ticle. I must, however, mention W. A. Bullitt, Adjutant Third Kentucky, who conveyed orders for me through the hottest of the fire with as much coolness as if on review; and Capt. Frank White, Fifteenth Indiana, who superintended the earthworks, and, whenever a point was exposed to a raking fire from the enemy's batteries, immediately threw up traverses to protect the men. Our entire loss was thirty-seven killed and wounded. The enemy admit a loss of seven hundred and fourteen killed and wounded on Sunday alone. I cannot give as complete a report as I could wish, not having yet received a report from the different commands engaged. ana volunteers, and one company (K) of the Seventy-eighth Indiana, attached to the Fiftieth for duty in all four hundred and forty-six strong, rank and file - for Green River, near Munfordville, to reënforce Col. Wilder in defence of that point. The train ran very slowly until some distance below Elizabethtown, when I went forward and earnestly urged the engineer to greater speed, assuring him that it was all-important for us to reach Green River before daylight. He did increase the speed as far as safety would permit. Just below Bacon Creek, and about seven miles from Green River, the train stopped for wood. I immediately passed along the cars, aroused the men, and bid them stand by their arms in readiness for any emergency, as we were approaching dangerous ground. I then took position on the engine, and the train moved cautiously forward. We had proceeded about a mile when we ran upon a portion of the track which had been undermined by the enemy, and slid to one side in such a manner as to make the injury apparent to the engineer and myself. The train was thrown off and several of the cars completely wrecked, yet strange to say, not a man or horse were seriously injured. The men seemed inspired with even greater confidence, as if feeling themselves under the especial protection of an overruling Providence. On Tuesday evening, at seven P.M., I was again placed in command. By this time General Polk had crossed the river ten miles above, with the right wing of Bragg's army, and coming down on the north side, took up a position on the river hills commanding our works; the left wing under Hardee, having taken position on the hills on the south side. Bragg had sent a summons to surrender, and a consultation had been held late Tuesday evening with commanders of regiments, in which it was the unanimous expression, that unless enabled by reenforcements to hold the north side of the river, we could make no successful resistance. All, however, decided to resist, unless full evidence should be given of the overwhelming force of the enemy; and having They were immediately formed in line of batbeen informed that Gen. Buell's army had not tle, an instantaneous attack being expected. The left Bowling Green at two P.M., the day before, woods which skirted both sides of the road were and having been notified by you that we could promptly reconnoitred. No enemy appearing, get no help from Louisville, our ammunition for the regiment was put in rapid march for Munsmall arms being very limited, and our men worn fordville, presuming that the road had been deout by constant work and fighting for four days stroyed to prevent reënforcements from reaching and nights, and being satisfied that further re- that place. We had not proceeded far before sistance was no less than wilful murder of the cannonading in that direction was heard. It had brave men who had so long contested with over- now become daylight, and the men deposited their whelming numbers, I determined, after counting knapsacks and blankets in the thicket on the forty-five cannon in positions commanding our roadside and moved rapidly on. We soon met open field-works, and surrounded by over twen- crowds of frightened and fleeing citizens, from ty-five thousand men, with no possible chance of whom no satisfactory information could be got of assistance from any quarter, although promised the situation of affairs at, or of the forces investsuch by you from Bowling Green, to surrendering our works. When within between three or the entire force; which I did on Wednesday morning, at two A.M., marching out of the works at six A.M., with all the honors of war, drums beating and colors flying, we being allowed, by the terms of surrender, our side-arms and all private property, and four days' rations. Officers and men were immediately paroled, and are about to start for the Ohio River. I have the honor to be, your ob't servant, J. T. WILDER, COLONEL DUNHAM'S REPORT. LOUISVILLE, KY., September 30, 1862. To the A. A. General and Chief of Staff of the SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience to an order of Major-General Gilbert, on the thirteenth instant, at eleven o'clock P.M. left the dépôt