell into other keeping, temporarily, in rear of the regiment,. because its bearer had fallen; but it was immediately reclaimed, and nuder its folds, few but undaunted, the regiment rallied to the support of the battery. The color lance of the National color is pierced with five balls, and both colors bear multitudes of testimony that they were in the thickest of the fight. The regiment remained in the front of the fight until they had ex- pended nearly their last round of ammunition. The enemy broke and ran before their advance, leaving his dead and wonnded in large num- bers on the field, and the regiment pursued, and only retii-ed again in the presence of a host that it would have been madness to have opposed with a handful of men, brave though they were and fearless. In this advance two stand of colors were captured and sent to the rear in charge of a wounded soldier, and have become lost or fallen Page 256 256 OPERATIONS iN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. into the possession of some one desirous of military Jclat without in- curriug personal danger, so that they cannot be reclaimed by the cap- tors. Here Captain Bachelle, Company F, fell, leading his men in the pur- suit. He was a true soldier, a gallant officer, and a faithful man. He never shrank from danger nor flinched from any (luty. He fell as he desired, with his harness on, cheering his men to victory. His body rests underneath the sod he lost his life to win. The loss of the regiment in the engagement was as follows: Com- missioned officers, 3 killed, 5 wounded; enlisted men, 23 killed, 121 wounded; aggregate, 152. I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant, EDWD. S. BRAGG, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers. Capt. J. P. Woon, Assistant Adjutant- General, Gibbons Brigade. No. 26. Reports of Capt. John B. Gallis, Seventh Wisconsin Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Antictam. HDQRS. SEVENTH REGIMENT WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS, Near Boonsborough, Mid., September 15, 1862. Siu: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Seventh Reg- iment of Wisconsin Volunteers in the action of the 14th of September, 1862, at South Mountain, Md.: About 5 oclock p. m. the Seventh Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers formed in line of battle on the north side of the turnpike. Skirmishers were thrown in advance of us, and soon encountered the skirmishers of the enemy. A sharp skirmish fire ensued. The regiment then broke by the right of companies to the front, and advanced, keeping 100 paces in rear of the line of skirmishers. We advanced in this way through a corn-field for half a mile, and came out into an open field. Here the skirmishers met such a sharp fire from the sharpshooters of the enemy, that it was difficult for them to advance farther, the open field afford- ing no shelter or protection against the sharp fire from the bank. The regiment then formed a line of battle and advanced, our left touching the pike, our right extending north to the edge of the woods on the slope of the mountain. The enemy opened a destructive enfilading fire from a stone fence on our left, at a short range, which drew the fire from our regiment to the left. We kept advancing and firing until another enfilading fire from the woods on our right, and a direct fire from behind a stone fence in our front, showed our close proximity to the enemys line of battle. Our men returned the fire with great vigor. The Sixth Wis- consin Regiment was then in line in our I-ear some 50 paces. Colonel Bragg, seeing the destructive fire under which we were fighting, double- quicked the Sixth Wisconsin Regiment to our right and opened on the enemy, thereby drawing the enfilading fire hitherto received by us from the woods on our right. Colonel Fairchild, of the Second Wisconsin Regiment, at this juncture was a little to rear and left of the pike, with the Second Wisconsin Reg- iment. He also seeing our perilous condition, brought his regiment for Page 257 CHAr. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 257 ward on our left, and commenced a fire that relieved us from farther anuoyance from the left, thus leaving us to contend against a direct fire from behind a stone wall in our front. The firing was kept up without ceasing until about 9 oclock at night, when our ammunition became exhausted. The fact was made known to General Gibbon. His answer was, Hold the ground at the point of the bayonet. Our men were ordered to lie down; the cartridges were taken from the boxes of the dead and wounded, and distributed among the men who were destitute of ammunition. I then gave them orders to load, and reserve their fire for a close range. The enemy coming to know our condition, commenced advancing on us in line, whereupon I ordered the regiment to rise up, fix bayonets, and charge on the advancing column. Our regiment had not advanced farther than 20 feet when we fired. This broke the enemys lines, and they retired in great confusion. Our loss was heavy in killed and wounded. The aggregate of killed, wounded, arid missing was about 147. The regiment went into the ac- tion with 375 muskets. The officers and men of the regiment all fought well, doing their whole duty. About 10.30 oclock the regiment was relieved by part of General Gormans brigade, the Fifteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant, JNO. B. CALLIS, Captain, Commanding Seventh Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. FRANK. A. HASKELL, Aide-de- Camp and Aetg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Gen. Gibbons Brig. HDQRS. SEVENTH REGIMENT WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS, Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 18, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Seventh Regi- ment Wisconsin Volunteers in the action of the 17th instant, at or near Antietam Creek, Maryland: At or about 5 oclock a. m. on the 17th day of September, 1862, the Seventh Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers lay near to and on the left and south side of the Hagerstown and Sharpsbnrg pike, between Keedys- ville and Sharpsburg, at which time and place the enemy commenced shelling our camp from our front and right. We marched in column by division in rear of the Sixth Wisconsin Regiment, until we came within some 300 yards of the enemys line of battle, where we came to a halt and awaited farther orders. We soon received orders to march by the flank across the pike into an open field on the right of the pike, and deploy into line of battle, and march in line into a belt of woods that lay in our front. I threw the regiment forward until it came up to the line of skirmishers which covered our front. They informed me that they could advance no farther into the woods; that the enemy lay massed in the timber in our front. We commenced removing the fence in front of us, when the enemy opened a destructive fire from the woods in our fl-out. Our men returned the fire, and charged over the fence, vigor- ously keeping up the fire until the enemy retired from the woods and entered a corn-field in front of our left. I then saw heavy columns advancing on the Sixth and Second Wis- consin Regiments, which lay on our left. I immediately changed front, 80 as to get a raking fire on the left flank of the enemys column as they advanced in front of the Sixth and Second Wisconsin. As soon 17 n RYOL XIX, PT Page 258 258 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAr. XXXL as this W~S done, we opened a fire on their flank that broke them up badly, scattering them in great confusion. They, however, soon rallied and returned our fire, making sad havoc in our ranks. General Pattick came up in our rear with support, and ordered his men to advance through our line to the front, which they did, but not without suffering severely. The Seventh Wisconsin then marched by the flank to the place where we first entered the woods, the enemy showing signs of a flank movement on our right. The regiment lay in this position until the enemy, unseen by us, had planted a battery about 300 yards dis- tant on our right, supported by infantry. They commenced throwing grape and canister into our ranks with terrible effect, where upon we retired under cover of an elevation of land covered with timber, thereby rendering their fire harmless to us until we joined the balance of the brigade, which lay then to our rear. Our men all stood and fought bravely. Our number on entering the field was about 190 men. We lost 9 killed ,26 wounded, and 5 missing.* I have the honor, sir, to be your most obedient servant, JNO. B. CALLIS, Captain, Commanding Seventh Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. FRANK A. HASKELL, Aide-de-Gamp, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Gibbons Brigade. No. 27. Report of Brig. Gen. James B. Ricketts, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIvISIoN, THIRD CORPS, Near Sharpsburg, September 21, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my division: On the morning of the 14th instant the division was under arms to march at daylight from its encampment near the Monocacy, and arrived at the east side of South Mountain, about a mile north of the turnpike, at 5 p. in., forming line of battle, First Brigade, Brigadier-General Duryea, on the extreme right; Third Brigade, Brigadier-General Hart- suff, in the center, and Second Brigade, Colonel Christian, on the left. The route of the First and Third Brigades extended over very rough ground to the crest of the mountain, which was gallantly won. On the left the Second Brigade was sent to the relief of General Doubledays, which was hard pressed and nearly out of ammunition. It engaged the enemy with terrible effect, and drove him down the west side of the mountain. It being now too dark to advance, and the men much exhausted, operations ceased for the night. The next morning, the enemy having fled during the night, the division moved forward and encamped near Keedysville. The artillery was not engaged. The list of casualties is annexed: First Brigade, 5 killed, 16 wounded; Second Brigade, 2 killed, 6 wounded; Third Brigade, 2 killed, 4 wounded. Total killed and wounded ,35. From Keedysville on the afternoon of the 16th the division crossed But see revised statement, p. 189 Page 259 OtIAP. ~XXt.l ThE MARYLAND CAMPAIO~. 259 the Antietam River and moved toward Sharpsburg, in direction of the enemys left flank. Third Brigade was formed in line of battle while under fire from the enemys artillery; Second Brigade toward the left of the Third, and First Brigade in reserve. The artillery, though within range, was placed as much under shelter as possible for the night. The morning of the 17th your order to advance and occupy the woods in front was being carried out, when General Hartsuff, who was examin- ing the ground, was severely wounded, and the services of this valuable officer were lost. The brigade moved forward, supported by Second Brigade on the left and First Brigade on the right, all advancingwith the artillery, Battery F, First Pennsylvania, under Captain Matthews, and Captain Thompsons Independent Pennsylvania Battery, each con- sisting of four 3-inchrified guns. Taking advantage of the ground, both batteries opened with destructive effect, officers and men displaying great coolness while exposed to a severe fire of artillery and infantry. The division gained the outer edge of the wood, and kept up a fearful fire for four hours, until, the ammunition being exhausted and the sup. ports coming up, it was compelled to retire to refill boxes, after which the division joined the rest of the corps on the right, near the turnpike, and, with the exception of a brisk fire from the enemys artillery, under which they stood, was not employed again during the day only to hold that position. I commend the general good conduct of the division, and would men- tion particularly Brigadier-General Duryea; Colonel Coulter, Eleventh I~ennsylvania Volunteers; Colonel Lyle, Ninetieth Pennsylvania Vol- unteers; Capt. E. W. Matthews, First Pennsylvania Artillery, and Capt. James Thompson, Independent Pennsylvania Artillery; also the names in the subjoined list, marked B. Indeed, both officers and men dis- played courage under a severe fire. Casnalties as per annexed list, marked C *: Out of 3,158 taken into action, 1,051 were killed and wounded153 killed and 898 wounded. Of my staff I take pleasure in mentioning the distinguished gallantry of Capt. John W. Williams, assistant adjutant-general; also Capt. Ben- jamin W. Richards, aide-dc-camp, and Capt. F. Gerker, commissary of subsistence. Respectfully submitted. JAMES B. RICKETTS, Brigadier- General, Commanding Division. Maj. Gen. JOSEPH HOOKER. B. List of officers and men who behaved with gallantry in the engagements of September 1417, 1862. FIRST BRIGADE. One hundred and fifth Regiment New York Volunteers: Lieutenant-Colonel Carroll. Maj. J. W. Shedd. Captain Bradley. Lieutenant IDoolittle. Assistant Adjutant-General Duryca. * Nominal list omitted Page 260 2~o OPI~RATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MTh, AND~PA. [Cxiv. XkXI. One hundred and seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers: Captain Scheffer. Lieutenant Corcoran. Color-Sergeant Kehoe. Color-Sergeant ilongli. Color- Sergeant Phillips. Color-Sergt. II. W. Smyser. Color-Sergeant Pike. One hundred and fourth Regiment New York Volunteers: Captain Tuthill. Lieutenant Dow. Color-Sergeant Cain. Color- Sergeant Rogers. Private Maurice Buckiugham seized the colors when Color-Sergeant Rogers was shot. Ninety-seventh Regiment New York Volunteers: Lieutenant Carpenter. Lieutenant Hopkins. Lieutenant Spencer. Lieutenant Brennan. A. DURYEA, Brigadier- General. To which should be added One hundred and seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers: Captain MacThomson. Captain Roath. One hundred and fourth New York Volunteers: Captain Wing. SECOND BRIGADE. Ninetieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers: Lient. Col. William A. Leech. Maj. A. J. Sellers. Adjt. ID. P. Weaver. Capt. Charles F. Maguire. Capt. Jacob M. Davis. Capt. John W. Barnes. Capt. John A. Gorgas. Capt. William H. Warner. First Lieut. A. Morin. First Lient. J. M. Moore. First Lient. W. F. Myers. First Lieut. George W. Watson. First Lieut. F. A. Chadwick. Second Lieut. S. W. Moore. Second Lient. G. E. Lindsley. Second Lient. E. J. Gorgas. Second Lieut. W. II. Heulings. Second Lieut. R. W. Davis. Second Lieut. John T. Riley. Second Lieat. J. P. Mead. Second Lieut. William S. Ellis. Private Paul, who carried the colors, the color-bearer having been killed in the eaxly part of the engagement. P. LYLE, 0olonel, commanding & cond Brigade Page 261 CHAP. XXXLJ THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 261 THIRD BRIGADE. Eighty-third Regiment New York Volunteers: Capt. John Hendrickson. Captain Moeseb. Thirteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers: Major Gould. Elevetith Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers: Adjutant Uncapher. Lieutenant Thomas. Twelfth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers: Captain Allen. Lieutenant Clark. Lieutenant iDehon. Capt. B. F. Cook. R. COULTER, Colonel, Commanding Third Brigade. Respectfully submitted. JAMES B. RLCKETTS, Brigadier- General Volunteers, Commanding Division. No. 28. Report if Gapt. James MacThomson, One hundred and seventh Pennsyl- vania Infantry, First Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. IIDQRS. ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLS., Camp near Mercerville, Md., October 7, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report respecting the One hundred and seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in the two actions, September 14 and 17, at South Mountain and Antietam: Arriving at the base of South Mountain, after a wearisome march of 17 miles, on September 14, at about 5.30 oclock p. in., we found the enemy fiercely engaged with the Pennsylvania Reserves. Immediately, in compliance with orders from General Duryea, formed in line of battle near the foot of the hill, and gave orders to move forward with fixed bayonets. Nothing could exceed the promptness of both officers and men in the execution of this order; with enthusiastic cheers they dashed forward, and soon the enemy were scattered, and in much confusion were dying before us. Several times they rallied, and once in particular, having gained an admirable position behind a stone fence, they ap- peaied determined to hold on to the last. Here it was they sustained their greatest loss. Colonel Gayle, Twelfth Alabama, fell dead, and the lieutenant-colonel Fifth South Carolina wounded and taken prisoner. Their stand at this point delayed not the onward niovement of the One hundred and seventh a moment, but in a little while we were over the fence and among them, taking 68 prisoners, killing and wounding quite a iiumber, and causing the remainder to fly precipitately to the top of the mountain. Following, we drove them across the narrow plain on the summit and part way down the other side. Night ended the pursuit; but, fearing a surprise, I directed officers and men to rest in line durin Page 262 262 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND 1A. [CHAr. XXXL the night, prepared for any emergency, and threw 200 yards in advance a volunteer picket of 10 men. About 1 oclock a. m. one of these pickets brought in a rebel adjutant-general, who had the temerity to venture (lose to our lines. In this engagement we lost 3 men killed and 18 wounded.~ This small loss is accounted for by the fi~ct that the rebels, l)eing all the while kcated above ns, shot too high. In evidence of the truth of this statement, our colors were completely riddled, while the color-bearer was in nowise injured. The next morning, September 15, we moved forward, and at night crossed the Antietarn iiea.r Keedysville, bivouacking on the opposite side. On Tuesday afternoon we again moved forward, and, after a few miles march, the advance of our corps engaged the enemy, who, located in a favorable position in the woods, made a stubborn resistance, but finally gave way, falling back, how- ever, but a short distance. The coveted ground gained by our force, and night coming on, no far- ther advance was made, and both armies lay ou their arms, ready for the fierce fight of to-morrow, our brigade having reached a point less than half a mile in rear of the outer pickets. At early dawn, agreeably to orders, I moved the One hundred and seventh Regiment by the flank to the field on the right. Here, forming column by divisions, we moved forward through a narrow strip of tim- ber, gained the night previous, into a plowed field, in which, opposite side, Thompsons Pennsylvania battery had just gotten into position. Advancing half way across the field to within easy sul)portirlg distance of the battery, we halted for about five minutes, the enemys shell and round shot flying about us like hail, killing and wounding some of our l)OO~ fellows, but not injuring the morale of the regiment in the least. Shortly we were again advancing and passing the battery, and over a clover field reached the spot so frequently mentioned in the reports of this battlethe corn-field. Deploying into line, we entered the field and pushed rapidly through to the other side. Here we found, in different positions, three full brigades of the enemy. We opened fire immedi- ately upon those in front, and in fifteen minutes compelled them to fall back. Receiving re-enforcements, however, he soon regained his posi- tion, and an unequal conflict of nearly three-quarters of an hour resulted in forcing us back through the corn-field. Our brigade had, however, (lone its work. We had held at bay a force of the enemy numerically live times our superior for considerably more than an hour, and at one time driving them. We were now relieved by re-enforcements coming up, and retired to the rear. During the balance of the day we were constantly on the qui vive, but were not again called into action save to support batteries. In the battle of Antietam the One hundred and seventh Regiment had 190 men engaged, and lost 19 men killed and 45 wounded, a total loss of 85 killed and wounded in both engagements. Too much cannot be said of the dashing bravery of both officers and mcii at South Mountain or of their heroic firmness and cool bearing when standing still in line of battle at Antietam. They, for more thaii an hour, received (and returned) the fire of a force infinitely superior. With much respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant, JAMES MAcTHOMSON, Capt., Comdg. One hundred and seventh Regt. Pennsylvania Vols., in the engagements of September 14 and 17, 1862. Lieutenant KENNY Acting Assista~t Adjutant- General. * But ~ce rex-isod st~xtemeut, p. 185 Page 263 ChAP. XXXI.1 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 263 No. 29. Report of Lieut. Col. Richard II. Richardson, Twenty-sixth New York Infantry, Second Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and An- tietam. HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-SIXTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., September 19, 1862. SIR: In compliance with orders, this regiment marched from camp near Frederick at 6 oclock a. m. Sunday, September 14, 1862, 12 miles to the gap, near Boonsborough, arriving on the battle-ground at 6 oclock p. in., and formed in line of battle on the right of the brigade, and advanced up the slope toward the enemy, who occupied the corn- field and brush at the top of the hill. In going up we marched by the left flank, as ordered, for the purpose of gaining ground to the left and relieving regiments then engaged. On reaching the fence along the timber at the hill-top, we halted, and commenced firing from the left of the battalion, the right reserving their fire, not being in range of the enemy, until after some moments later. The left wing of the regiment fired some 20 rounds and right wing 4 rounds, when the order was given to cease firing, and lay on our arms in the same position until morning, with skirmishers advanced. I would further report as casualties: Killed, none; wounded, 2. Marched from camp near Keedysville about 3 oclock p. m. Septem- ber 16 to the battle-ground, near Sharpsburg, and took position in line at 8.30 oclock p. m. Was not engaged that evening, but lay on our arms until morning, posting pickets as ordered. Marched at daylight September 17, under orders, across the fields, formed line of battle, occu- ~)ying the left of the brigade, and halted some 400 or 500 yards from the wood, beyond which the enemy lay in position. I was directed to deploy in column by division, which I did, and advanced obliquely toward the wood under a heavy fire of shot and shell, and halted, as directed, 100 yards in rear of the brigade of General Duryea, that bri- gade moving to the right. I was ordered to advance in support of General Hartsuff, and did so. Under direction of General Seymour we (leployed in line of battle along the fence, the left of the battalion con- necting with the right of another regiment, the right with the left of the Ninety-fourth New York Volunteers. The enemy were in sight, about 350 yards, engaged with llartsuffs brigade. I gave the command to commence firing by file, and the bat- talion continued firing evenly and carefully for some 30 rounds, aver- age, when the command ceased firing, saving ammunition. This cessation brought the enemy out more plainly in view on the open ground, and we again opened fire, driving the enemy again behind the fence, and under cover of the corn-field. I again gave orders to cease firing, being nearly out of ammunition, and sent word twice to the colonel commanding the l)rigade for ammunition or relief. We resumed our firing until every round of cartridge was expended, when, the relieving column advanc- ing, we retired in good order to the point indicated for supplying the men. Without particularizing, I can but say that every officer and man in the command performed his duty in the coolest manner, obeying every order with alacrity, and executing with determination, under fire, two hours and a quarter. Vasualties: S Killed, 41 wom~nded, 20 missing; total, 66 Page 264 264 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W.~VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAr. XXXL All of which is respectfully submitted. I have the honor to be, colonel, most respectfully, your obedient servant, B. H. RICHARDSON, Lieutenant. Colonel, Comdg. Twenty-sixth New York Volunteers. Lieut. D~vm P. WEAVER, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General, Second Brigade. No. 30. Report of Lieut. Samuel A. Moffett, Ninety-fourth New York Infantry, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. IIDQRS. NINETY-FOURTH REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLS., Saturday, September 20, 1862. DEAR SIR: In compliance with general orders, I would respectfully report that on Sunday, September 14, our regiment marched from Fred- erick to South Mountain, arriving at that point at about 6 oclock p. m. We continued the march until part way up the mountain, when we formed in line of battle, and for a short time remained at a halt. Very soon after we were ordered to march by the front toward the summit, which was continued but a short distance, when we were ordered to move by the left flank. In this direction we moved until far enough to join the right of our brigade upon the left of the First Brigade when we were again ordered to move to the front, changing our diredion by the right flank. We then continued our advance to the front until we occupied our position during the engagement, our regiment being upon the extreme left of the brigade. During the action Capt. D. C. Tom- linson was wounded in the back of his neck; also one private of Com- pany D. Number of killed, 2. Evening having so far set in, the engagement was soon brought to a close. We laid on our arms during the night. Monday, 15th, finding the enemy had retreated, we began a march in pursuit, which wa~ con- tinued to Keedysville, where we encamped for the night. 16th, dur- ing the latter part of the day, we again took up our march, and con- tinued it to the battle-ground near Sharpsburg, Md., arriving there at about 11 p. in., when we rested on our arms until the morning of the 17th, between 5 and 6 a in., when we moved from the position we then occupied to another piece of woods, and immediately formed in line of battle and marched to the front, where our men were engaged for little more than one hour. Our position occupied during this engagement was next to the extreme left of the brigade. S. A. MOFFETT, Colonel LYLE, Lieutenant, Commanding Regiment. Commanding Second Brigade. No. 31. Report of Capt. Henry R. Myers, Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, Second Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. IIDQRS. EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLS., Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., September 19, 1862. I have the honor to report that, in obedience to orders detailing the regiment as wagon guard on tl~e 14th instant, we marched from about Page 265 ChAr. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 265 mile east of Frederick City through that town, and halted about 2 miles west of it until near dark, when we received orders to join the brigade. We started on the march, passing through Middletown, and encampet on South Mountain late at night until daylight next morning (15th), when we continued our march in search of the brigade, which we reached about 10 a. m. About noon we started, passing through Boons- borough, and encamped about half a mile outside of Petersville [Keedyaville]. Late in the afternoon on the 10th we moved forward on the left of the Ninetieth Regiment Pennsylvania Yolunteers, and laid on our arms all night in a woods. Shortly after daylight our division advanced in line of battle, our brigade supporting General Hartsuff, the Ninetieth on our right3 and Ninety-fourth on our left, to the end of a woods, where we relieved the Ninth New York, and commenced firing, continuing for about two hours, when we were ordered to fall back, fill our cartridge-boxes, and draw rations. We then waited further orders. During the engagement Maj1 George W. Gile was badly wounded in the leg, and the command devolved upon Capt. H. IR. Myers. The loss is as follows: Killed, 10; wounded, 62; missing, 5. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, II. 11. MYERS, Captain, Commanding Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Lient. DAVID P. WEAVER, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 32. Report of Col. Peter Lyle, Ninetieth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battles of south Mountain and Antietam. HDQRS. NINETIETH REGT. PENNSYLVANIA VOLS., On the road to ~harpsburg, Md., & ptember 19, 1862. SIR: In obedience to orders received from brigade headquarters, 1 have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the regiment under my command in the recent engagements with the enemy on the 14th, 16th and 17th instant: At 4 a. m. on ~unday morning, the 14th, the regiment, then lying outside of Frederick, was under arms, and left Frederick about 9 a. in., taking the turnpike toward Middletown. We arrived at the latter place about 12 in., when we were halted on the road for sometime, until Renos division had passed us. We then took up the march; passed up the turnpike a mile; took the road to the right; passed up the mountains, and were formed in line of battle, with orders to sup- port llartsuffs brigade. While standing in this position we received orders to advance into the woods, where our troops in front were engaging the enemy. The firing of musketry at this time being most terrific, we advanced in line of battle, moving obliquely to the left and front. Having received later orders to relieve Doubledays brigade, who were running out of ammunition, we moved up to the crest of the hill, took the position oc- cupied by Doubledays brigade, and immediately engaged the enemy. The firing was kept up until darkness put an end to the engagement. We had but 3 men wounded slightly, who were by lnistake included in the list furnished for the 17th instant. We lay on our arms al Page 266 266 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. night, and during the night we took some 15 prisoners, some of whom were wounded. The next morning we found that the enemy had retreated during the night, leaving on the field, immediately in front of our position and within 20 yards of our lines, from 400 to 600 dead, the wounded, except those mentioned above, having been carried oiL The same morning we started off in pursuit, and on Tuesday, having crossed the Antietam the day before, we came up with the enemy, and having formed in close column under fire from their batteries, entered the wood, and formed in line of battle on the left of Hartsuffs brigade, the Pennsylvania Reserves being in the wood in front of us. We again lay on our arms all night, and at daybreak the next morn- ing (17th) we moved to the right, passed to the front through a corn- field, and took position on the left of Matthews battery, First Pennsyl- vania, which we were ordered to support. Here we were exposed to a severe fire of musketry and shell, we being immediately in rear of the skirmishers, who were engaging the enemy iii the corn-field in front. We were moved to the left behind a wood, and formed in close column. The shells falling around us, the battery was moved to the front, into the woods. Here we were subject to a raking fire of grape, canister, and shell. The battery fell back, and the regiment was deployed and moved to the front in line. We passed through the woods into a plowed field, where we~engaged the enemy until our forces on the right and left gave way, when, having but about 100 men left, we fell back slowly and in good order, under cover of the woods, and then, being hard pressed by the enemy, we fell to the rear, finding that fresh troops were coming to our relief. I again take the occasion to call your attention to Lieut. Col. William A. Leech, Maj. A. J. Sellers, and Adjt. B. P. Weaver, who thronghout all these engagements behaved with great coolness and bravery. I desire also to mention for their coolness on the field, Capts. Jacob M. Davis, William H. Warner, Charles F. Maguire (wounded), John W. Barnes, and John A. Gorgas; Lients. F. A. Chadwick, A. Morin (wounded), J. P. Mead, J. M. Moore (wounded), S. W. Moore (wounded), W. H. Hewlings, W. F. Myers, Lindsley, R. W. Davis ,.G. W. Watson, E. J. Gorgas, J. T. Riley, and W. S. Ellis; also Private W. H. Paul, who carried the colors, the color-bearer having been killed in the early part of the engagement. Respectfully submitted. P. LYLE, Colonel, Commanding Ninetieth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Captain PALJ~ER, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 33. Reports of Brig. Gen. George U. Meade, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. HDQRS. TuRD DIVISION (MEADES), HOOKERS CORPS, September 24, 1862. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the opera- tions of the division of the Pennsylvania Reserves under my command during the action of South Mountain Gap on the 14th instant: The division left its camp at the Monocacy early on the morning o Page 267 ChAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND (~AMPAIGN. 267 the 14th instant, and marched to Middletown and beyond,~where it was halted about 1 p. m. of that day. General iRenos corps being in front and engaged with the enemy, about 2 p. m. the division was ordered to the front to his support. The enenry was disputing our passage over the turnpike through the South Mountain; and had been attacked on the left by General iReno. After some consultation with the general commanding the right wing and the corps, I was directed to move the division on a road leading off to the right of the turnpike and toward the enemys left. After advancing over a mile on this road, the division, which was the advance of the corps, was turned across the field to the left, and moved in an advantageous position to support Coopers battery, which it was proposed to establish on an adjoining eminence. The enemy, perceiving these dispositions, opened on the column from a battery on the mountain sidebut without inflicting any injury. Cap. tam Coopers battery of 3-inch ordnance guns was immediately put iii l)osition on the ridge above referred to, and at the same time, by direc- tion of the general commanding the corps, the regiment of First Rifles of the division was sent forward as skirmishers to feel for the enemy. Being well satisfied, from various indications, that the enemy occupied the mountain in force with his infantry, the general commanding the corps directed me to advance my division to the right, so as, if possible, to outflank them, and then to move forward to attack him. A slight description of the features of the ground is necessary to properly de- scribe the movements of the division. The turnpike from Frederick- town to ilagerstown in crossing the mountains takes a general direction of northwest and southeast. The mountain ridge occupied by the enemy was perpendicular in its general direction to the road. Parallel to the mountain was another ridge, separated from it at the turnpike by a deep valley, but connected at the upper end by a very small depression. Over this second ridge there was a road, along which I advanced Sey- mours brigade of the division, directing him to push forward and feel the enemy. Soon after advancing, General Seymour reported that he could take time crest of the first ridge, along which ran the road, and could then advance across the ravine to the second ridge, which I immediately ordered him to do. At the same time I deployed Gallaghers (Third) brigade parallel to the mountain, and also Magiltons (Second) brigade on the same line, but down in the valley, and, when the line of battle was completely formed, directed a general advance of the whole. Sey- mour soon gained the crest of the first ridge, and then moved in the same direction as the other two brigades. Gallagher and Magilton advanced steadily to the foot of the mountain, where they found the enemys infantry. In a short time the action became general through- out the whole line. Steadily the line advanced up the mountain side, where the enemy was posted behind trees and rocks, from whence he was slowly, but gradually, dislodged, Seymour first gaining the crest of the hill, and driving the enemy to the left along the ridge, where he was met with the fire of the other two brigades. Soon after the action commenced, having reason to believe the enemy was extending his left flank to outflank us, I sent to the general commanding the corps for re-enforcements, which were promptly furnished by sending General Duryeas brigade of IRicketts division. Owing, however, to the dis- tance to be traveled to reach the scene of action, D uryea did not arrive on the ground till just at the close of the engagement. his mcmi were promptly formed in hue of battle, and advanced on the left of Sey- mour, but only one regiment had an opportunity to open fire before the enemy retired and darkiiess intervened Page 268 268 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [ChAP. XXXI. The conduct of the division on this occasion was such as to uphold its well-earned reputation for steadiness and gallantry, and, fortunately, was witnessed by the general commanding the corps, as well as by others. I am greatly indebted to Brigadier-General Seymour for the skill with which he handled his brigade on the extreme right flank, securing by his maneuvers the great object of our movements, viz, the outfianking the enemy. To Colonel McNeil, of the First Pennsylvania Hifles, who with his regiment has always been in the advance, I am itidebted for ascertaining the exact position of the enemy. Colonels Magilton and Gallagher, in command of the Second and Third Brigades, formed their men and carried them to the summit of the mountain in the most creditable manner. I regret to report that Colonel Gallagher, while gallantly leadipg his men, was wounded and compelled to leave the field. To my personal staff; consisting of Capt. E. C. Baird, assistant adjutant-general, Capt. J. Adair, commissary of subsistence, and Lieuts. William Riddle and A. G. Mason, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves, acting aides-de-camp, I am indebted for the prompt execution of all my orders, carried under a severe fire across rocks, stone walls, and the most rugged country I almost ever saw. The command rested on their arms during the night. The ammuni- tion train was brought up and the mens cartridge-boxes were filled, and every preparation made to renew the contest at daylight the next morning should the enemy be in force. Unfprtunately, the morning opened with a heavy mist, which prevented any view being obtained, so that it was not till 7 a~ m. that it was ascertained the enemy had retired entirely from the mountain. I beg leave to refer to the reports of brigade and regimental com- manders for the several parts taken by their commands. I also accom- pany this report with a consolidated return of the killed and wounded and missing, amounting, as will be seen, to 399 in all, or about 10 per cent. of the force taken into action.* Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEG. G. MEADE, Brigadier- General, Comdg. Division Pennsylvania Reserves. Maj. JOSEPH DIcKINSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS THIRD (MEADES) DIVISION, September 22, 1862. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the opera- tions of the division under my command in the actions of the 16th and 17th instant, on the Antietam: The division left the mountain gap oii the morning of the 15th, and marched beyond Keedysville, bivouacking on the foiks of the Big and Little Antietam. On the afternoon of the 16th, about 2 p. in., the divis- ion, constituting the advance of Hookers corps, moved, by direction of the general commanding the corps, on the road to Williamusport, where, after crossing the bridge over the main Antietam, the head of the cob umn was moved to the left across the country, advancing on what was understood to be the enemys left flank. Soon after leaving the road, the cavalry advance reported haying beeii fired npon, when, by direc- tion of the general commanding the corps, the regiment of First Penn * l3ut see revised statement, m 186 Page 269 CuAP. ~tXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. sylvania Rifles4Bucktails) was advanced as skirmishers to a piece of woods on our left, and four companies of the Third Regiment Pennsyl- vania Reserves were deployed as skirmishers and sent into a piece of woods on our right, the main column formed of battalions in mass, division front, with the artillery moving over the open ground for a high ridge iu front. The Bucktails skirmishers finding the enemy, General Seymour, with the First Brigade, was directed to advance to their support. This was J)rolnptly done, and soon Seymour was closely engaged with the enemys mill try and artillery, Coopers battery being posted by Seymour to reply to the enemys artillery. In the mean time I had gained the crest with the head of the column, and entered a piece of woods, which proved to be in its (lirection perpendicular to the line along which Seymour had advanced. On entering these woods, the enemys battery could be l)lainly seen in a corn-field, playing on Seymours column in their front. The masses of his infantry deployed around the battery, and the fact that only one regimentthe head of my columnwas deployed, deterred me from the endeavor to capture the battery by a charge. I, however, immediately ordered up Ransoms battery of light 12-pounders, who promptly came to the front and in battery at the edge of the woods, opening on the enemys battery and infantry a destructive enfilading fire, which soon caused him to withdraw his guns to an eminence in the rear, from which he commenced shelling the woods we occupied, and the ridge immediately behind it. In the mean time Magiltons and Andersons (Second and Third) bri. gades came up, and were deployed in line of battle to support Ransoms battery. After driving the enemy from the woods, Seymour held his own, and, darkness intervening, the contest closed fom the night, Sey- inour holding the woods immediately in front of the enemy, and Ander- son and Magilton the woods on their flank. Ransom was withdrawn to the rear. Cooper remained in the position occupied in the commence- ment of the action, and Simpsons battery of howitzers, which had been posted on the ridge to the rear, replying to the enemys battery in its second position, also remained there. During the night the enemy made two attacks on Seymours pickets, in both of which he was repulsed with, it is believed, severe loss. At early daylight on the 17th the contest was warmly renewed by Seymour, the enemy attacking him with vigor. The general command. ing the corps had sent Ricketts division to Seymours support, and had advanced Doubledays division along the woods occupied by Magil- tons and Andersons brigades. These brigades were formed in column of battalions in mass, and were moved forward in rear of Doubleday. Seymour and Ricketts advancing through one piece of woods, and Doubleday, on their right, advancing along the Hagerstown pike, left an open space between,in which was a plowed field and an orchard; beyond this was a corn-field, the possession of which the eueiny warmly disputed. Ransoms battery was advanced into the open ground between the two advancing columns, and played with great effect on the enemys infantry and batteries. The brigades of Anderson and Magilton on reaching the corn-field were massed in a ravine extending up to the l)ike. Soon after forming, I saw the enemy were driving our men from the corn-field. I immediately deployed both brigades, and formed line of battle along the fence bordering the corn-field, for the purpose of covering the withdrawal of our people and resisting the farther advance of the enemy. Just as this line of battle was formed, I received a Page 270 270 OPE1~ATtONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AN]) PA. [CHAP. XZ~t order from the general commanding the corps to detach a briga(le to re-enforce our troops in the woods on the left. J directed Magiltons brigade to move in that direction, which order was promptly executed, notwithstanding the brigade, moving by the flank, was subjected to a warm fire from the corn-field. Andersons brigade still held the fence on the right, but the gap made by the withdrawal of Magilton was soon filled by the enemy, whose in- fantry advanced boldly through the corn-field to the woods. Seeing this, I rode up to Ransoms battery and directed his guns on their advancing column, which fire, together with the arrival of Magiltons brigade, in connection with Seymour and Ricketts, drove the enemy back, who, as they retreated, were enfiladed by Anderson, who event- ually regained the crest of the ridge in the corn-field. At this time, about 10 a. in., my division had been engaged for five hours, and their ammunition was being exhausted. I therefore welcomed the arrival of Banks corps, the left column of which, commanded by the gallant Mans- field, moved up to our support in the woods bn the left, and a column under General Williams moved up to the woods on the right by the turnpike. I should have mentioned previously that the Tenth Regiment, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Warner, was detached across the pike to watch our right flank, and was eventually, I believe, put in action by General Gibbon, rendering good service in that part of the field- also that Coopers battery of 3-inch guns and Simpsons howitzers were early in the morn- ing posted on the crest of the ridge we occupied the evening previous, from whence they had a command of the enemy~s left flank, and were in action at various times during the day, opening whenever they saw any of the enemys artillery or infantry, and doing good service in pro- tecting our hospital and trains in the rear. Between 11 and 12 a Mansfields corps having reached the scene of action, also Sumners, the corps had the misfortune to lose the services of its skillful and brave commander, who was wounded in the foot, and who did me the honor to direct me to assume the command of the corps on his leaving the field. I directed the various divisions to be withdrawn as soon as they were relieved, and to be assembled and reorganized on the ridge in our rear. By 2 p. m. the division of the Pennsylvania Reserves, now commanded by General Seymour, were organized on this ridge, supplied with am- munition, and held in readiness to repel an attack if the enemy should attempt one on our right flank, and assist in any advance we might make. I beg leave to refer to the reports of the several brigade and regi- mental commanders for the details of the operations. I desire particu- larly, however, to call your attention to the report of Brigadier-Gen- eral Seymour, because, from the confidence I placed ,in the judgment and military skill of that officer, I left entirely to him the management and direction of his brigade, the first in action and the only one en- gaged with the infantry on the afternoon of the 16th, and the first to commence and the last to leave on the 17th. I desire to commend most particularly to your notice the gallantry and good conduct of this officer, which I have no doubt you observed yourself. I feel it also due to the memory of a gallant soldier and accomplished gentleman to express here my sense of the loss to the public service in the fall of Go]. Hugh McNeil, of the First Pennsylvania Rifles, who fell mortally wounded, while in the front rank, bravely leading on and encouraging his men, on the afternoon of the lGth Many other brave and gall ant soldiers were killed and wounded, for whose names I ret~r you to the accompanying list. The division went into action unde Page 271 CHAP. XX~t] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 271 3 000 strong, and lost in killed and wolln(led over 57020 ier cent. The conduct throughout the action, both of officers and men, was such as to merit my warmest thanks, and to truly entitle them to the name of veterans. To my personal staff, consisting of Capt. E. C. Baird, assistant adju- tant-general, and Lients. William Riddle and A. G. Mason, aides, I am indebted, as heretofore, for the prompt execution of my orders, under the severest fire. Lieutenant Riddle received a painful wound in the hand just before the division was withdrawn from the field. I cannot close this report without calling your attention to the skill and good judgment, combined with coolness, with which Captain Raii. som, his officers (Lieutenants Weir and Gansevoort) and men, served his battery. In a previous part of this report I have described the advance of the enemy throngh the corn.field, and the check the column received from Captain Ransoms fire. I consider this one of the most critical periods of the morning, and that to Captain Ransoms battery is due the credit of repulsing the enemy. I also wish to mention par- ticularly the efficiency and gallantry of Lieutenant-Colonel Warner, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, both in the actions at South Mountain and on the Antietam. He was detached with his regiment for special service, accomplished by him in the most creditable manner, and in the latter battle he was severely wounded. He is an officer whom I would be glad to see elevated to a higher position. Surg. William King, the medical director of the division, was early on the field in both actions, and with his usual energy and promptitude brought up the ambulances and established the hospitals in such maii- ner as to secure for our wounded the speediest assistance. There are many other names that will be brought to your notice. through the reports of subordinate commanders, as I have confined myself in this report exclusively to those that came under my special notice. Very respectfully, your obedient servant 4E0. G. MEADE, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Maj. JOSEPH DICKINSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 34. Report of Capt. James H. Cooper, Battery B, First Pennsylvania Light Artillery, of the battle of South Mountain. * * * * * * * At 3.30 oclock p. in., by order of General Hook& , the battery was placed upon a high hill to the right of the turnpike and near the base of the mountain. Immediately on coming into battery, 25 or 30 case- shot were thrown among the enemy on the slope of the mountain, scat- teying them, but, eliciting no reply from the enemys guns, I ceased ilring, by General Hookers order, that the infantry might advance. The position of our lines prevented any further firing during the even- ingno order to change position being received. No casualties attended the engagement. * * # J. II. COOPER, Captain Pennsylvania Artillery, Commanding Battery B Page 272 OPEI?ATIONS IN N. VA., W.