[2.15 p. m.] NEAR SHARPsburg, September 29, 1862-1.30 p. m. I have the honor to report the following as some of the results of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam : At South Mountain our loss was four hundred and forty-three (443) killed, eighteen hundred and six (1,806) wounded, seventy-six (76) missing; total, twenty-three hundred and twenty-five (2,325.) At Antietam our loss was two thousand and ten (2,010) killed, nine thousand four hundred and sixteen (9,416) wounded, one thousand and forty-three (1,043) missing; total, twelve thousand four hundred and sixty-nine (12,469.)` Total loss in the two battles, fourteen thousand seven hundred and ninety four (14,794.) The loss of rebels in the two battles, as near as can be ascertained from the number of their dead found upon the field, and from other data, will not fall short of the following estimate: Major Davis, assistant inspector general, who superintended the burial of the dead, reports about three thousand rebels buried upon the field of Antietam by our own troops. Previous to this, however, the rebels had buried many of their own dead upon the distant portion of the battle-field, which they occupied after the battle, probably at least five hundred. The loss of the rebels at South Mountain cannot be ascertained with accuracy, but as our troops continually drove them from the commencement of the action, and a much greater number of their dead were seen on the field than of our own men, it is not unreasonable to suppose that their loss was greater than ours. Estimating their killed at five hundred, the total rebel killed in the two battles would be four thousand; according to the rates of our own killed and wounded, this would make their loss in wounded eighteen thousand seven hundred and forty-two. As nearly as can be determined at this time, the number of prisoners taken by our troops in the two battles will, at the lowest estimate, amount to five thousand. The full return will no doubt show a larger number. Of these about twelve hundred are wounded. This gives the rebel loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners, twenty-five thousand five hundred and forty-two (25,542.) It will be observed that this does not include their stragglers, the number of whom is said, by citizens here, to be very large. It may be safely concluded, therefore, that the rebel army lost at least thirty thousand of their best troops during their brief campaign in Maryland. From the time our troops first encountered the enemy in Maryland until he was driven back into Virginia, we captured thirteen guns, seven caissons, nine limbers, two fixed forges, two caisson bodies, thirty-nine colors, and one signal flag. We have not lost a single gun or color. On the battle-field of Antietam fourteen thousand small arms were collected, besides the large numbers carried off by citizens, and those distributed on the ground to recruits, and other unarmed men, arriving immediately after the battle. At South Mountain no collection of small arms was made, owing to the haste of the pursuit from that point; four hundred were taken on the opposite side of the Potomac. Major General HALLECK, General-in-Chief. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major General, Commanding. [Received 11.50 p. m.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, A cavalry reconnoissance was made to-day to Shepherdstown and about five miles beyond, in the direction of Martinsburg. The enemy's pickets were driven from Shepherdstown and along the road until a considerable force of infantry and artillery were encountered in position. The reconnoitering party found the rebel wounded occupying many of the houses in Shepherdstown and along the road, and about six hundred are reported as having been paroled during the day. G. B. MCCLELLAN, Major General. Major General H. W. HALLECK, [12.10 p. m ] WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., September 30, 1862. GENERAL: Your report of yesterday, giving the result of the battle of South Mountain and Antietam, has been received and submitted to the President. These were hard fought battles, but well-earned and decided victories. The valor and endurance of your army in the several conflicts which terminated in the expulsion of the enemy from the loyal State of Maryland are creditable alike to the troops and to the officers who commanded them. A grateful country, while mourning the lamented dead, will not be unmindful of the honors due to the living. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief United States Army. Major General GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Headquarters Army of the Potomac. [12.5 p. m.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, September 30-10 a. m. From all the information I can obtain I am satisfied that the mass of the rebel army has left Martinsburg and marched for Winchester, where it is said they will make a stand and await our approach. They have been forcing every man they could find capable of bearing arms into their ranks; they have compelled the farmers to bring their grain to their army; and they have thereby caused great dissatisfaction among the people of northern Virginia. Major General HALLECK, GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major General. General-in-Chief. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., September 30, 1862. Information received to-day confirms the report that the enemy is massing a strong force at Culpeper. Major General G. B. MCCLELLAN, H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. Headquarters Army of the Potomac. [11.55 a. m.] MCCLELLAN'S, October 1, 1862-11 a. m. I take it for granted that we will hereafter hold Harper's Ferry as a permanent arrangement, whatever line of operations may be adopted for the main army. In this event a permanent and reliable bridge is needed there across the Shenandoah. Mr. Roebling can build a double-track suspension bridge on the existing piers in three or four weeks. The wire is now in possession of government, and the cost will be some five thousand dollars, besides the wire. No pontoon nor trestle bridge can be made to resist the freshets. I ask authority to have this work undertaken at once. I would also renew the recommendation that a permanent wagon bridge be made across the Potomac, at Harper's Ferry. This, without reference to the further operations of the main army, but simply as a necessity for the proper defence of Harper's Ferry itself. Major General H. W. HALLECK, GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major General, Commanding. General-in-Chief. Your telegram of to-day in relation to the building of a bridge at Harper's Ferry is received. If you adhere to that place as your base, why not cross at once and give battle to the enemy? Unless I am greatly deceived in regard to the enemy's numbers, this can be done now while the river is low. If you wait till the river rises the roads will be such as to greatly impede your operations. I still adhere to the opinion formerly expressed, that holding Maryland Heights in force, your army should cross below and compell the enemy to fall back or to give you battle. If he should recross into Maryland or move west you will then be in his rear and can be strongly re-enforced from Washington. I know that the government does not contemplate the delay in your movements for the length of time required to build permanent bridges; I, therefore, cannot order them till your despatch has been laid before the War Department and the President. The latter will be with you to-day, and you can consult him there. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. Major General GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Headquarters Army of the Potomac. [Received 4 p. m., October 1, 1862.] MCCLELLAN'S HEADQUARTERS, General Pleasanton is in front to day and will not return until a late hour this evening. I will direct him to proceed to Washington to-morrow to report to General Harney, as requested. General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. G. B. McCLELLAN. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., October 2, 1862. It is reported that a large body of the enemy was seen yesterday, west of Bull Run mountains, between Aldie and Thoroughfare Gap. H. W. HÄLLECK, General-in-Chief. Major General GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, [Received 2.10 p. m.] HEADQUARTERS AT SHARPSBURG, Stu A cavalry reconnoissance in force was made yesterday to Martinsburg. art is said to have been in vicinity for this with several regiments of cavalry. The rebel cavalry resisted the advance of our force from the time they left Shepardstown until they arrived at Martinsburg, using artillery continually. Our troops drove them upon every occasion, and, it is supposed, inflicted a severe punishment upon them, taking several prisoners. The people of Martinsburg expressed great satisfaction at the arrival of our troops. From the best information that has been obtained, Jackson, the two Hills, and Ewell, with their forces, are now in the vicinity of Bunker Hill. General Sumner sent a brigade to Leesburg yesterday for the purpose of attacking a rebel force supposed to be there. No report has yet been received of their arrival. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major General. Major General HALLECK. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., October 4, 1862. Brigadier General J. D. Cox will be directed to repair immediately to Point Pleasant and take command of operations on the Kanawha river. Major General MCCLELLAN. [Received 9 p. m] H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF POTOMAC, In compliance with your instructions, General Cox has been directed to proceed immediately to Point Pleasant and take command of operations on Kanawha river. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major General HALLECK. Major General, Commanding. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., October 4, 1862. Brigadier General Bayard reports rumors that General Longstreet is moving to Leesburg with intention to cross the river while Jackson holds you in check at Harper's Ferry. A considerable number of our troops have arrived in the last few days, and can be sent into the field. Major General GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Headquarters Army of Potomac. H. W. HALLECK. [Received 12.10 a. m.] MCCLELLAN'S HEADQUARTERS, In compliance with your instructions, General Cox has been ordered to report to you for duty on the Kanawha. General Cox's gallant services in the battle of South Mountain and at the Antietam, during which, after Reno's fall, he commanded an army corps, contributed greatly towards our success in those hard-fought engagements. He has been recommended by General Burnside, his immediate commander, for promotion. Although I am now to lose the services of this valuable officer with this army, it is no more than an act of justice to him that I should concur in the recommendation of General Burnside, which I do most cordially and earnestly, and request that the promotion be made at I received a report last night that the railroad bridge across the Little Cacapon, near Cumberland, was destroyed by fifteen hundred (1,500) of Stuart's cavalry on the night previous, and that the same party had captured a company of the 54th Pennsylvania volunteers. Colonel McReynolds, with two regiments of our cavalry, was there, or in the immediate vicinity, as also General Kelly, for the express purpose of preventing such raids. I ordered Colonel Averill, last night, to proceed rapidly from Williamsport with four regiments of cavalry and a horse battery to that section, and to do his utmost endeavors to chastise Stuart's party. He will act vigorously, and I confidently anticipate some good news. The 12th Illinois cavalry, Colonel Voss; the 8th New York cavalry, Colonel Davis, and some Maryland cavalry of the mounted troops that escaped from Harper's Ferry, are now serving in connexion with the operations of this army, but are understood to be claimed by General Wool as forming a part of his com Rep. Com. 108-33 |