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Chapter 20: General Burnside assumes command of the army of the Potomac
The night of September 17th my headquarters were near the “East woods.”
I slept on the ground under a large tree.
Just as I lay down I saw several small groups stretched out and covered with blankets, face and all. They appeared like soldiers sleeping together, two and two, and three and three, as they often did. In the morning as the sun was rising and lighting up the treetops, I arose, and, noticing my companions still asleep, observed them more closely.
Seeing that they were very still, I approached the nearest group, and found they were cold in death.
The lot fell to my division, with some other troops, to remain behind on the sad field and assist in burying the dead.
The most troublesome thing, and that which affected our health, was the atmosphere that arose from the swollen bodies of the dead horses.
We tried the experiment of piling rails and loose limbs of trees upon them and setting the heap on fire.
This, however, for a time, made matters worse, as the dreadful stench appeared to be only increased in volume, and there being no strong wind, it settled in the
valley of the Antietam.
The 22d, our sad and sickening task being done, the men of my division moved out toward
Harper's Ferry, and quickly took up the swinging gait as they tramped
