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PHILADELPHIA,PA.,
September 30, 1862.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,
Second Division, Second Corps, Army of
the Potomac.
I respectfully submit the following report of the operations of
the Third Brigade, under my command, at the battle of
Antietam, on the 17th instant, up to the time when, under the
disability of a painful wound, I was compelled to leave the
field:
During the night of
the 16th I received orders to have my brigade get breakfast
early on the following morning and to be ready to march at
daylight.
The regiments were
accordingly ready, but orders were not received to march till
6.30 o'clock a.m., when I proceeded, in company with the
First and Second Brigades, on my left and right respectively,
to the right wing of the Army, where Hooker's corps was
already engaged with the enemy's left.
Having forded
Antietam Creek and marched some distance beyond, the division
was halted and formed in order of battle in three lines, the
First Brigade composing the first line and my brigade the
second. My line was composed from right to left as follows:
Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, Twentieth Massachusetts
Volunteers, Fifty-ninth New York Volunteers, Forty-second New
York Volunteers, Seventh Michigan Volunteers.
The division was
ordered to advance, and I received directions to keep my line
about 75 yards in rear of the first line. After advancing
through fields and inclosures a fire of artillery from the
enemy, the division entered a piece of woods, on emerging
from which another dense woods appeared in front, separated
from us by a narrow clear space; and a line of troops lying
on the ground, which I took to be the first line, was
immediately in my front, and I accordingly halted and ordered
my men to lie down, but they were hardly on the ground when I
received an order to move forward at double-quick and enter
the woods in front. The outline of the woods was irregular,
presenting a salient point where the left of my line first
entered.
The first line was
now hotly engaged in front, and hardly had my left regiment
entered the woods when a tremendous musketry fire opened on
my left and front, apparently perpendicular to my line of
march and flanking the first line. Almost immediately a
regiment of infantry came running in great disorder from the
woods on my left, and the Seventh Michigan Regiment commenced
to deliver an oblique fire to the left.
There was no time
to wait for orders; the flanking force, whatever it was, was
advancing its fire too rapidly on my left. I permitted the
three right regiments to move on, but broke off the
Forty-second New York Volunteers, with orders to change front
to the left and meet the attack which had apparently broken
through the first line on my left an(1 front, and was now
precipitated with fury on my left flank.
The Forty-second
moved nobly up to its work, but before it was formed in its
new position, and whilst it was in disorder, the enemy was
close up on it, and the fire which was poured upon it and the
Seventh Michigan was the most terrific I ever witnessed.
I remained with
these two regiments, and, although the shattered remnants of
them were forced by overwhelming numbers and a crossfire to
retreat in disorder, I bear them witness that it was after
nearly half the officers and men were placed hors de combat.
Having retired
across the field to the woods on the right and rear about 300
or 400 yards, I ordered them to reform.
I had been struck
by a musket-ball whilst in the woods, and now found that I
could remain no longer on the field, and accordingly left
directions for Colonel Hall, of the Seventh Michigan, to
reform the two broken regiments and assume command of them
until he rejoined the brigade, and I sent an aide to the
senior colonel of the brigade, with information that I was
wounded and had left the field.
In the absence of
regimental reports I am unable to call attention to
particular acts of good conduct on the part of officers and
men, and must refer to those reports, but I desire to express
my admiration of the gallant and meritorious conduct of Major
Mallon, of the Forty-second New York Volunteers, who was
distinguished for coolness and bravery and for his active
endeavors to rally and reform the regiment under fire.
To the officers of
my staff, Capt. William B. Leach, assistant adjutant general,
and Lieutenants Milton and Hallowell, Twentieth Massachusetts
Volunteers, aides-de-camps, I am greatly indebted. Their
conduct was unexceptionable, and I desire to commend them in
unmeasured terms for coolness, bravery, and activity; but I
beg leave to recommend Captain Leach especially for promotion
for habitual industry, intelligence, and activity during the
whole term of his service and for distinguished bravery on
this field.
I had occasion in
my report of the battle of Fair Oaks to speak in terms of
high praise of Private John J. Brown, of Company G, Seventh
Michigan. This man was bugler again for me at this battle,
and I have again to report that his conduct challenged my
admiration. This humble soldier gives constant proofs of
fidelity, gallantry, and force of character which would do
honor to a higher rank. I ask that he be suitably rewarded.
My thanks are due to Lieut. G. C. Ragnet, First Minnesota
Volunteers, for services performed during the heat of the
engagement, at a time when I had sent away all the officers
of my staff with orders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. J. T. DANA,
Brigadier-General.