General Wilcox’s division was the first to arrive, and took position on the right, having, however, sent one regiment to the extreme left to assist that point against the rebels, who were moving against it.
The division of General Sturgis supported General Wilcox; that of General Rodman was divided, the brigade of Colonel Fairchild being posted on the extreme left; and that of Colonel Hanlan (under General Rodman’s own supervision), on the right.
The enemy continued to make strong efforts to regain the crest; attacking, chiefly, the right of the Union column under General Cox. This division was exposed to a fire directly in front, and also to the rebel batteries on the other side, through which runs the Hagerstown main road. At four o’clock all the reinforcements were in position, and the order was given to either silence or take the rebel batteries, by advancing the whole line upon them. The advance was made with loud shouts and cheers, and the enemy’s desperate resistance was met with fierce assaults on the part of the Federals. The rebels charged on the advancing lines with yells of rage, but meeting such determination from the opposing ranks, they retreated, and fell back in wild confusion.
Wilson’s division suffered the greatest loss; the General gives the highest praise to the conduct of the Seventeenth Michigan in this advance. That regiment had been organized less than a month; but every man met the enemy like a veteran warrior. The Forty-fifth Pennsylvania also signalized themselves by their bravery in the same noble charge.
The batteries across the gap still kept up a constant shower of shot and shell upon the Union lines.
General Sturgis’ division, at about twilight, was moved forward to the front of General Wilcox’s position; and about dark the enemy made a sudden, sharp attack upon it; but was almost instantly driven back. Again, at seven o’clock, the rebels made another effort to regain their lost ground; and for an hour sharp firing was kept up between the two sides. They were finally repulsed, and retreated under cover of the night.
In this engagement Major-General Reno was killed, and General Cox was placed in command. In General Reno, the country lost one of its very best general officers. In recording the sad occurrence, General McClellan says, “He was a skillful soldier, and a brave and honest man.”
The firing ceased entirely about ten o’clock, while the troops slept on their arms, ready to renew the fight when the morning of another day should dawn upon the battle-field. During the night the enemy retired from the front of the Union army, leaving their dead strewn over the field, and abandoning the wounded to their fate.
The right of the column had been actively engaged under General Hooker, while these operations were going forward on the left. Hooker’s corps left the Monocacy early in the morning, and at one o’clock reached the Catoctin creek. As it approached the battle-ground, the greatest enthusiasm was manifested for its gallant commander. General Cox, in his report, gives the following list of his casualties in this well-fought and bravely-won battle; and bestows merited commendation on both officers and men:
“Early in the engagement Lieutenant-Colonel R. B. Hayes, commanding the Twenty-third Ohio, was severely wounded in the arm whilst leading his regiment forward. He refused to leave the field for some time, however, till weakness from loss of blood compelled him. Major E. M. Carey of the Twelfth Ohio, was shot through the thigh late in the action, in which he had greatly distinguished himself by his gallantry and cool courage. Captains Skiles and Hunter, and Lieutenants Hood, Smith, Naughton and Ritter of the Twenty-third Ohio, and Captains Ligget and Wilson of the Twelfth Ohio, were also wounded in the engagement.