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back with great slaughter, when your brigade was ordered to take position at the left of the road and support a battery of four pieces, which it did successfully, the Eighty-ninth regiment resisting, at the point of the bayonet, a charge of the enemy in the most gallant and admirable manner. Being upon the extreme right of the brigade, the Ninth did not receive the main attack of the enemy which was so furiously made on the left, although in position to take advantage of any circumstance that might offer. In this battle we lost one man wounded, who was at a little dis

The slaughter of the rebels during the afternoon had been most awful. The Ohio troops being the principal ones engaged on our side, and pitted against the enemy, consisting mostly of NorthCarolina troops. Upon seeing the arrival of fresh troops, the rebels broke and fled in disorder. This ended the second day's campaign from Frederick. Again, I have to thank all officers and men of the regiment for the discipline exhibited on this occasion, and cheerful obedience to every order, although nearly exhausted with fatigue, hunger and want of sleep.

LIEUT.-COLONEL KIMBALL'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS NINTH NEW-YORK VOLUNTEERS, NEAR SHARPSBURGH, MD., Sept. 20, 1862. COLONEL: I beg to report that in accordance with your orders I left Frederick with my regi-tance detached from the regiment. ment on the morning of the thirteenth, and took position about three miles on the Jefferson road. I here received orders from Colonel Rush, of the United States Lancers, to reconnoitre the enemy, who was reported in front in position with artillery and cavalry. I did so by throwing forward company B, Lieut. Bartholomew, on the left, who soon reported the enemy as having left the position he occupied the night before, with three guns and a small cavalry force, and the road in front clear. Meanwhile, I detached companies C and H, Capt. Parisen and Lieut. McKechnie, to the right, in the woods, who soon discovered, engag- After bivouacking on the field, we again marched and drove a large picket force of the enemy's ed on the fifteenth, and on the evening of the cavalry across the fields toward Middletown. sixteenth, after dark, took position in front of While the operations were going on, I advanced the enemy's right wing, your brigade being on the main body of my regiment, consisting of five the extreme left of our own forces, and a small infantry and one battery company, with five how-creek (the Antietam) between us and the enemy. itzers, on the main road as far as Jefferson, as support to the Lancers. It was my intention to cut off the retreat of the enemy's cavalry at the junction of the roads between Middletown and Jefferson, but the pursuit and fire of Capt. Parisen was too vigorous, and the enemy's horses too fleet, for the accomplishment of this purpose. I then received your order to return and bivouac at Frederick, which I accomplished at about eleven o'clock at night, after a hard day's work of sixteen hours and a march of eighteen miles. Although meeting no large force of the enemy, I may properly say that this was the commencement of the series of successes which for the next six days crowned the efforts of our army, and resulted in driving the rebel troops from Maryland soil.

In accordance with your orders, I immediately threw forward company C, Captain Parisen, to act as picket-guard and skirmishers, which duty was most admirably performed, our pickets frequently engaging the enemy's sharp-shooters during the night, and keeping them at bay.

At daylight in the morning of the seventeenth, six of the rebel guns commenced shelling us, with such effect as to compel us to change our position. The Ninth lost here, in wounded, twelve men.

After changing our position still further to the left, I directed, in accordance with orders from the General commanding, the battery, company K, Captain Whiting, to open fire on the enemy's battery, across the creek, which he did, soon silencing it. Immediately after this we were orAfter returning to Frederick an alarm of fire dered to ford the creek and form in line of battle was given, and it was discovered that the jail was on the bluff opposite, directly in front of the enin flames. By your order I detailed companies emy, which order was promptly executed, pushB, G and K to assist the Provost-Guard on the ing his entire line of skirmishers back from the occasion, which duty they performed with alac- creek, and compelling him to retire to his main rity, assisting to work the engines and guarding force on his left, we proceeding by the right flank the prisoners till two o'clock on the morning of along the bluff of the creek for about three fourths the fourteenth. The utmost praise is due to offi- of a mile to the brow of a hill, till within about cers and men for their patience and determination eight hundred yards of the enemy's main body during the entire day and night, to be ready for of artillery and infantry. Here we halted for any emergency that might offer. In an hour rest, when the rebel batteries opened an unmerafter we took up our line of march on the Middle- ciful fire of shot and shell upon us, killing and town road, and proceeding about ten miles at a wounding a number of my regiment, and shootquick pace, we found the enemy in a very strong ing my horse from under me by the explosion of position, high up in what is called the South- a shrapnel. Mountain, where we arrived at about four o'clock in the afternoon. Our troops had already engaged the enemy's right wing, and were forcing him

