Twelfth and Twenty-third Ohio regiments to execute a perpendicular change of front, which was done with precision and success, the other regiment of the brigade, (Thirtieth Ohio) maintaining its proper front. The whole line was now engaged, the supports being brought to the front, except the reserve division of Gen. Sturgis at the bridge. This was now ordered up, and came promptly, though much exhausted and weakened by its previous exertions during the day. The mass of the enemy on the left still continued to increase, new batteries were constantly opening upon us, and it was manifest the corps would, without reënforcements, be unable to reach the village of Sharpsburgh, since the movement could not be made to the right, whilst the enemy exhibited such force in front of the extreme left, and the attack both to the right and left at once would necessarily separate the wings to such an extent as to imperil the whole movement unwarrantably. The attack having already had the effect of a most powerful diversion in favor of the centre and right of the army, which, by this means, had been able to make decided and successful advances, and no supports being at the time available for our exhausted corps, I ordered the troops withdrawn from the exposed ground in front to the cover of the curved hill above the bridge which had been taken from the enemy earlier in the afternoon. This movement was effected shortly before dark, in perfect order and with admirable coolness and precision on the part of both officers and men. The line as then constituted was formed by Sturgis's division in front, on the left, supported by Fairchild's brigade of Rodman's division, the Kanawha division under Col. Scammon in the centre, and Wilcox's division on the right. The enemy did not venture an attack upon the position, but kept up a brisk artillery-fire until nightfall. great satisfaction with the manner in which all the subordinate commands of the corps were handled. The movements were accurate as those of a parade, and the systematic order with which they were executed, made the spectacle in the heat of the battle a grand and imposing one. Permit me also to express my obligation to the gentlemen on Gen. Burnside's staff for the intelligence, courage and unwearied industry they exhibited in the constant communication between him and the headquarters of this corps. The casualties in the corps during the day were two thousand two hundred and twenty-two (2222,) of which three hundred and fifty-seven were killed, one thousand seven hundred and fortytwo wounded, and one hundred and twenty-three missing. Among numerous officers killed and wounded, we have to mourn the loss of Col. Henry W. Kingsbury, Eleventh Connecticut; Lieut. Col. A. H. Coleman, commanding Eleventh O. V. I.; Lieut.-Col. M. Clark, commanding Thirty-sixth regiment O. V. I., and Lieut.-Col. Bell, commanding Fifty-first Pennsylvania. All these gallant officers were killed in the action whilst heroically leading their men under a terrible fire of shell, canister and musketry. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (A true copy.) BRIGADIER-GENERAL FERRERO'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, ANTIETAM, September 19, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that on Sunday, seventh instant, according to your orders, my brigade marched from Washington; that our march was resumed daily without noticeable incident, until Sunday, fourteenth instant, when we arrived at South-Mountain and engaged the enemy. The bravery and soldierly conduct of the men At three o'clock we marched up the Hagerswas most striking, and becomes still more notice-town road, leading over the mountain, almost to able when it is considered that for several days they had been marching and fighting, with scarcely any rest by night or day, and the rapidity of the movement had prevented their having any regular supplies of food, the supply train being detained at the rear by the advance of other troops. its summit, and there formed line of battle to support other lines then engaged. At about half-past three o'clock I advanced, by your orders, to the top of the heights, in advance of our other forces, and was unexpectedly fired upon from the woods by a large force of the enemy. The sudden fire produced temporary confusion in one of my new The batteries on the left bank of the Antietam regiments. It quickly recovered, however, rewere not only to assist in the movement of the forming under a severe fire. My command then corps, but were most efficiently turned upon the advanced, and after a long and hard fight, lasting enemy in his attack upon the centre and right of until nine P.M., drove the enemy from their posithe army. They were all very well served, and tion, and occupied the field. We retained posthe twenty-pounder battery and Lieut. Benjamin's session of the battle-field during the night, havwere especially efficient. In their reports (which ing our whole force on guard, momentarily exare transmitted herewith) the commandants of pecting a renewal of the attack. The enemy divisions and separate brigades speak in the high- posted their pickets within a few yards of our est terms of their troops, and make special men- lines, and during the night quietly withdrew their tion of numbers of officers and men who distin-main body. We