of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad with six companies of the Fiftieth regiment Indi four miles of the place we were met by an intelligent citizen, of my acquaintance, who informed me that a cavalry force of the enemy, at least two thousand strong, and a battery of artillery were posted some distance this side of the river, and covering the road approaching our works which were upon the south bank, that guns were also so planted upon both banks of the river as to cover the bridges, and that he deemed it impossible for us to pass them and get in. But nothing daunted, our little force made a detour to the right, and, by keeping under the cover of the woods, and corn-fields, and down ravines, eluded the enemy and reached the river just below the railroad bridge and opposite our works. Here a momentary halt was made under the cover of the woods to close up the column and give the men a little rest. They then plunged into and forded the river at double-quick, between the two bridges, the first notice the enemy having of our approach being the hearty cheers of our beleaguered troops in the works. Fortunately for us, the guns of the enemy upon the northern bank, bearing upon the crossing, had just before, by a well-directed fire from our own, under Lieut. Mason, been silenced, and from those upon the southern side he had only time to throw a shell or two at our rear as it disappeared under the cover of the bank, resulting only in slightly wounding one man. His cavalry came dashing down in an attempt to cut us off, but only in time to be as hastily driven back, as we promptly turned and fired upon them. We found the engagement still progressing. By Gen. Gilbert's written order, the command was to go according to seniority, and I being the senior officer, Col. Wilder promptly tendered me the command, but I promptly refused to assume it, feeling that to do so during the progress of the engagement would be ungenerous in me and unjust to him; but I placed myself and force under his command. He has reported the proceedings of that day. On Monday, the fifteenth, I assumed command. The enemy had, under the cover of the night, withdrawn from before us the infantry and artillery to Cave City and the cavalry up the river. Work upon the intrenchments was at once resumed and pushed forward with vigor that day, the night following, and in fact throughout all the affair on Tuesday. Wagons were sent to the wrecked train for the provisions upon it, and steps successfully taken, by the aid of Mr. William Gibson, a patriotic Union citizen of Munfordville, of whom I cannot speak in too high praise, to bring in the ammunition which had been upon it, but which the loyal men of the neighborhood had carried to the woods and concealed. Efforts were also made to repair the telegraph line. Messengers were sent to different points northward to communicate to the headquarters in this city our situation, and inform them that we expected a renewal of the attack by a largely increased force, and ask for reenforcements. Messengers with a like object, I was informed, had been sent by Col. Wilder to Bowling Green. I regarded the place as of great importance to the Government, and made every effort to save it. On Monday night, reenforcements, under command of Colonel Owen, Sixtieth Indiana, were received from Lebanon Junction, consisting of a part of the Sixtieth Indiana, (four hundred and twenty men,) including one company of the Twenty-eighth Kentucky, Lieutenant Conaway, which had been attached to it for duty; a part of the Sixty-eighth Indiana, Colonel King, (five hundred and seventy men,) and a battery of six pieces, Captain Conkle in cominand. On Tuesday, the sixteenth instant, about halfpast nine A.M. the advance of the enemy attack ed our pickets on the south of our works, and from the direction of Cave City. His advance was sternly resisted by companies A, B, and H, Fiftieth Indiana, and part of company K, Seventyeighth Indiana, under Major Wells, who, as well as the officers and men under him, in this little skirmish, displayed great coolness and courage. They held the enemy's advancing column at bay for over an hour, and were only pressed back by overwhelming numbers. The object evidently was to avoid the field-work on our left, known as Fort Craig, from which he had been so fatally repulsed on Sunday, and, under the cover of the woods, to approach and carry by storm the breastworks of our right. But the promptness and energy with which he was met seemed to deter him from the attempt. Before eleven A.M. the engagement had become general along our south line, the heavy pressure being upon the west or right. The men were cool and eager for the expected assault. The fire was rapid and continuous on the part of the enemy, who kept himself under cover of the woods. Between two and three it slackened, and by three it had almost ceased, and, supposing the enemy had withdrawn from the woods which fronted our entire south line, and, being anxious to occupy the farther edge of it that I might be advised of, and check a renewed attack, company A, Fiftieth Indiana, Captain Barrell, was thrown out as skirmishers, to feel through it. They soon became hotly engaged with the enemy, who attempted to turn their left flank. I immediately ordered Captain Carothers, with company G, of the same regiment, to his support. The order was promptly obeyed and the company gallantly deployed under a galling fire. This was a bril liant little affair. In it Lieutenant Burton, of company G, fell severely wounded, nobly doing his duty.