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HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS,
Mouth of Antietam, Md., September 19, 1862.
General J. D. WILLIAMS.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the report of the proceedings of the Eight Regiment Connecticut Volunteers during the late engagement near Sharpsburg:
Lieutenant-Colonel Appelman having been wounded in the engagement, I am unable to state what orders he may have received, but can speak only from the time I took command. The Second Brigade, Third Division, Ninth Army Corps, with which we were connected, held the extreme left of our line, and about 4 o'clock p. m. were ordered to advance to the support of General Willcox on our right, who had been repulsed. We did so, and held our position far in advance, until ordered to retire by General Rodman, but not until we had lost over 50 percent of our regiment. The fire from artillery and musketry was very severe, the regiment receiving fire in front and on both flanks. The conduct of both officers and men was all that could be asked for, and I have to thank the officers for their active co-operation with me in the performance of their several duties. I will notice particularly the conduct of Private Charles Walker, of Company D, who brought the national colors off the field after the sergeant and every corporal of the color-guard were either killed or wounded.
Our loss was 34 killed, 139 wounded, and 21 missing; total, 194.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. EDWARD WARD,
Major, Commanding Eighth Connecticut Volunteers.
Source: OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, Vol 19, Part 1 (Antietam - Serial 27) , Pages 454 - 455