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[723] the road running from Boonsboroa to Hagerstown—one to the left, the other to the right, the latter extending as far as the road from Hagerstown to Smoketown. The First and Third corps are kept in reserve along the roads running from Boonsboroa to Hagerstown and Williamsport, the former at Beaver Creek bridge, the latter at the Antietam bridge. This disposition of the troops is equally unfortunate for the offensive and defensive. In the former case the divergent routes followed by the various corps and the deployment of almost the entire army on a single front renders all harmony of action impossible; in the second case the line extends too far, being deprived of all support at both wings, especially on the left, where it does not reach the Potomac. The Federals, although sufficiently well informed regarding the position taken by the three corps of the enemy, make no attempt to harass them. On the left, owing to the want of cavalry to clear their front, they have allowed themselves to be intimidated in the morning on Marsh Creek by a handful of men. In the afternoon, Buford, being summoned back from the right with two brigades, comes to reinforce this portion of the line at Bakersville; but the country is so rough and marshy that he soon realizes the impossibility of attempting any serious operation on that side. At the centre, Gregg, who has joined the army by way of Cashtown with his cavalry division, arrives alone in sight of St. James' College; but, being detained by a formal defence, he merely watches the outposts of the enemy along the left bank of Marsh Creek. Meade makes his army advance in the direction of Hagerstown only in order to verify the reports announcing the evacuation of that city. Some reconnoissances are made along both sides of the Antietam: east of this stream, the Confederates since their trifling success of the previous day have again taken position in front of Beaver Creek. In attacking them this time the Federal cavalry is supported by the infantry. Grant's brigade of the Sixth corps, deployed as skirmishers, advances with Kilpatrick upon Funkstown. It soon encounters Anderson's troops on foot, and attacks them vigorously, and, after losing sixty-eight men, remains master of the field. Kilpatrick takes possession of Funkstown without any difficulty, and advances to within a mile and a half of Hagerstown, which he finds still
Philadelphia, Jos. H. Coates and co., 1883.
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