the recent engagement with the enemy near Sharpsburg, Md., on Wednesday, September 17, 1862, and which is respectfully submitted. The regiment went on to the field in column by division, closed in mass on first division, right in front, and was ordered to deploy while under fire, by General Mansfield, the only general officer present, to the left of the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and, before we were in line, had some few men killed or wounded. Before we received orders to commence firing, we were obliged to oblique to the left the length of our regiment, and at once commenced the engagement with a regi. meut of the enemy, which afterward proved to be the Twentieth Georgia. The men went into the woods some few rods, when I was knocked from my horse by Colonel Beal's horse, which had been twice mortally wounded, and, returning, gave me a severe kick in the stomach, entirely disabling me for three days. Colonel Beal received a shot, after his horse was twice wounded, in the legs, passing through one and entering the other slightly. Leaving the field at so early a stage of the fight, I am unable to give a more exact detail of the subsequent proceedings, but our officers are uniform in ascribing to their men many acts of coolness and personal courage, conspicuous among them being Corpl. Reuben Viel, of Company K, who, with other men, rushed upon the enemy, and took, among other prisoners, the colonel and a second lieutenant of the Twentieth Georgia Regiment, and, after conducting them to the rear, again returned to the contest, where they remained till after the regi ment had exhausted its ammunition and, being relieved by General Greene's command, was ordered to retire. A list of casualties has already been forwarded to brigade headquarters, and recent returns of company reports prove it to have been nearly correct. Very respectfully, colonel, your obedient servant, Col. J. F. KNIPE, Forty-sixth Pa. Vols., Comdg. First Brig., Banks' Army Corps. No. 170. Report of Lieut. Col. James L. Selfridge, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HDQRS. FORTY-SIXTH REGT. PENNSYLVANIA VOLS., Camp near Sandy Hook, Md., September 22, 1862. Colonel Knipe having been assigned to the command of the brigade, it becomes my duty, as second in command, to report the part taken by the Forty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in the action of the 17th instant near Sharpsburg, Md. By order of Brigadier-General Mansfield, temporarily commanding the corps, the regiment was ordered to advance to the front about 5.30 o'clock a. m., and was marched into the woods, immediately fronting the position of the enemy, in column of companies, where they were deployed by order of Colonel Knipe into line of battle, and opened a lively fire of musketry upon the enemy. This position was maintained for upward of an hour, the enemy obstinately holding his ground in a corn-field fronting the woods, when Colonel Knipe ordered the regiment to advance. This order was obeyed with alacrity, the regiment advancing to the edge of the field occupied by the enemy, and pouring into their ranks at every step a fire so well directed that, if well supported, would have compelled the enemy to give way. But this support was not given and, in consequence, the regiment was compelled to retire some 200 or 300 yards, where they met re-enforcements bastening to the front. The One hundred and twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, a new and untried regiment, was brought to our right in column of companies closed in mass. They had no sooner arrived in the field than their colonel fell, and their lieutenant-colonel was so severely wounded that he had to be carried to the rear. Colonel Kuipe assisted Major Wanner, the remaining field officer, in deploying the regiment, and it, with other regiments, including the Forty sixth, advanced and drove the enemy out of the corn-field over another, in clover, into woods beyond both. After this was accomplished there was a pause of about a half hour in the battle, with the exception of the artillery firing. A brigade advanced about this time out of the woods to our left, and, passing us, pressed into those on our right, where they engaged the enemy, but were compelled to retire in about fifteen minutes in great confusion. They rushed past the regiments composing Crawford's brigade, and imparted, to a great degree, the alarm which they themselves felt to some of these regiments, which joined in their flight. The situation was most critical. A battery-a regular one, I think-was wheeled into position on the crest of the slope dividing the two skirts of woods, and opened a tremendous fire of grape and canister upon the pursuing foe. No infantry at the time supported this battery. Colonel Knipe with his colors and a small fragment of his regiment were all that showed any organization in the neighborhood. Some general (name unknown) entreated him to rally what he could of the retreating regiments around his standards and save the battery. This he succeeded in doing, the One hundred and seventh New York responding to his entreaties and forming on his colors. Other regiments, seeing the posture of affairs, regained their confidence and returned to the field. The battery was saved, the enemy retreating to the woods, and the battle, as far as infantry was concerned, on this part of the field, ended. By direction of General Williams, the regiment-what was left of it-retired to the rear to enjoy that rest of which they were so much in need. Herewith is forwarded a list of the casualties of the day-the killed, wounded, and missing. Among the former it grieves me to mention the name of Capt. George A. Brooks. A nobler man, a truer friend, a braver soldier, has not yet yielded up his life as a sacrifice to his coun try's glory. I am, very respectfully, yours, &c., JAS. L. SELFRIDGE, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment. The COMMANDING Officer, First Brigade, First Division, Banks' Army Corps. No. 171. Report of Maj. Isaac L. Haldeman, One hundred and twenty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HDQRS. 