~ VA., MD., AND PA. ~CHAP. 1tx~L No. 35. Report of Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of South Mountain. IIDQRS. FIRST BRIG., PENNSYLVANIA RES. VOL. Cours, Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 24, 1862. CAPTAIN: Of the movements and conduct of this command during the recent battles at South Mountain and near this place, I have the honor to report as follows: The brigade is composed of the First Pennsylvania Rifles, better known as Bucktails, Colonel McNeil; First Regiment, Col. R. Biddle Roberts; Second, Captain Byrnes; Fifth, Colonel Fisher and Sixth, Colonel Sinclair, all of which regiments are much reduced in numbers and strength by the battles and exposures of the Peninsula. On the 14th instant, Hookers corps being ordered to engage the left of the rebel position on South Mountain, this brigade was placed on the extreme right, and after being massed at the base of the slope, was advanced through open woods and over cultivated ground, on the right of a road leading up a ravine, and intersecting the turnpike in rear of the mountain. The Bucktails were thrown forward as skirmishers, sup- ported by thee Second and two companies of the First~ the remainder of the brigade followed closely. On a prominent hill on his extreme left, and on our right of the road alluded to above, the rebels had i)osted a regiment, the Sixth Alabama. A brisk fire was opened upon our skirmishers by this regiment, and by a battery on the mountain to our left. The exposure was great, and numbers fell under the accurate fire of the shell from these guns, but the enemy was rapidly driven, the hill won, and many prisoners taken. Looking to the left, an extended field of corn led directly to the main J)OsitiOn on the mountain itself. The First, Second, and Fifth changed direction, and, supported by the Sixth in column of companies, continued the attack. A few volleys were fired, bayonets were leveled, three hearty cheers given, and the whole line moved quickly up the hillside with an impetus that drove the enemy from cover and gave us the crest in time to anticipate a fresh brigade which was advancing to support their line, but which then turned in retreat. Later other brigades came up on our left, and night coming on, the pursuit, from the rough nature of tbe ground, had to be abandoned. Rodes~ brigade of five Alabama regiments was understood to have been in our front on this occasion. The brigade lost many good officers and men, but the advance was superb in its steadiness and resolution, and was thoroughly successful in its results. To Colonel Fisher, Colonel Sinclair, Col. R. Biddle Roberts, Colonel McNeil, of the Rifles, and Captain Byrnes2 great praise is due for the energy and courage with which their regiments were led into action, and their promptness in carrying out my orders. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. SEYMOUR, Brigadier.General U. S. Vols., Comdg. First Brigade. Capt. E. C. BAIRD, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Headquarters Meades Division Page 273 CHAr. XX~XIt.J THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 273 No. 36. Reports of Cot. Albert L. Magilton, Fourth Pennsylvania Reserves, com- manding & eond Brigade, of the battles of ASOUth Mountain and An- tietam. HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., PENNSYLVANIA RES. VOL. Con~s, Near kharpsburg, Md., september 21, 1862. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to make the following report of the Second Brigade, Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, in the action of South Mountain, September 14, 1862: The Second Brigade started from the Monocacy River Sunday, Sep- tember 14, 1862, and traveled the Hagerstown turnpike until it reached the base of the South Mountain. Here the brigade was marched on a road leading to the right about 2 miles, and formed in line of battle facing the mountains. The Third Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Vol- unteer Corps was then detached to watch the road we had just come out, about the distance of three-quarters of a mile to our right, and did not become engaged. The remaining regiments, were then ordered to the front up the mountain. At the foot of the mountain we engaged the enemy, and we advanced steadily to the front, driving the ent~my over the mountain. Becoming quite dark, and our ammunition giving out, I took up a position and remained sleeping on our arms for the night. I have the pleasure to state that all did their duty well, and pushed forward with great courage, for which they deserve the highest praise. A list of the killed, wounded, and missing has been furnished.* I am, sir, very respectfally, your obedient servant, A. L. MAGILTON,. Cot. Fourth Regt. Pa. Res. Vol. Coips, Comdg. Second Brig. Lient. CHARLES N. JACKSON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Seymours Division. IIDQRS. SECOND BRIG., PENNSYLVANIA RES. VOL. CORPS Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 21, 1862. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to make the following report of the Second Brigade, Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, in the actions of September 16 and 17, 1862: The Second Brigade marched from near Keedysville, on the Williams- port road, on the 16th of September, 1862. When near the Williamsport and Sharpsbnrg turnpike the enemy was discovered to our left. We immediately advanced toward the enemy; four com~panies of the Third Regiment were deployed as skirmishers, who advanced to our front and right. The other regiments were marched in column of battalions, of division front, until we came to a woods, directly in front of the ene- mys position; here we deployed in line under cover of the woods and the night, for it was quite dark. Captain Ransom, with Company C. Fifth Regulars, United States Artillery, was ordered by General Meade immediately to our front, and he opened a fire upon the enemys bat- tery, which was firing upon the First Brigade, which soon silenced the enemys guns. The battery was then withdrawn, and we slept upon our arms for the night, throwing out a picket to the front. * Embodied in revised statement, p. 185. 18 R UVOL XIX, PT Page 274 274 OPERATIONS iN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAt-. XXXI. Early on the morning of the 17th instant the enemy attacked the First Brigade on our left and front, and King~s division was thrown to our front and right. Kings division giving way, the Second Brigade, Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, was ordered to the front, and deployed, then moved by the left flank, under a dreadful fire, which caused the center and right of the brigade to give way; but rallying immediately, afterward advanced to the front, and drove the enemy after an obstinate resistance. Being immediately re-enforced by General Sumners corps, the brigade withdrew in good order, and fell to the rear, where the remainder of the (livision had assembled. I have to speak particularly of the gallant conduct of Major Baily and his regiment (the Eighth). It was this regiment that stood its grounds manfully, and served as the rally point for the rest of the bri- gade, that at one time had broken. A list of killed, wounded, and missing has been furnished.* Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. L. MAGILTOK, Cot. Fourth Regt. P. B. V. C., Actg. Brig. Gen. 2d Brig. P. R. C. Lient. CHARLES K. JACKSON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 37. Report of Lient. Col. Robert Anderson, Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves, com manding Third Brigade, of the battle of South Mountain. HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., PENNSYLVANIA liEs. VOL. CORPS, Camp near Sharpsburg, September 22, 1862. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this brigade in the battle of September 14: At daylight on the morning of the 14th this brigade broke camp near Frederick, and took up the line of march in the direction of Middle- town. Having passed Middletown, the command halted on the banks of the creek and rested for about one hour, when the march was re- sumed in the same direction as pursued in the fore part of the day, for the distance of about a mile. We here filed to the right along a road running at right angles with the turnpike. Pursuing this road the distance of half a mile, we entered the open fields to the right of the road, whe.n we were immediately ordered to support Coopers battery, which had taken position on a hill to the left and looking toward South Mountain, upon which the enemy had planted and opened a bat. tery on us as we filed through the open fields. A few shots fired by Cooper elicited no response from the enemy, and we were ordered to form a line of battle, which was done in the following order: The Ninth on the right, the Eleventh in the center, the Twelfth on the extreme left, and the Tenth as a reserve 50 or 75 paces in the rear. Our bri- gade now began to move obliquely to the right and front under a severe fire of artillery posted on the mountain, but which did very little, if any, damage. - Moving on, we soon met the enemy, posted at the base of the mount- ain and sheltered by a stone wall. The firing immediately commenced on both sides. Here Colonel Gallagher, who had command of the bri Embodied in revised statement, p. 191 Page 275 ChAP. XXXI] tIlE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 275 gade, and who had gallantly led it into action, was severely wounded in the arm by a musket ball, and forced to leave the field. Our line moved steadily on, not once giving way or ftdtering. The enemy were driven from their shelter, and steadily pursued up the mountain till the summit was nearly gained by our men, when, all our ammunition having been expended, Duryeas brigade having come up and taken its position in front of us, portions of the Ninth, Eleventh, and Twelfth (through a misconception of order~) fell back to supply themselves with ammunition. The Tenth Regiment, which had been ordered forward to fill up the gap between our right and Seymours left, and which had fought its way gallantly up to the other regiments of the brigade, was ordered to hold its position. When the Ninth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Regiments fell back it was dark, and 11 oclock before they were 5Uj)- plied with ammunition. The firing having ceased before these regi- inents left, and our forces being in quiet possession of the crest of tue mountain, it was not thought advisable to order theni up the mountain again that. night; another consideration being that the men were niuch fatigued by a long march and their exertions upon the field. My report of the battle of South Mountain closes with the remark that it was a severe one, and that every officer aiid man of this com- mand did his duty nobly. Respectfully submitted. ROBERT ANDERSON, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Brigade. No. 38. Report of Maj. Gen. Edwin V. Sumner, U. S. Army, commanding Second and Twe~fth Army 6orps, of the battle of Antietam. HEADQUARTERS SECOND AND TWELFTH CORPS, Harpers Perry, October 1, 1862. SIR: 1 have the honor to report that, on the evening of the 16th ultimo, I received an order at Keedysville to send the Twelfth Corps (Banks) to support General Hooker, and to hold my own, the Second Corps, in readiness to march for the same purpose an hour before day- light. Banks corps, under General Mansfield, marched at 11.30 p. in., and my own corps was ready to move at the time ordered, but did not receive from headquarters the order to march tilL 7.20 a. in. on the 17th. [moved Sedgwicks division immediately in three columns on the re- ceipt of the order, followed by Frenchs division in the same order. Richardson was ordered to move in the same direction by the com- manding general about an hour later. (in arriving at the place where Hooker had been engaged, I found him wounded, and his corps, after a severe contest, had been repulsed. Banks corps, under the immediate command of General Mansfield, had gone into battle on Hookers left, and was engaged when I came upon the field. General Mansfield, a worthy and gallant veteran, was unfortunately mortally wounded while leading his corps into action. My First Division (Sedgwicks) went into battle in three lines. After his first line had opened fire for some tune, the enemy made a most determined rush to turn our left, and so far succeeded as to break through the line between Banks corps and my own until they began to appear in our rear. In order to repel this attack from the rear, I immediately faced Sedgwicks third line about Page 276 276 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. tOnaP. XXXI. but the fire at that moment became so severe from the left flank that this line moved off in a body to the right, in spite of all the efforts that could be made to stop it. The first and second lines after some time followed this movement, but the whole division was promptly rallied, took a strong position, and maintained it to the close of the battle. Richardsons and Frenchs divisions maintained a furious and success- ful fight from the time they entered the battle till the end of it, highly to the honor of the officers and soldiers. Major-General Sedgwick was severely wounded, but remained ou the field for some time afterward, exerting himself to the utmost. Major- General Richardson was also seriously wounded while gallantly leading his (livision, and was obliged to be borne from the field. Brigadier- Generals Dana and Max Weber were also wounded at the heads of their briga des, and were obliged to leave the field. I regret to report that the loss in my corps was very heavy, which is to be accounted for by the long and furious contest that my divisions had to maintain in the center against the most determined efforts of the enemy. I cannot give too much praise to the regimental officers and soldiers of the Second Corps, and I adopt and indorse all the subordinate re- ports. As the circumstances of the battle prevented me from witnessing the conduct of Banks corps, I would refer to the report of General Williams for all that relates to that corps. I would respectfully commend to the Government the following general officers who were distinguished for their zeal and devotion: Maj. Gen. I. B. Richardson, Maj. Gen. J. Sedgwick, Brig. Gen. A. S. Williams (commanding Banks corps), Brig. Gen. 0. 0. howard, Brig. Gen. W. S. Hancock, Brig. Gen. XV. A. Gorman, Brig. Gen. N. J. T. Dana, Brig. Gen. W. H. French, Brig. Gen. N. Kimball, Brig. Gen. Max Webei-, Brig. Gen. T. F. Meagher, and Brig. Gen. J. C. Caidwell. I would also beg leave to recommend my staff officers, Lient. Col. J. H. Taylor, adjutant-general; Lient. Col. P. J. Revere, inspector-general; Lieut. Col. C. D. Blanchard, chief quartermaster, and my aides, Maj. L. Kip, Capt. W. G. Jones, Capt. J. C. Audenried, and Capt. S. S. Sumner. These young men behaved in the most gallant manner, and did all that men could do to aid me throughout this trying battle. Lieutenant-Colonel Revere and Captain Audenried were both severely wounded, and obliged to leave the field. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. V. SUMNER Brevet Major- General, U. S. Army, Gommanding. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant- General, Army of the Potomac. P. S.The following batteries belonging to my corps were all en- gaged on the 17th ultimo, and all rendered distinguished services: Capt. J. A. Tompkins battery, Rhode Island Artillery; Capt. R. D. Pettits battery, First New York Artillery; Capt. J. D. Franks battery, First New York Artillery; Capt. J. G. Hazards battery, Rhode Island Ar- tillery; Capt. C. D. Owens battery, Rhode Island Artillery; Lieut. E. Kirbys battery, First U. S. Artillery; Lieut. E. Thomas battery, Fourth U. S. Artillery. E. V. SUMNER, Brevet Major.General, U. S. Army, Commanding Page 277 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 277 HEADQUARTERS SECOND AND TWELFTH Coiws, Harpers Ferry, October 4, 1862. I accidentally omitted to mention in my report of the battle of An- tietairi the names of Maj. F. N. Clarke, chief of artillery, and Surg. A. N. Dougherty, medical director, of my corps. These officers were both highly distinguished for their zeal anti ability. I would request that this note may be annexed to my report. Very respectfully, E. V. SUMNER, Brevet Major.Oeneral, U. S. Army, Commanding. General S. WILLIAMS. No. 39. Report of Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, Second Army Corps, of the battle of Antietam. hEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, SECOND CORPS DARM~E, Harpers Perry, September 29, 1862. COLONEL: In obedience to instructions from the major-general com- manding the corps, I have the honor to submit a narrative of the opera- tions of this (Richardsons) division during the battle of Antietain, and the time subsequent thereto, until the enemy bad retreated from the field, Major-General Richardsons wound being of such a nature as to render it impracticable for him to make the report as to the period dur- ing which he exercised the command. About 9.30 oclock a. m. on the 17th instant, the division, commanded by General Richardson, crossed the Antietam at the ford constructed by our engineers; then moved forward on a line nearly parallel to the creek, and formed line of battle by brigades in a ravine behind the high ground overlooking Roulettes house, the Second Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Meagher, on the right, his regiments being placed in the following order from right to left: The Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers, commanded byLieut. Col. James Kelly; the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteers, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Barnes; the Sixty-third New York Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Burke, and the Eighty-eighth New York Volunteers, commanded by Lieut. Col. Patrick Kelly; the Third [First] Brigade, commanded by Brigadier- General Caldwell, on his left, and the brigade commanded by Colonel Brooke, of the Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the rear. Meaghers brigade immediately advanced, and soon became engaged with the enemy, posted to the left and in front of Roulettes house. This brigade continued its advance under a heavy fire nearly to the crest of the hill overlooking Pipers house, the enemy being l)osted in strong force in a sunken road directly in its front. A severe and well-sustained musketry contest then ensued, which, after continuing until the ammunition was nearly expended, this brigade, having suffered severely, losing many valuable officers and men, was, by direction of General Richardson, relieved by the brigade of General Caldwell, which until this time had remained in support. Caldwclls brigade advanced to within a short distance of the rear of Meaghers brigade. The latter then broke by companies to the rear, and the for. mner by companies to the front, and in this manner l)assed their respect. ive lines. Caldwells brigade immediately advanced to the crest over Page 278 278 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL looking the sunken road and about 30 yards distant from it, and at once became engaged in a most desperate contest, the enern y then occupying that position in great strength, supported by other troops in their rear toward Pipers house. The regiments of this brigade were l)osted in the following order, from right to left: The Sixty-first New York and Sixty-fourth New York Vol- unteers, consolidated temporarily, under command of Colonel Barlow; the Seventh New York Volunteers, commanded by Captain Brestel; the Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Major MeKeen, and the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Cross. At this time Colonel Brookes brigade formed a second line in support of Caidwells brigade, the regiments of General Meaghers brigade retiring to the rear to replenish their ammunition, having received an order to that effect from General Richardson. The enemy having pierced the troops on the right of Roulettes house, belonging to some other division of our forces, Colonel Brooke, observ- ing it, applied for orders to General Richardson to repair the accident, and immediately led three regiments in that direction, an(l formed line of battle on the crest in front of Roulettes house and inclosures, send- ing one regiment (the Fifty-third Pennsylvania, commanded by Lieu- tenant-Colonel McMichael) to dislodge the eneniy, who had then gained a foothold in the corn-field in rear of those buildings. The enemy was promptly driven out by this regiment, which held the ground nntil ordered subsequently to march to another part of the field. The enemy having retired on these demonstrations, the other two regiments (the Fifty-seventh New York Volunteers, coin manded by Lieutenant-Col- onel Parisen, and the Sixty-sixth New York Volunteers, commanded by Captain Wehle) were then led by Colonel Brooke to the support of General Caldwells brigade, forming line on the same crest with it, that brigade being then hard pressed by the enemy, and a vacant space having been made in the line owing to the fact that the Fifth New llampshireVolunteers had been moved to the left by Colonel Cross to prevent a flank movement by the enemy toward our left, which was handsomely frustrated by that officer. A spirited contest arose between his regiment and a force of the enemy, each endeavoring to be the first to gain the high ground to the left, and each force delivering its fire as they marched by the flank in parallel lines. Colonel Cross captured one regimental color in this contest. The two regiments of Colonel Brookes brigade last referred to imme- diately became engaged on the left of the remainder of General Cald- wells, the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers being still farther to the left. The enemy was