We were soon ordered to advance, which was promptly done, the different battalions moving in line of battle, and dressing on their colors, with

as much coolness and accuracy as though upon splendid service, and seized and carried the the drill-ground instead of the battle-field. After colors when the sergeant bearing them was shot proceeding about two hundred yards, you order- down. Captain Childs, company G, wounded by ed the charge to be made, when we rushed for- a shell early in the morning, was prevented from ward with a wild huzzah, peculiar to the Zouaves, taking further part in the action of the day. and immediately received the fire of thousands Captain Leahy, company I, acted in the most of the enemy's fresh troops, consisting of artillery and infantry, which had been brought forward to meet us. At this time the gallant Cooper fell. A shell fell in my lines, killing eight men at one explosion a round shot took off private Conway's head. While the infantry-fire was like hail around and among us, producing the most dreadful carnage, not a man who was not wounded, wavered or faltered, but all pressed on with charged bayonets to the top of the hill, and drove the enemy from his position.

At this time our color-bearers and guard had all been shot down, when Capt. Lebair, of company F, seized one, and Capt. Leahy, of company I, the other of our standards, and advanced them to the wall near the road, when the rout of the enemy at this point became complete. After crossing the road and ravine the enemy promptly rallied and attempted to turn upon us by a flank movement on our left, but were prevented by the Eighty-ninth, under command of Major Jardine, of the Ninth, who gave them the bayonet, and captured their colors, which proved to be those of a South-Carolina regiment, and completing the victory at this point.

After resting here for a short time, and finding the enemy massing fresh troops in large force, on our left, we were ordered to retire and take position about four hundred yards in the rear of the one we then occupied, which change was executed in good order, and without confusion. After remaining in this position for a short time, we were positively ordered to withdraw from the greater part of the field we had won. The men retired in good order, at a slow step, and with tears in their eyes at the necessity which compelled them to leave the field they had so dearly won, and bivouacked for the night. Thus ended one of the hardest battles ever fought on this continent.

the

gallant manner, seizing and advancing to the foremost front one of our standards, when the regular bearer thereof was killed. Lieutenant Bartholomew, commanding company B, although on any other occasion should have been in hospital, led and marched at the head of his company entire distance, is deserving of all praise, and, being on the right of the regiment, had great influence upon its good conduct. Lieutenant Webster, commanding company D, Lieutenant Burdett, commanding company G, (after Captain Childs was wounded,) Lieutenant McKechnie, commanding company H, Lieutenant Klingsoch, company E, and Lieutenant Powell, company I, all performed their duty in the most gallant man ner, and to my entire satisfaction. Lieutenant Graham, commanding company A, (Captain Graham being sick in hospital,) was wounded, and since had his leg amputated, behaved in the most admirable manner. Lieutenant Horner, acting Adjutant, (Adjutant Barnett being sick,) behaved splendidly, and performed every duty in the coolest manner and to my entire satisfaction. Captain Whiting and Lieutenant Morris, of battery company K, although not under my immediate notice, being detailed on artillery ser vice in another part of the field, I learn behaved well-Lieutenant Morris making some excellent shots with his rifled guns, and silencing one of the enemy's batteries. The thanks of the entire regiment are due to Surgeon Humphries and Assistant-Surgeon Harding, who were indefatigable in their attentions to the wounded.

We have to lament the death of Second Lieut. E. C. Cooper, who was wounded just as we commenced the charge. He thought the wound slight and refused to be carried from the field. He was a good officer, a brave man, and a gallant soldier, and much beloved, and his loss is deeply regretted by the regiment.

Where all behaved so gallantly, it would be in- I cannot close this report without calling your vidious to mention one as distinguished above especial attention to the good conduct and galanother. Permit me, therefore, to call attention lantry of Quartermaster-Sergeant Hannes, (slightto the names of all my commissioned officers en-ly wounded ;) Sergeants Dews, Whitney, (woundgaged on the occasion. Captain Barnett, com pany B, acting Major, (Major Jardine having been detailed to the command of the Eighty-ninth NewYork volunteers,) behaved in the most gallant manner, and although severely wounded in the early part of the action, continued with the regiment, urging on and encouraging the men in the most fearless manner. He is one of the best drilled and most efficient officers in the service, and I would beg leave to call the particular attention of the General commanding to his merits as a gentleman and a soldier. Captain Parisen, company C, although nearly disabled by sickness, was everywhere present, and commanded his company in the most admirable manner. Lebair, company E, (color company,) did

ed,) and Schmidt, Corporals Farrel, (wounded,) Cornell, and Roberts, company B; Sergeants Forbes and Salisbury, and Corporal Vanduzer, (all wounded,) company A; Sergeants Geayer and Stites, Corporals Fields and Stephens, (all wounded,) company C; Sergeants Fitzgerald and Searing, company D; Smith, Henkenson, Jacobson, and Keating, (the latter both wounded,) company E; Riley, River, Connor, (wounded) company G; Johnson, Byrne, (wounded,) and Hodges, company H; Ross, company I; ColorSergeant Myers, company C, (wounded;) ColorCorporal Van Cott, company A. I would also call your especial attention to Bugler Horne, who, until wounded, sounded the various commands with as much coolness and nonchalance as

though on the parade-ground instead of the battle-ground.

