The New York Herald Newspaper, September 19, 1862, Page 1

= WHOLE NO. 9502. g : ra : ' Pret | ; IMPORTANT WAR NBWS. The Great Battle of An- - tiotam Valley. THE CARNAGE AWFUL. The Loss in Killed and Wounded on Both Sides About Tymive Thousand. Our Special Despatches from the Batile Field. Official Despatch from General _. Hooker. GENERAL MANSFIELD KILLED @enerals Hooker, Harteuff, Dur- yee, Richardson, Sedgwick French, Sumner, Dana, Meagher, Ricketts, Max Weber and Redman Weunded. The Union Army in Fine Condition and Confident of Success. All the Rebels to be Captured or Destroyed. Additional Details of the South Mo tain Battle. Ween Whousand Rebels @inee Sunday. Faken ANOTHER BATTLE EXPECTED, @oncontration of All the Rebel Troops for a Final Desperate Struggle. THE CRISIS, &e., ae, a. ANTIETAM VALLEY. THE BATTLE OF SPROLAs. DRSPAICHKS 10 THY HERALD. ‘Auone vax Buvk Movwrains, Md., Sept. 18, 1862. ‘Weaterday a great battle was fought in the Antictam valley gbetwoen the national army under General MoCict Mam OR the Whole rebel army (the divisions of the two "fl, Inoknen's, Longatreot’s and Mclawe’ divisions) eptsr Govern: Lee. ‘@ue loft rested on the western slopeof Fik Ridge Moun- dp, and oor right wasat a point, about three miles north @ Gaspabusyg, the Sine of batile stretching across the weblag Dobween these points. The rebels were massed in e04 around Sharpsburg. @em. Hooter , who commended on ony right, opened the Restle at daylight. His attack was moat impetuous, aad, toagh the rede!s fought with great obstinacy, they were @eiven by noon abouts mile and a hal frow their tirst penition, Gen. Hooker was wounted in the foot, aud Gen. Ricketts assumed command of the corps. Boen after Gea, Hooker's adyarive bogan, ong batieries @@ the various eminenves became cng: with numerous FORA datteries on the bills about Sharpsburg, and » mag- wiBeent artillery fight ensued, greatly to our alyantage. ‘Weve tho haitlo passed down tho Jine, and about neon our BoM, under G@oneral Burnaide, became hotly engaged ‘there. The battic raged furtously at every poivt, and tho wobels were driven over three of the small spurs of the mountain, though they still kept their order, Adout nightfall our eentre was advanced equal to the @iptance gained by the two wings, aud both forces lay on Rete arms ready, opperently to renew Ue combat at dawn, ‘Tho jones is full # thonsand killed and five thousand wounded. It ja, probably, about equal on both sides, Nan Boovssono, Sept, 1i—Miduigut. A @erious victory for the Union arms closes ‘the history of We terribic contest which has been waged with frenzy on Doth sides during two days past, Tho battle Sold is in the « Peslerstown Valley, noar Sharpsburg, en@ four miles rom Boonsboro. On either side rise gradual slopes of the mountain. The valo between these heights is one of the Doveliost the Ged of nature ever gave ag the home of bis q@emmure, man. ‘Wo rebels, acknowledging @ defeat on Sunday by their eaptd departure from the field, a natural stronghold four atlas eastward of this town, started im hot haste from (oir position tm Portorstowa Valley, Our cavalry wapidly pursued their rear threugh the Gretta & Boonsboro, throwing them inte confusion, oa taking many prisoners. At daylight’en the morning of yooterday the Deaviest fighting of tho war e@ommenced towards eur left, near Codystown, and con- Maved without Intermission the entire day, resulting a ‘Na elee in our holding the field fought on, with an im. ran occurred, and this in ne meagure interfered with the prosecat. © he day's work of slaughter. At day\i, to fight was renewed on the left wing, she rebels ope i. with artillery {rem an eminence 0B our troops in @ ravine below. Our artillesy responded, silenc- ing ta measure the enemy’s batteries, Our infantry ‘fon steadi'y advapeed, under the cover of the fire from the artillery then supporting ‘he eclumn in the Tear, From potition te position were the rebels driven in this manner, advances against the rebel line, bona side bayonet charges were made by this portion of the Union army, all of which were successful, On the right of Our ines from pine o’eloek this morning a deter- mined contest was waged, at one time with varying sue cose, When nightfall came @n, success had been giorions on all portionsiof the line, our troops driving the rebels at evory enslanght upon them to a new position, Your correspondent reached the scene about five o'clock. Then the firing was not half so in- cexsant ag it had beon during the day, dud was more rapkt and deafening than any I have hoard heretofore im the war, exceeding Mulverm Hill and Gaines’ Min by far, In the middie of this day 1. am told that the eannonading equalled the roar of Hea- ven’s thigh artiliery, The position fom which I saw tho fight, at a point near General MeClellan’s headquar- rs, where the signa} gorps weré*working, was & magnificent one fer obeervation of the entire fleld of fight. Not being acquainted with the disposition of our own and the