* Finding that the enemy still occupied the woods in force, our men were withdrawn under a fire from the works. I should also mention that company A, Sixtieth Indiana, was thrown out as skirmishers upon the left early in the engagement, and there remained for some time, doing excellent service with a loss of one man wounded. By half-past four the firing on both sides had nearly ceased, there being only an occasional shot from our guns as opportunity offered to prevent the planting of batteries by the enemy. Between five and six o'clock a flag of truce from the enemy was seen approaching, I sent Colonel Wilder to receive it. It covered a note from General Bragg, commanding the enemy's forces, asserting that we were surrounded by an overwhelming force, all hopes of reenforcements cut off, and demanding a surrender to save the loss of human life which must result from carrying the works by storm. I promptly and peremptorily declined, but when Colonel Wilder returned, after the delivery of my reply, and informed me that so far as he had been able to observe, the force against us was truly overwhelming, and especially in artillery, and situa tion critical, and being a senior officer of equal rank with several others in the works, some of whom had had greater experience, I, at his sug gestion, deemed it my duty to call a council of war of those officers. I desired also to gain time in hopes of relief from this place or from Bowling Green. I, therefore, sent a note to Gen. Bragg, Since dead. asking a further suspension of hostilities to give me time for consultation. He consented to such suspension until nine o'clock P.M. This was a point gained, as by that time it would be too late for further attack except by assault, which I felt able to repel. By this time I had got telegraphic communication with Louisville, and immediately telegraphed General Gilbert in substance that we had held the enemy, said to be Bragg's and Polk's whole army, at bay all day; that evidently fresh columns were being moved against us, and whether we should be able to continue to hold our position without assistance remained to be seen; that we should do the best we could. I received an answer ordering me to turn the command over to Colonel Wilder. I replied that under the circumstances I regarded the order as unjust, but should obey it. In the mean time the council had been convened, consisting of Colonels Owen, Wilder, King, Emerson, and Murray, Captain Conkle, and myself. The unanimous conclusion was, that if they had the force claimed, namely, over twenty-five thousand men and sixty pieces of artillery besides cavalry, it would be a useless sacrifice of human life to resist, and especially as by their artillery they could in spite of us occupy the heights north of the river, which completely covered our works. But it was also unanimously resolved that we should be permitted by some competent officer or officers to have actual observation of their strength or that we should demonstrate it by actual trial of arms. At the conclusion of the council I formally relinquished the command to Colonel Wilder who has reported the further proceedings. I at once telegraphed Brigadier-General Gilbert in substance that I had so relinquished the command, and that I should take my musket and go into the trenches, that as a senior under the circumstances I would not as an officer fight under a junior. I was immediately ordered by him to report to Colonel Wilder under arrest, which I did. It is but just that I should add that I did not object to serving under Colonel Wilder. Between him and myself had existed, and yet exist, the most friendly and cordial relations. We had in all things agreed, and no praise from me would add to his reputation as an officer. The proper authorities must judge from subsequent events whether my telegram to General Gilbert was such evidence of weakness as justified my removal from command, or whether it was simply evidence that I saw our peril and was not afraid to look it in the face. To that authority I shall also appeal for the justness of my arrest. Of the coolness and determined bravery of the men