[From the diary of Charles Hay of the 23rd Ohio]

                             Upton’s Farm, Sept. 21.
     The armies of Pope & McDowell having,
on Saturday been badly defeated, fell back,
and today arrived here and encamped.  It
would be untruth to say they were com=
=pletely demoralized, but truth demands that
the statement should be made that effect of
bad generalship is plainly perceptible throughout
the ranks.  Not one who has served under
McDowell have the least confidence in him,
and his bad planning and gross mistakes
have become so common that the matter
ought to be seen to.  It is reported that
he is under arrest.  If true, it grieves no one
but himself. —Our troops fought bravely
on Saturday, and on the identical ground where
McDowell was defeated thirteen months ago.
The forces engaged on our side were of the
right material; conspicuous among them
were the broad-shouldered, hardy sons of the
West, who, on more than one occasion, have
proved superior to vaunting Southern chivalry.
But the best of instruments are ineffective, when improperly

144
handled.  I do not speak thus to
disparage the merits of troops from other
portions of the country, I only repeat
what has almost become @ by-word.
     Our forces were compelled to aban=
=don the field, together with hundreds of
our dead and wounded, to the mercies
of the foe.
     The “Army of the Potomac,” after
a six months’ arduous campaign, have
gained nothing, and suffered much.
All the territory they have fought for
and won in Eastern Virginia they have
had to yield, and withdraw under cover
of the defenses around Washington.
But they have labored, and have suffered.
They have accomplished wonders, but all
in vain, they are now where they started,
and in a much worse condition.
     Somebody must be to blame.  His
own army does not condemn McClellan, but is
enthusiastic in his praise.  He has had to contend
with Northern politicians as well as Southern fire-eaters.

This is the last entry in the diary of Charles Hay.  

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925                                                              

[from the diary of Samuel Johnson, of the 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Artillery]

                        Sept 21st

This week has also been very actively employed,
the heaviest and most severe battle of the war
has been fought during its limit.  On the 15th at
noon we harnessed up, and after a long and
a difficult pull, we succeeded in reaching the
top of the South Mts where we went into park.
The road all the way up, was filled with the
bodies of the dead Johnnies, who were killed
yesterday.  All of our own dead are buried and
our wounded taken care of.  On the 16th the reb
prisoners were occupied in burying their dead,
placing from 15. to 60 in one grave laying them
in, heads and points.  Harpers Ferry has through
the treachery of Col Miles, been surrendered
to Jackson, thus giving the rebs an opportunity
to escape when they were fully surrounded,
Early on the 17th we were again on the road,
a very heavy cannonading can be heard in
the direction of Sharpsburg,  Arrived at Antietam
Creek at noon, when we found a most

terrible battle in progress:  we were sent to the right
center of the lines, where the fighting is, and has been
the most severe.  Went into position in the celebr-
-ated corn field where Hooker’s  Corps was so badly
cut up, and where Hooker was himself wounded..
We soon changed our position to the left.  the dead
and wounded lay so thickly, that it was with
great difficulty we could move our carriages.
From 12 M to 7. P. M. a steady and most terrible
fire was kept up by both sides:  we are having
great numbers wounded.  The rebs have been
driven all along the line to day, but hold their
present position very well.  Night put an end to
the conflict.  Early next morning Gen Lee sent in
a flag of truce requesting time to bury his dead and
to take care of his wounded, a truce of seven
hours was granted him, as our forces were too
much exhausted to attack him.  The field to
day presents an awful spectacle.  Dead, wounded
and dying men and horses, covered the field in
all directions..  dismounted guns. limbers and cassions
and parts of the same which have been blown up
literally cover the ground.  One would think to look
on the ground that there had been a rain
storm of small arms, the ground was so complete
-ly covered with muskets, swords, and revolvers.  The
dead in many cases are horribly mutilated.  having
heads, arms, and legs shot off, and some were
entirely torn in pieces by the explosion of shells,