124TH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, Maryland Heights, September 25, 1862. DEAR SIR: I would beg leave to report that on the morning of the 17th instant the One hundred and twenty-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania *Embodied in revised statement, p. 198. Volunteers, commanded by Col. Joseph W. Hawley, was ordered to the front about 7 o'clock. On reaching the extreme edge of the wood on the east of the corn-field, our line was formed and stationed in a position behind the fence. We were then ordered to advance, a portion of our right extending across the road and beyond the grain-stacks. We were led in line into the corn-field about 20 paces, and ordered to halt, as we could not distinguish our own troops. It was here our colonel was wounded. We were then ordered to fall back to the edge of the cornfield and take position behind the fence, which was done in good order. We were again ordered to advance, when the right, advancing about 100 yards, received a raking fire from the enemy in the woods, which was responded to by repeated volleys from our men, but the fire from our left and the battery of the enemy on the right compelled us to again fall back to the stacks. A battery now planted on the hill between the wood and the corn-field and opposite the stacks, this portion of our right was ordered to its support. The balance of the regiment followed up the advance through the corn-field, making many successful charges upon the enemy, until they were also ordered back to the support of the battery. The enemy's battery being silenced at this point, our regiment was ordered to the rear by General Hancock, with instructions to hold ourselves in readiness to support the batteries on the right. Receiving no further orders, we remained in our position with the One hundred and twenty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers during the night. I am, yours, very respectfully, I. L. HALDEMAN, Major One hundred and twenty-fourth Regt. Pa. Vols. Col. J. F. KNIPE, Commanding First Brigade, First Division, Banks' Corps. No. 172. Report of Col. Jacob Higgins, One hundred and twenty-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HDQRS. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH PA. VOLS., Camp near Sandy Hook, Md., September 22, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report to you the part taken by my regiment in the action near Sharpsburg on the 17th of September, 1862. I was ordered by General Crawford to advance in close column, at daylight, through some fields to a piece of woods where there was heavy firing at that time going on. I was then ordered into the woods and then back again by General Crawford, then to throw out skirmishers and again advance through the woods until I reached the other side of the timber, and then deploy in line of battle and advance through the fields and there halt. At this place my command was exposed to a most terrific fire of musketry, shot, and shell. I then fell back a few rods, by order of General Crawford, where I remained some minutes, and was again ordered forward to the crest of a hill, which I was to hold. At this time some colonel, whose name I do not know, told me that his troops were falling back for want of ammunition, and asked me to advance to his support. I immediately reported this to General Crawford, who ordered me to advance at once. I gave the command, and my men started forward with a yell, driving the enemy before them and gaining possession of the woods. Here I took some prisoners, whom I sent to the rear. Again I was ordered to advance and halt in line with a battery. Before reaching the battery, though, I took a number of prisoners, some of whom came running back with white handkerchiefs tied on their guns and gave themselves up. At the battery I gave the command for my men to lie down whilst awaiting further orders. About this time the fire of the enemy slackened somewhat, only some shots from their sharpshooters being fired, and these at mounted officers and the artillery horses. Previous to this General Mansfield fell, some of my men carrying him off the field on their muskets until a blanket was procured. General Hooker here came up to me and inquired if any troops were in the woods in front. I replied, "None but rebels," and that my command was in the front. While talking to me, his horse was shot by some of the enemy's sharpshooters. I remarked to him that his horse was shot. He replied, "I see," turned and went away. In a short time I received an order to advance into the woods. I gave the order, " Forward," my regiment advancing in splendid style, and driving