re-enforced by fresh troops during the contest, his first line having been driven off the field. Finally an advance was made from this position to Pipers house by the brigade of Caldwell and the two regiments under Colonel Brooke, nuder a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, the enemy having a section of brass pieces in the front firing grape and a battery to the right throwing shell. This advance drove the enemy from the field and gave us possession of the house and its surroundingsthe citadel of the enemy at this position of the line, it being a defensible building several hundred yards to the rear of the sunken road first referred to. This having been accomplished, the musketry firing at this point ceased. At the time the enemy broke the line on our right previously referred to, when Colonel Brooke ad- vanced toward Roulettes house, Colonel Frank, of the Fifty-second New York Volunteers, then in command of that regiment and the Second Delaware, also observing a movement to our:right and~rear Page 279 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 279 changed front obliquely to the right, and became engaged with the flank of the enemys advance, and performed an active part in frustrating his intended movement. Colonel Barlow, commanding the Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth Regimenfs of New York Volunteers, of CaIdwells brigade, observing the same movement of the enemy to the right, changed front and delivered his fire, performing good service in checking the attempt to turn our flank, causing the surrender of 300 prisoners and capturing two colors. Having possession of Pipers house, by direction of Gen- eral Richardson the line was withdrawn a short distance to take posi- tion on a crest, which formed a more advantageous line. Up to this time the division was without artillery, and in taking up the new position it suffered severely from artillery fire, which could not be replied to. A section of Robertsons battery of horse artillery (brass pieces), commanded by Lieutenant Vincent, of the Second Ar- tillery, then arrived on the ground and did excellent service. Subse- quently a battery of brass guns of Porters corps, commanded by Cap- tain Graham, also arrived, and was posted on the same line. A heavy.. fire then ensued between the enemys artillery and our own, ours finally retiring, being unable to reach the enemy, who used rifled guns, ours being smooth-bores. General Richardson was severely wounded, about this time, while (lirecting the movements of the troops, and while personally directing the fire of one of our batteries. General Meaghers brigade having refilled their cartridge-boxes, returned at this time, and took its position in the center of the line. General Meagher had his horse shot under him in the action of his brigade, and, in falling, received bruises which l)revented him from returning to the field until the next morning. Early in the afternoon, after General Richardson had been removed from the field, I was directed to take command of his division by Major.General McClellan in person. Having received his orders and those of Major-General Sumner, I proceeded to the ground, and found that the division occupied the right center of our lines. My instruc- tions were to hold that position against the enemy. I found the troops occupying one line of battle in close proximity to the enemy, who was then again in position behind Pipers house. The Fourteenth Connec- ticut Regiment and a detachment from the One hundred and eighth New York Volunteers, both under command of Col. Dwight Morris, were in reserve, the whole command numbering about 2,100 men, with no artillery. Finding a considerable interval at a dangerous point be- tween Meaghers brigade, then commanded by Colonel Burke, of the Sixty-third Regiment New York Volunteers, and Caidwells brigade, the Fourteenth Connecticut was placed there, and the detachment from the One hundred and eighth New York Volunteers on the extreme left. Application was made for two batteries of artillery to the different commanders within reach, and to the chief of artillery, but none could be spared at that time. I felt able, however, to hold the position as I had been instructed, ~otwithstanding this deficiency and the fact that the troops were already suffering severely from the shells of the enemy, relying upon the good qualities of the troops, but was too weak to make an attack, unless an advance was made on the right, as I had no reserves, and the line was already enfiladed from its forward posi- tion by the enemys artillery in front of our right wing, which was screened from the fire of our artillery on the right by a belt of woods, which was yet in possession of the enemy. Some time after arriving on the ground, a command of the enemy wa Page 280 280 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL seen in line of battle, preceded by skirmishers, advancing in a direction. parallel to our front, and toward a command of ours situated to the front of my left, whose line was formed iearly at right angles with mine. J immediately sent a pressing message for a battery of artillery, and Cap- tain Hexamer, of Slocums division of General Franklins corps, was sent to me. The enemy, after a short cannonading, was forced to retire. Jn a short time an advance was ma(le by some of our troops on my right toward the rear of Pipers house, the emiemy appearing to make prepa- rations to meet them. I assisted these troops l)y the fire of this battery, and subsequently seeing our troops returning, prevented pursuit. This advance proved to have been made by a single regiment, the Seventh Maine, without concert of action with other troops. During this time and previously the entire comman(l suft~red a severe cannonading from the enemy5 artillery, and was ~mlso much annoyed by his sharpshooters. The battery above referred to, having no ammuni- tion, retired, and was replaced by Kirbys battery, commanded by Lieu- - tenant Woodruff (12-pounder brass guns). Captain Tidhalls battery had been in position a considerable distance from our extreme left and. toward evening that officer placed a section on the elevated ri4e on the left of my line, which did material service by the precision of its fire in concealing the weakness of our position. This section was withdrawn about dark. Affairs remained in this position during the night. Our pickets were thrown as far forward as practicable (a very short distance). The next morning a battery of light 12-pounders, commanded by Lieut. Evan Thomas, reported to me, and replaced the battery commanded by Lieu- tenant Woodruff. Captain Pettits battery of rifled guns also reported, and was placed in a commanding position on our extreme left. The day passed in this position, I having been directed in the morning, by orders from the commander-in-chief, not to precipitate hostilities, as he ex- pected some re-enforcements to arrive before he desired to recommence movements to the front. Receiving no further instructions daring the day, I continued to await the operations of the other portions of the line. The enemys sharpshooters commenced at au early hour ou the morning of the 18th firing upou our troops, and so continued during the day. Their fire was replied to by our pickets and by others detailed for this service. In the afternoon, being informed that a Ilag of truce from the enemy was in our front, 1 dispatched an aide to receive the message, and, ou learning that General Pryor apl)eared on the part of the enemy, directed General Meagher to communicate with him and to ascertain his wishes. It was then learned that no flag had been sent by the enemy, and that a misunderstanding had arisen on account of an unauthorized arrange- ment which had been made by the pickets of the opposing forces (our own l)articularly in fault), ostensibly for the purpose of collecting the wounded between our lines. General Pryor was notified that as nearly all the wounded between the lines belonged to the enemy, any communi- cation having for its object their collection must proceed from them, expressing a desire, however, that the wounded, who had beemi lying on the ground for thirty hours, might be removed. General Pryor had previously stated that he had no doubt a communication from us to the commandi~ng general of the enemys forces would result in a satisfac- tory arrangement. General Pryor stating that he had no authority to send such communication as indicated, on my part the conference closed. Subsequently it was reported to me that another flag had appeared Page 281 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 281 Again General Meagher was sent to meet the bearer, who prove(1 to be a lieutenant-colonel in the rebel service, who stated that the flag was intended to cover the operations of collecting the wounded and burying the dead, it being supposed that a truce existed by an arrangement which had beemi made on our right. The officer was notified that it was an error, and in a fi~w minutes hostilities recommenced. Subsequently a number of the enemy appeared in the corn-field in our front, appar- ently for the purpose of collecting the dead, five of whom approached our l)icket line. At that moment several shots were delivered by their own sharpshooters, when these five men were arrested and sent to the rear as prisoners of war. A good deal of this uncertainty, no doubt, arose from similar operations on our right, rendering it doubtful on both sides whether or not a truce existed. The troops remained in their position until the following morning, when it was found that the enemy had retreated. We then advanced to their position and commenced the operation of collecting the remaining wounded, burying the dead Qf both forces, and piling the captured arms. Nine regimental colors and battle-flags were taken on the field from the enemy by this division, claimed ~ follows, and explained by the subordinate reports: The Fifth New Hampshire, Colonel Cross, cap- tured one color. Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers, Colonel Barlow, captured two colors. Fifty-seventh New York Vol- unteers, commanded by Colonel Parisen (killed), subsequently by Major Chapman, and the Sixty-~ixth New York, commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel Bull, both at the time under command of Colonel Brooke, cap. tured two colors. The Seventh New York, Captain Brestel, captured three colors. One other color was captured by the division, not now known by which regiment. About 400 prisoners were captured, and 4,000 muskets collected on the field in front of the division, and piled. Our loss was as follows: 207 killed, 940 wounded, 16 missing; total, 1,163. * The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded wa~ very heavy. Our troops behaved in the handsomest manner, and performed the part as- signed to them successfully and with promptness, and in passing through the trying ordeal exhibited the soldiers noblest qualities. I regret that some of the most valuable officers of the division were killed and many wounded, some of them of those who had distinguished themselves on many previous fields. For their particular services and for details of the deeds of the different brigades, and for the special meritorious services of individuals, officers and men, I respectfully refer you to the interest- ing reports of General Meagher, General Caldwell, and Colonel Brooke, commanding brigades, and to the reports of regimental and battery commanders. I have, however, obtained the names of some of those who, by their position and the occasions presented, had opportunities of acquiring the highest distinction and availed themselves thereof. I can- not overlook their claim to especial mention in this report, and herewith submit their names: First [Third] Brigade, Col. J. It. Brooke, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanding brigade: Col. Paul Frank, commanding Fifty- second New York Volunteers; Lient. Col. It. MeMichacl, commanding Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers; Lieut. Col. P. J. Parisen, conk muanding Fifty-seventh New York Volunteers, who was killed while gallantly leading his men in the final charge; Maj. A. B. Chapman, who * But see revised statement, p. 192 Page 282 282 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. ~CHAP. XXXI. commanded the Fifty-seventh New York Volunteers after Lieutenant- Colonel Parisen had fallen; Capt. Julius Wehie, commanding Sixty- sixth New York Volunteers Capt. ID. L. Stricker, commanding Second Delaware Volunteers; First Lieut. Charles P. Hatch, acting assistant adjutant-general to Colonel Brooke; Second Lient. John T. Potts, aide- (le-camp, wounded; First Lieut. J. M. Faville, adjutant, Fifty-seventh New York Volunteers; Rev. Mr. Dwight, chaplain, Sixty-sixth New York Volunteers. Caldwells brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. J. C. CaIdwell: Col. E. B. Cross, commanding Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers; Col. F. C. Barlow, wounded, commanding Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers; Lieut. Col. N. A. Miles, Sixty-first New York Volunteers, commanding Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers after Colonel Barlow was wounded; Maj. II. B. McKeen, commanding Eighty- first Pennsylvania Volunteers; Capt. Charles Brestel, commanding Seventh New Yoi-k Volunteers; First Lieut. ID. R. Cross, First Licut. C. A. Alvord, and First Lieut. G. W. Scott, of General Caldwells staff; Corpl. George~Nettleton, Company G, Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers, for bringing the colors of the F~nrth (rebel) IRegiment North Carolina Volunteers off the field, being badly wounded at the time. Meaghers brigade, Brig. Gen. T. F. Meagher commanding the bri. gade: Lient. Col. James Kelly, commanding Sixty-ninth New York Vol. unteers, wounded; Lient. Col. Joseph H. Barnes, commanding Twenty- ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers; Lient. Col. lleni-y Fowler, commanding Sixty-third New York Volunteers, wounded; Lieut. Col. Patrick Kelly, commanding Eighty-eighth New York Volunteers; Maj. James Cavanagh, commanding Sixty.ninth New York Volunteers after Lient. Col. James Kelly had been wounded; Maj. Charles Chipman, Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteers; Maj. H. C. Bentley (wounded), commanding Sixty-third New York Volunteers after Lieutenant-Colonel Fowler had been wounded- York Volunteers; Capt. , Maj. James Quinlan, Eighty-eighth New Joseph ONeill, Sixty-third New York Volun- teers, commanding that regiment after Lieutenant-Colonel Fowlei- and Major Bentley had been wounded; Capt. James B. McGee, Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers; Capt. Felix Duffy, Sixty-ninth New York Volun- teers, killed; Capt. P. F. Clooney, Eighty-eighth New York Volunteers, killed; C apt. John OConnell Joyce, Eighty-eighth New York Volunteers, killed; Capt. Timothy L. Shanley, Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers, woun(lcd; Capt. Jasper M. Whitty, Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers, woun(led; First Lieut. John H. Gleason, Sixty-third New York Volun- teers; Capt. G. fyi. Miller, assistant adjutant-general to General Meagher; First Lieut. James B. Mackey (wounded), aide-dc-camp; Second Lieut. John J. Gosson, aide-dc-camp; Surg. Francis Reynolds, Eighty.eighth I~ew York Volunteers. The staff officers of Major-General Richardson, Maj. J. M. Norvell, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. James P. McTVlahon, of the Sixty- ninth New York Volunteers; First Lient. ID. W. Miller, First Lieut. Wilber L. Hurlbut, First Lieut. C. S. Draper, badly wounded, acted with heroism. After General Richardson was wounded, Captain Mc- Mahon, Lieutenant Miller, and Lieutenant flurlbut joined me, and were very efficient, and deserve the highest commendations for their good conduct. My personal staff, First Lieut. W. G. Mitchell, aide-dc-camp; First Lieut. 1. B. Parker, aide-dc-camp; Second Lient. C. S. McEn tee, acting assistant quartermaster, conducted themselves handsomely and with their usual gallantry Page 283 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 283 Captain Hoyt, division quartermaster; Capt. C. S. Fuller, division commissary; First Lieutenant Rorty, division ordnance officer, and Surg. J. H. Taylor, medical director of the divisjon, performed their re- sl)ective duties with intelligence, bravery, and fidelity. Orderly bugler Private John Malone, Sixth Regiment Maine Volunteers, was with me. daring the day, and for his great gallantry deserves notice at my hands. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WJNFD S. HANCOCK, Brigadier- General, Commanding Division. Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff, Assistant Adfrtant-General, Hdqrs. Second Corps dArm6e, Harpers Ferry, Va. No. 40. Report of Capt. Rufus D. Pettit, Battery B, First New York Light Artil lery, of skirmish on Antietam Creek and battle of Antietam. BOLIVAR HEIGHTS, VA., September 20, 1862. SIR: In compliance with orders received, I have the honor to report that I received orders on the 15th instant to hasten with my command to the heights near Sharpsburg and join my division, which arrived there a few hours previous, there being a prospect of an engagement with the enemy at this point. I arrived at 11 a. m. and took position on an eminence about 1~ mile.s below Keedysville, and engaged the enemys batteries, three in number, which were in position on the hills on the opposite side of the Antietam, snpported by a considerable body of infantry, this engagement lasting until near night, I having expended about 400 rounds without sustaining any loss to my command. Was relieved at 5 a. in. of the 16th by a battery of 20-pounder Parrott guns, by order of chief of artillery of General Sumners corps, and moved a short distance to the rear, remaining under a galling fire for four hours, having one man wounded by a piece of a shell. In the mean time one section of my battery was ordered to a position on the right, but took no part in the engagement. At 1 p. m. my command was ordered to move across the Antietam and join the artillery in the flank movement on the enemys left, and arrived at 6 p. m. and took position in battery on a hill near where the engagement commenced on the following morning. Remained in this position until firing commenced, when I was ordered ftwward into posi- hon on the field. Had one man killed, while coming into battery, by a ball; was buried on the field. My command remained in this position until the morning of the 18th, subject to a raking fire from the enemys artillery at times. At day- light on the 18th received ord~rs to report to General Hancock, and took position on the left of his division, under fire of the enemys sharp- shooters. Here we remained until the division withdrew. Hoping this will meet your approval, I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 11. D. PETTIT, Captain, L1omdg. Battery B, First New York Vol Artillery Page 284 284 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. No. 41. Report of Licut. Bvau Thomas, Battery A, Fourth U. k~. Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. CAMP NEAR HARPERS FERRY, VA., September 24, 1862. Sm: I have the honor to transmit a report of the part Battery A, Fourth Artillery, now under my command, took in the action of the 17th instant. On the 17th of September, 1862, I received orders to move to the front. I was halted in the woods the enemy had been driven out of that morning, and the right section was ordered into position. The rest of the battery was soon ordered into position, the same occupied by Lieutenant Kirbys battery, and joined the right section there. I re- mained there without firing a shot until our left was driven back. I then changed front to fire to the left, and opened on the advancing enemy with spherical case, an~d then, as they approached nearer, with canister. They caine on, and I would undoubtedly have lost my battery had not Franklins column come up at that time. 1 then changed to my original front, and opened with solid shot on a battery to my right, in the opposite woods, which was soon silenced. Another battery opened on me, which I saw was out of my range. A rifled battery coming up at that time, and seeing I could do no good and was only losing horses for nothing, I deemed it prudent to withdraw. I was shortly afterward ordered to the rear, to fill up, where I staid uiitil ordered to my division. All the orders that I received were from Captain Clarke, chief of artil- lery, Sumners Corps. All my officers and men behaved with great coolness and bravery. Several of Baxters Zonaves helped me considerably in carrying ammu- nition. One was killed and one wounded. I would state that I had no infantry support during the whole engagement. Very respectfully, your obedient servaiit, E. THOMAS, First Lieutenant Fourth Artillery, Commanding Battery A. Capt. F. N. CLARKE, Chief of Artillery, Sumners Corps. No. 42. Report of Brig. Gen. John C. Caldwell, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. HEADQUARTERS CALDWELLS BRIGADE, Boiirar fleights, Harpers Ferry, September 24,1862. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my brigade in the battle of Sharpsburg, September 1-7, 1862: After arriving on the field of action, about 9.45 a. ni., I was ordered by General Richardson to form my brigade in line of battle on the left of General Meagher. This I executed, arranging my line in the following manner: On the right, the Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth New York Vol Page 285 CITAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 285 unteers, consolidated, under the command of Colonel Barlow, of the Sixty-first New York Volunteers; on the left, the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers. The Seventh New York Volunteers occupied the right center, and the Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers the left center. After forming the line, and finding no enemy in our immediate front, I commenced to wheel the brigade cautiously to the right, when I re- ceived an order from General iRichardson to relieve the line of General Meagher, which had fought the enemy gallantly and suffered severely. The whole brigade then moved by right flank in the rear of General Meaghers line, and passed his line to the front in the most perfect order, under a severe fire of musketry. The brigade advanced steadily over the crest of a hill behind which the enemy were posted, receiving an(l returning a heavy fire. We broke the line of the enemy along our entire front, except on the extreme right. Here there was a deep road, forming a natural rifle-pit, in which the enemy had posted himself; and from which he fired on our advancing line. After the enemy opposed to my left and center had broken and fled through the corn-field, Colonel Barlow, by a skillful change of front, partially enveloped the enemy on his right, and, after a destructive enfilading fire, compelled them to surrender. About 300 men and 8 commissioned officers, among them an aide to General Stuart, were here taken prisoners by Colonel Barlow, and conducted to the rear by my aide, Lieutenant Alvord. Two stand of colors also were captured by Colonel Barlow at this place. Meanwhile the center and left of my brigade had advanced steadily in line into the corn-field, driving the enemy before them. Here the enemy opened upon us a terrific fire from a fresh line of infantry, and also poured upon us a fire of grape and canister from two batteries, one in the orchard just beyond the corn.field, the other farther over to the right. My regiments bore this fire with steadiness. The Seventh New York Volunteers wavered for a few minutes, but I rallied them and led them forward in person, and during the remainder of the battle they fought with the most determined bravery. The Eighty-first Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, ably led by Major McKeen, fought with the utmost steadiness. The Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Cross, formed the extreme left of my line, and behaved with the greatest gallantry. Colonel Cross, ever on the alert, detected a strong force of the enemy concealed behind a ridge in the corn-field, endeavoring to turn our left flank. Colonel Cross instantly changed front forward, and received the advancing enemy with a volley, ~yhich checked him and drove him back. He soon rallied, however, and, mov- ing by the right flank, endeavored to turn our left. He was again con- fronted by Colonel Cross, who, with the assistance of the Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, which had moved to the left to his support, drove back the enemy with great loss. In this conflict the Fifth New Hampshire captured the State colors of the Fourth North Carolina Regiment. By moving to the left, to avoid being flanked, an opening had been made in my line, which was filled by one of the regiments of Colonel Brooke. On the right, Colonel Barlow, finding no enemy in his imme- diate front, saw a considerable force moving around his right. Moving by the right-oblique to a hill about 300 yards distant, he opened a severe fire upon them, when they broke and fled. Thus both attempts to turn our flanks had been foiled by the skill and quickness of Colonels BarloW and Cross and the determined bravery of the men Page 286 OPE~ATtONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. tOITAP. ~x~t The enemy made one more effort to break my line, and this time the attack was made in the center. Colonel Barlow hearing firing to his left, on our old froiit, immediately moved to the left, and formed in line with the rest of the brigade. The whole brigade then moved forward in line, driving the enemy entirely out of the corn-field and through the orchard beyond, the enemy firing grape and canister from two brass l)ieces in the orchard to our front, and shell and spherical-case shot from a battery on our right. While leading his men forward under the fire, Colonel Barlow fell, dangerously wounded by a gra~)e.shot in the groin. By command of General Richardson, I halted the brigade, and, drawing back the line, reformed it near the edge of the corn-field. It was now 1 oclock p. m. Here we lay exposed to a heavy artillery fire, by which General Richardson was severely wounded. The fall of General Rich- ardson (General Meagher having been previously borne from the field) left me in command of the division, which I formed in line, awaiting the enemys attack. Not long after 1 was relieved from the command by General Hancock, who had been assigned to the command of the division by General McClellan. I cannot contemplate the action of my brigade in this battle without emotions of pride and satisfaction. It drove the enemy in its first at- tack, foiled two successive efforts by a superior force to turn its flank the one made on the right, and the other on the left.routed a third line of fresh troops brought against its center, captured six stand of colors, 300 prisoners, and 8 officers. Both officers and men behaved in the most admirable manner. When the good conduct of all was so conspicuous, injustice may be done in the selection of individuals for especial commendation. I cannot forbear, however, to mention in terms of the highest praise the part taken by Colonel Barlow, of the Sixty.first New York Volunteers. Whatever praise is due to the most distinguished bravery, the utmost coolness and quickness of perception, the greatest promptitude and skill in handling troops under fire, is justly due to him. It is but simple justice to say that he has proved himself fully equal to every emergency, and I have no doubt that he would discharge the duties of a much higher command with honor to himself and benefit to the country. Colonel Cross, of the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers, handled his regiment in the most admirable manner, and is entitled to the sole credit of detecting and frustrating the attempt of the enemy to turn our left flank. He dis played in a high degree all the qualities of a good commanderbravery, readiness, coolness, and skill. Of tientenant-Colonel Miles it is per- haps sufficient praise to say that he added to the Laurels he has acquired on every battle-field where he has been present. After the fall of Col. onel Barlow he managed his two regiments in a masterly manner. Major McKeeu had command of the Eighty.flrst Pennsylvatiia Volunteers, Colonel Johnson being absent, sick. His bravery and coolness were con- ~picuous. Captain Brestel, commanding Seventh New York Volun- teers, behaved bravely and well. All the company and line officers, with perhaps one exception, behaved admirably, and nobly seconded the efforts of their superior officers. The members of my staff were indefatigable in their efforts, and did all I could wish in the transmission of orders. Lieutenants Cross, Al- vord, and Scott were all particularly brave and active. Lieutenant Alvord captured several prisoners with his own hand, and conducted to the rear those taken by Colonel Barlow. By command of General Richardson he gave orders to the Irish Brigade, and assisted in form Page 287 CHAP. ~(X~Ptj THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 287 jug them into a second line. During the entire day all the members of my staff were incessantly active, and did most valuable service. The casnakies in the brigade were 43 killed and 280 wonnded.* I fur- iuished several days ago a nominal list of the killed and wounded. JOHN C. (JALDWELL, Brigadier- General, Commanding Brigade. Lient. W. G. MITCHELL, Aide-de- Camp and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 43. Reports of Col. Edward B. Cross, Fifth New Hampshire Infantry, of skir mish at Boonsborough and battle of Antietam. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE YOLUNTEERS, Camp near the Battle-field, & ptember 18, 1862. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the operations of my regiment on the march in pursuit of the enemy from Middletown Heights on ~he 15th instant: On arriving within 1 mile of the village of Boonsborough, my regi- ment, which formed the rear guard of the division, suddenly received orders to march to the front as soon as possible. We passed the divis- ion at double-quick, and on reaching the front received orders from Major-General Richardson to deploy as skirmishers and cover the ad- vance. I therefore threw four companies on each side of the road, keeping two companies in the center. We advanced through the village, taking quite a number of prisoners, and proceeded on the track of the enemy along the road to Sharpsburg. The cavalry of the enemy were soon encountered, and our line advanced, skirmishing briskly, until the enemy were driven over Antietam Creek, and their line of battle discov- ered. During the day my regiment held the front, exposed to the fire of the enemys artillery and sharpshooters. The latter we several times drove from their lurking places. We held our ground until 9 oclock in the evening, when we were relieved, having lost during the day 1 officer and 3 men woundedall slightly. We killed and wounded at least 12 of the enemy and took 60 prisoners. More might have been taken, but I could not spare the force to pursue them. The next day four companies of my regiment were sent, under Major Sturtevant, to drive away the enemys sharpshooters from the upper bridge and prevent the bridge from being burned. Two companies, under Captains Cross and Long, were sent to destroy a dam which backed up the waters of the creek, but were unable to perform this duty for want of tools. I beg leave to mention particularly Major Sturtevant, Captains Pierce, Murray, Long, Cross, Perry, and Crafts, for excellent and skillful con- duct while commanding their skirmishers, as they were under fire from a concealed foe for more than ten hours, and they report the conduct of their men as excellent throughout. Very respectfully, E. E. CROSS, Colonel E?fth New Hampshire. Captain CALDWELL, Assistant Adjutant- General. * But see revised statement, p. 191 Page 288 288 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI HEADQUARTERS FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS, On the Battle-field, September 18, 1862. CAPTAIN: In reference to the part taken by my regiment in the battle of the 17th instant, I have the honor to report that, on arriving at the scene of action, I was ordered forward to relieve one of the regiments of the Irish Brigade, which was done under fire. We then advanced in line of battle several hundred yards and entered a corn-field. While marching by the right flank to gain our position in line of battle, we received a heavy fire of shell and canister-shot, which killed and wounded quite a number of officers and men, a single shell wounding 8 men and passing through the State colors of my regiment. I had scarcely reached my position on the left of the first line of battle and opened fire, when it was reported that the enemy were cautiously attempting to outflank the entire division with a strong force concealed behind a ridge, and in the same corn-field in which I was posted. They had, in fact, advanced within 200 yards of the left of our lines and.were preparing to charge. I instantly ordered a change of front to the rear, which was executed in time to confront the advancing line of the enemy in their center with a volley at very short range, which staggered and hurled them back. They rallied and attempted to gain my left, but were again confronted and held, until, assistance being received, they were driven back with dreadful loss. In this severe conflict my regi. ment captured the State colors of the Fourth North Carolina Regiment, Corpl. George Nettleton, 01 Company G, although wounded, bringing them off the field, displaying great bravery and endurance. .My regiment remained on the battle-field all the remainder of the day, under fire of shot and shell, and picketed the field at night. Through. out the whole time my officers and men exhibited all the qualities of good soldiers, steady, brave, and prompt in action, although the forces of the enemy were more than three to one. Major Sturtevant, Adjutant Dodd, Captains Pierce, Long, Murray, Cross Perry, Randlett, and Crafts deserve especial mention for their gallant conduct; also Lieutenants Graves, George, and Bean, each com- manding companies, and Lieutenants Livermore, Ricker, and Goodwin. The following officers were wounded: Colonel Cross (slightly); Cap. tains Long and Randlett; First Lieutenants Graves and Parks; Second Lieutenants Bean, George, Twitchell, Little, and Hurd. Lient. George A. Gay, a gallant young officer, was killed. Sergeant-Major Lisc-omb was also wounded. Of enlisted men, as far as can be ascertained, 107 were killed and wounded. Our wounded were attended to by Drs. Knight, Davis, and Childs as rapidly and as well as possible, and were all made very comfortable. Very truly, EDWARD B. CROSS, Golonel Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers. Captain CALDWELL. No. 44. Report of Capt. Charles Brestel, Seventh Nei~, York Infantry, of the battle of Antietarn. HDQRS. SEVENTH REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, September 20, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report that the Seventh New York Volun- teers on the 17th instant was ordered to take position in the battle-fiel Page 289 CHAP. XXXLJ THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 289 near Sharpsburg, Md. At about 10 oclock a. m. the regiment received orders to advance. It drove back the enemy, taking three colors from him. Officers and men behaved bravely. The casualties were 1 com- missioned officer and 14 men killed 1 wounded. Five men are missing.* commissioned officer and 47 men Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAIILES BIIESTEL, Brig. ~. ~. ~. CAL~WELL, Captain, Gommanding Regiment. (ommanding. No. 45. Report of Cot. Francis C. Barlow, commandinq Sixty-first and Sixty- fourth New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. GENRRAL HOSPITAL, Keedysrille, Mid., September 22, 1802. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the oper- ations of the Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers in the battle of September 17 instant. Both these regiments were under my command on that day and had been for some time previous. On going into action our brigade was formed on the left of the Irish Brigade, my regiments being the right of the brigade. We remained about fifteen minutes nuder the fire of the enemys sharpshooters, which my sharpshooters returned with effect. I lost then Captain Angell and one or two men killed. By order of the staff officer of General Rich- ardson, we then moved to the right in front, and formed behind the crest of a hill on the left of the Sixty-third Regiment, Irish Brigade, who were there briskly engaging the enemy. My regiments at once advanced over the crest of the hill, and bravely engaged the enemy and fired (lestructively. With the assistance of the fire of the regi- ments on our right and left, we broke the enemy on our front, who fled iii disorder through a corn-field, suffering severely from the fire of our and the Irish Brigade. The portion of the enemys line which was not broken theii remained lying in a deep road, well protected from a fire in their front. Our position giving us peculiar advantages for attacking in flank this part of the enemys line, my regiments advanced and obtained an enfilading fire upon the enemy in the aforesaid road. Seeing the uselessness of further resistance, the enemy, in accordance with our demands, threw down their arms, came in in large numbers, and surrendered. Upward of 300 prisoners thus taken by my regiments were sent to the rear with a guard of my regiment, under charge of Lieutenant Alvord, of Gen- eral Caldwells stall On this occasion my own regiment, the Sixty-first New York took two of the enemys battle-flags, which have been forwarded to corps headquarters. A third flag was captured by the Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers, which was lost by tIme subsequent shooting of the captor when away from his regiment. But see revised statement, p. 191. 19 H HVOL XIX~ PT Page 290 290 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., XV. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL After these events my regiments, with the rest of our line, advanced into the corn-field through which the enemy had fled, beyond the deep road above referred to. No enemy appeared in this field. Our troops were joined together without much orderseveral regiments in front of others, and none in my neighborhood having very favorable oppor- tunities to use their fire. Seeing quite a body of the enemy moving briskly on the right of our line, at no great distance, to attack us on the flank, my regiments changed front and moved to the crest of a hill on our right flank, occupying the only position where I found we could use our fire to advantage. This was to the right of the Fifty-second New York Volunteers, of Colonel Brookes brigade. We engaged sev- eral regiments of the enemy with effect, some being posted on the edge of a corn-field, behind a stone wall surmounted by a fence others were posted still farther to the right, on the eqge of the corn-field. The enemy at length retreated quite precipitately under the fire of the troops on our side, together with another body of Federal troops, which attacked the enemy in turn on their dank and rear. I am unable to state who these last-named troops were. On retiring from this position, the enemy renewed their attack on our old front. My regiments again changed front, and advanced into the corn-field which we had left, to assist in repelling the flank attack of the enemy just mentioned. Be- yond this corn-field was an orchard, in which the enemy had artillery (two pieces to the best of my knowledge). From these l)ieces, and from others still farther to our right, they had been pouring a destruct- ive fire of shell, grape, and spherical-case shot during the above-men- tioned engagement of our infantry. After thus forming our line on the right of the Fifty-seventh New York Volunteers, of Colonel Brookes brigade, I was wounded in the groin by a ball from a sl)lierical-case shot and know nothing of what subsequently occurred. For these occurrences, and for list of casual- ties, I respectfully refer to the report of Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, Sixty- first New York Volunteers, who immediately assumed command of my two regiments. My own regiment, the Sixty-first New York Voluntecis, behaved with the same fortitude and heroism, an(l showed the same perfect dis- cipline and obedience to orders under trying circumstances, for which I have before commended theirm, and which causes me to think of them with the deepest affection and admiration. The Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers behaved steadily and bravely. Of the officers in my own regiment I commend to special notice, for bravery, coolness, and every soldierly quality in action, Capt. Walter II. Maze, ~3ompany A; First Lient. Willard Keech, Company G; Sec- ond Lieut. Theodore W. Greig, Company C; Second Lient. Frederick W. Grannis. Company B. Lient. Col. Nelson A. Miles, Sixty-first New York Volunteers, has been distinguished for his admirable conduct in many battles. The voice of every one who saw him in this action will coni- mend better than I can his courage, his quickness, his skill in seeing favorable positions, and the power of his determined spirit in leading on and inspiring the men. I have the honor to be, captain, your very obedient servant, FEANCIS C. BAlILOW, Colonel 61st N. Y. I~ols,, arid Corndy~ 64th N IY~ T~Q Capt. GEORC-E II. CALDWELL Page 291 CIIAI. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 291 No. 46. Report of Lient. Cot. Nelson A. Miles, Sixty first New York Infantry, commanding Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HEADQUARTERS SIXTY-FIRST IIEGT. Nnw YORK VoLs., Gan~p near Sharpsburg, September 19, 1862. I have the honor to transmit the following report: On the 17th instant, about 9 oclock, the Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Barlow, were or- dered to form on the left of the Irish Brigade while they were engaging the enemy. We remained there about twenty minutes, during which time we lost one captain and several men. We were themi ordered to move by the right flank in rear of the Irish Brigade until we came to their right. Here we came to the front, and moved up and over the bill under a heavy fire of musketry and a cross-fire of artillery. We found the enemy lying in a road or ditch just under the brow of the hill. The regiment, however, steadily moved up and over the hill in the most determined manner and spirit, breaking the center of the enemys line, and killing or wounding nearly all that left the ditch to make their escape through the corn-field. Then we improved the advantage we had gaiiied by changing front forward on first company, thereby flank- ing the rest of their line. The colonel gave the command, Cease firing, when I called out to them tQ surrender. They at once threw down their arms and came in. I think by this movement we captured 275 or 300 prisoners. I detailed one company to guard them, and turned them over to Lieutenant Alvord, of General Caidwells staff; with two stand of colors. The enemy were then out of sight in the front, but were discovered moving around our right. The colonel then gave the order, Right shoulder shift arms, and moved to the right oblique to another hill, about 300 yards distant, and commenced firing to the right upon the enemy. He fired about 20 rounds here, when the enemys line broke in perfect disorder and ran in every direction. About this time a sharp musketry firing commenced on our left, or old front, it being evident they were advancing another line through the corn-field. As we were of no more use in our present position, we went to the assistance of the other regiments of our brigade. We had so much changed the front that we moved by the left flank and filed left connecting our left on the right of the Seventh New York, and again moved down through the corn-field. We then pressed forward, driving the enemy before us, nutil the order was given to halt. I im- mediately deployed skirmishers forward through the field to an orchard. While moving through the corn-field the enemy opened fire with grape and canister from two brass guns on our front, and shell from a bat- tery on our right. It was by this fire that Colonel Barlow fell, danger- ously wounded. He was struck by a small piece of shell in the face and a grape-shot in the groin. Thus far he had handled the two regiments. in the most brave and skillful manner. As we had advanced farther than the other regiments on our right and left, I was ordered to let the skirmishers remain and form in the open field on a line with Colonel Brookes regiment, which position we held until relieved by one of the regiments of that brigade, when I marched them ~to the left of the line and formed on a line with tim Page 292 292 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (CHAP. XXXI. Eighty-first Pennsylvania Regiment, and was not engaged again dur- ing the day. I cannot speak in too high terms of the coolness and brave spirit with which both officers and men fonght on that day. Colonel Barlow on this, as on other occasions, displayed qualities for handling troops under fire which are not often met. Captain Maze, Lient. W. Keech, Lient. Frederick W. Grannis, and Lieut. T. W. Greig were noticed as behaving in the most excellent manner; also Dr. Tompkins, who fol. lowed the regiment upon the field and rendered prompt assistance to the wounded. NELSON A. MILES. Lieut. Gol., Gomdg. & xty-Eirst and sixty-Fourth N. Y. Vols. Capt. GEORGE H. CALDWELL, Assistant Adjutant- General, Gaidwells Brigade. No. 47. Report of Maj. II. Boyd MeKeen, Eighty-first Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. SEPTEMBER 20, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that on the 17th we marched into position on the battlefield near Mileys Springs about 10 a. m. We were ordered to advance, which was done. Having taken up our l)OsitiOn in the corn-field near the orchard, we were again ordered to move, which the regiment executed most creditably under a heavy fire of grape. We formed at right angles to our old position. In my new position I found the Second Delaware Regiment imme- diately in my front. For some cause the regiment broke out. We would not allow them to pass our line. They then returned to their old position and fought nobly. At this time I noticed the enemys flags al)proaching from the orchard, and engaging the Fifth New Hampshire. The Fifth having taken up their position on the edge of the corn-field, and in the old road, I immediately changed the position of my regiment, taking position on their right, opening fire on the enemy with terrible execution. The Fifth New Hampshire and Eighty-first Pennsylvania thus completely frustrated an attempt to flank the division. We were then marched to the left of the corn-field, and remained under a heavy artillery fire the balance of the day. Our casualties are 8 killed and 44 wounded.* The officers and privates of the regiment that were in the engagement behaved with great coolness and bravery. Yours, respectfully, H. BOYD McKEEN, Major, Gommanding Eighty-first Pennsylvania. General J. C. CALDWELL, Commanding Brigade. * But see revised statement, p. 19 Page 293 CHAP. XXXI.] TIlE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 293 No. 48. Report of Brig. (Jen. Thomas Francis Meagher, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. HDQRS. (IRISH BRIG.) 2D BRIG., SUMNERS CORPS, HANCOCKS DIVISiON, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, In Camp on Bolivar Heights, Va., September 30, 1862. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following statement of the part which the brigade under my command performed in the battle of the Antietani: Being encamped 1 mile outside Frederick City, on this side, on the morning of the 14th of September the brigade received orders imme- diately to proceed to the support of General Hooker, who was at the time hotly engaged in the. passes of the South Mountain with the enemy. Being halted for an hour or so, owing to the favorable repofts from the headquarters of General Hooker, the brigade had an hour or so to take rest and refreshment, the first opportunity they had of doing so after a rapid and exhausting march over the rocky hills and through the tangled woods from their encampment outside Frederick City. The Irish Brigade had the honor of leading the pursuit of the rebels from South Mountain through Boonsborough and Keedysville. Along this road and through these villages, in this pursuit, the brigade passed with the utmost alacrity and enthusiasm, Major-General Richardson, commanding the division, riding prominently at the head of the column and directing all its movements. Early in the afternoon the enemy were discovered in full force, drawn up in line of battle on the heights near Sharpsburg and overlooking the Antietam. The brigade was halted and deployed in line of battle to the right and left of the Sharpsburg turnpike, the Eighty-eighth and Sixty-third Regiments New York Volunteers being on the left of the road and the Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers and the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteers being on the right. Whilst in this position, though greatly protected by the hill on the slope of which they lay, the regiments forming the right of my com- mand were constantly annoyed by the well-directed artillery of the en- emy. The Eighty-eighth and Sixty-third Regiments were also annoyed in a similar way, and the brigade lost several good men even in this comparatively safe position. In this position, however, we remained until the morning of the 17th, when, the men having breakfasted, a sudden order came for the brigade to fall inunderarms,andtakeup the line of march, which Major-General Richardson would indicate. Filing by the right and proceeding at a rapid pace, the brigade crossed the ford of the Antietam a mile or so to the right of the bivouac of that morning, and as hastily, in compact order, following the lead of Major-General Richardson, who conducted the brigade to the field of battle, under cover of the rising ground and depressions which inter- vened between us and the enemy, we arrived at a corn-field, where Major-General Richardson ordered that everything but cartouch-boxes should be thrown off. The men of the Irish Brigade instantly obeyed this order with a heartiness and enthusiasm which it was rare to expect from men who had been wearied and worn by the unremitting labors of a nine months campaign. Deploying from column into line of battle on the edge of this corn- field, they marched through it steadily and displayed themselves i Page 294 294 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. admirable regularity at the fence, a few hundred paces .from which the enemy were drawn np in close column, exhibiting a double front, with their battle-flags defiantly displayed. Crossing this fence, which was a work slow and embarrassed, owing to the pioneer corps of the several regiments of the brigade having been reduced by their previous labors on the Peninsula, I had the misfortune to lose the services of many good officers and brave men. Lieut. James E. Mackey, of the Sixty4hird New York Volunteers, whom I had appointed on my staff in place of Lieut. Temple Etumert, whose death from typhoid fever the whole brigade affectionately and sincerely deplore, fell while the brigade was deploying into line of battle at this fence. The enemys column, with their battle-flag advanced and defiantly flying in front, was at this time within 300 paces of our line. A clover field of about two acres interposed. Then came the plowed field in which this column of the enemy was dra~rn up, and from which from their double front they had delivered and sustained a fire before which Sedgwicks forces ou the right aud Frenchs on the left were reported at the time momentarily to have given way. The fact is, owing to some reason which as yet has not been exI)lained, the Irish Brigade had to occflpy and hold a gap in the line of the Union army, which the enemy perceiving had flung a formidable column to break through, and so take the two divisions last iamed on their flank and rear. This movement was suddenly checked by the impetuous advance of the Irish Brigade, which in a great measure filling np the gap throngh whmch the rebel column was descending to the rear of the Federal lines, drew up in line of battle within 50 paces of the enemy, the Sixty-ninth and Twenty-ninth being on the right of the line, and the Sixty-third and Eighty-eighth Regiments on the left. On coming into this close and fatal contact with the enemy, the officers and men of the brigade waved their swords and hats and gave the heartiest cheers for their general, George B. McClellan, and the Army of the Potomac. Never were men in higher sl)irits. Never did men with such alacrity and generosity of heart press forward and encounter the perils of the battle-field. My orders were, that, after the first and second volleys delivered in line of battle by the brigade, the brigade should charge with fixed bayonets on the enemy. Seated on my horse, close to the Sixty-ninth Regiment, I h)ermitted them to deliver their five or six volleys, and then personally oidered them to charge upon the rebel columns, while at the very same moment I ordered Captain Miller, assistant adjutant- general of the brigade, and Lieutenant Gosson, first aide on my staff, to bring up the Eighty-eighth and Sixty-third immediately to the charge. It was my (lesign, under the general orders I received, to l)ush the enemy on both their fronts as they displayed themselves to us, and, relying on the impetuosity and recklessness of Irish soldiers in a charge, felt confident that before such a charge the rebel column would give way and be dispersed. Advancing on the right and left obliquely from the center, the bri- gade ponre~1 in an effective and powerful fire upon the column, which it was their special duty to dislodge. l)espite a fire of musketry, which literally cut lanes through our approachimig line, the brigade advanced under my personal command within 30 paces of the enemy, and at this l)oint, Lent. Col. James Kelly having been shot through the face and Capt. Felix Duft~ having fallen dead in front of his coinmuauid, the reg- iment halted. At the same time Lieutenant-Colonel Fowler and Maj. Richard Bentley, of the Sixty-third, on the left of our line having bee Page 295 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND~CAMPAIGN. 295 seriously wounded and compelled to retire to the rear, the charge of bayonets I had ordered on the left was arrested, and thus the brig~de, instead of advancing and dispersing the column with the bayonet, stood and delivered its fire, persistently and effectually maintaining every inch of the ground they occupied, until Brigadier-General Caldwell, bringing up his brigade, enabled my brigade, after having been re- (lilced to 500 men, to retire to the second line of defense. Of other transactions on the battle-field in connection with the Irish Brigade I will not presume to speak. My horse having been shot under me as the engagement was about ending, and from the shock which I myself sustained, I was obliged to be carried off the field. It was my good fortune, however, to be able to resume my command early next morning. For what occurred subsequently to my being carried away from the field I refer you, with proud confidence, not alone to my regimental officers, who remained on the field, but also to many eye-witnesses of superior rank who noticed the opportune action of the Irish Brigade on tbat day. But I cannot close this communication without specially mentioning the names of Capt. Felix Duffy, of the Sixty-ninth; Captains Clooney and Joyce, of the Eighty-eighth, who, after distinguishing themselves by unremitting assiduity in the discharge of their duties in their commands throughout a very long and very exhausting campaign, PAl with their feet to the rebels, with a glow of loyalty and true soldier- ship upon their dying features. I have the honor to be, captain, yours truly and respectfully, THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHEIt, Brigadier- General, Commanding the Irish Brigade. Captain HANCOCK, Assistant Adjutant- General, Division Headquarters. No. 49. Report of Bent. (Jot. henry Fowler, Sixty-third New York- infantk-y, of the battle of Antietam. Permit me, at this late day and iu this apparently informal manner, to submit the Ibilowing report of the action and conduct of the Sixty-third Regiment New York Volunteers in the late severe fight at Antietam on the 17th instant: The official list of killed and wounded has, I understand, already been forwarded, but I deem it to be justice to the living and the dead that mention should be made of their heroism and bravery upon that fear- fiul day. After the first advance from the meadow upon the plowed field, the colonel not being present, as a necessity I, without orders, assumed command. It is now a solace to my mind, while suffering from my wound, to tes- tify how gallantly and promptly each o~icer in his place and each coin- pany moved forward and delivered their fire in the facc~ of the most destructive storm of leaden hail, that in an instant killed or wounded every officer but one and more than one-half the rank and file of the right wing. For a moment they staggered, but the scattered few quickly rallied upon the left, closing on the colors, where they nobly fought, bled, and (lied, l)rotecting their own loved banner and their countrys flag, until the brigade was relieved Page 296 296 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL In the early 1)art of the action Capt. P. J. Condon and Licut. Thomas XV. ~Ca.rtwright, both of Company G, fell wounded while gallantly cheer- ing on their men bravely at their post, as also Capt. M. OSullivan, Company F, while Lient. P. XV. Lydon, commanding Company D, Lieut. Cadwalader Smith, Company C, and Lieutenant McConnell, of Com- pany K, bravely rallying the gallant remaining few, fell pierced by bul- lets, instantly fatal. As the right wing had fallen before me, I hastened to the left, where I found the major (Bentley) close upomi the line, and Capt. Joseph ONeill, Company A, whose company had all fallen around him on the right, now assisting the major on the left. Here also was the stalwart Lieutenant Gleason, Company H, raising and supporting the repeatedly lahling colors, with Lieut. John Sullivan commanding and pushing for- ward Company K; and here lay the slender form of Captain Kavanagh, Company I, cold in death; the brave and enthusiastic Lient. it. P. Moore, Company E, passii~g from right to left, boldly urging his meu to stand firm, and the gallant Licut. George Lynch, second lieutenant Company G, bravely pressing on until he too f~lI, mortally wounded. The killed died as brave mcii, sword in hand, and amid the thickest of the fight. Major Bentley was now wounded, and retired to have his ~vound dressed. Our number now i~ft was less than 50 men; our colors, although in ribbons, and staff shot through, were still there, sustained at a bloody sacrifice, 16 men having fallen while carrying them. I now received a severe wound, and was compelled to retire just as the lines of the enemy were breaking. The officers and men all acte(1 with a coolness and heroism worthy of honorable mention, yet I cannot close this meager report without recom- mending to your special notice Maj. Richard C. Bentley and Capt. J. ONeill, whose cool and gallant conduct upon this trying and painful occasion merits the warmest commendation. In conclusion, permit me to congratulate you that your gallant little brigade has once more crowned itself with fresh laurels, and given ad- ditional and bloody l)roofs of its (levotion to the Constitution and the flag of our beloved country. Very respectfully, HENRY FOWLER, Lieutenant- Colonel Sixty-third Regiment, Irish Brigade. Brig. Gen. THOMAS FRANcIS MEAGHER, Commanding Irish Brigade. No. 50. Report of Maj. James Cavanagh, Sixty-ninth Ncw York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HDQRS. 69TH REGT. N. V. S. VoLs., IRISh BRIG., Camp on the Field, near Sharpsburg, Md., September 21, 1862. GENERAL ~ Agreeably to request, 1 herewith transmit to you the fol- lowing report of our participation in the late battle of the 17th instant: As you are aware, Lient. Col. James Kelly had command of our regi- ment up to the time he was wounded and borne from the field, which I deeply regret happened to so brave an officer, the fight being yet, so far as our regiment was concerned, only a short time in progress. The corn Page 297 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 297 mand thus devolving upon your humble servant, the control of the reg- iment was in the hands of myself, ably assisted by the adjutant, LieuL James J. Smith. I may here mention the sorrow I felt, which extended to the whole of my command, when I heard that our acting major, Capt. Felix Duffy, had been mortally wounded in the early part of the engage- ment. Ably assisted by such of my line officers as had been spared nie, we used our best endeavors to maintain our reputation and uphold the prestige of our flag. We remained upon the field in the front line until we had expended the last round of cartridges, and only left it when the fire of the enemy had ceased and the brigade was relieved by that of General CaIdwell. I hardly know in what terms to express my appreciation of our regi- ment, both officers and men, and in making any particular mentiou of bravery on the field, I speak of those who actually came under my own observation. Capt. James E. McGee, of Company F, most particularly distinguished himself by his coolness and bravery during the whole engagement, and while in the heat of battle, after his command had been almost entirely decimated, picking up the green flag, the bearer of which had been carried from the field wounded, and bearing its folds aloft throughout the battle. Capt. James Saunders, of Company A, and Capt. Richard Moroney, Company I, I am proud to say, acted most bravely, cheering on their men, and encouraging them throughout the battle. Lieut. Terrance Duffey, of Company C-, and First Lieut. John T. Toal, of Company II, I am also happy to say, throughout that trying hour did all that could be expected in rallying their commands, which had become so greatly reduced in numbers. Of the many officers who entered the field, the above whom I have mentioned are all that were left me, the remainder having been either killed or wounded dur- ing the engagement. I cannot forbear mentioning the deep sorrow that has been cast over our regiment by our great loss in officers and men. Those that were of us, and who are now numbered among the gallant dead, I can speak of as having been good soldiers, and an honor to our raceCapt. Felix Dully, Lieut. Patrick J. Kelly, Lieut. Charles Williams, and Lient. John Conway. I feel that our regiment has sustained a great loss, and one the recollection of which will be ever green in my memory. For those officers who have beeii wounded, and are for a time l)revented from rejoining their commands, I can only speak as I have of the few that are left with me. Good soldiers, brave men, I cheerfully recommend for your consideration all of them, who in this fight stood nobly up for their country, and only left the field when borne away wounded. Among them I will mention the brave Captains Shanley and Whitty, b6th dis- abled for the second time, and Lieutenants Nagle and Patrick Kearney, who, until wounded, did the regiment good service by their gallant conduct. Among the non-commissioned officers who particularly distinguished themselves on the field, I take occasion to mention the following as being most worthy of your consideration for promotion to a commission, viz: First Sergts. Murtha Murphy, Company C; Michael Brennan, Company B; Bernard ONeil, Company C, and Soucoth Mansergh, Company II. Among the privates who also distinguished themselves during the action, I also recommend Patrick ONeil, of Company C, and John Kelly, of Company ; and of the non-commissioned stall, Sergt. Maj. Patrick Callahan, who on the field behaved with great gallantry. In conclusion, I beg to call your attention to the fact that we had wit Page 298 298 OPEl~A1IoNS tN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [OnAr. XXXI. us in the battle some forty-odd new recruits, who, considering all things, behaved well, and were of great assistance to us. Congratulating you on your many narrow escapes from time to time during that memorable day, I have the honor to be, respectfully, yours, JAMES CAVANAGIT, Major, Comdg. Sixty-ninth Reyt. New York State Vois. Brig. Gen. THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER, Commanding Irish Brigade, Sumners Corps. No. 51. Report of Lient. Col. Patrick KeUy, Eightg-eighth New York hfantry, of tne battle of Anttetam. IIDQRS. EIGHTY-EIGHTH NEW YORK XOLIJNTEERS, Camp on Bolivar Heights, near harpers Ferry, October 5, 1862. GENERAL: On the morning of the 17th of September the Irish Rn- ga(le, of which my regiment formed a part, crosse(l the Antietam Creek, and advaifeed in column until withuii sight almost of the enemy. The brigade then formed line of battle, and, after tearing down a fence, got into action at once. Shortly after this G the line, encouraging the men, until eneral Meagher rode up aLong his horse was killed arid he him self got a severe fall. IDuring the engagement an aide rode up and ordered the Sixty-third and Eighty-eighth to charge and take the enemys colors if l)OSSible. I at once gave the order, and my regiment advanced about 20 or 30 paces; but seeing that I had no support, I halted, an(l inquired for Col- onel Burke, and asked why he did not advance. Captain ONeill, of the Sixty-third, said he would advance with me if he had any one to command the regiment, but not knowing who was in command he (lid not wish to do so. I know not exactly how long we were in action, but we were long enough there to lose, in killed and wounded, on c-third of our men (bringing in 302 and losing 104).* When relieved by the Fifth New Hampshire, I reported to General Richardson by or(ler of one of his aides. On approaching the general, he said, Bravo, Eighty-eighth; I shall never forget you.~ The rank and file responded by giving him three hearty cheers. He (the general) then placed me in command of the One hundred and eighth New York, and ordered us to support a battery a little in advance of where we were previously engaged, and remained there diir- ing the night and next day. With regard to the conduct of the otheers of the Eighty-eighth on that occasion, I must say that they acted to my entire satisfactionso much so that I cannot say one is braver than another. I have the same to say of the rank and file. Wishing I had a little more time, I am, general, most respectfully, yours, I~. KELLY, Lieutenant- Colonel, Comdg. Eighty-cighh New York Vols. Brig. Gen. THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER. But see revised statement, p. 192 Page 299 CuAr. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 299 No. 52. Report of Gol. John A. Brooke, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, com- manding Third Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. IIDQRS. THIRD BRIGADE, RICHARDSONS DIvIsIoN, On the Battle-field near Shctrpsburg, Nd., $eptember 19, 1862. SIR: On the morning of the 17th instant this brigade received orders to march. In a few moments we were on our way to the field of battle. Crossing the Antietam, we marched rapidly to the support of French, who was being hard pressed, and formed line of battle iii a small valley in rear of Meaghers Irish Brigade, which pressed forward at once and soon became engaged. General Richardson then ordered me to move forward, which was done with great ])recision under a terrific fire of shot and shell. Caidwells brigade having relieved the Irish Brigade on the front by a flank movement from the left, I here ordered the men to lie down. At this time the enemy charged and drove back the trOol)5 on our right, when the Fiftysecond New York and the Second 1)elaware, under Colonel Frank, changed front to meet this attack, and, by direction of General Richardson, I led the Fifty-seventh and Sixty- sixth New York and Fifty-third Pennsylvania to the right, to check any attempt the enemy might make to reach our rear. The enemy having taken post in a corn-field in rear of Roulettes farm-house, I sent the Fifty-third Pennsylvania to dislodge them and hold the J)osition, which was done with great gallantry. I then ad. vanced the Fifty-seventh and Sixty-sixth New York to relieve Cald- wells lines, which were now fiercely assailed by fresh trOOl)5 of the enemy. Passing his line with steadiness and regularity, the two gallant regiments, Fifty-seventh and Sixty-sixth New York, drove the enemy from the field in great confusion, capturing two colors and covering the ground with dead and wounded. It was here the gallant Lieutenant Colonel Parisen fell while bravely cheering on his men to victory. Finding that the enemy made no attempt to regain the field, 1 sought for and obtained the permission of General Richardson to withdraw my line from the now nntenable position, being exposed to a cross-fire of the enemys batteries. Taking post under the crest of the hill on the right of the battery, and throwing skirmishers to the front, I caused the ammunition to be replenished. It was at this tir~me that the general com- manding was dangerously wounded, while directing the fire of a battery on the left. In a short time General Hancock arrived and took command. Nothing now occurred excel)t an occasional interchange of shots on the line of pickets. It gives me pleasure to say that every man did his duty unflinchingly. About 2,000 stand of arms were capture(l, as also a great number of prisoners, who were sent through the ranks to the rear. Of my staff, Lieut. Charles P. Hatch, acting assistant-adjutant general, did his duty bravely and well. Lient. John T. Potts, aide-de-camp, was wounded in the thigh while in the performance of his duty. Lieut. J. M. Faville, adjutant Fifty-seventh New York Volunteers, after Lieuten- ant Potts was borne front the field, Slmi)phiCd his l)lace with great gal- lantry. I would also mentiomi the brave chaplain of the Sixty-sixth New York Volunteers, Mr. Dwight, who was constantly 111)011 time fiel Page 300 300 OPERATIONS IN N. VA, W. VA., MD., AND PA. (ChAP. XXXi. in the thickest of the fight. The lists of killed, wounded, and missing have been sent to your headqnarters.* Respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN R. BROOKE, Colonel Fjfty-third Pennsylvania, Commanding Brigade. Lient. W. U. MITCHELL, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 53. Report of Capt. David 19. Stricker, Second Delaware 1i~fantry, of skirmish on Antietam Greek and battle of Antietam. HDQRS. SECOND REGIMENT DELAWARE VOLUNTEERS, Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 21, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to tender this as my official report of the Sec- ond Regiment Delaware Volunteers, from the 15th day of September to the 18th, inclusive. On the afternoon of the 15th we came up with the enemy on the hills near Antietam Creek, when the skirmishers of our division became engaged with those of the enemy. We were ordered to form forward into line at the bottom of the hill and lie down. We lay there until about 7 oclock, when I received an order from Major Norvell to move my regiment over the hills about 300 yards in front of the battery, and throw ont one company as pickets. I moved forward immediately, and detailed Company II as picket, which advanced to the bank of the creek. Everything was quiet during the night. On the morning of the 16th General Richardson personally ordered me to withdraw niy picket and return with my regiment to our former position in rear of the battery. We lay there all day and night, under a heavy artillery fire, losing 1 man killed and 1 wounded. On the morning of the 17th we moved with the brigade across the creek and took position in a corn~-field, where we lay about twenty min- utes, losing 1 man killed and 1 man wounded. The brigade was then ordered to move forward, and soon became engaged with the enemy, driving them for some distance. Our loss in killed, wounded, and miss- ing foots up as follows: 12 killed, 43 wounded, 2 in issing. f I cannot particularize any one officer nuder my command, as all of them did their duty well. Their names are as follows: Company A, First Lient. John Evans, Secotid Lieut. James XV. Letherbury; Com- pany B, Second Lient. H. Warner Ottey; Company C, Second Lieut. Ephraim Jordon; Company D, Capt. William II. llelrnbold, Second Lieut. John H. Davis; Company E, First Lient. George C. Hehmbold; Company F, Capt. Peter McCullough; Company U, Capt. John F. Heishley, First Lient. Charles D. Foy, Second Lient. Thomas J. Moore (wounded); Company H, Second Lient. Henry Smith (wounded); Com- pany I, Second Lient. William H. Brady; Company K, Second Lierit. Charles Lynch, First Lient. Lewis Nolen, acting adjutant. Among the enlisted men I may favorably mention: Company D, First Sergt. John L. Ogden (killed); Company H, First Sergt. Thomas Russell, who, after Lieutenant Smith was wounded, took command of * Embodied in revised statement, p. 192. But see revise(l statement, p. 192 Page 301 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 301 his company; First Sergt. Richard Fox (missing). The color sergeants deserve special mention. Their names are James Wier (wounded) and Robert Hanna. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. L. STRICKER, Cqptain, Commanding Second Delaware Volunteers. Licut. CHARLES P. HATCH, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 54. Report of Col. Paul Prank, P~fty-second New York Infantry, of skirmish on Antietam Creek and battle of Antietam. IIDQRS. FIFTY-SECOND REGIMENT NEW YORK VoLs., September 20, 1862. This regiment arrived Monday, September 15, on a high ground in the first line, and, after the skirmishers had engaged the enemy, it was ordered by Major-General Richardson to take position on the right of a flying battery, which then opened fire. About one hour afterward the regiment was ordered to take its place on the right of the brigade, and remained there until Wednesday, September 17, morning. During all this time it was exposed to the artillery fire of the enemy, but fortu- nately lost only 1 man killed and 1 wounded. Wednesday, 17th, the regiment crosse(I the creek and was drawn up in line of battle in a cornfield, half an hour after which it advanced, forming the right of the brigade. Advancing in close line for about half a mile under a heavy fire, it entered a corn-field on the crest of a hill, when I received intelligence that two rebel regiments were on our right, on a lower ground. Colonel Brooke, commanding brigade, was in the center of the line, but too far off for me to repoit for orders. I therefore took the Fifty-second on the high ground to our right and opened fire on the flank of the rebel regi- ments, the Seventh New York State Volunteers taking position on the left of my i-egiment, and supporting it most gallantly. After about half an hours fighting the rebel lines broke, and seeing our forces deploy- ing out of a corn-field in front of the rebels, I ceased firing, and shortly afterward was ordered back for a fresh supply of ammunition. I used an average of from 50 to 60 rounds per man. Having a fresh supply, I again brought the regiment to the front, where it was in position till Friday, September 19, morning, at which time it wa.s ordered to take possession of an orchard, about a quarter of a mile in front, from which place it was withdrawn during the afternoon to its present camping- ground. During all this time I must say that the Fifty-second, as well as the Second Delaware, behaved very well, and stood firm under the most heavy artillery and musketry fire. It affords me great pleasure to report that the regiment kept up the reputation gained at Fair Oaks. The regiment went into action numbering 12 commissioned officers and 107 rank and file. The casualties are as follows :* I remain, lieutenant, your obedient servant, PAUL FRANK, Colonel, Comndg. Fifty-second Neu York State Volunteers. Lient. CHARLES P. HATCH, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. * Embodied in revised statement, p. 192 Page 302 302 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAL-. XXXL No. 55. Report of JILU. Alford B. Chapman, P~fty-8eventh New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietarn. CAMP ON BOLIVAR HEIGHTS, September 24, 1862. LiEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the movements of my command during the action of the 17th instant near Sharpsburg: About noon of that day we became actively engaged with the enemy, our ~brigade having relieved that of General Meagher. rfhis regiment and the Sixty-sixth Regiment received orders to march on the enemy, who were at that time drawn up iu a deep ditch at the foot of the hill oii which we were, and from whence they were pouring a galling fire into our ranks. Animated by the presence of both their brigade and division commanders, the regiment moved forward with a determined enthusiasm I have never seen excelled. In a few minutes we had cleared the ditch of every living enemy; and were driving them in great disorder through the cornfield beyond. It was during this- period of the action that we lost our noble and gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Parisen and sev- eral valuable line officers. We took the colors of the Twelfth Alabama and many prisoners. I am unable to form any very correct estimate of the number of the latter, but they considerably exceeded the number of inc-n in the ranks of my regiment. Remaining a short time in line at the farther end of this corn-field, 1 received orders to move the regiment to the support of a battery on our left and rear. I filed round the foot of the hill nnder a terrible fire of grape and canister, which fortunately caused us comparatively slight loss, being aimed too high. Arriving on the left of the battery, 11 found General Richardson, who was in the act of assigning me my l)osition, when he was badly wounded and carried from the field. I then formed to the right of CaIdwells brigade, and remained in that l)osition until I received orders from the colonel commanding this bri- gade to form on the left of the Second Delaware, then posted on the hill, on which we remained during the two succeeding days. It is with gratification that I have to speak of the general conduct of mimy command, both officers and men. They acted nobly throughout. I would especially mention Capt. N. Garrow Throop (severely wounded); Capt. James W. Britt (who, although wounded, refused to leave the field); Captains Kirk, Curtiss, and Mott; Lieut. John H. Bell (severely wounded), Lieutenants Jones, Wright, Higbee (killed), and Folger (killed). The medical officers of the regiment, Surg. Robert V. McKim and Asst. Surgs. Henry C. Dean and Nelson Neely, are deserving of all praise for their care and attentiomi to the wounded, and the promptness with which they caused them to be removed from the field. Among the enlisted men I would especially mention First Sergeant Finlason, of Company F (killed); First Sergt. John S. Paden, Com- pany A (wounded); Sergt. Henry W. Cooper, Company A (killed); Ser- geant Stobbe, Company A (wounded), and Kelly, Company A; First Sergeant Hall, Company 1, and Alcoke, Company K, amid Sergeant Brower, Company K. These last three I placed in command of compa. nies which had lost officers and sergeants. I have considered it unnecessary to submit a more elaborate report, inasmuch as every movement was made under the immediate super- vision of the colonel comnia~ding this brigade, who on that day seemed omnipresent Page 303 CHAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 303 We took into the battle 309 officers and men, and lost during the day 97 killed and wounded and 3 missing. A detailed list of casual- ties has already been sent in. I am, sir, with much. respect, your obedient servant, A. B. CHAPMAN, 3J2~or, Commanding Fifty-seventh New York Volunteers. Lient. CHARLES P. HATCH, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 56. Report of Capt. Julius Wehie, Sixty-sixth New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. linQIrs. SIXTY-SIXTH JIEGIMENT NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, in Bivouac near Sharpsburg, Md., September 21, 1862. SIR: I hereby respectfully submit to brigade headquarters a report of the casualties, conduct, & c., of the regiment under my command during the recent engagement of the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th: At the commencement of the engagement we formed a portion of the support to the batteries on the hill. Up to the time of crossing the creek I have no casualties to report. It was not until we had ascended the hill for th~ purpose of relieving the Irish Brigade that my men coni- inenced following. We pressed forward across the hill, and came in full sight of the enemy. We were here subjected to a destructive fire from the enemys battery on the right. By a successful flank movement we here assisted in resisting the enemys attempt to turn our right. Then came the order to drive the enemy from their strong position on the left in the corn-field. Here now was the terrific part of the engage- ment. The men were falling thick and fast, but never faltering. The battalion pressed forward and completely routed the enemy, who fled in a disorganized mass, leaving the field strewn with their dying and dead. It was here that we captured a rebel lieutenant of the Fifth Florida Regiment, together with his whole company and a stand of colors. We were subsequently ordered back to support the rear bat- tery, which General Richardson was commanding iii our rear. We re- mained until dark and the firing had ceased. With reference to the conduct of the officers and men under my command during the battle, I cannot speak but in terms of the highest praise. We went into the fight with every company but one com- manded by a second lieutenant, and consequently not a single command- ing officer in the rank of file-closers. I was ably assisted in my command by Captain Nelson, acting lieu- tenant-colonel, and Hammell, acting major of the battalion. These officers behaved in the most gallant and meritorious manner, and I would recommend them both as being very brave and efficient officers. With regard to my line officers, they all acted unexceptionably, but I will report particularly Second Lieutenants McNeil and Munn, of Companies H and .G, respectively. The following is the report of ldlled, wounded, and missing: Killed, 11; wounded, 90; mi~sjng, 1. IRespectfull JULIUS WEIILE, Captain~, CQmrn~ding B~ftq~lio~ Page 304 304 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAr. XXXI. No. 57. Report of Licut. Col. Richards AfcMichael, P~fty-third Pennsylvania in fantry, of the battle of Antietam. HEADQUARTERS FIFTY-THIRD PENNSYLVANIA, Camp of Richardsons Division, September 21,1862. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of this regiment in the several engagements near this place: On Monday, the 15th nitimo, we arrived in sight of the enemy near Antietam Creek. My command being on the left of the brigade, I was ordered by Colonel Brooke, commanding the brigade, to halt in a corn- field, being then in rear of the Fifty-seventh New York. We were con- siderably exposed to the shells from the enemys batteries while in that l)osition. Some time afterward I was ordered to march by the right flank and follow the Fifty-seventh New York. My command was then l)laced in the second line, in rear of the Sixty-ninth New York, of Gen- eral Meaghers brigade. I remained in that position until the morning of the 17th ultimo, when I was ordered to march by the right flank on left of the brigade. After crossing Antietam Creek, I was ordered to halt in front of the Fifty-seventh New York, and have my men load and prime their pieces. Shortly afterward we were again advancing in same order as before, until we came near the scene of action. I was then ordered to form in line of battle on the left of the Sixty-sixth New York, which was done speedily and in good order. We were then in the second line. While in this position, General CaIdwells brigade passed through the line of this brigade on the right of my regiment. Shortly afterward we were ordered to advance to the front and take position on the left of the brigade. On arriving there, however, fonnd the enemy, after repeated efforts, had succeeded in piercing the line of the division immediately on our right, leaving us in imminent danger of being flanked. Colonel Brooke at once saw that they must be held at bay at all hazards. Ordering the Fifty-third to file to the right, my regiment passed down the enemys line to the right in perfect order, receiving their fire with entire composure. General Richardson ordered Colonel Brooke to send the Fifty-third Regiment forward, and hold in check the rebel brigade now on our right and in front; also to hold at all hazards the barn and orchard a short distance in front, the barn being used as a hospital. Steadily, under a shower of musketry, my regiment advanced to the orchard and gained the barn about 100 yards in front of the main line, and, still pressing onward, reached the crest of the hill and drove back the enemy. We moved forward until we formed a connection with Gen- eral Frenchs division, and held that position until ordered by Colonel Brooke to support a battery. While in this position, First Lient. John D~ Weaver, acting adjutant of the regiment, was mortally wounded when nobly cheering the men on to victory. It was here, also, that First Lieut. Philip II. Schreyer was wounded. We were exposed to a murderous fire from the enemys batteries during the whole time we were in this position. After we had supported the battery for some time, I was ordered to move my regi- ment and occupy the ground vacated by the Fifth New llampshfre Regiment, in front line, on right of the brigade. I moved my regiment there under a heavy fire from the enemys batteries, yet my men be- haved splendidly and never once flinched. I sent out my left company (B), commanded by Captain. Eicholtz, as skirmishers, to a corn-fiel Page 305 Cai~. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 305 some distance in the front. During the balance of the day my regi- ment was continually exposed to the destructive fire from the enemys batteries, yet I had not a man who left his post or went to the rear. My regiment remained in front line until the 19th ultimo, when I was ordered to be in readiness to march, the enemy having retreated. My loss in killed is 6, including Acting Adjt. J. ID. Weaver, who died on the 18th ultimo; wounded, 18; missing, 1. 1 cannot particularize any of my officers, from the fact that they all did nobly. Capt. S. 0. Bull, acting major, ably assisted me during the whole engagement, as also did all the officers of the regiment. Very respectfully, R. McMJCIIAEL, Lieutenant- Colonel, (Jomdg. P~fty-third Rcgt. Pa. Vols. Lieut. CHARLES P. HATcH, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General, Third Brigade. No. 58. Report of Brig. Gen. Oliver 0. Howard, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, of the battle of Antietam. HEADQUARTERS SEDGWICKS DIVISION, Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 20,1862. COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by General Sedgwicks division in the battle of the 17th instant: The division, consisting of General Gormans, General Danas, and General Burns brigades, commanded by myself~ left camp near Keedys- ville about 7 a. in., and proceeded in three lines, moving by the right flank in a westerly direction, forded the Antietam, ascended a gentle slope, continuing in the same direction for about a quarter of a mile beyond. At this point the lines were fronted, and established from 60 to 70 paces apart, facing toward the south and Sharpsburg. Gen- eral Gorman commanded the front line, General Dana the second, and I the rear line. The advance was ordered for the three lines simulta- neously. The three moved forward with very little wavering, under a fire from the enemys batteries, which at first were concealed from us by a skirting of woods. The left of the third line was slightly dis- ordered by fences, woods, and our own batteries. We passed through a large corn-field, skirting of woods, then a plowed field, a second skirt- ing of woods more extended than the first, where I was ordered by an aide from General Sumner to detach a regiment to tIme support of Gen- eral Mansfield. I halted the Seventy-first Pennsylvania, Colonel Wis- tar, in the place indicated, on the right of the third line. At this point the musketry fire began to tell npoii us, and I received an order from General Sedgwick to move up my entire line. I delayed the third line for the detached regiment to come up, and then moved on across the Sharpsburg turnpike. Just after passing the turnpike, I noticed confusion on the left, and quite a large body of men falling back. I judged them to be troops that our division was relieviug. To what brigade they belonged I did not know. I pushed the third line on a little farther, and into the woods beyond the turnpike, preserving about the distance first indicated. In these woods the first line had passed to the south opening, and near a dirt road engaged the enemy, 20 R RYOL X1X, PT Page 306 306 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAr. XXXI formed iu line of battle not more than 60 yards distant. The second and third lines, so far as I could observe from my position near the center of the latter, were lying down as ordered. Neariy the whole of the first line in good order stood and fired some 30 or 40 rounds per man, when word came that the left of our division had been completely turned by the enemy, and the order was given by General Sumner in person to change the position of the third line. He afterward indicated to me the point where the stand was to be made, where he wished to repel a force of the enemy already in our rear. The noise of musketry and artillery was so great that I judged more by the gestures of the general as to the disposition he wished me to make than by the orders that reached my ears. The troops were hastily faced about, and moved toward the rear and right in considerable confusion, but at about 100 yards from the right of where the first line was engaged, and nearly perpendicular to the turnpike, a portion of General Gormans brigade, with one regiment of Danas brigade, was first halted in line, and by a sharp fire repulsed the enemy advancing at that point. On the left of the tnrnpi~ie regiments of the second and third lines were rallied, facing in the same direction toward Sharpsburg, and here they fired. General Gormans brigade was a second time established on the right of the turnpike and behind a stone wall, where they remained until drawn in to the left, taking a new position, in conjunction with the rest of the division. In the mean time Kirbys battery, comma.nded by Lieutenant Woodruff, was placed in position by General Sedgwick himself, and the enemy, receiving the combined musketry and artillery fire, were not only checked but driven back with great slaughter. At this timeabout 11 a. in., I shouild judgeGeneral Sedgwick having been severely wounded, and having remained on the field for upward of an hour afterward, until he was so weak he could scarcely stand, turned over the command of the division to me. The next hour was spent by officers of every grade in this division in rallying and reorganizing their commands, all having suffered more or less confusion in the change of position. Meanwhile the batteries of the Pennsylvania Reserves, located on a high plat of ground near the house of Joseph Poffenberger, opened fire, and checked several attempts of the enemy to establish batteries in front of our right and turn our right flank. In accordance with General Sumners instructions, I detached one regiment (Twentieth Massachusetts, Colonel Lee) to support a battery to our front an(l left. Afterward the remaining l)ortion of General Danas brigade was sent still farther to the left, to assist in supporting batteries of Smiths division. The rest of the division I posted as strongly as possible near the house of Joseph Pof- fenberger, with instructions to hold this point at all hazards. This. portion of the general line of battle was now very quiet, except an occasional attempt of the enemy to locate a battery on a high point beyond the turnpike, near a corn-field. About an hour before sundown the enemy succeeded in getting four guns in position, and opened fire upon us, somewhat enfilading my lines. General Sumner here ordered me to change front, placing the infantry in rear of the batteries, while the batteries, in a semicircular order, brought a concentrated fire from twenty-six pieces upon the enemy~s gnus just established, and in less than ten minutes the enemy was driven back, and did not appear again in this quarter. After sunset our front was thoroughly picketed, and the troops of this division slept upon their arms in order of battle at this point. The confusion of th Page 307 CHAP. XXXI.] TIlE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 307 morning, so far as I observed, was occasioned by the three lines being simultaneously turned on the left. The promptness in rallying their commands is creditable to the offi- cers. I did not see one officer belonging to this division in any way misbehaving during the day. I noticed General Gorman at his post near his command while it was retiring, and he remained with it dur- ing the rest of the day, inspiriting his men by his remarks, and calling upon them to sustain the reputation they already had. General Dana was severely wounded in the early part of the action at his perilous post, manfully doing his duty. By the direction of General Dana, Colonel Hall, Seventh Michigan Regiment, was placed in command of the brigade. Colonel Baxter, Seventy-second Pennsylvania, with a portion of his regiment, had fallen back considerably to our left, and did not find me till afternoon. As Colonel Owen, Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania, was the ranking colonel in his absence, he commanded my brigade; Colonel Baxter took command on his return. These brigade commanders were prompt and efficient in the execution of my orders. The following officers were especially successftil in drawing off their regiments without breaking: Colonel Sully, First Minnesota; Colonel links, and, after he was wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Devereux, Nineteenth Massachusetts, and Colonel Hall, Seventh Michigan. In my brigade, Colonel Morehe~d, One hundred and sixth Pennsyl- vania, assisted by Major Stover, first rallied and made a stand against the enemy, and was placed in the exact position indicated by General Sumner. The next, Colonel Owen, rallied his men near me, exerting himself strenuously to make every man do his duty. Colonel Wistar, Seventy-first Pennsylvania, with his right arm nearly useless from a former wound, had his left disabled. He also was prompt and efficient. I wish specially to mention Major Mallon, Forty-second New York, for his gallantry in rescuing in person his fallen flag nuder a sharp fire. I shall trust to brigade commanders to do justice to others who are equally deserving. I will not omit to mention the two batteries attached to this division. Captain Tompkins Rhode Island battery, for a long time almost unsupported, did terrible execution; and to the other, Kirbys battery, commanded by Lieutenant Woodruff, U. S. Army, I owe special thanks for the work it did, spokeii of before. What to me seemed a little remarkable is that my duplicate staff consisting of General Burns and my own, five in number, were neither of them injured, though all mounted and much exposed. Captain flicks, assistant adjutant-general, had his horse shot under him. He and Lieutenant Blakeney, aide-de-camp, were actively engaged in bringing forward the left of my line during the advance. Captain Whittelsey, assistant adjutant-general, and Lieutenant Howard, aide- de-camp, were cool and brave, and afforded me every assistance in their power. Lieutenant Griffith had his horse wounded, and deserves high commendation for his good conduct. The aides of General Sedgwick, Captain Howe and Lieutenant Whittier, reported to me immediately after the general retired, and faithfully assisted me during the day. Lieutenant Steele, division ordnance officer, stood by the general also, and, after the general left the field, was sent for the ammunition, which he brought up for distribution. Major Sedgwick, division assistant a(ljutant-general, was most seri- ously wounded while in the execution of his duties, and Left suffering upon the field till afternoon. No ones conduct as a cool and brave soldier, it is said by his comrades, deserves higher commendation Page 308 308 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXI. The total loss of the division is as follows: Command. Killed. Wounded. Missing. General Gorinans brigade. 