captured about one hundred guished themselves. These are too numerous to be named in this report, but the whole list will very shortly be published in a special order from these headquarters. I must confine myself to the expression of my prisoners. In this battle all the troops under my command behaved with the greatest gallantry. I have to mention, as worthy of particular praise, the conduct of the Fifty-first regiment New-York volun teers, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel R. B. Potter ; the Fifty-first regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, commanded by Colonel J. F. Hartrauft; and the Twenty-first regiment Massachusetts volunteers, commanded by Colonel W. S. Clark. Col. E. A. Wild, of the Thirty-fifth Massachusetts volunteers, was wounded severely in the arm while forming his regiment under the enemy's fire. I annex a list of killed and wounded in this engagement, amounting to killed, ten; wounded, eighty-three; missing, twenty-three; total, one hundred and sixteen. On the fifteenth instant, at one o'clock, we resumed our march in pursuit of the enemy, coming up with them near Antietam Creek, and bivouacking in front of their lines. During the morning of the sixteenth we remained in line of battle, the shells from the rebels dropping thickly in our midst. At two o'clock we changed our position, moving, nearer to the creek, in readiness to attack the enemy in the morning. On the morning of the seventeenth, at about nine o'clock, by your orders I advanced my forces toward the stone bridge crossing Antietam Creek -a bridge naturally almost impregnable, and very strongly fortified by the enemy. We formed line of battle in a corn-field near the bridge, and awaited the result of the attack of some of our other forces that had preceded my brigade in the attempt to cross the creek. The passage of the bridge was, however, very obstinately disputed, and at length I received orders from you to move forward my brigade, and carry the bridge at all hazards. I accordingly moved forward my command, and carried the bridge at the point of the bayonet at one o'clock, losing, in doing so, a very large number of officers and men. The Fifty-first regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, commanded by Col. J. F. Hartrauft, led the charge, followed by the Fifty-first New-York volunteers, Lieut.-Col. R. B. Potter, the Thirty-fifth Massachusetts volunteers, Lieut.Col. Carruth, and the Twenty-first Massachusetts volunteers, Col. W. S. Clark. After carrying the bridge, I moved forward one regiment to the summit of the hill, to retain the position gained until reënforcements should arrive, holding the rest of my command on the banks of the creek. During the afternoon, the enemy, being reenforced, and with heavy supports of artillery, advanced to drive our forces from their position. According to your orders, I moved forward my brigade to resist this movement, and forming line advanced under a storm of shot and shell. My troops when entering this second battle were nearly out of ammunition, but firing every round they had in their boxes, they quietly placed themselves on the ground in their positions, and remained until other regiments had formed in front to relieve them, when, by my orders, they retired in good order from the field, and again marched to the banks of the creek. I cannot sufficiently commend the bravery of the troops of my command during these engagements. Both officers and men behaved with the greatest gallantry, and I cannot help expressing the pride I feel in commanding such valiant soldiers as they have proved themselves. I have to mourn the loss, in this last battle, of Lieut.-Col. Bell, of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania volunteers, a gallant and efficient officer and amiable gentleman killed at the stone bridge by a shell. Lieut.-Col. Carruth, of the Thirty-fifth Massachusetts, was slightly wounded. I annex a list of killed, wounded, and missing, amounting to killed, ninety-five; wounded, three hundred and seventy-one; missing, six; total, four hundred and seventy-two. Loss in both engagements, five hundred and eighty-eight. I have the honor to be, General, Your most obedient servant, EDWARD FERRERO, Brigadier-General. Brigadier-General S. D. STURGIS, Commanding Second Division, Ninth Army Corps. REPORT OF GENERAL FRENCH. HEADQUARTERS FRENCH'S DIVISION, SUMNER'S CORPS, Lieut.-Colonel Taylor, Chief of Staff, Sumner's COLONEL: My division, composed of Brig.-Gens. Max Weber's and Kimball's brigades, and three regiments of new levies, under the command of Col. Dwight, (Fourteenth Connecticut,) having been in readiness since daybreak on the seventeenth instant, was put in motion by order of the General commanding the corps at about half-past seven o'clock A.M. The Antietam Creek was forded by the division marching in three columns of brigades, Max Weber on the left, the new regiments in the centre, and Kimball's brigade on the right. When my left flank had cleared the ford a mile, the division faced to the left, forming three lines of battle, adjacent to and contiguous with Sedgwick's, and immediately moved to the front. The enemy, who was in position in advance, opened his batteries, under which fire my lines steadily moved, until the first line, encountering the enemy's skirmishers, charged