The pioneer corps, under Corporal Vanduzer, behaved well, indeed.

There are many non-commissioned officers and privates to whose names I would individually be pleased to call your attention, did space permit, but suffice it to say that all behaved gallantly, and are entitled to credit for good conduct on the field.

Enclosed is a list of the killed, wounded and missing; the regiment went into action with eight companies, comprising an aggregate force of four hundred and sixty-nine, and lost, in killed, wounded and missing, two hundred and twentytwo, or nearly one half the entire number. Company F being detached on service at Plymouth, N. C., and company K as artillery in another part of the field.

In conclusion, my thanks are due to the Eightyninth New-York volunteers, Major Jardine, and the One Hundred and Third New-York volunteers, Major Ringold, for the efficient and united support rendered us during the entire engagement.

It is proper to add that on the nineteenth I made a detail from my regiment under Lieut. Powell, who buried our entire dead and marked the bodies for identification.

Thanking you in behalf of my regiment for the gallantry and coolness with which you led us, and the confidence placed in us, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. A. KIMBALL,
Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Ninth New-York Volunteers.
To Colonel H. S. FAIRCHILDS,
Commanding First Brigade Third Division Ninth Army Corps,

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL CURTIS'S REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND VOLS.,
MOUTH ANTIETAM CREEK, September 22, 1862.
To His Excellency Wm. Sprague, Governor State
of Rhode Island:

ŠIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the battle of Sharpsburgh on the seventeenth in

stant:

the ranks were dressed and the men directed to lie down in their places-the three left companies being in a more exposed position, were brought in rear of the rest of the battalion.

Orders were received from Col. Harland to follow the other brigade to the left, but before that brigade could move the enemy opened another battery on our right, enfilading our position with a fire of round shot, and completely commanding a little rise of ground on our left, which we should have been obliged to cross to reach the ground occupied by the other brigade. The fact was reported to Col. Harland By an officer who returned with orders for the regiment to move to the left and rear, through the same woods, in a direction to be indicated by Lieut. Ives, of Gen. Rodman's staff, who came back with him. The order was executed, the regiment moving by the left flank to the rear through a wooded gully, but partially concealed from the enemy who continued their heavy fire of shell and solid shot. The regiment was then drawn up in a farm-lane well protected by a hill. As the brigade filed through the wooded gully a battery placed in rear of our original position commenced replying to the enemy, too late, however, to cover our retrograde movement, which was almost completed. Our loss in this affair was two killed, eight wounded-among the latter the color-bearer and two color-corporals.

After about an hour the brigade advanced in line of battle to the top of the hill in front, making a right half-wheel, and after crossing several fields, finally took a position on the top of the hills, at the foot of which ran the Antietam Creek, on the opposite side of which was the enemy. The action on our right was now very sharp, both artillery and infantry being engaged. Our divi

Af

sion constituted the extreme left of the line. ter a halt of some duration the division moved by the left flank to the creek, and crossed at a ford under fire from the enemy's skirmishers who were sheltered behind a stone wall. The Fourth, after crossing the ford, filed to the left, (the other brigade going to the right, and the rest of Harland's brigade not yet having crossed,) and after throwing out company H as skirmishers to cover the front, and company K to the left, advanced in line toward the stone wall, the enemy retiring, but shortly after opening a fire of musketry on our left, which was soon silenced by the fire from our battery covering the ford. The enemy then commenced a fire of grape and shell upon us, and the Sixteenth Connecticut, which had just crossed the ford and was taking a position to support our left, retired, passing along our rear. After it had passed, this regiment, by Col. Harland's orders, took a more sheltered position at right angles to The Fourth had the left of the brigade line, our original one. From here we moved to the and upon its left lay Fairchilds's brigade, of Rod-right in the direction taken by Col. Fairchilds's man's division. About an hour after light, on brigade, through a wooded ravine, through which the morning of the seventeenth, the enemy's ran the creek. The steepness of the hill-side, the pickets commenced firing upon those of the regi-thickness of the wood, and the accurate range ments upon our left, and shortly after they began of the enemy's batteries made the passage through shelling the whole division line, their range being this defile a matter of considerable difficulty. very accurate. As soon as the firing commenced Upon clearing the woods we lay waiting orders