I cannot speak too highly. Of officers, when all did their duty well, especial praise seems almost out of place; yet some, of course, had better opportunities than others to display tact, coolness, and courage. Justice requires me to acknowledge my obligations to Lieutenant-Colonel Edward A. King, of the Nineteenth regulars, but now Colonel of the Sixty-eighth Indiana volunteers. He had position about midway of the south line of the works west of the railroad. Six companies of his regiment were held as a support in a hollow near by, the assault being anticipated in that direction, His experience, coolness, and close observation, even when shell and musket-balls flew thick and fast, were invaluable, and cannot be too favorably mentioned. Colonel Owen was in command of the fieldworks on the left, (Fort Craig,) with discretionary authority. I need scarcely say that it was a trust worthily confided. I should also mention the excellent conduct of Adjutant John R. Simpson, of the Fiftieth Indiana, and Lieutenant Pompella, of the Sixteenth Kentucky, who acted as my aids. On Sunday they boldly reconnoitred the woods along our march to guard us against surprise. On Tuesday they did their duty with a quiet fearlessness that deserves favorable notice. Our loss was one officer, Lieutenant Burton, and six privates wounded; one private mortally, and Lieutenant Burton dangerously, a musketball passing through both legs, and shattering the bone of one. The enemy's loss was over one hundred-said to be one hundred and five. The forces under my command during this affair were those men named by Colonel Wilder in his report, and the reënforcements thereto hereinbefore noticed. I am, respectfully, C. L. DUNHAM, Colonel Commanding United States Forces at Green River. N. B.-It is probably but just both to MajorGeneral Gilbert and myself to add that, since my arrival in this city, he has informed me that, within a few moments after issuing the order directing me to report to Colonel Wilder under arrest, he sent a despatch not only releasing me from arrest but restoring me to the command, but telegraphic communication being in the mean time cut off, it did not reach me. C. L. D., Respectfully, Colonel Commanding United States Forces at Green River. MAJOR-GENERAL JONES'S REPORT. To General S. Cooper, Adjutant-General C. S.: A courier from General Bragg's headquarters, eight miles west of Munfordville, on the night of the eighteenth instant, confirms the report that Bragg captured about five thousand men at Munfordville on the seventeenth instant. Our loss was about fifty killed and wounded. The same courier reports that up to the twelfth instant about twenty-three thousand Kentuckians had joined Gen. Smith, and they were still coming. The home guard was delivering up their guns as rapidly as they could be received. SAMUEL JONES, GENERAL BRAGG'S REPORT. Major-General. To General S. Cooper, Adjutant and InspectorGeneral: The garrison at this place surrendered last night without our firing a gun. We got four thousand (4000) prisoners, four thousand (4000) small arms, pieces of artillery and munitions in large quantities. BRAXTON Bragg. Doc. 122. BATTLE OF ANTIETAM, MD.* DESPATCH FROM GENERAL HOOKER. CENTREVILLE, MD., Wednesday, September 17. A GREAT battle has been fought and we are victorious. I had the honor to open it yesterday afternoon, and it continued until ten o'clock this morning, when I was wounded, and compelled to quit the field. The battle was fought with great violence on both sides. The carnage has been awful. I only regret that I was not permitted to take part in the operations until they were concluded, for I had counted on either capturing their army or driving them into the Potomac. My wound has been painful, but it is not one that will be likely to lay me up. I was shot through the foot. J. HOOKER, Brigadier-General. BRIGADIER-GENERAL COX'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, MOUTH OF ANTIETAM, September 23, 1862. Lieutenant-Colonel L. Richmond, A. A. G., Headquarters Right Wing, Major-General Burnside Commanding: SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the movements of the Ninth army corps on the sixteenth instant, and their parts in the battle of Sharpsburgh on the seventeenth. On the evening of the fifteenth instant the Ninth army corps having been ordered away from the remainder of the right wing, was encamped in the rear of the extreme left of the whole line of the army of the Potomac, close to the hills on the south-east side of the valley of the Antietam, and on the left of the road from Rohersville to Sharpsburgh. In the afternoon of the sixteenth the whole corps, except Wilcox's division, was moved for ward, and to the left and front, by command of Major-Gen. Burnside, in three columns, and took up a new position upon the rear slopes of the ridges