     Some even after being killed, as they lay
on the ground were struck by sold shots, as
they ricocheted along the ground and torn
open;  others who had been wounded, were
afterwards killed before they could get off
the field.  In one place, where the rebs made a
stand a person could walk for over a mile
with out treading on any thing else but dead
rebs.   Our loss in this battle thus far, has been
about 10,000 in all, among whom was Gen’s
Mansfield and Richardson killed, Hooker
Sedgwick and Dana were wounded.  The rebs
have lost much heavier both in Gen officers and
men.  The strength of both armies before the battle
was about 100,000.  Friday morning we expected
to renew the battle, but upon advancing our
piquets, we found that the rebs had fallen back
under cover of night, not being able to stand another
day’s fight.  Immediate pursuit by the entire army
was made after them, but Johnny had a good start
of us, and succeeded in escaping across the Potomac
into Va.  Our artillery which could reach their
retreating columns opened a brisk fire on
them.  At four P. M went into camp.  Lay still
all the next day,  at 11. P. M we were turned
out to march to Williamsport where the rebs
have again crossed the river.  left camp at mid-
-night, arrived at the St. James College at day
break, but the rebs had fled at our approach.

At five P. M, all being very quiet we went into camp.
     The weather this week has been very mild and
pleasant.
                             

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493

                    Battlefield Md
            Sep 21st 1862 A.M.
   Dear Sister
                        Amidst great
confusion I write this morn-
ing We are now very truly in the
field of action Within
the last 24 hours I have seen
and heard over a hundred
thousand soldiers pass by our
encampment, and we are
now in the heart of Mc-
Clellans Army. All goes
well with me up to this
hour; I am very much
fatigued and our Co. is
resting to day.  Last night
we had been on duty
and had hardly had time

[page 2]
to get off of our  horses
a minute let alone get-
ting any thing to eat for
48 hours  Day before yes-
terday I had just finished
writing Miss S[?] R. a let-
ter  no more than an 1/2 hour
when we were called into
action.  Our Cavalry had
been held in reserve but
then we rushed forward to
meet the enemy.  We  were
warmly received with both
bullet & shell. But one
man of our Co was kill-
ed and none wounded
My horse was shot with
three bullets.  One went
through his shoulders
and lodged in My Saddle

[page 3]
an other hit him in his
right side and the other
in his nose. I came
off of the fight on the
dead man’s horse. The
man that was killed was
H Thomas.  He lived near
the Jordan school house
on the road to Sterling.
Please inform the folks
who live on his farm
close to Sweney’s farm.
I have not seen any boys
here except our regt that
I  know I cannot tell what
we shall do in the future
probably stay with McClel-
lans army.  We are in the
5th division of Cav-
alry.

[page 4]
You must write often
and soon. Give my re-
gards to all and receive
much love your selves
yours very truly
                W H Redman
P.S. tell Father that I dont
[want] him to forget to pay Sheriff
Leander [or Landon?] 7 dollars.  & pay the
editors Mirror one Dollar
Satisfy  [?] for the watch
Do the best you can
with the debts & I will
send you money as soon
as I can.
     Direct Co. C 12 Ills Cav.
     5th Divis Cav
      Gen McClellans
                  Army

MSS 7415

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]

Sunday, Sept. 21, 1862

Lost my Haversack
at the late battle
Charlie gave me one
got plate knife & fork of
the 16th Connecticut
Went down to the
river & bathed changed my
shirt. hear of [?]
being taken out yet
went out this afternoon
to try and get some
potatoes did not succeed
have done nothing else
saw John [Benton?] a short
time.
Have had the blues
some to day thinking
of home
Hazy this morning
clear this afternoon, Rumors
of Richmond being taken

MSS 10317

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis Butler, future chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]

Sun 21   Preached twice, baptized a child – & administ-
ered Com[munio]n – Long talk with Lewis at Mr Hs in
Eveg – Capt Irish – who left here but a few weeks
ago with his Co. fell in the Wed. Battle.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]