redol forees, (cannot enter into details of this the vreatest battle of modern times, but hope to do so at no remote heur. I could dircerm from my place of observation the steady advance of our infentry ayaingt the euemy, avd see the lond-mouthed ordnance of the rebols belch forth their mizeiles of death into their ranks. I covld see the steadiness of our troops under the most galling and rapid fire of the enemy, as they marched forward to rejoin new ground from the enemy. To say that our men fought well bardiy expresses u moiety of the valor dis played on this memorabio, never te be forgotten day. ‘The rebeis resisted cur first attacks with their accus_ tomed volor, stubborness aud desperation, and enly yielded ground when it was literally covered with dead aud maimed, The artillery on both sides was splendidly worked, aud id terribie execution. ‘The buik of the fighting has beeh done with artillery as close range to-iay, and with terrible cect om the rebels, Some brillant infanury mane@uvres have heen executed on the feld by our troops during the day. Asupporting cottinn has been at end on onr tives during the entire action. This foresight of our great General more than once saved the fortunes of the day from going with the rebels when they attacked apparently vulnerable points in superior foree, At ene time a portion of ovr right wavered uader a pushing eharge of the enemy. Cover wor yained near a fence, and the men ordered to fai on ‘the enemy’s fire passed gener: iv arnilesely over the heads of our troops, whe a destruetive voiley int them into such confusion porting column under G the work of destruction. ‘nar haye ceased long since in the earlier puto? wight, Tho fleld whereonsvas fought this most eventfd fight, as far as I have examinod it, presents a gh y appearance, viewed by the glare of the flick- % lights of the sextons of the battletiela, who are already at theiy dreadiut, yet hamane work. Locked tn the ombrace of cold, cold death, aike Jay the bodies of thousands of Unjonieta and rebels, foes no longer dis. pating at the bayonct’s peint for the possession of the eoif eo oft Maryland but a few short hours ago. How calen'y, vopigntodly they repose now on the hitteek side or mountain slope! What a time for sentiment, when the shricks and wails of the wounded fet! on my ear, borne thither by every breeze from the mountain, ‘Let the dead bury thelr dead,” Ilow the howling winds carry the wailing cry along 8a it cxtapes from the poor maimed aoldier: on the sanguimary field. Methinks I hear its echoes in Nerthern and Southern homes, in the homes by tle Green Mountains, or the mug- noll outed cottages of Luc sunny South. A truce to moralizing. Seldier true aud brave, sleep ‘on im your everlasting grave. He has fought bis last battle. he siee))s bis lass sleep; No sound can awake bim to gtory again. Jt is ecrtuin that the enemy will cive ws fight again iv the morning, a8 they cannot cross the river under our close pursuit. Wordl that ®ey wonlé surrender and save further effusion of human blood. ‘To-day it hae poured rain. The reveis appear to gain desperation and stubbornness with every recurring disns- ter. If they fight to-morrow it will be with imcreased desperation aud stubboraness. This evening they re- treated rapidly through Sharpsburg, our forces #helling them ss they went. Just ax the shades of eveuing quickly gather, large fires.are cen in that direction, lighting the surronnding country with @ Inrid glare. The shells of our artillery hava dovbiless kindled flames in dweilimgs and borns, destroy ing the fruits of years and months of husbandmen’s labor aud his happy homestesd. J would that I could go, even At this lele hour of the night, exhausted as] am by the fatigue of the saddte daring five days’ ride of over two hunéred miles, Into the details of @ straggle, which the children of my chiklven will read with interest-—de~ toile that will be tranamuittéd from sire to sou for many generations. Such a t am possessed of now ave frag moutary and in some caass contradictory, and would con- fuse rather than enlighten, Ia the moroing 1 will tio again te the scenes and endeavor to glean a connected account from the mass of exciting rumors and etatemonte 80 prevatling in the confusion of the night. As te the frnits of the victory, they are hloowy indeed— in fact purchased by sufferings sueh ## are all sioutly contested battles, T haye heard an officor remark, thay this is the only honest battle we have fought—meaning, I suppose, that all of our officers tried (o whip the rebor Phe conduct of the now troopa bas been w/imi entitling them to the places that they Lave been assigned’ alongside of the yeleran regimepts. ‘Thoy have been, as a general truly remarked to-day, ‘vaptized in blood.’s The ordeal throngh which they have pusted, has been a flery one, that would have blancned the cheeks % votorana of other fielda; and yet their valor and prowosg have stood the tesl, and they vindicate and confirm the confidence our government has ever had in ber citizen soldiory. An immense hamber of prisoners have faifen into our hands—how muny it ie impossible to aay. I mot them all along th road, and conversed with them as they lay in the hospital. The y acknowledge @ crushing, over whetming dofest, I do not think six thousand is too high an eetimate for the aumbor taken in the fights singo Sun- day. In eome caves whole regiments fell into our bands. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded is frightful, Our artillery gave them enfiading Gres, literally aweep. yng their advancing columus, while our iufantry charges and fire caused sad bavoo, Our lone is quite severe, especially iv officers. Geno. ral and fel officers especially fell victims to the rebel fire, which at times, ‘im the earlier part of the day, was very animated and well directed, Indeed, at one time it seemed as if the rebels, im @ desperate onslaugh.? would brea’ our line and throw us into confusion, ‘Thanks to good gencralsbip ond strong supports, this was Not allowed to be #0. Our loss in yesterday aud to-day’s Aghia will reach, Probebly, ten thousand, mostly wounded—the iilled not in the usual propertion. GENERAL BOOKER'S OFFICLAL REPORT. Caneasyie, M4, Sopt. 17, 1862. ‘Majer General MOULELLAN = A Great Dattle bas been fought, ané we are victorious. Thad tae Roaor to epen it yesterday afternosp, and it eon- {inwed antl] ten o’cloo’s this morning, when I was wounded tnd eormpelled to quit the feld. ‘The battle wae fought with great violence on born wideo. . ‘Tee carnage bas been awful. Tenlg regret thet I was nos permitted vo take part in the operations uatil they were eencluded, for I had counted om oitber capturing thelr army oF dviving them inte ihe Potomac. May wound has beam peinful, but it i aot one that ‘will be likely to lag me ep. | was shot through tho foot. 2. HOOKRR, Bricadior Gemoral, their faces, THE REPORTS FROM THE ARMY HEA QUARTERS, Hmanquanvers Anmy ov raw Potomac, Via Fanoxoucs, da, ops 10, 1069. During this afterncen information was received at headquarters ehowing that the enemy were recrossing ‘the river and concentrating their forces en the ridge of Bille outeide of the town of Sharpsburg to within three miles of the main body of our army, Jackson left Har- per’s Ferry this morning, his troope commencing #@ ar rive during the afternoon, when it beeame evident that ‘Lee was d’sposed to engage our forces im battle at this point General MoCleilan gent for Franklin’s ¢orps and Couch’s division, who were about even miles distant, on tho othor side of Rik Ridge. i ‘There was considerable artivery firing during the day on both gides, resulting in our having about forty men killed and wounded. Among the seriously weunded was Major Arncdt, of tho First New York artiilery, who was Struck in the pide by a plece of shell, Tho disposition of the.troops for the impending battle was as follows:—General Sumner’s corps, with General Banks’ civision,to occupy the centre; General Hooker's corps, with the Pennsylvania reserves and Franklin’s corps, on the right; Generals Porter and Burnside on the extreme left, with the view of turming the enemy’s right flank. General Pleasanton supported the centre with 2,500 oavalry and four batt . Genera! Hooker in the afternoon reseed An- tetam creek, and took @ péesition on the hills facing Sharpsburg, and three miles to the right of Keetsville. His troops got into action about duak; the battle lasted two hours, during which the enemy were driven about half a milo with considerable Joss. The Pennsylvania reserves, who wore in front, suf- fered mueb. The night was eccupied in getting the troops in their respective positions, while ammunition trains and am- bulances were forwarded to the different commands. HrapquaRrams, ARMY OF THK Poiomac, Sept. 17, via Prepenren, 13, 1862. This bas been au eventful day in the history of the “rebellion, A battle has taken place, in which the Army of the Potomac has again been victorious, and which ex: coeded in extent any battlo heretofore fought on this con- tinent, At the dawn of day the battle wes resumed on the cen- tre and right by Sumner and Hooker, who, after a sharp contest of two hours, arove the evemy about one -mile. the rebels rallied shortly afterward, apd with terrible loss regained most of the groumd. At this time the fear- logs and indomitable Hooker revelyed a ehot in the ankle and was carried from the field. General Richardson, commanding @ diviston, was #e- verely wounded at the same time. General Sumner, de- terminhig to retake the lost ground, ordered tie troops to. advance, which they did with a will, driving the rebels before them with great elaughter. They not only retook the ground, but dreve them a quarter of a mtie beyond. Tn this action General Mansileld was shot through the Tung, and died soon after. During thic time the troops under Burnside and Porter had not been idle. They drove the rebels from the line of Antictam creek, on the main road to Sharpsburg, built 