On the afternoon of the sixteenth, Harland's brigade, consisting of the Eighth, Eleventh, Sixteenth Connecticut, and Fourth Rhode Island, left the bivouac it had occupied on the left of the Sharpsburgh road, and proceeded in a southwesterly direction, following the general course of the Antietam Creek for three or four miles, and took up a position behind a range of hills covering a stone bridge, which crossed the creek. The regiment lay upon its arms all night, having its front covered by its own pickets.

The entire loss during the day was twenty-one enlisted men killed; five officers and seventy-two enlisted men wounded; and two missing. A list of the names as furnished by the captains of companies has been forwarded to the Adjutant-General.

Col. Steere commends in the highest terms the conduct of the regiment upon that day. I can only add that throughout the day I never saw an officer but that he was encouraging and directing his men.

The men fought well, as is proved by the fact that they were engaged constantly with the enemy during nine or ten hours-all of which time they were under arms. That they finally broke, under such a very severe fire, and the pressure of a broken regiment, is not surprising, although much to be regretted.

for a short time under a hill-side which the ene- forward in the corn-field, and the following nonmy were shelling, the rest of the brigade having commissioned officers and privates: Sergeants passed on while we were in the woods. From Wilson, company A, Coon, company B, Morris, here the regiment was ordered by Col. Harland's company C; corporals Leonard, company A, Faraid to cross the hill behind which it was lying (a ley, company C; and privates McCann, company ploughed field) and to form in line in a corn-field, B, and Peck, company C, who rallied, after the and to move to the support of the Sixteenth Con- regiment was broken, on the left of the Fifty-first necticut, which lay in a deep valley between two Pennsylvania, and continued fighting until all hills planted with corn. The regiment moved their ammunition was gone, when I ordered them forward by the right flank in fine order, although to recross the river to rejoin the regiment. All subjected to the fire of rebel batteries, of which the food the men had during the entire day was it was in full view. Descending into the valley what very small quantities of salt pork and hard to its support, it found the Sixteenth Connecti- bread they were able to find in an abandoned cut giving way and crowding upon its right, com- camp, during the short rest after the shelling out pelling it to move to the left, and rendering it in the morning. almost impossible to dress the line, which the advance in line of battle across two fields of fullgrown corn had slightly deranged. It was now subjected to sharp musket-fire from the front, but as the enemy showed the national flag, (the corn concealing their uniform,) and as our troops had been seen in advance on our right, moving diagonally across our front, the order to cease firing was given, and a volunteer officer to go forward to ascertain who was in our front was called for. Lieuts. Geo. E. Curtis and Geo. H. Watts immediately stepped forward, and placing themselves one on each side of the color-bearer, (Corporal Tanner, company G,) carried the flag up the hill within twenty feet of the rebels, when the enemy fired, killing the corporal. Lieut. Curtis seized the colors and returned, followed by Lieut. Watts. The order to commence firing was then given, and Col. Steere sent me to the Sixteenth Connecticut to see if they would support us in a charge up the hill, but the corn being very thick and high, I could find no one to whom to apply. I returned to tell the Colonel that we must depend upon ourselves. He then sent to the rear for support. Before they could arrive the enemy outflanked us with a brigade of infantry, which descended the hill to our left in three lines, one firing over the other and enfilading us. The regiment on our right now broke, a portion of them crowding on our line. Col. Steere ordered the regiment to move out of the gully by the right flank, and I left him to carry the order to the left, of which wing I had charge, the Colonel taking the right, (the major being sick, and no adjutant, there were only two field-officers to handle the regiment.) The regiment commenced the movement in an orderly manner, but under the difficulty of keeping closed up in a corn-field, the misconception of the order on the left and the tremendous fire of the enemy, consisting of musketry, shell and grape, the regiment broke. Col. Steere, as I afterwards learned, was severely wounded in the left thigh, immediately after I left him to repeat on the left the order to leave the corn-field. An attempt was made to rally the regiment to the support of a battery at some distance back from the corn-field, but before many had been collected the battery retired, when the efforts became unavailing.

I desire to bring to your notice Lieuts. Curtis and Watts, who volunteered to carry the colors

Of the present state of the regiment I have only the most favorable report to give.

