Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Captain Richardson's, Brown's, and Moody's batteries were placed in position to play upon the second line, and both lines were eventually driven back by these batteries. Before it was entirely dark, the hundred thousand men that had been threatening our destruction for twelve hours, had melted away into a few stragglers.

The battle over, orders were sent around for ammunition chests and cartridge boxes to be refilled. Early on the morning of the eighteenth, a few sharpshooters began to exchange shots. I observed that the enemy had massed his artillery on the opposite side of the Antietam, with a view, apparently, to meet an attack from us. Our ranks were too much thinned to warrant a renewal of the conflict, with the chances of being drawn under the fire of this artillery. The effort to make a flank movement by our left, the day previous, developed the fact that the enemy had extended his right, so as to rest it upon the Potomac, and thus envelop our left flank. From our position, it was impossible to make any move except a direct assault upon some portion of the enemy's line. I, therefore, took the liberty to address a note to the commanding General, about two o'clock in the afternoon, suggesting a withdrawal to the south side of the Potomac. Before my note reached him, however, he rode to my bivouac and expressed the same views. Arrangements to move across the Potomac were completed by dark. My command, moving first, crossed about two o'clock in the morning, and part of it was placed in position, in case it should be needed at the ford. The entire army crossed, however, without molestation, and, as directed by the commanding General, I proceeded to form his line. As this was completed, it became evident that the enemy was not pursuing, except with some of his batteries and some small force. The various commands were then marched off to their points of bivouac.

The name of every officer, non-commissioned officer, and private, who has shared in the toils and privations of this campaign, should be mentioned.

In one month, these troops had marched over two hundred miles, upon little more than half rations, and fought nine battles and skirmishes, killed, wounded, and captured nearly as many men as we had in our ranks, besides taking arms and other munitions of war in large quantities. I would that I could do justice to all of these gallant officers and men in this report. As that is impossible, I shall only mention those most prominently distinguished. These were Major-General R. H. Anderson, on the Plains of Manassas, at Harper's Ferry, and at Sharpsburg, where he was wounded severely. Brigadier-General D. R. Jones, at Thoroughfare Gap, Manassas Plains, Boonsboroa, and Sharpsburg. Brigadier-General R. Toombs, at Manassas Plains, in his gallant defence of the bridge at Antietam, and in his vigorous charge against the enemy's flank. He was severely wounded at the close of the engagement. Brigadier-General Wilcox, at Manassas Plains, on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth of August, afterward absent sick. Brigadier-General Garnett, at Boonsboroa and Sharpsburg. Brigadier-General Evans, on the Plains at Manassas, both on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth of August, and at Sharpsburg. Brigadier-General Kemper, at Manassas Plains, Boonsboroa, and Sharpsburg. Brigadier-General Hood, and Colonels Law and Wofford, at Manassas Plains, and on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth of August, Boonsboroa and at Sharpsburg, on the sixteenth and seventeenth. Colonel G. T. Anderson, commanding D. R. Jones's brigade, at Thoroughfare Gap, Manassas Plains, Boonsboroa, and Sharpsburg. Brigadier-General Mahone, at Manassas Plains, where he received a severe wound. Brigadier-General R. A. Pryor, at Sharpsburg. Brigadier-General Jenkins, at Manassas Plains, on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth of August; on the last day severely wounded. Colonels Hunton, Corse, Stuart, Stevens, Haltey, (severely wounded,) and Walker, (commanding Jenkins's brigade, after the latter was wounded,) at Manassas Plains, Boonsboroa, and Sharpsburg. Colonel Posey, at Manassas Plains, and Sharpsburg, where he commanded Featherston's brigade. Colonel Benning, at Manassas Plains and Sharpsburg. At Sharpsburg, Captain Miller, of the Washington artillery, was particularly distinguished. Colonel Walton, of the Washington artillery, at Rappahannock Station, Manassas Plains, (August twenty-ninth,) and Sharpsburg. And Major Garnett, at Rappahannock Station. Lieutenant-Colonels Skinner and Marye, at Manassas Plains, where they were both severely wounded. Major Walker, at Thoroughfare Gap and Manassas Plains. In the latter engagement, this gallant officer was mortally wounded.

It is with no common feeling that I recount the loss, at Manassas Plains, of Colonels Gadberry, Eighteenth South Carolina, Means, Seventeenth South Carolina, Moore, Second South Carolina, Glover, First South Carolina, Nelson, Seventh Georgia, and Lieutenant-Colonel Upton, Fifth Texas. At Boonsboroa, Colonel J. B, Strange, Nineteenth Virginia volunteers, and Lieutenant-Colonel McLemore, Fourth Alabama, and, at Sharpsburg, Colonel Liddell, Eleventh Mississippi. Lieutenant-Colonel Coppens and Lieutenant-Colonel Holmes, Second Georgia volunteers. These valuable and gallant officers fell in the unflinching performance of their duty, bravely and successfully heading their commands in the thickest of the fight.

To my staff officers, Major G. M. Sorrell, Assistant Adjutant-General, who was wounded at Sharpsburg, Lieutenant-Colonel P. T. Manning, Chief of Ordnance, Major J. W. Fairfax, Major Thomas Walton, who was also wounded at Sharpsburg, Captain Thomas Goree, and Lieutenant R. W. Blackwell, I am under renewed and lasting obligations. These officers, full of courage, intelligence, patience, and experience, were able to give directions to commands such as they thought proper, which were at once approved,