4 bridge (the old one having been desiroyed), avd occu. pied the opposite bauk, The leas here was considerable. The troops now hei@ both banks of the creek. ‘To get possesston of the ridge of hills on the right and left hand Sides of the road, frum which the rebels were thundering away with artillery, was a task not easily accomplished. Sykes’ division, with the aesistance of Sumner’s, carried the ridge on the right band side afier considerable trouble and loss, the rebels running in all directions. It isuow five o’c’ock, and ali the enemy’s positions have been carried except tle one on the left hand side of the road. To do this duty Burnside wes assigaed. The artillery opened and the infantry advanced. The point was carried at @ obarge, but we were forced to retire before a superior force, knowing that if they lost this ridge, @ complote rout of their army would be the result, they fought with great desperation. Darkness now overlooked the two armies, aud Loetiitios ceased as though by mutua! consent. The battle Iested from five o’cloo in the morning till seven at night, without & moment's cessation. ‘The conduct of a3! the troops, without exception, was all that any general could wisk, Several regiments of new troops, who were im action for the firet time, be. haved admirably, Hundreds of Marylanders were prevent to witness tho battle, which could be even from many of the surrovnd- ing hills, ‘The #harp rattle of fifty thousand muskets, and the thunder of a hundred pieces of artillery is not often heard, nor the consequent excited movemente of such armies wituossed it i® impossible at this writing to form any correct ides of oor joss of that of the enemy. Tt is heavy en both vides, One's will probably roach in killed and wounded tev thongand, Tat of the enemy will not ex. ceed it ‘The enemy’s ead, Which uearly ai! (ell into ou hande, wore thickly strewn over the felde, ip mavy places lying in heaps. Our wonuded were iuwmed)ately carried from the geld and the best possible attention given them. When General Hooker feil, General MeCielian tmmedi- ately procoeeded to the right, where ho was enthusias- tically received, and by his presence added much to our sucess in recovering the ground lost. He was in the contre and on the left os well, anxiously watoking the progrove of the battle, and giving directions aate the manner ef attack, He is in his tent to-night for the first time singe he left Frederick city. We took somo 1,000 privonere during the day, while the enemy ebiained but few, Tho following officers were among the killed and wounded :— General Barteuf, wounded; General Duryes, wounded; General Sedgwick, wounded {a the shovlder; Col, Childe, Eleventh Connecticut, serieusly wounded; Lieutenwut Colonel Parisen, Fifty-seventh New York, tiled; Captain Audenreid, sid to General Sumner, wounded; Major Sedgwick, killed; Colonel McNei?, of tBe Bucktails, and Lieutenant Allen, were killed; Colonel Polk, Second Uni. tod Staten Sharpehooters, wounded; Major Burbank, Twelfth Massachr seta, wounded. Several other prominaas officers were reporicd killed ‘and wounded; but nothing positive te known concerning them. THE REPORTS FROM FREDERICK, Frepenion, Md., Sept, 17-9 P.M. ‘The efty is Very mush excited, and all sorts of rumors the battle field aro ih circulation, agreeing onty in being almost unanimously favorable to the micters of the Union ermy. ‘The latent Gnd most reliable information w be had is derived irom & gentieman who left the vicinity ef the fight Detween two and three o'clock thix afternoon, Me roports that wt that time Ceneral MeCloiian’r forces were Aviving Ue revOM DOCK, AAD Aad advanced about two aides beyond the positions occupied by them at the com. mencemeat of the battle. ‘The two wings ef our army seemed to be converging and gradually eurrounding the rebel forces. There has ‘Deen no cannonading heard since about six o'clock P.M., and the coniiict ceems to have ceased from some cause at that early hour, 34 is very generally reported here, and believed by many, that Jackeon’s forces were surrounded this afternoon, Ts was said that a large force under Sigel met the rebels on tho Virginia akie of the river, and turned them bacl that they recrossed the river and attacked McClellan, ) sen) this roport for what it is worth, but do oot think it correct, * There ie much rejoicing among tho people of the vity oyor the reported Union auccerses, and the few rebey sympathizers ‘who remain here are proportionably de- Several thouesnd new troops, with some artillery, passed ‘Whrough tho city this afternoon on their way to tho They were enthusiastically greeted by the eltizenr, wayed by Indies from the windows, &c. ‘They were fino tooking men, and excited much admiration by thelr soldierly bearing and appearance. THE REPORTS FROM HAGERSTOWN. Bagunstown, Md., Sept. 17, 1862. The battle raged with great spirit. Tho firing on either sido was very heavy until towards sundown, when the rebels were flanked by Hooker and Porter and severely punlebed; their fre became desultory, and it was evident that their ammunition wag giving out. ‘This morning the battle was renowed by the rebels with renewed vigor, They acted as if they had been reinforced and furnished with fresh ammunition, ‘The battle lasted until four o’clock this afternoen, when the rebels retreated, leaving General Longstreet and the remnant of bis division in our hands as prisoners. ‘The entire rebel army w!