them briskly, and entering a group of houses on "Ronlette's " farm, drove back the force which had taken a strong position for defence. While Max Weber was clearing his front and driving before him the enemy's first line, a sudden and terrible fire was opened upon his right by the troops which had succeeded in breaking the centre divisions of the line of battle. At the same time a heavy column endeavored to turn my left and rear. At this moment Capt. Sumner communicated to me, from the General commanding the corps, that his right divisions were being severely handled, and directed me to press the enemy with all my force. Appreciating the necessity of the order, without waiting for the new regiments to recover from the disorder incident to their long march in line through woods, corn-fields, and over fences, I left them in reserve, and ordered Kimball to charge to the front. With an unsurpassed ardor, this gallant brigade, sweeping over all obstacles, soon crowned the crest of the hills on our left and right, planting their regimental banners in defiance to those of the rebels, who, flushed with a supposed victory, dared to face us. I refer the General commanding to the reports of brigadiers and their colonels for the details of the battle sustained by my division. The gallantry and coolness of Gen. Max Weber excited the admiration of the whole command. With consummate skill and judgment he led the attack, and left the field reluctantly, severely wounded. General Kimball, Second brigade, brought his veterans into action and fought the enemy on the front and either flank, with such desperate courage and determination as to permit the arrival of reenforcements, which reached the field three hours after my division had sustained the conflict. REPORT OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL KIMBALL. GENERAL: On the morning of the seventeenth instant, in obedience to your order, my brigade crossed Antietam Creek, and was formed into line of battle on the left of Gen. Sedgwick's division and in the third line- Generals Weber and Morris forming the first and second lines. In this position I moved directly forward about three fourths of a mile, when General Weber encountered the enemy's pickets and drove them back, and soon came upon the enemy in force, posted in a strong position in an orchard, cornfield, ditches, and upon the hill-sides. At this moment, in obedience to your order, I moved my brigade forward and formed my line in front, on the left of Gen. Weber. My right wing, consisting of the Fourteenth regiment Indiana volunteers, Col. Harrow, and the Eighth regiment Ohio volunteers, Lieut.-Col. Sawyer commanding, was posted on the hill-side in front of the orchard, their left resting on a lane running in the directhe Seventh regiment Virginia volunteers, Col Richardson's division supported me with that Snyder, and the One Hundred and Thirty-secsuccess which always distinguishes that noble ond regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, Col. Oakcorps. Brooks's brigade was particularly con- ford commanding, resting on an extension of the spicuous. same line, their right resting on the lane running I particularly ask attention to the report of toward Sharpsburgh, and their left extending toGeneral Kimball, to whom the division is indebt-ward the creek. Directly on my front, in a nared for a brilliant display of courage never sur-row road running parallel with my line, and, bepassed. ing washed by water, forming a natural rifle-pit between my line and a large corn-field, I found the enemy in great force, as also in the corn-field in the rear of the ditch. As my line advanced to the crest of the hill a murderous fire was opened upon it from the entire force in front. My advance further was checked, and for three hours and thirty minutes the battle raged incessantly, without either party giving way. The enemy having been reënforced, made an attempt to turn my left flank by throwing three regiments forward entirely to the left of my line, which I met and repulsed with loss by extending my left wing, Seventh Virginia and One Hundred and Thirtysecond Pennsylvania, in that direction. Being foiled in this, he made a heavy charge on my centre, thinking to break my line, but was met by my command and repulsed with great slaughter. I then in turn ordered a charge, which was promptly responded to, and which resulted in driving the enemy entirely from the ditches, etc., and some distance into the corn-field beyond. In this charge my command captured about three hundred prisoners, and the enemy in his flight leaving on the field several stands of colors, which were taken by some parties outside of my brigade, whilst we were pursuing him. At this time a brigade of Gen. Richardson's division advanced to my relief on the left of my line, securing that flank from further assaults. In the mean time, the line on my right having been abandoned, the enemy made an attempt to turn that flank, After the arrival of reenforcements, the exhaustion of ammunition brought my line from the crests it had carried to the second line, which, being supplied, my troops were ready to continuetion of Sharpsburgh-my left wing, consisting of the action. My staff, Lieuts. Plume and French, aids-decamp, who have been through every battle, with myself, fought by McClellan's