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On the night of the 18th, the enemy, after passing troops in the latter part of the day from the Virginia shore to their position behind Sharpsburg, as seen by our officers, suddenly formed the design of abandoning their position, and retreating across the river. As their line was but a short distance from the river, the evacua tion presented but little difficulty, and was effected before daylight.

About 2,700 of the enemy's dead were, ander the direction of Maj. Davis, assistant inspector general, counted and buried upon the battle-field of Antietam. A por

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Tabular report of casualties in the Army of the Potomac in the battle of Antietam, on the 16th and 17th of September, 1862.

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An estimate of the forces under the con- Pleasonton's cavalry, with Franklin's federate Gen. Lee, made up by direction of Gen. Banks, from information obtained by the examination of prisoners, deserters, spies, &c., previous to the battle of Antietam, is as follows:

Gen. J. J. Jackson's corps...

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Gen. James Longstreet's corpa.............................
Gen. D. H. Hill's 2d division...

Gen. J. E. B Stuart, cavalry..

Gen. Ransom's and Jenkins's brigade

24,778 men.

.23,342 66 .13,525

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Forty-six regiments not included in above. 18, 400
Artillery, estimated at 400 guns.....

Total........

........ 6,009

........... 97,445, “

These estimates give the actual number of men present and fit for duty.

Our own forces at the battle of Antietam were as follows:

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5th corps (one division not arrived)..........12,930

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12,300 46

9th corps................................................................13,819 12th corps...

Cavalry division ..........................................................

Total in action..................

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4,320 66

...... 87,104 46

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'HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, "Sharpsburg, Sept. 19, 1862. "I have the honor to report that Maryland is entirely freed from presence of the enemy, who has been driven across the tained for the safety of Pennsylvania. I Potomac. No fears need now be entershall at once occupy Harper's Ferry. "G. B. MCCLELLAN, Maj.-Gen. Com. "Maj.-Gen. H. W, HALLECK, Com.. U. S. Army."

On the following day I received this telegram:

"WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 1862-2 P. M. regard to your own movements and "We are still left entirely in the dark those of the enemy. This should not be 80. so far as you know them. You should keep me advised of both,

When our cavalry advance reached the river on the morning of the 19th, it was in discovered that nearly all the enemy's forces had crossed into Virginia during the night, their rear escaping under cover of eight batteries, placed in strong positions upon the elevated bluffs on the opposite bank. Gen. Porter, commanding the 5th corps, ordered a detachment from Griffin's and Barnes's brigades, under Gen. Griffin, to cross the river at dark, and carry the 'enemy's batteries. done under the fire of the enemy; several This was gallantly guns, caissons, &c., were taken, and their supports driven back half a mile.

The information obtained during the progress of this affair indicated that the mass of the enemy had retreated on the Charlestown and Martinsburg roads, towards Winchester. ascertain how far the enemy had retired, To verify this, and to Gen. Porter was authorized to detach from his corps, on the morning of the 20th, a reconnoitring party in greater force. This detachment crossed the river, and advanced about a mile, when it was attacked by a large body of the enemy lying in ambush in the woods, and driven back across the river with considerable loss. This reconnoissance showed that the enemy was still in force on the Virginia bank of the Potomac, prepared to resist our further advance.

It was reported on the 19th, that Gen. Stuart had made his appearance at Williamsport with some four thousand cavalry and six pieces of artillery, and that ten thousand infantry were marching on the same point from the direction of Winchester. I ordered Gen. Couch to march at once with his division, and a part of

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HEADQUARTER'S ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 'Near Sharpsburg, Sept. 20, 1862-8 P. M. and had nothing to inform you of until this I telegraphed you yesterday all I knew Your telegram of to-day is received. evening. Williams's corps (Banks's), ocThe rest of the army is near here, except enpied Maryland heights at 1 P. M. to-day. Couch's division, which is at. this moment engaged with the enemy in front of Williamsport; the enemy is retiring, via CharHe last night reoccupied Williamsport by lestown and Martinsburg. on Winchester. a small force, but will be out of it by morn ing. I think he has a force of infantry near Shepherdstown.