}) Ve captured or killed. There ig no chance left for them to cross the Potomac, as the river is rising and our troops are pushing them oon- tinually, and sending prisoners to the rear. It is reported here that Colonel Miles re-enacted his Bull run scone at Harper’s Ferry, which was surrendered to the rebels ina shamefal mabner, Six batterios of artillery belonging to General Long- atreet’s division were captured yesterday and to-day, and it is said that we havo taken vearly fifteen thousand prisoners since Sunday. Stonewall Jacksen’s army is with General Lee, aud, with other distinguished officers, will be forced to surren- der within a day or twe at farthest, Ovr immenge army is in motion, and our generals are certain of ultimate and decisive svocers, ‘Stores fer our ariwy are coming by the way of Barris- burg and Baltimore, Generel Burnside has retaken the position of Harper's Forry, and is advancing om @ special mission with his oorpe. THE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, Wasnixcton, Sept. 18, 1862. The iatest information received here up te eleven o'clock to-day was dated from the seat of warat eleven o'clock last night, when it was telegraphed that General MoClellan had had @ severe engagement throughout the day, resulting in gaining the position for which our army fought. Information from a point within four miles of the battle ground, up to nine o'clock this morning, says nothing of the engagement having been renewed previous to that hour, It merely states, that a thousand rebel prisoners were taken yesterday, and that they were being marched to the rear past that polnt under a guard. A reconnoissance in force made yesterday hag demon- atvated there are no rebel troops between Washington and Bull run, while ear scouts yesterday reported that they were in fail force at Dranesville on Tuesday evening. Wasumerton, Sept. 18--3 P. M. Ingormation has been received bere showing that the battle in Western Maryland had not been renewed up to ten o’elock this morning. Waswweron, Sept. 18—Evening. Reports vome in from the battle field very slowly, bug allare fayorablo to the Union cause. It is stated that twelve of our Brigadiers are cither killed er wounded, The names have not yet been aacertained, but among the killed are certainly General Mansfickt, and among the wounded Genorals Alartsuff, Hooker aud Max Weber. In tho battle of yesterday the dring ceased on thevight sboot one hour before dark: but apon the left wing, which was commanded by General Burnside, the engage. ment continued with rapid and heavy firing for come time afterward. A force was sent from the right to sup. port the left, and at the clese of the engagement our left wing occupied the position beld by the rebel army at the commencement of tho battle. There was no doubt that the result was @ severe re- verse to the rebels, and that they will haye considorabie aiMoulty in erossing the river in safoty. ‘The \uformation here is, that there has been no fight- ing whatever to-day; but that al! bands have been ea. gaged in burying the dead and removing the wounded. It appears that the bridge montioued as having been out, was the bridge acroes the canal at Williamsport’ ‘The road frem Hagerstown 1 Williamsport passes through a defile, and tho bridge across the canal is a high one, Tyg destruction effectually precludes access to the river at that point, The retreat of the rebels by way ef “page is thus out oft, Iines of battle yesterday were formed at an oblique angle te the river, the rebels covering the Shepperdstown ford and ocoupying the heights opposite to the ford. at the oonchision our left wing cecupicd those Le.ghte, and bad porsersion of tho ford, leaving them only Dam No 4 at which i was pessidle for them locross the river. ‘Thore is Information that nearly tho whole rebel force was massed in this position, and, with the excoption of this eingie fording place, they have uo means of crossing the Potomac inte Virginia, A amall forceof the rebels oooupics the Maryland Heights and the Loudon Hetghte, at Harper's Ferry, but they are closoly watched, and will g00n be compelled to retreat In the direction of Winches- tor, the only line of retreas left open for them. From the information recetved hero, it Is believed that the rebel army on the Maryland side numbers much over 100,000 men at this time, while their losses in tho racont battles amd by desertion are estimated at aot less than 40,000. It ia probablo that even gow they outuumber the army of General MeCielian; but it is sup. posed that they