some South Carolina and Georgia troops back into the woods. I halted at the edge of the woods, and ordered Captain McKeage, of Company G, to deploy his company as skirmishers. This done, I again advanced a short distance in the woods, and halted again to examine the enemy's position. I found him in force in my front and on my right. On looking around I discovered myself without support either in my rear or right, and, being the only mounted officer present, I gave my horse to Lieutenant Higgins, and instructed him to ride back to the general, inform him of my situation, and ask him to send me support immediately, or I would be unable to hold my position, and that the enemy would certainly flank me and cut me off, my command being at this time in advance of the whole corps. On I now ordered Captain McKeage to advance cautiously with his skirmishers, and, at the same time, the regiment to advance to the crest of a small hill. My skirmishers soon became engaged with the enemy, who were advancing on my front in force. They continued to advance, when I ordered my skirmishers to rally, and gave the command to commence firing. A most destructive fire caused the enemy to halt. I held him here for some time, until I discovered two regiments of them moving around my right, while a brigade charged on my front. looking around and finding no support in sight, I was compelled to retire. Had I remained in my position two minutes longer I would have lost my whole command. I fell back to the rear of the first batteries, when an artillery officer rode up to me, saying that his battery was on the left front and entirely unsupported, and asking me if I would support him. I replied in the affirmative, and marched my command to the battery and took my position. General Franklin now rode up, and inquiring what regiment this was, I replied the One hundred and twenty-fifth Pennsylvania, when he said my position was right and he was glad I was there, and ordered me to remain there, which I did. I staid here until, the One hundred and twenty fourth Pennsylvania coming up, under command of its major, General Franklin ordered me to form it in my rear and take command of both regiments. My adjutant, R. M. Johnston, who acted as major in the absence of Major Lawrence, who has been in the Georgetown hospital for some time, fell, mortally wounded. His conduct on the field during the whole action was most gallant. All my officers and men behaved in splendid style, particularly Captain McKeage and his company, who acted as skirmishers during the engagement. I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, Colonel, Comdg. One hundred and twenty-fifth Regt. Pa. Vols. Col. J. F. KNIPE, Forty-sixth Pa. Vols., Comdg. 1st Brig., 1st Div., Banks' A. O. No. 173. Report of Maj. Joel B. Wanner, One hundred and twenty-eighth Pennsyl vania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HDQRS. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTH PA. VOLS., Camp on Maryland Heights, Md., September 23, 1862. Colonel Croasdale, in command of the One hundred and twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, having been killed, and Lieutenaut-Colonel Hammersly so badly wounded as not to be able to attend to the duties, it becomes my duty as next in command to report to you the position and part taken by the regiment in the fight on the 17th instant. Having been ordered under arms before daylight, we were formed in column of divisions and marched toward the scene of action abont 6 o'clock, and when in the woods directly in front of the enemy General Mausfield commanded the colonel to deploy his regiment, but as the regiment was new and inexperienced (having been in existence but five weeks), and being within range of the enemy, who were concealed in a corn-field in front of us, about 60 or 70 yards distant, thus bringing us under fire immediately, there was much confusion in accomplishing the movement. Before they could be deployed, in fact very soon after giving the order, Colonel Croasdale was killed by a ball through the head, and about the same time Lieutenant-Colonel Hammersly was wounded in two places in the arm. I endeavored to finish the deployment, but it being the first time the regiment had ever been under fire, I found it impossible to do so in the excitement and confusion. At the suggestion of Colonel Knipe, of the Forty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, I ordered the regiment to charge into the corn-field and dislodge the enemy, while the regiment on our right was charging into the woods. They started off in gallant style, cheering as they moved, and penetrated the corn field, but, in consequence of the overpowering numbers of the enemy concealed, were compelled to fall back, which they did in tolerable order. The Forty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Knipe commanding, were on our left and held their position. I attempted, with the assistance of Colonel Knipe and Lieutenant-Colonel Selfridge, of the same regiment, to rally and form my men on their right. While thus employed we were ordered to fall back to the woods, by order of General Williams, and another brigade advanced to relieve us. I desire here to bear testimony to the bravery and gallantry of Colonel Knipe and Lieutenant-Colonel Selfridge, of the Forty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and at the same time thank them for the |