army, it is sufficient to say, did their duty. Surgeon Grant organized his division hospital under fire. The Division Commissary, Lieut. Schiefner, and Lieut. Hale, Fourteenth Connecticut, Division Ordnance Officer, were strenuous in their exertions to supply the command. The conduct of the new regiments must take a prominent place in the history of this great battle. Undrilled, but admirably armed and equipped, every regiment, either in advance or reserve, distinguished itself, but according to the energy and abilities of their respective commanders. The report of Col. Morris, Fourteenth Connecticut, commanding brigade, exhibits the services of his command. There never was such material in any army, and in one month these splendid men will not be excelled by any. Receiving orders from the General-in-Chief (Gen. McClellan) to hold my position to the last extremity, it was done, but not without terrible loss. My loss was one thousand eight hundred and seventeen; killed and wounded, one thousand six hundred and fourteen, and missing, two hundred and three. The flags, prisoners, and arms captured are detailed in the subordinate reports. W. H. FRENCH, officer and man behaved with such signal bravery and coolness, it would be invidious to make distinction by mentioning names of a part only. I cannot speak in too high praise of the officers of my staff, to whom I am indebted for valuable services rendered to me on the field. My Adjutant-General, Capt. E. D. Mason, behaved with great coolness, and received a very painful wound during the engagement. The conduct of Lieuts. Swigart, Marshall, and Burrell, throughout the entire fight, was highly commendable, and exhibited a high degree of gallantry, efficiency, and personal bravery. They were proved by a test such as it is seldom the lot even of veterans to encounter, and the result has been highly honorable to them. I recommend them to the consideration of the Commanding General. I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, NATHAN KIMBALL, Brig.-General Commanding First Brigade. and by that to gain my rear, and succeeded in After the firing had ceased on my front, the enemy seemed to have concentrated his force on the force of Gen. Richardson's command. Col. Brooks, commanding a brigade, sent to me for assistance. You having previously ordered Col. Morris, commanding Second brigade, to take orders from me, I ordered him to Col. Brooks's assistance. The loss in my command is as follows: Missing. To Brig.-Gen. FRENCH, Commanding Division. REPORT OF LIEUT.-COLONEL SAWYER. ON THE FIELD NEAR ANTIETAM CREEK, MD., SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the killed and wounded of the Eighth regiment Ohio volunteers, and of the part taken by the regiment in the battle on this field of yes We left our bivouac, on the east side of the creek, with your brigade, early on the morning of the seventeenth, and moving in our proper position in line, forded Antietam Creek, and deployed in line of battle on the hills, our position being to the left of the Fourteenth Indiana. So soon as the line was formed, by your order we moved directly to the front and upon the enemy, who appeared to be masked behind fences, cornfields, and in ditches on the crests of a series of ridges. We gained the position assigned us under a perfect storm of the enemy's ball and shell, where, in connection with the other regiments of your brigade and French's division, we maintained, from nine o'clock A.M. until near one P.M., our position, under a most sanguinary fire of musketry and shell. The enemy were within twenty rods of our position in strong force, and were repeatedly reënforced during the action, and had, besides, the advantage of considerable cover at points very near us. The position of the Fourteenth Indiana and Eighth Ohio was greatly This number embraces officers and men. Lists exposed, and the battle raged along our lines with from the several regiments, with name and rank, such fury as almost to threaten our annihilation, together with the reports of Col. Harrow, Col. but not a man faltered or fell back. Our ammuSnyder, Lieut.-Col. Sawyer, and Lieut.-Col. Wil-nition being exhausted, the cartridge-boxes of cox are forwarded herewith. Among the killed the dead and wounded were rifled to supply our and wounded are many brave and gallant officers. arms. The enemy were finally driven from our Col. R. A. Oakford, One Hundred and Thirty-front, but the lines to the right of the Fourteenth second Pennsylvania volunteers, was killed while Indiana giving way, the enemy attempted to turn leading his regiment. He was a brave officer, that flank; but the Fourteenth Indiana and and died like a hero. Capt. Coons, Acting Lieut.- Eighth Ohio rapidly and gallantly changed their Colonel, and Capt. Cavins, Acting Major, Four- front, and drove the enemy back with great teenth Indiana volunteers, were wounded while slaughter. At this time, other troops coming to gallantly leading their commands. Where every the front, I brought off the Eighth to replenish ་་ Killed. Wounded. 