are in such @ condition that the next ovslaught of the Union army will compe! them to eapitulate, tf they should sot succeed in crossing the rivor at Dam No. 4 Their ohances om the Virgtoia side will not be much better than in Maryland, unlege they should have 8 stronger reinfercoment than is. expected at thistime. Before they can reach Winchos- tor, their capture or annihilation i almost ® foregone vomolumun, It fe reported tbat Gen. Rodman |* emoee the wounde) in the battle news bare biry THE REPORTS FROM BALTIMORE, Barrivous, Sept. 18, 1862 I wason the battle flell up to ten o'vlock yenterday Morning, and Jeft with confidenge that al) wos going on right, It wasa grand battle, and the most severe of the war, every division of the revel army being on the field. From Harrisburg despatches and other movements, | think there has been seme change m the position of the armies at the lose ef the day, but have no doubt all is well, Army traina were moving forward from Fredericks this morning, THE REPORTS FROM HARRISBURG, Hasnienvng, Pa., Sopt. 18, 1862. The news reoeivod during last night indicates that the result of yesterday's fight was decidedly In our favor; but Stil another battle 's nocesgary to determine who shall finally be the victor, It was expected that tho battio would be again resumed this morning, but no Oring hos beeu beard, and it is sup- posed that burying of the dead in tho order of the day, General MoClellan’s headquarters aro at Sharpsburg, Surgeon General Smith despatched 9 spowial train wo Hagerstown yesterday to attend our wounded. The aumber wounded in Genera) MoCieilan’s recont bat, Mont of them will probably be tes is very large. Drought into Pennsylvania, The rebel prieonera taken have been went to Fort Dela- ware, THE LATEST FROM THE BATTLE FIELD. Haanissune , fept. 18—Evening. Advices just received at headquarters from Hagerstown confirm the report thatno fight had taken place to-day; that the rebels are supposed to be short of ammunition, and that the fight would probably commence at daybreak to-merrow. Our treops are said to have bebaved nobly, and tale confidently of gaining a great victory te-morrow. Information received here this morning direct from the battle fleld, represented that the battle would be resum- ed to-day; but up to this hour no fring had been heard at Hagerstown. The forces remain about in the same posi. tion as in yosterday’s fight. Governor Curtin had arrived safely at Hagerstown, together with Colenel J. A. Wright, Surgeon Genoral ‘Smith and his corps of Surgeons. Governor Curtin and staff are using every exertion im preparing for the com. fort of the wounded brought into that place, A telegraph line is being extended to Booneboro, thus bringing us much nearer to Genoral McClellan's bead- quarters, It will bo completed to-morrow, Preparations are now being made here for rece!ving the sick and wounded from the late battle, Citizens are anxious to do all in their power for the comfort of these who are fighting for the support of tho federal govern- ment. ‘Troops are stil! coming in by thousands,and are im- mediately forwarded, the government baying completo outro! of the road to Chambersburg and Hagerstown. ‘The regular trains to these points were suspended to-day, ‘but will be reanmed in a few days. TELEGRAMS FROM GENERAL McCLELLAN. The only despateh published from General MoClellan on the fleld of battle was received at Harrisburg on Wednesday, and contained simply the two words follow- ng: . “Gromovs Vicrort.” A despatch from Wasbingtes says information from MoClellan’s army had been received up to uine o’clock yesterday morning, and says nothing of the engagement Raving been renewed up to that hour. ‘We are informed that Mrs. McCiollan arrived in town yesterday morning, and soon after her arrival received a despatch from her hosband, stating that he was doing well, and that a great and glorious victory was about to crown the efforts of the Union army. MRS. McCLELLAN AND HER HUSBAND. ‘TO THE DITOR OF THE MARTFORD COURANT, SEPT. 17. At the depot in New Haven T was introduced by my friend Mr. W. to Mrs, McClean, I found her to be an in- telligent young woman, having with her a sweet infant, which was almost smothered by the caresses of 2 number of soldiers who had learned that she was @ young Mel! . On my way to this city, in the cars, through the politeness of her aunt, Mrs. A.,} enjoyed tho pleasure of somo conversation with her. She was very affable, and seemed to take ati interest in the fact that anephew of maine, the colonsl of a New York regiment, who recently died of disease contracted before Richmond, was a class. mate at Weat Point of her husband. Sho seemed mach lated with the recent news. She said that wha her hue band was appoluted Major Geueral «he wes pot much af fected by it; but now, that he bas beun restored to his coramand, vod hac accompligked evel a triumph, after ali that had been done to degrade hita, ahe acknowledged sho folt prond. replied that she iad a perfect right to fec! 80. She said that her husband had undertaken this last aervice with reluctance, but it had been preesed upon him with an assurance that he chould not be interfered with. remorke! to her that at firet I felt great confidence which afterwards Thad, to a certain extent, lost; but that I had, previous to his last success, regained it.’ She said the game observation had been made by others, I told her 1 thought the General had not done justice to himself, in not explaining to the public circumstances which looked unfavorable to him. ‘Do yeu not think,” said she, ‘that it was more patriotic in iim to boar bis wrongs in silence, rather than to trouble the government, aa some done, with detuands for inyestiga- tions and eourts martial, when the delays caused By thern would be {njurious to the country? 0 General,” she remarked, ‘wher the clouds he posi J him were of the darkest hue, had saith that God would yet make him an instrament of good to the cause of his conntry.”’ 1 should consider myse!f inexousabie (or making public thie private conversation, as anny in tho cate of a lady, were it not that General Fletlan belongs to the nation more than to her; aud that, at the present critical juncture, every son it to yield to the para- mount of te civilians, as well as those in bn ony put implicit ju the man whe holds d y of the ngtion in his hands, and who, asltrust , will us triumphantly out of the diff- ad dang y which we are surroundorl. SKETCH OF GENERAL MANSFIELD. Geueral Joseph K. Fonno Mansfield, reported killed, is & native of Connecticut, frem which State he was ap- pointed a cadet to the West Point Military Academy in October, 1817. He was at the time of his death about sity years of age. He graduated om the 30th of June, 1822, standing No. 2 in @ clase of forty members, among whem are the names of Generals Hunter, MeCall and others noted during the preseat and past wars. On tho ‘1st of July, 1822, he was brevetted a second lieutenant of the corps of engineers, and reseived his full rank the sane day. On the Sth of March, 1832, he was promoted to a first Heutenantoy, and oa the 7th of July, 1638, be- came captain, He served in the Texan nn@ Mexican wars and on the 9th of May, 1846, was brevotted major for gallant and distingaished services in the defence of Fors Brown, in Texas, On tbo 204 of the following September bo was brevetted lieutenant eolonel for gatiant aad mer!- torious conduct in the several battles of Montorey, in Mexico, on the Bist, 2d and 23d of September, 1846, On tho @rat of those daye he was severely wounded. He was brevetted colonel on the 98d of February, 1047, for gallant and meritorious condact at Buona Views. During the campaigns of 1866 and 1847 of the war with Moxi. co ho held the respomaible position of ehief engineor of thegarmy under General Taylor, Previous to the war he had been appointed as member of the Board of Engi neers, viai=From December 8, 1842 to September 6, 1845, and after the war, he resumed this samo position, which he kept for some time. On the 88th of May, 1868, he ‘was appointed an inspeotor general of the United States Army, with the rauk ef colonel. This appointment caused him to rolinquis® bis rank in the corps. Teie position be hold at the breaking out of tho rebellion. Om she @th of May, 1861, ho was brovetted a brigadies general of the Toguiar United States Army, aud on the 14th of May, 1861, wea comminsioned @ full Drigatier goneral. He was placed in command of the porition at Newport's News, eb 'els he fhe vant tine c@ upon Nor nik tranwerred foie Mavs fhe J aaa, BQ io her = hostand, PRICE —=s ee next held the posi ot aufolk, Va., and when the army was concentrated on the Upper Potomac, be and Rie con mund wore trans‘erred to thet part of Maryland wader Genera) MoCle!a. THE RECAPTURE OF HARPER’S FERRY BY GENERAL BURNSIDE. news publivhed in yestorday morning’s Hxmatp, and leavew mo reagonable doubt of the reeapture of Harper Ferry by General Burnside -and the oceupation by strong Union guards of all the river fords between Harpor's Rérry ond Willlameport, EFFECT OF THE WAR NEWS IN THE OITY, ‘The war news yesterday kept tho people of thie eity fw Astate of the hijhoat excitement and enthusiasm, ABE clvoles were affoctod by the glorious news that came ovex tho telograph wires, and # very dilforent spirit: prevailed from that whieh weighed down our people daring the whole of last werk, In Wall street erpociaily there wan evidence of unveval enthusiasm aud vejoloing. ‘The mer, ohants heli their heads up and spoke encouragingly, and ‘what was ev!) more remarkable, there was not a yoled that did not utver something im favor of sMoClelian. On ‘Change the news was announced from the President’ deek by one of the merchants, and the most deateni cheers for McClellan were given, The McClellan stock i decidedly “looking up.” SURGEONS FOR THE WOUNDED SOLDIER® IN MARYLAND. ' Pursuant to a netive published in yeaterday’s Hxrain, @ meeting of New York Surgeons