September 18, 1862 (Thursday): "after a severe conflict.")

Burnside's Bridge-Antietam

HEADQUARTERS,
Sharpsburg, Md., September 18, 1862-6.30 a. m.     Mr. PRESIDENT: On the afternoon of the 16th instant the enemy, who, 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 McLaws, R. H. Anderson, A. P. Hill, and Walker had not arrived the previous night, as I had hoped, and were still beyond the Potomac. Generals Jackson's and Ewell's divisions were thrown to the left of Generals D. H. Hill and Longstreet. The enemy advanced between the Antietam and the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown turnpike, and was met by General Hill's and the left of General Longstreet's 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 McLaws, Anderson, and Walker-who, upon their arrival on the morning 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 number. 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, whore General Jones' division was posted, who handsomely maintained his position. General Tombs' brigade, guarding the bridge over Antietam Creek, gallantly resisted the approach of the enemy; but his superior numbers enabling him to extend his left, he crossed below the bridge, and assumed a threatening attitude on our right, which fell back in confusion. By this time, between 3 and 4 p. m., General A. P. Hill, with five of his brigades, reached the scene of action, drove the enemy immediately from the position they had taken, and continued the contest until dark, restoring our right and maintaining our ground.
* * * * *


    R. E. LEE,
    General, Commanding.
    His Excellency President DAVIS,
    Richmond, Va.




HEADQUARTERS,
Keedysville, Md., September 18, 1862 - 8 a. m.
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief, U. S. Army:
    The battle of yesterday continued for fourteen hours, and until after dark. We held all we gained, except a portion of the extreme left; that was obliged to abandon a part of what it had gained. Our losses very heavy, especially in general officers. The battle will probably be renewed to-day. Send all the troops you can by the most expeditious route.


     GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
     Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
September 18, 1862-9 A. M.
Brigadier-General MEADE:
    GENERAL: The commanding general desires you to reorganize your corps as rapidly as possible, and get it in condition either to make an attack or to resist one. Please keep a good watch of the movements of the enemy, and report everything of importance.
    I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,


    R. B. MARCY,
    Chief of Staff.


HARRISBURG, PA.,
September 18, 1862 - 10 a. m.
E. M. STANTON:
    Hagerstown reports no firing up to 9 o'clock. A rumor is prevalent that McClellan granted armistice to bury dead. Your ammunition train left Baltimore 7.30, and will be put though quick. Governor and staff have gone to Hagerstown to expedite movement of Pennsylvania forces to battle-field. Surgeon Smith also gone, with 40 surgeons.


    THOMAS A. SCOTT.

POINT OF ROCKS, MD.,
September 18, 1862.
Captain ECKERT:
    Went to Sandy Hook. Line all right to Harper's Ferry Bridge, except between two poles. Thirty rebel pickets this side of the bridge, but were about leaving when I left, at 5 o'clock. There are less than 200 rebels in Harper's Ferry. No artillery. A large fire broke out as I was leaving, probably the pontoon bridge and Government property. The tents left by our troops remain standing. A rebel lieutenant told two women, who left Harper's Ferry at noon, that they were surrounded, and should leave as soon as possible. A negro from Shepherdstown states that the rebels attempted to cross the river last night, but, water being too deep, many were drowned. Our men that were killed on Maryland Heights during Saturday's fight are still unburied. The rebel killed and wounded were about 355 in that day's fight. Citizens of Sandy Hook are burying our dead. We will go in advance as soon as relieved, and thence to Harper's Ferry. The bridge at Harper's Ferry was burned, but the piers are good. They tried five times to blow them up, but did not succeed.


    WM. C. HALL,
    Operator.



HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Keedysville, September 18, 1862-5.45 p. M.
Major-General FRANKLIN:
    GENERAL: The commanding general directs you to throw forward two companies or more of skirmishers, supported by a brigade, and with them to take possession of the corn-field and height on the right of the woods supposed to be occupied by the enemy in force. You will hold your whole corps in readiness to support the brigade, should this be required. After having obtained possession of the corn-field and height, you will make such dispositions with your infantry and artillery as may be required to hold the position and to drive the enemy out of the adjacent wood. Lieutenant Comstock will indicate to you the enemy out of the adjacent wood. Lieutenant Comstock will indicate to you the position mentioned at an early hour to-morrow morning. It is desired that this movement be executed immediately thereafter unless contrary orders be sent during the night. General Sumner will be instructed to replace your troops in line by others from his corps.
     I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,



    R. B. MARCY,
    Chief of Staff.

P. S. -Push your pickets forward at an early hour in the morning to ascertain whether the enemy is  in  force in your front.


    R. B. M.,
    Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Keedysville, September 18, 1862-7.40 p. M.
Brigadier-General MEADE:
    GENERAL: The commanding general directs you to push forward your pickets at an early hour in the morning, and to ascertain whether the enemy is in force in your front. Please send a staff officer to these headquarters to report the result.
I am, &c.,


    R. B. MARCY,
    Chief of Staff.

(Verbal orders to same effect given General Burnside.)

Official Records,  Series I., Vol. 19, Part 2, Page 323 and others.

Lee did not immediately retreat from Antietam.  Various theories explain his remaining in a precarious position, the most likely being he wanted to conceal from McClellan exactly how damaged his forces were.  McClellan, as always, moved cautiously and did not press his advantage.  The letter from Lee to Davis is worth mentioning for how little he tells his President about the condition of his forces.  Throughout the campaign the correspondence between Lee and Davis seems to imply anxiety on Davis' part toward the operation.  A full accounting by Lee of the extent of his casualties would have not have made him rest easier.  Part of Lee's letter is missing, so it is possible a fuller accounting of the danger at hand was shown later in it.