September 16, 1862 (Tuesday): Time Lost On Account of Fog

Middle Bridge, Antietam

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Bivouac near Sharpsburg, Md., September 16, 1862 - 7 a. m.
(Received 12 m.)
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
    The enemy yesterday held a position just in front of Sharpsburg. When our troops arrived in sufficient force it was too late in the day to attack. This morning a heavy fog has thus far prevented us doing more than to ascertain that some of the enemy are sill there. Do not know in what force. Will attack as soon as situation of enemy is developed. I learn Miles surrendered 8 a. m. yesterday unconditionally. I fear his
resistance was not as stubborn as it might have been. Had he held the Maryland Heights he would inevitably have been saved. The time lost on account of the fog is being occupied in getting up supplies, for the want of which many of our men are suffering.


GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
Major General, Commanding.



WASHINGTON, D. C.,
September 16, 1862 - 2.35 p. m.
Governor CURTIN:
    Since telegraphing you, dispatch came from General McClellan, dated 7 o'clock this morning. Nothing of importance happened with him yesterday. This morning he was up with the enemy at Sharpsburg, and was waiting for heavy fog to rise.


A. LINCOLN.


HARRISBURG, PA., September 16, 1862 - 5.30 p. m.
President LINCOLN:
The following just received from Hagerstown:
    Jackson has recrossed the Potomac, and General McClellan has engaged him with a large force a few miles this side of Sharpsburg, 10 miles from here. The whole rebel army in Maryland will probably be annihilated or captured to-night. McClellan is on the battle-field.


A. G. CURTIN,
Governor of Pennsylvania.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 19, Part 2, Page 311.

McClellan enjoyed a considerable advantage in forces near Sharpsburg on the 16th.  But fog, physical and mental, delayed an immediate attack on Lee.  With A.P. Hill not yet on the field and the Confederate position not fully developed, an attack was certainly worth attempting.  But McClellan believed he faced a force at least as equal to his own and waited for all his forces to arrive.  Late in the day he would have Hooker cross Antietam Creek and probe the Confederate lines, but it was a limited engagement.