September 23, 1862 (Tuesday): The Armies Observe Each Other

Vicinity of the Armies After Antietam (Google Earth-click to enlarge)

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Near Sharpsburg, September 23, 1862--9.15 a. m.
Major General W. B. FRANKLIN,
Commanding Sixth Corps, &c.:
    GENERAL: There are good reasons for believing that Generals R. E. Lee and Jackson are still opposite to us; the former at a place called Leetown, between Shepherdstown and Martinsburg; the latter on the Opequon Creek, about three miles above its mouth, both having large forces. There are also indications of heavy re-enforcements moving in this direction from Winchester and Charlestown. In view of this the commanding general directs that you march you corps, via Downsville, to a cross-roads about one mile above Bakersville on the Williamsport and Bakersville road, or as near that point as you can find good camping ground. It is desirable to watch and guard the ford at Williamsport. If you think Kenly's brigade sufficient for that purpose you will direct General Couch to move his division to a point on the same road by which you are to march, a little this side of Downsville. You will please give instructions to him and to General Kenly to exercise great vigilance in watching all the fords in their vicinity, and for that purpose you will leave a small force of cavalry with each of them. Your position will be nearly opposite to where Jackson's headquarters are said to be. Please report your arrival at your new position and direct General Couch to do the same, and send all the information you can collect about the forces opposite.
     Yours, very respectfully,


    R. B. MARCY,
    Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
Camp on the Opequon, near Smoketown, September 23, 1862.
His Excellency President DAVIS, Richmond, Va.:
    Mr. PRESIDENT: My desire for the welfare of the army and the success of the war induces me to trouble you very often. In addition to the matters to which I have recently called your attention, there is another of vital importance to the service. A great number of officers and men borne on the rolls of the army I fear are permanently incapacitated for duty. These should be discharged and their places filled with effective men. Justice would seem to require that some provision should be made for their support, but whether this had better be done now or left to the close of the war you and Congress must determine. Companies whose rolls show a maximum of men cannot be filled by accepting new members when they offer, unless the inefficient men be removed, nor can the places of officers unfit for duty be filled until the present incumbents are retired. The subject of recruiting this army is also one of paramount importance. The usual casualties of battle have diminished its ranks, but its numbers have been greatly decreased by desertion and straggling. This was the main cause of its retiring from maryland, as it was unable to cope with advantage with the numerous host of the enemy. His ranks are daily increasing, and it is just reported, on what I consider reliable authority, that 40,000 joined the army of General McClellan on the day after the battle of Sharpsburg. We have now abundance of arms, and if the unarmed regiments in Texas and Arkansas could be brought forward, as well as the conscripts from the different States, they would add greatly to our strength. Our stragglers are being daily collected, and that is one of the reasons of my being now stationary. How long they will remain with us, or when they will again disappear, it is impossible for me to say.
    The enemy, since he was repulsed in his attempt on the morning of the 20th to cross the Potomac below Shepherdstown, has been quiet. General Fitz John Porter's corps, I understand, is stationed on the Maryland side of that ford, but the great bulk of his army is within our observation at Williamsport. Two regiments of infantry, I learn from Colonel Munford, who is observing the fords near Harper's Ferry, have crossed the river at that point; their object is not yet known. I am endeavoring to have the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad destroyed as far as it is within our reach. We have plenty of beef and flour for our troops, hay for our horses, and some grain. I hope every effort is being made by the War department to collect conscripts from those counties in Virginia now within our control. No time should be lost in effecting this purpose.
    It is also important that such stores as may be needed for future use should be collected by the Commissary Department. If a supply of hard bread could be sent in such manner as to reach us in good condition, it would be of great service; but its transportation in such barrels as are now used from Culpeper Court-House to the army would be hazardous. I observe that the enemy pack their hard bread in small, light boxes, by means of which more can be carried in a wagon than in barrels. I recommend that similar boxes be used for the transportation of our bread.
     I am, with the highest respect, your obedient servant,


    R. E. LEE,
    General, Commanding.

Official Records, Series I. Vol. 19, Part 2, Pages 623 and 861, respectively.

Armies sometimes remained in close proximity for days after a major battle.  In this case, Lee's army was located just east of Martinsburg in scattered camps and the bulk of McClellan's forces at Williamsport.  McClellan is watching the fords along the Potomac lest Lee cross again and Lee is keeping a wary eye on his opposite number.  Lee might have already retreated further south, but he must remain stationary so his stragglers might be rounded up and returned to the ranks.  It is telling Lee remarks, "How long they will remain with us, or when they will again disappear, it is impossible for me to say."  But he is gathering numbers daily, and pressing Davis for conscripts and regiments which Arkansas and Texas which have yet to be fitted out.  His supply of weapons has increased from captures on the field at Antietam and the recovery of weapons from his own dead and disabled.  This is no small thing, as some regiments were not fully armed as a result of men throwing away their weapons on the march north.