134 536 88 General Danas brigade 128 650 124 General Burns (or Howards) brigade 89 370 109 Company A, 1st Rhode Island Artillery 4 15 Company I, 1st United States Artillery 6 Total* 315 1, 577 321 The men of this division, already standing high as veteran soldiers, having endured hard marches, excessive fatigue and privation, receive from me my most hearty expressions of gratitude. The above list stands for itself a record of almost unparalleled loss during a single battle. They have poured out their blood like water, and we must look to God and our country for a just reward. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 0. 0. HOWARD, Brigadier- General, Commanding Division. Ko. 59. Report of Capt. John A. Tompkins, Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, of tke batle of Antietam. HEADQUARTERS COMPANY A, FIRST RHODE ISLAND LIGHT ARTILLERY, Harpers Ferry, September 24, 1862. GENERAL: Herewith I have the honor to hand you my report of the operations of my battery in the action on the 17th instant. I left the division on the morning of the 16th instant, by order of Maj. F. N. Clarke, chief of artillery of the Second Corps, and crossed the Antietam Creek by the bridge on the Wilhiamsport road, and camped that night on Hoffmans farm. Wednesday morning, at 8 oclock, I moved my command to the front, and was ordered by Major Kip, of General Sumners staff, to report to General Hooker. By General Hookers order I placed my battery in position on a knoll on the left of the road, directly in front of some burning ruins, and opened fire about 9 oclock upon a battery directly in front of my position. At 9.30 the enemy appeared upon my right front with a large column, apparently designing to charge the battery. I was not aware of their approach until the head of the column gained the brow of a hill about 60 yards from the right gun of the battery. The pieces were imme- diately obhiqued to the right, and a sharp fire of canister opened upon them, causing them to retire in confusion, leaving the ground covered with their dead and wounded, and abandoning one of their battle-flags, which was secured by a regiment which came up on my right after the enemy had retreated. The enemy now opened a fire upon us from a battery in front, and also from one on the right, near the white school- house. Two gnus were directed to reply to the battery on the right, while the fire of the rest was directed upon the guns in front, which were silenced in about twenty minutes, and one of their caissons blown up. On my left the troops of General French were engaged with the But see revised statement, p. 193 Page 309 ChAP. XXXL] TIlE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. ~O9 enemy, who occupied a corn-field, in front of which was a line of fence- rails. About 10.30 the enemy were re-enforced, and advanced their line to the edge of the corn-field. I at once ordered the battery to open on them with shell and case-shot, using 1k-seconds and 2-seconds fuses. Twice they advanced their flag to the edge of the field, but were forced to retire by the rapid and destructive fire of the battery. At 11.30, find- ing my ammunition running low, I sent to General Sumner for orders, and at 12 m. was relieved by Company G, First ithode Island Light Artillery. I then withdrew my command to the ground occupied the night before, and at once refilled myammunition-chests. During the greater portion of the time I was enraged, the battery was without support, and exposed on its right flank to an enfilading fire from the rebel infantry. I report having expended 83 rounds of canister, 68 ronnds of solid shot, 427 ronnds shell, and 451 rounds of case shot1,050 rounds in all. With the exception of the shots fired at the battery on my right, which was hid by a ridge, every shot was fired at a visible enemy, the guns pointed with care, and the accuracy of aim and length of fuse noticed. I report 4 killed and 15 wounded, a list of whom is annexed. Six horses were killed and 4 wounded. Three single sets of harness were lost by the horses getting among the burning timbers of the houses in rear of the battery. The men of my command behaved nobly, and by their bravery and coolness prevented the loss of the guns. I would especially call your attention to Lients. Jeffrey Hazard and Charles F. Mason, who dis- played great coolness during the engagement, and handled their guns with excellent effe~~t. Since the battle I have exchanged my Parrott guns for a new bat- tery of 3-inch ordnance pieces, and now report the command as ready~ for any duty for which you may desire to use the battery. I have the honor to remain, general, very.respectfully, your obedient servant, J. A. TOMPKINS, 6~apt. First Rhode Island Light Art., Gomdg. Company A. Brig. Gen. 0. 0. HoWARD, Commanding Division. No. 60. Report of Lieut. George A. Woodruff, Battery I, Fir~t U. S. Artillery, of the battle of Antietam. CAMP NEAR SHARPSBURG, Mm, September 21, 1862. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that about 10 a. m. on the 17th instant, in obedience to an order from Major Clarke, chief of artillery of General Sumners corps, I moved to the front with Light Company I, First U. S. Artillery, and took a position in an open field, in front of which, at a distance of about 300 yards, was a piece of woods occupied by the enemy iu force. At the time when we came up, our line of infantry had been broken, and was retreating rapidly and in great disorder. Com- ing in battery, we opened fire with canister at once, and, though entirely without infantry supports, succeeded in checking the advance of the en- emy. They still, however, remained in the woods, and we continued our fire, nsing spherical case or canister according to their distance at differ- ent times. At the end of about half an hour, a small body of cavalry advanced from the woods toward our right, but were broken up and driven back by a fr~v rounds of canister at 200 yards. A few minute Page 310 310 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [chAr. XXXt later, a large body of the rebels were seen forming in the woods and behind a small school-house or church opposite the left of the battery. At them I at once directed a fire of solid shot, with apparently consider- able effect. A heavy mass of rebel infantry soon moved to our left in such a way as to be almost entirely covered from our fire by the peculiar nature of the ground. A change of front was impracticable from the want of time, and the fact that while protecting one flank we should expose the other. Being still without supports, our only course was to retire, and accordingly I fell back about 200 yards to the edge of the woods, where we were supI)orted on the right and could protect our left. After firing from this position a few ronuds, the rebels, who by this time had met some of onr infantry, were again driven back. immediate dan- ger being now over, Major Clarke directed me to retire and replace the ammunition we had expended, relieving us with a battery not before en gaged. We were not again in I)osition until about 5 p. m when Colonel Colburn, of General McClellans staff directed me to select a position for the battery on the right of our line, if needed there, otherwi se to go farther to the left and get into the action as soon as possible. This I proceeded to do,but, while placing my pieces near the right, I received another order from the general commanding to go toward the left and report to General Hancock. This I did, and was l)laced by him on a hill on the right of his left brigade, with orders not to fire excel)t in reply to a rebel battery or in case of an attack by them. Here we re- mained until 2 oclock p. m. the following day, but without having oc- casion to fire. At this time we were relieved by one of the batteries belonging properly to General Hancocks division. During the engagement we expended 108 rounds of canister, 75 rounds spherical case, and 27 rounds of solid shot. Two horses were killed and two wounded. The accuracy of the fire and our success generally are due in a very great measure to Lieutenants French, McCrea, and Egan, of the First Artillery, commanding sections, who throughout the en- gagement behaved with great coolness and gallantry. The conduct of the enlisted men, both those belonging to the company and those tem- porarily attached, was all that could have been wished. To mention an individual is almost an injustice to the rest, but I will name Sergt. Peter Blanchard, who, though too lame to ride his horse, rode on his caisson, and commanded his piece during the whole fight in the most creditable manner. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant GEO. A. WOODIIUFF First Lieutenant First Artillery, Commanding Company L No. 61. keport of Brig. Gen. Willis A. Gorman, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of the battle of Antietam. HDQRS. GOJIMANS BRIG., SEDGWICKS DIV., SUMNERS CORPS, Battle-field near Sharpsburg, Md., September 20, 1802. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my brigade in the battle of the 17th instant: On the morning of that day I received orders to march, and at about twenty minutes past 7 oclock a. m. of that day we took up the line of march. After crossing the An tietam Creek and arriving at an ope Page 311 ChAP. XXXI.] THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 311 field about three-quarters of a mile from the enemys position, three lines of battle were formed, my brigade being in the advance and front. The First Minnesota Regiment, Colonel Sully, occupied the right of the brigade; the Eighty-second New York Volunteers, Colonel Hudson, on their left; the Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, Lieutenant- Colonel Kimball, next, and the Thirty-fourth New York Volunteers, Colonel Suiter, on the extreme left. In my rear about 50 yards was the second line (General Danas brigade), and about the same distance in their rear General Howards, late General Burns brigade. In this order we began the advance UI)Ofl the enemy at a rapid pace, the lines being at a distance of 50 yards apart. Before we had advanced 50 yards, the enemy opened a rapid and well-directed fire upon us from one or more batteries, but, moving directly on, they retired rapidly before our advancing columns. Passing through a strip of timber, we entered a large open field, which was strewn with the enemys dead and wounded, and passed over it at a rapid charge into an open woods, where the enemys heavy lines of infantry first came into view, the front of which retired in considerable disorder before our advance. We pursued them until we passed the strip of woods and emerged into the edge of a field, where the Fifteenth Regiment Mas- sachusetts Volunteers, of my brigade, captured from the hands of the enemy a battle-flag, wrenching it from the grasp of its wounded bearer, which has been duly turned over to the corps commander. In stantly my whole brigade became hotly engaged, giving and receiving the most deadly fire it has ever been my lot to witness. Although the firing was not so rapid, it was most deadly, and at very close range. We also had to stand the most terrific fire of grape and canister, which told fearfully on the three right regiments of the brigade. After we had expended from 40 to 50 rounds at the enemy, it be- came evident that he was moving in large force on our left, where his firing became terrific. On our left, in the woods, there was a force that told me they belonged to General Crawfords brigade, that were posted there when we first entered it. They fought handsomely until the heavy force of the enemy turned their left, when they retired rap- idly, and by this movement in five minutes the enemys fire caine pour- ing hotly on our left flank and rear. Being in front, and without orders of any kind from any one, and finding that the two rear lines were changing position and had already moved from their original place, I gave an order, which reached no one but Colonel Sully, to move quietly by the right flank so as to unmask the second and third lines, to enable them to direct their fire to check the rapid advance of the enemy on my rear, and to enable them to fire without endangering my left regi. ment. Shortly before this, I heard Major General Sumner directing the third line to face about, in order to repel the enemy, which had broken our left, supposing the design to be to take up a better position than the one just previously occupied, I having informed the general that my left must be supported or I could not hold the position. The attack of the enemy on the flank was so sudden and in such overwhelming force that I had no time to lose, for my command could have been com- pletely enveloped and probably captured, as the enemy was moving imot only upon my left flank but also forcing a column toward my right, the two rear lines having both moved from their position before either of my three right regiments changed theirs. Perceiving this, after moving a short distance, my command faced about again toward the enemy and gave him another fire, which to some extent checked his advance. After moving a short distance farther, his forces were per Page 312 312 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXL ceived moving to oar right, when the First Minnesota faced toward him and delivered another fire, which again checked his movement. I then ordered that my force be formed behind a stone wall at a distance of about 200 yards to the right and slightly to the rear of our first posi. tion. I was then ordered by General Sumner to hold the woods on the left and east of the turnpike, where I formed the entire brigade at a distance of about 400 yards from the original PoSition. The Thirty. fourth New York, being upon the extreme left in the front line of battle, after having withstood a most terrible fire, and having lost nearly one- half of the entire regiment in killed and woun(led, was or(lered by Major- General Sedgwiek, as will be seen by Colonel Suiters official report, to retire and take up a new l)ositiOn behind a battery to the right and rear. I immediately ordered them to reform on the left of the brigade, which they did. In this terrible conflict three regiments of the brigade, to wit, the Fifteenth Massachusetts, Thirty-fourth and Eighty-second New York Volunteers, lost nearly one-half their entire force engaged. The posi- tion of the First Minnesota was more favorable, owing to the formation of the ground. The coolness and desperation with which the brigade fought could not be surpassed, and perhaps never was on this continent. Captain Saunders company of sharpshooters, attached to the Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, together with the left wing of that regiment, silenced one of the enemys batteries and kept it so, driving the can- noneers from it every time they attempted to load, and for ten minutes fought the enemy in large numbers at a range of from 15 to 20 yards, each party sheltering themselves behind fences, large rocks, and straw- stacjs. The First Minnesota Regiment fired with so much coolness and accuracy that they brought down three several times one of the enemys flags, and finally cut the flag-staff in two. I hav& great satis- faction in saying that the three right regiments of the brigade kept their front clear and the enemy from advancing during the time they were engaged. I do not deem it necessary to again commend the gallant conduct of the officers of this brigade, since many of them have now been under fire in nine of the hardest engagements of the war, and npon every oc- casion have acquitted themselves with honor. My personal staff in this battle bore my orders along the line and from point to point, constantly under fire and in great peril of life, with great promptness and courage. The list of killed, wounded, and missing in action is herewith for- warded, showing the loss to be 758* out of 2,000 taken into the action. I am, captain, your obedient servant, W. A. GORMAN Captain WHITTELSEY, Brigadier- General, Gomman~ling. Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 62. Report of Ijeut. Cot. John W. Kimball, P~fteenth Massachusetts Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH REGIMENT, MASS. VoLs., Gamp near Sharpsburg, September 20, 1862. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that on Wednesday, 17th instant, at 7 oclock a. in., I was ordered to hold my command in read. But see revised statement, p. 192 Page 313 CHAP. XXXI.1 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 313 mess to move at a moments notice. At 7.30 oclock we took up our line of march with 582 muskets, including First Company Andrew Sharp- shooters, Capt. J. Saunders, attached to this command, being the third regiment in the brigade line. We moved in a direct line toward the ground held by the forces under command of General Hooker, fording, in the march, Antietam Creek. On reaching the field, a line of battle was formed, in which my command occupied the position of third regi- ment of the first line. We then moved forward in line nuder a severe artillery fir~bout one mile over the ground gained by General Hooker, passing feu& s fields, and obstacles of various descriptions, eventually occupying a piece of woods, directly in front of which, and well covered by the nature of the ground, field of grain, hay-stacks, buildings, and a thick orchard, were the enemy in strong force. At this time we were marching by the right-oblique, iu order to close an interval between my command and that of Colonel Hudson, Eighty- second New York Volunteers, and as we gained the summit of a slight elevation my left became hotly engaged with the enemy, covered as before mentioned, at a distance of not more than 15 yards. A section of the enemys artillery was planted upon a knoll immediately in front of and not more than 600 yards distant from my right wing. This was twice silenced and driven back by the fire of my right wing, concentrated upon it. The engagement lasted between twenty and thirty minutes, my line remaining unbroken, the left wing advancing some 10 yards under a most terrific infantry fire. Meanwhile the second line of the division, which had been halted some 30 or 40 yards in our rear, advanced until a portion of the Fifty- ninth IRegimeut New York Volunteers, Colonel Tidball, had closed upon aiid commenced firing through my left wing on the enemy. Many of my men were by this maneuver killed by our own forces, and my most strenuous exertions were of no avail either in stopping this mur- derous fire or in causing the second line to advance to the front. At this juncture General Sumner came up, and his attention was im- mediately called by myself to this terrible mistake. He immediately rode to the right of the Fifty-ninth Regiment, ordered the firing to cease and the line to retire, which order was executed in considerable confusion. The enemy soon appeared in heavy columns, advancing upon my left and rear, pouring in a deadly cross-fire on my left. I immediately and without orders ordered my command to retire, having first wit- nessed the same movement on the part of both the second and third lines. We retired slowly and in good order, bringing off~ our colors and a battle-flag captured from the enemy, reforming by the orders of General Gorman in a piece of woods some 500 yards to the rear, under cover of our artillery. This position was held until I was ordered to support a battery planted upon the brow of a hill immediately in our rear, the enemy having opened again with artillery. his fire being silenced, the position was held throughout the day. I desire to say that my entire regiment behaved most gallantly during the engagement, evincing great coolness and bravery, as my list of casualties will show. Although suffering terribly from the fire of the enemy, it was with great surprise that they received the order to re- tire, never entertaining for a moment any idea but that of complete suc- cess, although purchased at the cost of their lives. The order forbid- ding the carrying wounded men to the rear was obeyed to the very letter. Of my line officers, without exception, I cannot speak in too high praise. They were all at their posts, bravely and manfully urging o Page 314 314 OPflRATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [ChAP. XXXI. their men. and equally exposed with them. Those wounded refused all assistance, ordering their men to return to the ranks and do their duty. I desire to call your particular attention to Major Philbrick and Ad- jutant looper. They were with me during the entire engagement in the thickest of the fight, receiving and executing my orders with great coolness and promptitude. I herewith append a list of the casualties in the late engagement. Officers killed: Capt. C. S. Simonds, Capt. J. Saunders, First Licut. IR. Derby, First Lieut. William Berry, First Lieut. F. S. Corbin. Offi- cers wounded: Capt. W. Forehand, slight; Capt. G. C. Joslin, severe; Capt. A. Bartlett, slight; First Lieut. Thomas J. Spnrr, severe; First Lient. L. H. Ellingwood, severe; Second Lieut. W. Gale, slight; Second Lieut. A. J. Bradley, slight. Enlisted men killed, 60; wounded, 238; missing, 38. Officers killed and wounded, 12. Enlisted men killed, wounded, and missing, 336. Total, 348. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN W. KIMBALL, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding. Capt. J. W. GORMAN, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 63. Report of Col. Alfred Sully, First Minnesota Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HEADQUARTERS FIRST MiNNESOTA VOLUNTEERS, Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., September 20, 1862. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the part the regiment took in the action of the 17th instant: We marched out of camp, the regiment on the right of the brigade. After crossing the creek and gaining the high gronnd on the opposite side, we were formed on the right of the front line of battle, under a very severe artillery fire from the enemy, and advanced under this fire over several fields, the distance of about three-quarters of a mile, into a woods close to the enemy and in front of our line of battle. Here we were posted behind a rail fence. The enemy soon appeared in force on the left of the brigade, opened a very severe fire of musketry on us, while some of their artillery in front of us also opened on us. Our loss here was very heavy, yet the men bravely held their position, and did not leave it until after the two brigades in rear had fallen back and the left regiments were moving, when they received the order to retire. Retiring in line of battle, we again halted outside the woods, to hold the enemy in check while the rest were retiring. Here the Eighty-sec- ond New York with their colonel and colors reported to me, and formed on my right. The Nineteenth Massachusetts also reported, and formed on my left. We were soon again engaged with the enemy, but, seeing that the enemy were turning my right, I ordered the line to fall back in line of battle. The regiment here also suffered greatly in killed and wounded. We again made a stand near some farm-house for a short time, and there took up a strong position. about 100 yards back, behind a stone fence, when a section of artillery was sent to assist us. We kept the enemy in check till they brought a battery of artillery on our flank, which compelled me to order the regiments back to join our line of battle Page 315 CHAP. XXXI.) TflE MARYLAND CAM~AI~N. ~15 The officers and men of the regiment behaved nobly, and it was with some difficulty I got some of them to obey the order to fall back. We marched into the action with 435 men. This includes the sharpshoot- ers (Second Minnesota) company, but not Company I. They were not with us. Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing amounts toCapt. 0. A. llolzborn, Company K, killed; Captains Smith, Company 1); Pomeroy, Company E; Adams, Company II, wounded. Enlisted men killed, 15; wounded, 79; missing, 24. Total enlisted men killed, wounded, and missing, 118. Among the killed the regiment have to monrn the loss of a brave and useful officer, Captain iolzborn. Captain Smith was severely wounded