By direction of Col. Steere, I have organized the regiment into eight companies. The members of companies I and K being divided among the others, temporarily, although in all reports and musters they will be borne upon their own rolls. In this way officers are gained to officer the other companies, and the companies are made practically larger. The three days just spent in camp, although broken by marching orders, have in part rested the men from the fatigues of the two battles and constant marches to which they have been subjected since the fourth of this month.

The temporary loss of its commanding officer at the time when his experience can be of so much use, is a severe blow to the regiment. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOSEPH B. CURTIS, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Fourth Rhode Island

REPORT OF GENERAL MCCLELLAN.

NEAR SHARPSBURGH, September 29-1.30 P.M.

Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief, U. S.
Army:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report the fol lowing as some of the results of the battles of South-Mountain and Antietam :

At South-Mountain our loss was 443 killed, 1806 wounded; total, 2325. At Antietam our loss was 2010 killed, 9416 wounded, 1043 miss

ing; total, 12,069. Total loss in the two battles, 14,794.

The loss of the 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 far short of the following esti

mate:

Major Davis, Assistant Inspector-General, who superintended the burial of the dead, reports about 3000 rebels buried upon the field of Antietam by our own troops. Previous to this, however, the rebels had buried many of their own dead upon the distant portion of the battlefield which they occupied after the battle-probably 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 as a much greater number of their dead were seen upon the field than of our own men, it is not unreasonable to suppose that their loss was greater than ours. Estimating their killed at 500, the total rebel killed in the two battles would be 4000. According to the ratio of our own killed and

wounded this would make their loss in wounded 18,742.

As nearly as can be determined at this time, the number of prisoners taken by our troops in the two battles will, at the lowest estimate, amount to 5000. The full returns will no doubt

show a larger number. Of these about 1200 are wounded. This gives the rebel loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners, 25,542. It will be observed that this does not include their stragglers, 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 campaign in Maryland.

From the time our troops first encountered the enemy in Maryland until he was driven back into Virginia, we captured thirteen guns, seven caissons, nine limbers, two field-forges, two caissonbodies, thirty-nine colors and one signal-flag. We have not lost a single gun or color. On the battle-field of Antietam 14,000 small arms were collected, besides the large number carried 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 small arms were taken from the opposite side of the Potomac.

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,

Major-General Commanding.

GENERAL HALLECK TO GENERAL MCCLELLAN.

WASHINGTON, D. C., September 30, 1862. Major-General McClellan, Commanding, etc.: GENERAL: Your report of yesterday, giving the results of the battles of South-Mountain and Antietam, has been received and submitted to the President. They were not only hard-fought battles, but well-earned and decided victories.

VOL. V.-Doc. 30

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HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, ANTIETAM CREEK, September 22, 1862. ( GENERAL ORDER No. 12.-It is with the greatest pleasure that the Brigadier-General cominanding the First division, announces to the officers and men of the command, his entire satisfaction with the manner in which they fought in the bloody battles of South-Mountain and Sharpsburgh. No troops in Europe could have done late successes, choosing their own position, and The insolent enemy, flushed with the led by their most talented generals, have been met in desperate contest and hurled from the soil they had invaded.

better.

We have borne no mean part in these victories, without which life is worth nothing, and for the won for the glorious Union and Constitution, defence of which we are still ready to die.

Soldiers ! In our rejoicings let us drop a manly tear for those who have fallen by our sides, and for the brave men of our division, whose spirits have fled to new scenes of glory.

The names of "South-Mountain" and "Sharpsburgh" will be inscribed on the respective regimental colors. By order of

Brigadier-General WILCOX.

ROBERT A. HUTCHINGS,

Capt. and Ass't Adj't-Gen.

HONORABLE MENTION OF TROOPS.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,

MOUTH OF ANTIETAM CREEK, MD., September 23, 1862.} SPECIAL ORDER No. 8.

The following officers and enlisted men of this command have been honorably mentioned in the official reports of the engagements of the seventeenth instant, and their names are hereby published, as a testimony to their gallant and meritorious conduct in the field, and for efficiency in their departments.

FIRST DIVISION.

Captain Robt. H. Hutchins, A.A.G.; Lieuts. Brackett, James W. Romeyn, and Dearborne, aids-de-camp on General Wilcox's personal staff; Colonels B. C. Christ and Thomas Welsh, for the able manner in which they handled their brigades; Capt. Wm. T. Lusk, A.A.A.G. of Colonel Christ's brigade; Lieut. Samuel U. Benjamin, commanding battery E, Second U.S.A.; Lieut. John M. Coffin, and Sergeants Wm. Davis and Newall B. Allen, of Eighth Massachusetts battery.

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