on the left bank of the Antietam, the centre of the corps being nearly opposite the stone bridge over the stream on the above-mentioned road. Kanawha division, (the whole of the latter division being under command of Col. E. P. Scammon.) The columns were conducted to their new position by staff-officers of the personal staff of Gen. Burnside. The artillery of the command, except Benjamin's battery, was held in reserve. Shortly after day break on the seventeenth, the enemy's batteries opened upon the batteries of our line, and a brisk artillery fight began, in which Benjamin's battery and Durell's battery (the latter sent forward a little to the right of our position, under charge of Capt. Rawalle, by Gen. batteries of other corps on our right. Two of the Sturgis) took an active part, cooperating with enemy's caissons were exploded, and many of their guns silenced. The shot and shell fell thickly in our bivouac, but little damage was done us. About seven o'clock orders were received from Gen. Burnside to move forward the corps to the ridge nearest the Antietam and hold it in readiness to cross the stream, carrying the bridge and the heights above it by assault. The command was moved forward in columns as it had been formed the previous night, and promptly took position as directed, and the light artillery was advanced to cover the movement; McMullin's, Durell's, Clark's, Muhlenberg's and Cook's batteries being placed on the heights to right and left, and somewhat to the front of Benjamin's battery, to which a section of twenty-pounders from Simmons's battery was also temporarily attached. Wilcox's division was also brought up and held as a reserve. About nine o'clock the order was received to cross the stream. Immediately the Eleventh Connecticut infantry, Col. Kingsbury commanding, was detailed from Rodman's division to deploy as skirmishers, and drive the enemy from the head of the bridge. The column on the right (Crook's brigade of the Kanawha division, supported by Sturgis's division) was ordered to march under cover of the Eleventh Connecticut, and attempt to carry the bridge by assault, deploying to right and left as soon as the bridge should be carried, and taking the heights above it. The column on the left (Rodman's division, supported by Ewing's brigade of the Kanawha division) was ordered to cross, if possible, by a ford about one third of a mile below the bridge, take the heights above it, and join the column crossing by the bridge. The bridge itself is a stone structure of three arches, with stone parapet above, this parapet to some extent flanking the approach to the bridge at either end. The positions assigned the divisions of the command were as follows: The right front to be occupied by Crook's brigade of the Kanawha di- The valley in which the stream runs is quite vision, supported in rear by Sturgis's division; a narrow, the steep slope on the right bank apcommanding knoll in the centre to be occupied proaching to the water's edge. In this slope the by battery E, Second United States artillery, roadway is scarped, running both ways from the First Lieutenant Samuel N. Benjamin command-bridge and passing to the higher land above by ing, consisting of twenty-pounder Parrott guns; the left front to be occupied by Rodman's division, supported in rear by Ewing's brigade of the ascending through ravines, above and below-the other ravine being some six hundred yards above the bridge, the town about half that distance below. On the hill-side immediately above the * Further reports of this battle will be found in the Supple-bridge was a strong stone fence running parallel ment. to the stream, the turns of the roadway were covered by rifle-pits and breastworks made of rails and stone, all of which defences, as well as the woods which covered the slope, were filled with the enemy's infantry and sharp-shooters. Beside the infantry defences, batteries were placed to enfilade the bridge and all its approaches. The crest of the first hill above the bridge is curved toward the steam, forming a sort of natural tête de pont. The next ridge beyond rises somewhat higher, though with less regularity, the depression between the two being but slight, and the distance varying in places from three to seven hundred yards. fatigued the troops engaged, I sent a request to Gen. Burnside that Wilcox's division, which had been held in reserve on the left bank, might be sent over and take its place on the right front, putting Sturgis's division in reserve at the head of the bridge. This was immediately ordered by Gen. Burnside, and Gen. Wilcox came promptly forward with his command. During the interval the enemy kept up an incessant cannonade, and having the exact range of the valley and the ravines, his shells came in very fast, annoying us a good deal, causing numerous casualties, notwithstanding