14th Regt. Ind. Vols.... 80 151 8th Ohio 32 129 Va. 64 29 116 80 114 121 510 7th 182d " 8 its ammunition, by your order, and then took position with the brigade further to the right. We were not engaged again during the day, but were constantly annoyed and suffered some from the enemy's shell, which continued to fall among us till dark. During the entire engagement, my officers and men behaved with the utmost gallantry-not a man gave way. Our colors received seventeen balls, but were never once depressed during the storm of battle. Major A. H. Winslow and Lieut. David Lewis, Acting Adjutant, were constantly at their posts, and performed all their duty. All my officers and men who were present deserve especial mention, but as they fought under your own eye, it is unnecessary now. Our record of losses is a long and sad one. We went into action with seventeen officers and three hundred and twenty-four men, of whom two officers were killed and seven wounded. Of the noncommissioned officers and privates, thirty were killed and one hundred and twenty-two wounded, and five missing, probably killed. Appended hereto is a list of killed and wounded, name and company; also Corporal W. W. Farmer, killed the day previous. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, FRANKLIN SAWYER, Brig. Gen. N. KIMBALL, Lieut.-Col. Commanding. Commanding Brigade. from their dead and wounded comrades. After twelve M. the enemy retired, and my regiment was not again engaged during the day, but lay upon their arms until night, under a hot fire of shot and shell from the enemy's batteries. My officers and men, without a single exception, conducted themselves with a courage and daring seldom equalled and never surpassed. I cannot mention one without naming all. We went into the fight with three hundred and twenty men, and lost in killed and wounded one hundred and eighty-one. A list of the names and rank of each is herewith furnished. My Adjutant, J. J. P. Blinn, was with me during the day, and conducting himself as only a brave man can, bearing messages for me, and when not thus engaged, remaining by my side, witnessing the heroic conduct of his regiment. General, our record is a proud one, but one which can never be thought of, save with feelings of the most intense sorrow for the brave dead and wounded. W. HARROW, Very respectfully, Colonel Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers, REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BRUNDAGE. HEADQUARTERS Third Brigade, I have the honor to report that on the morning of September seventeenth, 1862, the late Colonel OFFICIAL REPORT OF COLONEL HARROW, FOUR- Wm. B. Goodrich, of the Sixtieth regiment New TEENTH INDIANA. BATTLE-FIELD, NEAR SHARPSBURGH, MD., September 19. General Kimball, Commanding First Brigade York State volunteers, being in command of this brigade, was ordered to take the brigade, then composed of the Sixtieth and Seventy-eighth regiments New-York State volunteers, Third Delaware and Purnell Legion, into the field, on the right of the line of battle. Before getting into line, the Purnell Legion was ordered into some other position of the field, which reduced the line to the three first-named regiments. On getting into position skirmishers were thrown out on the right and left, who cleared the woods of the enemy's sharp-shooters. While thus engaged, and about an hour after the commencement, the Colonel commanding was mortally wounded and borne from the field. The command then devolved upon Lieut.-Col. Austin, of the Seventyeighth New-York volunteers, who remained in command during the day. About an hour and a half after this time orders were received to withdraw the brigade from the field, and the line was shortly after re-formed about half a mile to the rear of its former position. The brigade remained in this position till nearly dark, when they received orders from yourself to rejoin the division. SIR: I report as follows: On the morning of the seventeenth instant, in obedience to your order, my regiment moved forward on the right of the brigade, advancing rapidly toward the enemy, who were then engaging our lines. We passed through an orchard, emerging into a ploughed field, receiving during the execution of this movement a rapid fire from the enemy-this about eight A.M. We ascended the hill in front and occupied the crest, from which position we engaged the enemy, sheltered under ditches, rocks, and fences, with a large reserved force in a field of corn in their rear. The contest here continued for near four hours, during all which time the enemy poured upon us a terrific and murderous fire from infantry, also of grape and shell thrown from a battery on our right and front. In our immediate front as many as eight stand of rebel colors were exhibited at a time. My regiment went into the fight with sixty rounds of cartridges, and after firing the last one, the enemy were discov- This report is made from recollection only, no ered moving in heavy force upon my right flank. data having been kept, as the command was not At this moment my own regiment and the Eighth handed over to me till late in the evening. I Ohio volunteers, Colonel Sawyer commanding, on deem it just, however, to make honorable menmy left, immediately changed their front, and tion of the coolness and bravery of officers and formed at a right angle to our original line. The men in action, especially of the true soldierly line thus formed was held and the enemy re-bearing of Col. Goodrich, the daring and courage pulsed, our men using the ammunition taken of Lieut.-Col. Austin, and the valuable service of |