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couch every despatch I have the honor to I regret that you find it necessary to receive from you in a spirit of fault-finding, and that you have not yet found leisure to say one word in commendation of the recent achievements of this army, or even to allude to them.

"I have abstained from giving the num
&c., captured, until I could do so with
ber of guns, colors, small arms, prisoners,
some accuracy.
evening to be able to give at least an ap.
I hope by to-morrow
proximate statement...

"G. B. MCCLELLAN,
Maj. Gen. Comdg.
"Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
"General-in Chief."

On the same day I telegraphed as follows:

killed; four (4) general officers, eightynine (89) other commissioned officers, and “HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, (3,708) eniisted men had been wounded, three thousand seven hundred and eight "Sept. 20, 1862. "As the rebel army, now on the Vir. besides five hundred and forty-eight (548) ginia side of the Potomac, must in a great missing; making the aggregate loss in this measure be dependent for supplies of am-five thousand two hundred and nine, (5209.) splendid veteran corps, in this one battle, munition and provisions upon Richmond, I would respectfully suggest that General Banks be directed to send out a cavalry force to cut their supply communication opposite Washington. This would seriously embarrass their operations and will aid this army materially.

"G. B. McCLELLAN, "Maj. Gen. Com'd'g. · Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, "Čomd'g U. S. Army."

Maryland heights were occupied by Gen. Williams's corps on this day, and on the 22d Gen. Sumner took possession of Harper's Ferry.

In Gen. Hooker's corps the casualties thousand six hundred and nineteen, (2,619.) of the same, engagement amounted to two

hausted by unavoidable overwork, fatiguThe entire army had been greatly exing marches, hunger, and want of sleep and rest, previous to the last battle.

When the enemy recrossed the Potomac into Virginia the means of transportation at my disposal were inadequate to furnish a single day's supply of subsistence in advance in advance.

Many of the troops were new levies, some of whom had fought like veterans, but the morale of others had been a good deal impaired in those severely contested actions, and they required time to recover as well as to acquire the necessary drill and discipline.

It will be remembered that at the time I was assigned to the command of the forces for the defence of the national capital, on the 2d day of September, 1862, the greater part of all the available troops Under these circumstances I did not were suffering under the disheartening in- feel authorized to cross the river with the fluences of the serious defeat they had main army over a very deep and difficult encountered during the brief and unfortu- ford in pursuit of the retreating enemy, nate campaign of Gen. Pope. Their num-known to be in strong force on the south bers were greatly reduced by casualties, bank, and thereby place that stream, their confidence was much shaken, and which was liable at any time to rise above they had lost something of that "esprit du a fording stage, between my army and its corps," which is indispensable to the effi- base of supply. ciency of an army. Moreover, they had left behind, lost, or worn out, the greatest part of their clothing and camp equipage, which required renewal before they could be in proper condition to take the field again.

The intelligence that the enemy was crossing the Potomac into Maryland was received in Washington on the 4th of September, and the army of the Potomac was again put in motion, under my direction, on the following day, so that but a very brief interval of time was allowed to reorganize or procure supplies.

The sanguinary battles of South Moun"tain and Antietam fought by this army a few days afterwards, with the reconnoissances immediately following, resulted in a loss to us of ten general officers, many regimental and company officers, and a large number of enlisted men, amounting in the aggregate to fifteen thousand two hundred and twenty, (15,220.) Two army corps had been sadly cut up, scattered, and somewhat demoralized in the action on the 17th.

In Gen- Sumner's corps alone forty-one (41) commissioned officers and eight hundred and nineteen enlisted men had been

I telegraphed on the 22d to the generalin-chief as follows :

"As soon as the exigencies of the service will admit of it, this army should be reorganized. It is absolutely necessary to secure its efficiency, that the old skeleton regiments should be filled up at once, and officers appointed to supply the numerous existing vacancies. There are instances where captains are commanding regiments, and companies are without a single commissioned officer.".