the men were kept lying on the ground near the crests of the hill, whilst the changes in the line and the partially new formation after the arrival of Wilcox's division were being made. In accordance with the order mentioned above, the Eleventh Connecticut advanced to the stream and warmly engaged the enemy across it. Crook's At about three o'clock, the necessary changes brigade in moving forward was brought under so in the line having been completed, the order to lively an infantry fire as well as that of artillery, advance was received from Gen. Burnside, and that it was forced to halt and open fire in return, the whole force, except Sturgis's division, was put and Sturgis's division passing by the rear came in motion. Gen. Wilcox on the right-his whole first to the bridge and was ordered to cross, division in line and supported by Col. Crookunder protection of the artillery-fire. General was ordered to move on Sharpsburgh, which lay Sturgis ordered forward the Second Maryland about a mile distant to the right of our front. and Sixth New-Hampshire, which charged at Gen. Rodman, supported by Col. Scammon, was double-quick, with fixed bayonets; but the con- ordered to move in the same direction, first discentrated fire upon the bridge forced them to fall lodging the enemy from his front, and then changback. After repeated brave efforts these regi-ing direction to his right, bringing his command ments were withdrawn and the Fifty-first New-in echelon on the left of Gen. Wilcox. York and Fifty-first Pennsylvania, from the same division, were ordered up. About the same time Col. Crook of the Second brigade, Kanawha division, succeeded in getting a section of Simmons's battery, supported by the Twenty-eighth Ohio infantry, in position to bear directly upon the enemy's position at the farthest end of the The troops moved forward in perfect order, and bridge, and, aided with these guns, the fresh with great enthusiasm. On the right, Gen. Wiltroops charged with great enthusiasm, bearing cox and Col. Crook quickly repulsed the enemy down all opposition, and at one o'clock planted and drove back their artillery, pushing victoritheir banner on the opposite bank. In this des-ously forward nearly to the village. On the left, perate fight in the Valley, Col. Kingsbury, of the Eleventh Connecticut, fell, cheering his men on to their duty. Gen. Sturgis's division immediately marched over, deploying one brigade to the right and the other to the left of the bridge, and advanced up the slope, driving the enemy before them. This division was followed by Col. Crook's brigade, of the Kanawha division, which took position on the right. The advance was partly covered by Simmons's, Muhlenberg's, Clark's and Cook's batteries, the other batteries of the corps being in part out of ammunition, and part being kept necessarily in position on the commanding ground on the left bank of the stream. General Rodman and Col. Scammon likewise advanced rapidly, driving the rebels before them. The enemy, however, were manifestly in much greater force than ours, and massed their troops heavily on the extreme left. This necessarily made the line of march of our left wing diverge from the course intended, and open a gap between it and the right, which it was necessary to fill by the troops of the second line. Batteries were accumulated against us upon the semi-circular ridge in advance, and the advancing line was subject to a most trying and destructive cross-fire of artillery. Meanwhile, Gen. Rodman's division and the First brigade of the Kanawha division, under Col. Scammon, had succeeded in crossing at the ford below, after a sharp engagement and under a The enemy now brought up more fresh forces heavy musketry and artillery-fire, and success-upon the left, and whilst Gen. Rodman was makfully took the position assigned, at the left of the ing disposition to meet them by a change of front line, of the crest above the bridge. The three of part of his command, he fell desperately wounddivisions of the corps, at this time on the right ed by a ball through his chest. The loss of their bank of the Antietam, occupied the exact posi- Commander at a critical period caused confusion tions assigned them before the commencement of in part of the division on the extreme left. the movement, except that on the right wing the Second brigade of his division, Col. Harlan comdivision of Sturgis was in front, and Crook's bri- manding, was forced to retire after an obstinate gade in support of it-the order being reversed contest in which they suffered terribly. Colonel by the causes before stated. Scammon, of the Kanawha division, being ordered to make disposition of the brigade with him to oppose the rebel force on the left, caused the The bitterly contested fight at the bridge having about exhausted the ammunition and greatly The |