wns held yeatordagt morning at the residence of Dr. Detmold, 104 Ninth street, to take measures to send forward twenty competent sur, geone without delay to the seat of war, in Maryland, The attendance was quite numerous, anda great number of surgeons voluntcered their services. Dr. Detmold pre- elded, and Dr.Greene acted as secretary. Dr. Detmold briefly stated tho object of the meeting, and, after some difficulty, occasioned by the great number of eurgecar who offered their services, the following gentlemen werd aelected:— Dra, Hail, Guernsey, Forrish , Raphael, Hitchbern, Lene, Osbern, Gills, Livingston, Vondersmith, Ranney, Rodcen- stein, Elliott, Johnson, Hunter and Greene, ef New York; Drs. Cochrane, Campbell and Conant, of Brooklyn, and Dr. Quimby, of Joraey City, These gentlemen sclected Drs. Raphael, Cochrane aud Conant to act an a committee for the party in managing the business affairs of their journey. The aurgeons ieft for Washington by the haif-past dve o’cloek train yesterday afternoon. AID T0 THE WOUNDED. Woman's CENTAAT. ASROCIATION OF RXLAEF, } No, 10 Coorun Usion, Tap Avanus, \ Nuw Yor, Sept. 18, i862. J Yen thousand shirts and drawers are wanted. let those who have second band garments, either cotton or woollen, of this Kind, send them to ng atonce. There iv not time enough to bave this clothing wade, as it is neod ed by our wounded soldiers now. We make this apper! to the citivens of New York. L. A. Fellows, iilen Collins, M. Colby, L. D’Oremiluby, Gortrudo’ Stevens. I. 1. Schuyler, Members Executive Comm) tee No. 11 Coorer Uxion, New York, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND SURGEONS SuNY TO THE ARMY. Wasuixorow, Sept. 18, 186: At the meeting of the Sanitary Commizsion to-day ive Secretary reported that pr to yesterday flve weyonn and one raliroad oar, loaded with anpplins, had been sens by the Commission to and beyond Frederick; ihe: « « surgeons and inspectors of the Commission, with a ruil road car load of supplies, wore sent yesterday afternoon ; that three wagous left Washington for the army on the Upper Potomac, at trvelve o'clock last night, with o pariv of distributing agenis in charge of Drs. Agnow and May- ris; that strain of army wagons is aow loading with aupplies, to be deepaiched to the battle fleld by ney of Frederick; that Pr. Crane had beon previously ste- tioned at Chambersburg or Hagerstown, with large «tis cretionary powers to act for the Coniaission; thar despatches had been sent to Philadelphia, ordering the purchase of large supplies at that point; that these, » itix stores toarrive trem tho North, would be forwarles to Hagersiowa Ip charge of spocia! agents, THE BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. Additional Details of the Rattle on Sanday, September 14. ‘The latest news prehing the ron them, indeed, shat their rear, tb was with them to-day, would ocsur, The enemy's Hine © tonmac, where he w of long range t © world ognin come up hie te me EBETA, et nitnber of prisone: Wo have inken were coining in rap’ are ag filthy as deseril for mortals to be. Seven ov are already bere, saln tiny a the hospita’, but it Is probable thas the privates wil beparuled ana sent beyond our fines in @ day or two, as they oat (or such to make them profitable guests. The officers wit be retained until exchanged. Alarge number ef then belong to n North Curoliua regiment. ortts NEWS PROM HARPBE’S FERRY ia very unsatisfactory. Ouy Corees there surrendered to Jackson yestorday moruing at ten o'clock, after enduring a fire from atterios on throe aides, in the shape of a trinngle, which was sharply replied to for uearly three * After the enemy, by superior force of , bad obtained possession of thelr recont important positions, on Saturday after noon last, the capture of the post was_a question only of time. Ne reinforcements reached the garrison from eur troops; their ammunition and supplies were nearly out, end a prolongation of the defence was funie, and only productive of a ter! sof fife, Under the circum stances, after Colove! Miles and General White bad been wounded—tho former, it i feared, mortally—and a large nomber of our troops placed havs du combed, the post wae surrendered, BECAPR OV THR GAVALET~ The cavalry, uumbering between two and three thoy sand, ercaped, and aro probably with McClellan before thie. OUR Moss is not deflaitely known, but ts reported to be aDout one bundred killed and five hundred wounded. Nearty eight thousand were taken prisoners, The privates have been pareted, and many are expected here to-day. The eff! core of White’s-commaad, having been under Pope, wil! ‘be sent to Richmond and not be reeognized as prisoners th YVRCT OF FER CAPTURE OF SIARPER'S FERRY. ‘What the effects of the capture of Harper's Ferry may on the plane of our gonercis is mot yee known. 10 ie feared hore that Jackson, Leng- treet Hil, baving crossed into Virginia, may make 0 rapid mareh down the Potemao, recroas inte or Washington. I pre- evivay aige er OF SSL PAOR]