On the 23d the following was telegraphed to the general-in.chief:

"HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, "Near Shepherdstown,

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'Sept. 23, 1862-9.30 . . "From several different sources I learn that Gen. R. E. Lee is still opposite to my position at Leestown, between Shepherdstown and Martinsburg, and that Ĝeneral Jackson is on the Opequan creek, about three miles above its mouth, both with large forces. There are also indications of heavy re-inforcements moving towards them from Winchester and Charlestown. have, therefore, ordered Gen. Franklin to take position with his corps at the

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cross-roads about one mile northeast of Bakersviile, on the Bakersville and Williamsport road, and Gen. Conch to establish his division near Downsville, leaving sufficient force at Williamsport to watch and guard the ford at that place. The fact of the enemy's remaining so long in our front, and the indications of an advance of re-inforcements, seem to indicate that he will give us another battle with all his

available force.

be lost in filling the old regiments-our main dependence-and in supplying va cancies among the officers by promotion.

"My present purpose is to hold the army about as it is now, rendering Harper's Ferry secure and watching the river closely, intending to attack the enemy should he attempt to cross to this side.

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Our possession of Harper's Ferry gives us the great advantage of a secure de bouche, but we cannot avail ourselves of "As I mentioned to you before, our it until the railroad bridge is finished, bearmy has been very much reduced by cause we cannot otherwise supply a greatcasualties in the recent battles, and in my er number of troops than we now have on judgment all the re-enforcements of old the Virginia side at that point. When troops that can possibly be dispensed with the river rises so that the enemy cannot around Washington and other places cross in force, I purpose concentrating should be instantly pushed forward by the army somewhere near Harper's Ferry, rail to this army. A defeat at this june- and then acting according to circumstanture would be ruinous to our cause. I ces, viz: moving on Winchester, if from cannot think it possible that the enemy the position and attitude of the enemy we will bring any forces to bear upon Wash- are likely to gain a great advantage by ington till after the question is decided doing so, or else devoting à reasonable here; but if he should, troops can be soon time to the organization of the army and sent back from this army by rail to re-instruction of the new troops, preparatory enforce the garrison there. to an advance on whatever line may be de "The evidence I have that re-enforce- termined. In any event, I regard it as ments are coming to the rebel army con- absolutely necessary to send new regisists in the fact that long columns of dustments at once to the old corps, for purextending from Winchester to Charles- poses of instruction, and that old regiments town and from Charlestown in this direc- be filled at once. I have no fears as to tion, and also troops moving this way, an attack on Washington by the line of were secu last evening. This is corrobo- Manassas. Holding Harper's Ferry as I rated by citizens. Gen. Sumner with his do, they will not run the risk of an attack corps and Williams's (Banks's) occupies on their flank and rear while they have Harper's Ferry and the surrounding the garrison of Washington in their front. heights. I think he will be able to hold his position till re-enforcements arrive.

"G. B. McCLELLAN, Maj. Gen. Maj. Gen. HALLECK,

"Gen.-in-Chief, Washington.". On the 27th I made the following

port:

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"HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, "Sept. 27, 1862-10 A. M. "All the information in my possession goes to prove that the main body of the enemy is concentrated not far from Martinsburg, with some troops at Charlestown; not many in Winchester. Their movements of late have been an extension towards our right and beyond it. They are receiving re-enforcements in Winchester, mainly, I think, of conscripts-perhaps entirely so.

"I rather apprehend a renewal of the attempt in Maryland should the river remain low for a great length of time, and should they receive considerable addition to their force. I would be glad to have re-surprised that Sigel's men should have Peck's division as soon as possible. I am been sent to Western Virginia without my knowledge. The last I heard from you on the subject was that they were at my dis position. In the last battles the enemy was undoubtedly greatly superior to us in number, and it was only by very hard fighting that we gained the advantage we did. As it was, the result was at one period very doubtful, and we had all we could do to win the day. If the enemy receives considerable re-enforcements and we none, it is possible that I may have too much on my hands in the next battle. My own view of the proper policy to be pursued is to retain in Washington merely the force necessary to garrison it, and to send everything else available to re-enforce this army. The railways give us the means of promptly re-enforcing Washington should it become necessary. If I am reenforced, as I ask, and am allowed to take my own course, I will hold myself respon

"This army is not now in condition to undertake another campaign, nor to bring on another battle, unless great advantages care offered by some mistake of the enemy, or pressing military exigencies render it necessary. We are greatly deficient in officers. Many of the old regiments are reduced to mere skeletons. The new regisments need instruction. Not a day should

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sible for the safety of Washington. Several persons recently from Richmond say that there are no troops there except conscripts, and they few in number. I hope to give you details as to late battles by this evening I am about starting again for Harper's Ferry.

