ble rapidity, came up into position at a late hour in the morning. Humphreys' division of new troops, in their anxiety to participate in the battle which was raging when they received the order to march from Frederick about 3.30 p. m. on the 17th, pressed forward during the entire night, and the mass of the division reached the army during the following morning. Having marched more than 23 miles after 4.30 o'clock on the preceding afternoon, they were, of course, greatly exhausted, and needed rest and refreshment. Large re-enforcements expected from Pennsylvania never arrived.

During the 18th orders were given for a renewal of the attack at day light on the 19th.

On the night of the 18th the enemy, after passing troops in the latter part of the day from the Virginia shore to their position behind Sharpsburg, as seen by our officers, suddenly formed the design of abandoning their position and retreating across the river. As their line was but a short distance from the river, the evacuation presented but little difficulty and was effected before daylight.

About 2,700 of the enemy's dead were, under the direction of Major Davis, assistant inspector-general, counted and buried upon the battlefield of Antietam. A portion of their dead had been previously buried by the enemy. This is conclusive evidence that the enemy sustained much greater loss than we.

Thirteen guns, 39 colors, upwards of 15,000 stand of small-arms, and more than 6,000 prisoners were the trophies which attest the success of our arms in the battles of South Mountain, Crampton's Gap, and Antietam. Not a single gun or color was lost by our army during these battles.

An estimate of the forces under the Confederate General Lee, made up by direction of General Banks from information obtained by the examination of prisoners, deserters, spies, &c., previous to the battle of Antietam, is as follows:

General T. J. Jackson's corps

---------------------

24,778

General James Longstreet's corps

------------------

23,342

General D. H. Hill's two divisions

----------------

15,525

General J. E. B. Stuart cavalry

-------------------

6,400

Generals Ransom's and Jenkins' brigade

------------

3,000

Forty-six regiments not included in above

---------

18,400

Artillery, estimated at 400 guns

------------------

6,000

_______

Total

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97,445

These estimates give the actual number of men present and fit for duty.

Our own forces at the battle of Antietam were as follows:

First Corps

---------------------------------------

14,856

Second Corps

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18,813

Fifth Corps (one division not arrived)

------------

12,930

Sixth Corps

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12,300

Ninth Corps

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13,819

Twelfth Corps

-------------------------------------

10,126

Cavalry Division

----------------------------------

4,320

________

Total in action

--------------------------

87,164

When our cavalry advance reached the river on the morning of the 19th, it was discovered that nearly all the enemy's forces had crossed into Virginia during the night, their rear escaping under cover of eight batteries, placed in strong positions upon the elevated bluffs on the opposite bank. General Porter, commanding the Fifth Corps, ordered