Wisconsin in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 1

              BATTLB  OB  ANTIETAM.
Nicholas Heler, John Sturz. Company I, " North-western Tigers"—Corp. Henry Thoragate, Lewis Brown, George 0. Stratton, Ciiarles W, Smitli. Company K^ " Beloit Badger Rifles"—Second Lieut. S. B. Morse, Sergt. Henry Harbough, Corp. John M. Hoyt, John ]?. Foss, Jas. A. Snyder, Stone Severson, Wm. Beardsley, Geo. Coville.
ANTIETAM.
The rebel army was undoubtedly disappointed soon after reaching Maryland. They had been informed by secession sympathizers on this side that the whole State would rise to greet them. But they found that there had been a real advance toward the Union side. Their payment for supplies in Confederate scrip did not aid their cause. Our two armies, separated at the beginning of the Peninsular campaign, were now united, and that was not so hopeful for their projects. After crossing tbe Potomac tbey had looked about a little, and then steered for a mountaincus region, where, in gorges and fastnesses, and on crests and peaks, they might possess the greatest advantages for battle. At Crampton's Pass, South Mountain, and in various skirmishes they had lost. The tide had turned against them since the second Bull Eun battle. No doubt they wished themselves south of the Potomac again, but how to get there was the question; yet, defeated at South Mountain, and Crampton's Pass, on the night oftbe 14th they started, tbeir faces set toward old Virginia. At early dawn on the morning of the 15th, our pickets pushed out toward tbe enemy, and found they had left. Then one great army pursued another, until, toward night, the rebels were found strongly posted on tbe heights of the west bank of Antietam Creek, near Sharpsburg. An artillery duel followed immediately. Our troops were coming up and getting into position during the whole night.
The Antietam here is a sluggish stream, difficult to be forded, runs south and east, and has four stone bridges in the distance of six and a half miles. The rebel army stretched across tbe triangle made by the creek and the Potomac, their left on the river, their right below Sharpsburg, near the creek, and their front to the north and east. Their artillery was posted on the hills, the rear ones rising highest, and tbeir infantry and cavalry were mostly concealed behind woods and heights,