H

“GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
"Maj. Gen. Com.

Maj. Gen. HALLECK,

Gen.-in-Chief, Washington."

The work of reorganizing, drilling, and supplying the army, I began at the earliest moment. The different corps were stationed along the river in the best positions to cover and guard the fords. The great

extent of the river front from near Washington to Cumberland, (some one hundred and fifty miles,) together with the line of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, was to be carefully watched and guarded, to prevent, if possible, the enemy's raids. Reconnoisances upon the Virginia side of the river, for the purpose of learning the enemy's position ard movements, were made frequently, so that our cavalry, which from the time we left Washington had performed the most laborious service, and had from the commencement been deficient in numbers, was found totally inadequate to the requirements of the army.

This overwork had broken down the greater part of the horses; disease had appeared among them, and but a very small portion of our original cavalry was fit for

service.

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the opportunity during this visit to describe to him the operations of the army since the time it left Washington, and gave him my reasons for not following the enemy after he crossed the Potomac.

On the 5th of October, the division of Gen. Cox (about 5,000 men) was ordered from my command to Western Virginia.

On the 7th of October I received the following telegram:

"Washington, D. C., Oct., 6, 1862. "I am instructed to telegraph you as follows: The President directs that you cross the Potomac and give battle to the enemy, or drive him south. Your army If you cross the river between the enemy must move now, while the roads are good. and Washington, and cover the latter by your operation, you can be re-enforced with 30,000 men. If you move up the valley of the Shenandoah, not more than 12,000 or 15,000 can be sent to you. The President advises the interior line between Washington and the enemy, but does not order it. He is very desirous that your army move as soon as possible. You will immediately report what line you adopt, and when you intend to cross the river; also to what point the re-enforcements are to be sent. It is necessary that the plan of your operations be positively determined on, before orders are given for building bridges and repairing railroads. I am directed to add, that the Secretary of War and the general-in-chief fully concur President in these instructions.

with the

"H. W. HALLECK, Gen.-in-Chief.

To such an extent had this arm become reduced, that when Gen. Stuart made his " Maj. Gen. MCCLELLAN."

raid into Pennsylvania on the 11th of October with two thousand men, I could only mount eight hundred men to follow him.

Harper's Ferry was occupied on the 22d, and in order to prevent a catastrophe similar to the one which had happened to Col. Miles, I immediately ordered Maryland, Bolivar, and Loundon heights to be strongly fortified. This was done as far as the time and means at our disposal permitted.

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The main army of the enemy, during this time, remained in the vicinity of Martinsburg and Bunker Hill, and occupied itself in drafting and coercing every ablebodied citizen into the ranks, forcibly taking their property, where it was not voluntarily offered. burning bridges, and destroying railroads.

On the first day of October, his excellency the President honored the army of the Potomac with a visit, and remained several days, during which he went through the different encampments, reviewed the troops, and went over the battle fields of South Mountain and Antietam. I had

At this time Gen. Averill, with the greater part of our efficient cavalry, was in the vicinity of Cumberland, and Gen. Kelly, the commanding officer, had that day reported that a large force of the enemy was advancing on Col. Campbell, at Saint John's river. This obliged me to order Gen. Averill to proceed with his force to the support of Col. Campbell, which delayed his return to the army for several days.

On the 10th of October Stuart crossed the river at McCoy's Ferry, with 2,000 cavalry and a battery of horse artillery, on his raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania, making it necessary to use all our cavalry against him. This exhausting service com. pletely broke down nearly all of our cavalry horses, and rendered a remount absolutely indispensable before we could advance on the enemy.

The following were the dispositions of troops made by me to defeat the purposes of this raid:

"Gen. Averill, then at Green Spring, on the upper Potomac, was ordered to move

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