Sunday–21st  Very dark & cloudy the rain not over–Mr Wingfield is
sick–If we have church Mr Hubbard will officiate–No letters or
papers for me, but Mrs Guthrie has received the Examiner-Which
confirms the report of the taken[sic] of Harpers Ferry & the fighting
in Maryland–At Harpers ferry there was an unconditional surrender
of the garrison. 10,000 men with all the arms–50 pieces of Artillery–Ammuniton
100 wagons–Quarter master & Commissary stores- & many cars some
of which were loaded. 600 negroes. This important conquest was effected
without a loss on our side.  It is reported the cavalry on thousand in
number escaped by Shepherdstown.  At Winchester September 16th a fight
took place at Middleton on Sunday (Maryland) between a very hea
vy force of the Enemy & D.H. Hill’s Division.  The loss was great on each
side.  Gen Hill however held his position until the advance of Longstreet
arrived when the enemy fell back.  Gen Garnet was killed.
“Harpers Ferry” was taken by the divisions of Jackson & AP Hill. The
quantity of amunition captured by us at Harper’s ferry is immense amount-
-ing to several hundred wagon loads–Sharpsburg which according to the
dispatch was the scene of the battle in Maryland is situated on the road leading
from Boonsboro to Shepherdstown & is six miles South of the former place &
about 10 miles North West of Harper’s Ferry. What is the “Writ of habeas
Corpus? It is simply a Writ by which a Citizen who is arrested & imprisoned
by the hand of power may learn what offence is charged against him,
and may be discharged if unjustly detained by a Court of Justice.  It
is the embodiment, nay life of civil liberty–Wrote Mary Constance
& sent her a little Catechism–Also wrote Willie Ruffin Hill—

MSS 6960

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]

Sunday 21  Contrary to the appearance
of yesterday we had a fine day.  I
felt anxious it should be of a charac
-ter to give me excuse for staying from
church. Mr Kinckle preached on
the giving of alms, and showed that
even on suspect grounds it was good
policy. The sermon was a very fine
one. As an addendum he gave
the outline of his plan of the asy
-lum and made a strong appeal.
He read the letter enclosing $100
which I gave him last night
also a note requesting his accep
tance of 15$ all the money from
on the body of Gen. Garland when
he fell.  He then took up the
collection, which was found to
amount to near one thousand
dollars! – which sum will doubtless
be largely increased during the
week.  this is really wonderful.
I learned with great pleasure
that Sam. Garland had left
to Mr. Kinckle for his own use
one thousand dollars and a
like sum for his parish School.
This is very gratifying–Sam has
left half of his estate to his
mother, and divided the rest
among his cousin His uncle
Hughs children  got the largest
share–A dispatch from Rich
mond says there was a general &
terrific battle in Maryland Wed
-nesday that the combat was re-
sumed Thursday & the enemy rou
-ted and driven 9 miles.  This latter
is not stated so positively  and I
fear is not true.  I have forebo
-dings of the result of this invasion
of Maryland as I have had from
the first, though I do not see
what else could have been done-
Service at night-sermon not
remarkable

MSS 4763

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Sunday, September 21, 1862

Tom Williams came to breakfast–All
a mistake, no Yankees in Town

Spent an idle an[d] unprofitable
day–thoughts will come on worldly
things–When will I learn to be
an humble follower of the cross
leaving all things in the hand of
God casting all cares upon Him who
careth for us

Willie Tompkin[?] came by to see Beale
& consented to stay

[partially transcribed in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]

MSS 15406

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massacusetts]

Saturday
Sept 20
I am on guard.  Feel about sick and used
up and about discouraged but God will
sustain me.  Charles Upton was officer of the
guard.  It rains some and looks like a rainy
night.

MSS 11293

[fromthe diary of the Rev. Francis Butler, future chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]

Sat 20. Finished it. & calls – McClellan has had
another series of great battles at Sharpsburg –

defeating rebels with great slaughter & driving
them out of Maryland – but we lost Harpers
Ferry for a time.  Penn & Maryland are safe
but we have not captured the whole rebel army
as was hoped –

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935