“The Thirty-third and Seventy-seventh, under Lieutenant-Colonel Corning and Captain Babcock repulsed the enemy handsomely, and then took and held firmly their respective places in line of battle until relieved.”
Our loss during the engagement amounted to 11,426. That of the confederates has never been made known. Our captures in this battle and those of the mountain passes, amounted to thirty-nine colors, thirteen guns, fifteen thousand stand of small arms, and six thousand prisoners. The enemy’s wounded were kindly provided for, and received the same attention as our own.
A very noticeable feature among the officers made prisoners, was the entire absence of shoulder straps. A narrow strip of cloth over the shoulder, or silver star on the coat collar, were the only insignia of rank.
Our Regiments of new troops covered themselves with glory in the fight. In fact, Pea Ridge, Donaldson and Newbern had previously demonstrated that true courage and patriotism are more than a match for mere drill and discipline. Said a rebel officer, while extolling their gallantry, “—— them, they didn’t know when they were flanked.”
CHAPTER XXII.
Pennsylvania Militia.—Visit of the President.—Beautiful Scenery along the Potomac.—Harper’s Ferry.—“Jefferson’s Rock.”
Two days after the battle, General Smith’s Division moved up the river near to Williamsport, to reinforce General Couch, it being reported that the enemy were re-crossing the Potomac at that point. The Thirty-third commenced marching at ten o’clock in the evening, joining General Couch at daylight. Two thousand rebel cavalry had forded the river, but upon finding us in force, retired. About four miles in the rear, the Pennsylvania Militia were drawn up in line of battle across the turnpike leading to Hagerstown.
There were nearly thirty thousand of this extemporized army, who had hastened forward from every portion of the State, to assist in repelling the invader. Clergymen, lawyers, doctors, merchants, mechanics, and farmers made up the ranks. Among the privates, manning a howitzer, we recognized Congressman Kelly and Judge White of Philadelphia. The men were armed with Sharp’s rifles, minies, flint-locked muskets, shot-guns, squirrel rifles, in short everything that could be classed under the head of “shooting irons.” They were equipped in every style, from the neat soldierly uniform of the Philadelphians to the raw homespun of the Mountain boys. It was truly an imposing militia turnout.
On the 23rd, the Regiment broke camp, and proceeding north on the Hagerstown turnpike, encamped near Bakersville, where it remained three weeks. About the 1st of October, the President again visited the army. Having reviewed the troops at Harper’s Ferry, under General Sumner, he rode up to Antietam, and after inspecting the battle-field, reviewed Generals Burnside’s and Porter’s commands. He then proceeded up to Williamsport, and inspected the troops there, Smith’s Division passing before him about three o’clock on the afternoon of the 2d. He was accompanied by General McClellan, and everywhere welcomed with cheers.