Our army correspondence.
the campaign across the Potomac.
On Saturday, the 6th of September, the Confederate army reached Frederick City, in Maryland, encamping, for the most part, a mile or two Southeast of the city, on the side towards Washington. But few forces actually entered Frederick until Tuesday, the 9th. On the day and the next, our whole army took up the line of march, passing through Frederick westward, on the turnpike leading to Hagerstown. Apart of the army proceeded as far as the latter place.
A few days after, one portion crossed the Potomac at or near Williamsport, and marched to Harper's Ferry, via Martinsburg. The Yankee forces at the latter place fell back to Harper's Ferry — which place was invested by our forces on both sides of the river. The attack was begun on Sunday, the 13th. and on Monday morning, the 14th, the entire Yankee army capitulated. It was commanded by General White. The Federal General, D. S. Miles, was killed. We took over 11,000 prisoners, besides about 1,000 runaway slaves, a large number of Union refugees, over 13,000 small arms, from 50 to 70 pieces of artillery, and stores and ammunition to the value of several millions of dollars.
The prisoners, including officers, were paroled, and the captured slaves, arms, and other property, sent back to places of safety.
On Friday, the 12th (two days after our main army had passed westward from Frederick,) McClellan approached Frederick with his grand army from the direction of Washington, his first object being the rescue of his army at Harper's Ferry.
In this he was completely foiled by the genius of our noble chieftain, Gen. Lee. He had so arranged that General Longstreet, with his command, held ‘"young Napoleon"’ in check until the Yankee forces at the Ferry had capitulated--and this almost in sight of McClellan ! Longstreet then fell back to unite with Jackson and Hill, who, having finished their job at the Ferry, marched to join him.
On Tuesday, the 16th of September, the two grand armies encountered each other near Sharpsburg, in Maryland. The scene of conflict was a valley about two miles wide, running south from Boonsboro' to the Potomac river near Sharpsburg; the latter place being near the Maryland side of the Potomac, and some miles up the river from Shepherdstown. This valley is divided by the Antietam creek, which runs down it into the Potomac a few miles below Shepherdstown. On the east side of the valley and of the Antletam lay McClellan, with the abrupt Blue Ridge mountain behind him. On the west side of the Antletam lay Gen. Lee's army, with high mountains rising in his rear.
The battle commenced on Tuesday afternoon, was renewed on Wednesday, and was continued until the night of that day. At that time Jackson had driven back the enemy's right wing for several miles, while Longstreet and Hill had also forced back his centre and left — we holding the battlefield, but McClellan still holding a position between the Antietam and the Blue Ridge.
The battle was one of the hardest fought of the war. The Hon. Alex'r R. Boteler, in a speech made here last night, just after his arrival from the army. stated that it was estimated that our losses would not exceed in killed, wounded, and missing, 5,000--while that of the enemy was estimated at 20,000.
There was no fighting on Thursday. On that night our army crossed, without molestation and in good order, to this side of the river, near Shepherdstown. Of the plan for their future movements I know nothing. Whether we are to recross after the equinoctial storms are over, or whether this is to be the end, for this season, of our trans. Potomac campaign, Gen. Lee knows, but not I.
If this is to be the end for the present, the two weeks across the Potomac has been so full of success and glory that every Southern heart should feel full of pride and joy. The capture of the whole Harper's Ferry army — the greatest capture of prisoners, &c., ever made one time on this continent — was sufficient reward for the crossing of the Potomac.
One word as to the reception of our army on the Maryland side. Many may be disappointed. Recruits came by hundreds, when they were expected by some to have joined us by thousands. But we must take into consideration that the army remained at Frederick but three days; that the whole route through which we passed was that part of the State considered most strongly Union; that even the Southern men of that section, before joining our army and risking their all, wished to know whether the movement was to be a mere temporary raid, or an effort for permanent relief.--When we consider these things we can well understand why it was idle to expect any more from Maryland than we actually received. Even as things were, large numbers were on their way to join our army at the very time it was leaving Since we left, every man who made any show of open welcome to the Confederate army has been arrested by Lincoln's minions.
Winchester, Sept. 19th.1862.
My last letter was from Giles county, Now, after forty-eight hours staging, I am in Winchester.
Of course, you have heard all about the Harper's Ferry affair.
I met to-day hundreds of negroes, taken at Harper's Ferry, going home with their owners, and most of them seemed in fine spirits, singing ‘"Carry me back to Old Virginia,"’ &c.,
I have just seen several gentlemen just from the battle-field of Wednesday last, which is said to have been the severest fight of the war. It was fought near Hoonsberough, which is nineteen miles west of Frederick city. The lines extended about six miles along Anrietam creek, which runs into the Potomac. It is said that we drove them back several miles on the left, and held our own on the right. It was an all day fight, and the loss on our side considerable — on the past of the enemy
immense. General Anderson says we must have killed ten to one. We held the battle field Gen. Sumner and another Yankee General sent a flag of truth for permission to bury their dead. --Jackson told them when their General-in-Chief sent a flag of truce it would be listened to and answered. Last night our whole army recrossed the Potomac, and by 9 o'clock this morning (without losing a man or a dollars worth) all were on the Virginia side.--The position of the enemy was strong, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountain, where we drove them, which were filled with heavy batteries; and, besides, if we had followed up our victory we could not have pursued the enemy because there was but one road, and that was strongly fortified by the enemy, and we could not follow them through the mountains.
Whilst I am writing loud calls are made for the Hon. Mr. Boteler, who made a short, but good speech. He stated that he had just returned from the battle field; that our victory was decided; that our loss would not in all exceed five thousand, and that of the enemy was at least twenty thousand; that we permitted the enemy to bury their dead and our men mixed with them and conversed freely; that he supposed the reason General Lee recrossed the Potomac was to rest and get his men in better condition, as many of them had marched from Manassas without shoes; that at this season of the year when the equines is at hand, and a rise in the Potomac may be expected, which would cut off our supplies, it was not prudent to remain on the other side; that be had every confidence in General Lee and all our Generals; that the withdrawal from Maryland is only temporary, and that she must and would be redeemed. Loud calls were then made for Ex Gov. Lowe, but he did not appear. He is here, but seems much jaded.--Most of our army is near Shepherdstown, Va. General Anderson was wounded in the thigh — a flesh wound. General Toombs was also slightly wounded. He is said to have acted gallantly, and with two regiments beat back an immense force, when he was reinforced and routed the enemy.
I will write you again to-morrow, and tell you all I can learn of the killed and wounded. About two thousand wounded will be here by to-morrow night.
