Col Ernst von Vegesack's Official Report

Report of September 20, 1862

HDQRS. TWENTIETH REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLS.,
Camp in the Field, near Sharpsburg, Md., September 20, 1862.

Lieutenant WILLIAM H. LONG,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Brigade.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, pursuant to verbal orders from Colonel Irwin, commanding Third Brigade, the regiment formed in line of battle in the woods on this side of Antietam Creek at about 11 o'clock a. m. on the 17th of September, 1862. Advancing through the woods the regiment came into an open field, where they attacked the enemy and drove him across the field and the adjoining heights. The regiment occupied these heights until relieved the next morning.

The casualties in the fight were 38 killed, 96 wounded, and 11 missing; total, 145.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ERNEST VON VEGESACK,
Colonel, Comdg. Twentieth Regiment New York Volunteers.

Source: OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, Vol 19, Part 1 (Antietam - Serial 27) , Pages 413 - 414