September 17, 1862 (Wednesday): Antietam

Burnside's Bridge at Antietam

SHARPSBURG,
September 17, 1862-4.30 a. m.
Brigadier-General PENDLETON,
Commanding Artillery:
    GENERAL: I desire you to keep some artillery guarding each of the fords at Williamsport, Falling Wasters, and Sherpherdstown, and have some infantry with it, if possible.
    Very respectfully, yours,


   R. E. LEE,
   General.


HEADQUARTERS SYKES' DIVISION,
September 17, 1862 - 7 a. m.
General PORTER:
    GENERAL: My skirmishers are across the bridge - three companies. They have had some firing this morning. The enemy's guns are where they were yesterday, and are firing at the hill where Benjamin's guns were yesterday. A large force of infantry (enemy's) are to the left of Sharpsburg, up the valley, awaiting evidently the approach of our attack from that direction. They have set fire to farm houses, &c.
    Very, respectfully,


   GEO. SYKES,
   Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF PENNSYLVANIA,
Hagerstown, Md., September 17, 1862 - noon.
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
    I am informed that your communication with General McClellan is interrupted. The latest reports from my vedettes describe the battle as very severe at 11 a. m. The enemy's right rested on Sharpsburg pike, 2 miles this side of Sharpsburg. Our left was on the northeast side of Antietam Creek, near Porterstown. The enemy is reported to be retreating toward Williamsport, at which point my vedettes report the bridge burned and aqueduct destroyed by us. The enemy may possibly endeavor to break through here, or may strike across to Dam Numbers 4, if it is not held by us. None but very raw troops here - infantry. Shall I telegraph direct again, or through General Reynolds?


   MORTON MCMICHAEL, JR.,
   Lieutenant-Colonel and Aide-de-Camp, Commanding.


HAGERSTOWN, MD.,
September 17, 1862 - 5.30 p. m.
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
    Heavy and continuous firing heard in direction of Williamsport since 4 o'clock; now continues. About forty shots per minute are heard, apparently coming nearer. Scouts report that at 3.30 o'clock the enemy were on the run toward the Williamsport road. I think enemy have made another stand, flanking toward Williamsport; the heavy cannonading would so indicate.


    MORTON MCMICHAEL, JR.,
    Lieutenant-Colonel and Aide-de-Camp.

 Series I. Vol. 19, Part 2, Page 321

It is striking how little communication from the day of the Battle of Antietam is in the Official Records.  Much of the Union communication was by way of signal stations and does not appear here.  As usual, very little Confederate "day of battle" notes are available.  The battle of Antietam was the single bloodiest day of the Civil War, with nearly 4,000 killed and 17,000 wounded.