FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: The Rebels Kept Awake by Reconnoissances Across the Potomac; CAPTURE OF FIVE BRASS PIECES (9/27/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 9/27/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

BALTIMORE, Friday, Sept. 26.

The correspondent of the American, writing from Sharpsburgh, 24th, says:

"Our troops are learning some of the tactics of the enemy, and since the rebels were driven over the Potomac, at this point they have kept them awake with reconnoissances and dashes across the river. Col. WARREN, commanding a brigade at this point, sent over a company of the Fifth New-York recently, who brought back five brass pieces. The rebel pickets fell back as our men advanced, and

A drummer of the Fifth, whom Col. WARREN had sent over as a punishment for showing some nervousness under fire on the previous occasions, brought a gun back. An attempt was also made to bring off a caisson, but the rebels rallied and took it off. The regiment was drawn up on the canal bank during the affair, and some shots were exchanged, but without serious results. One man, Sergeant CROWLEY, of the Fifth, was wounded in the leg.

Yesterday afternoon the Sixty-second Pennsylvania Col. SWITLER, with a section of the First New-York Artillery, and GRIFFIN's Brigade, crossed the river at Reynold's Ford, below Shepherdstown, and brought ever 400 rifles, mostly marked "London, 1862," and one fine 12-pounder rifled brass piece of English manufacture. The affair was accomplished rapidly, and with entire success. The rebel pickets fell back as our men advanced, without resistance, and not even a shot was fired. These little affairs have an excellent effects upon the men, and their cheering as the prizes reached this side was hearty and enlivening.

It appears to be well ascertained that the bulk of the rebel army still remains along the other branch of the Potomac. All our reconnaissances find them in strong force, and the smoke of their camp-fires can be seen opposite all the fords.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4096139/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

From the Army of the Potomac: The Rebels Kept Awake by Reconnoissances Across the Potomac – 2-3
From the Army of Virginia: A Railroad Reconnoissance to Bristow Station – 3
From the South: Rebel Accounts of the Battle of the Antietam – 3-4
General News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 4
Railroad Collision: Terrible Disaster on the Cumberland Valley Railroad – 4-5
Editorial: Gen. Phelps, the Curtins of Emancipation – 5
Editorial: The Sanitary Commission – 5

[Iceclimber58]

Thanks for posting. I enjoy reading about the War of Northern Aggression.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

My pleasure.

[BroJoeK]

"From the South: Rebel Accounts of the Battle of the Antietam – 3-4"

The NY Times here directly quoting the Richmond Enquirer: Confederates claimed victory at Antietam/Sharpsburg, saying Confederate forces of 60,000 defeated Union forces of 150,000.

Historians give Lee credit for fighting McClellan's larger force to a standstill, but in the end, Lee withdrew leaving Union forces in charge of the battlefield.

As to total numbers, historians agree that McClellan's forces outnumbered Lee's over two-to-one, but do not agree on the numbers engaged.
Reasonable numbers seem to be that Lee had 38,000 engaged, while of McClellan's 87,000 total, he committed barely 50,000 to the battle and that largely explains how Lee fought McClellan to a standstill.

[BroJoeK]

Iceclimber58: "Thanks for posting. I enjoy reading about the War of Northern Aggression."

You mean the War of Confederate Invasion of the United States.
After provoking, starting & declaring war on the United States (May 6, 1861), Confederates immediately invaded or insurrected in six Union states & territories:

1. Maryland
2. Missouri
3. West Virginia
4. New Mexico
5. Kentucky
6. Oklahoma (Indian Territory)

As of October 3, 1861 there had been 54 engagements -- 2/3 in Union states/territories, 1/3 in Confederate states, and more Confederate soldiers had died (430 to 393) or been casualties (3,120 to 2,810) in battles in the Union than in Confederate state battles.

Sure, as the Civil War dragged on, more and more it was fought in Confederate states, but it began as a War of Confederate Aggression against the USA.