“the invasion of Maryland,” in the view of the Federal government, but in reality the sovereignty of the Union, was near at hand. On the night of the 15th the greatest part of McClellan’s troops were in bivouac behind the heights on the left bank of the Antietam, sheltered from, but within range of, the enemy’s batteries. The morning of the 16th was occupied in reconnoissance of the enemy’s position, in rectifying the position of the Federal troops, and perfecting the arrangements for the attack. At about 3 o’clock P.M. Gen. Hooker crossed the Antietam by the bridge in the village on the Hagerstown road, and an adjacent ford, and soon gained the crest of the height on the right bank of the stream. He then turned to his left and followed down the ridge under a strong opposition, until brought to a standstill by the darkness. Gen. Mansfield was ordered to follow Gen. Hooker, so as to be in a position to support him at daybreak.
At daybreak on the 17th, Gen. Hooker attacked the forces in his front, and for a time drove them before him. The enemy, however, rallying, and strengthened from their supporting columns, repulsed him. Gen. Mansfield’s corps was then drawn to Hooker’s support, and the two masses repelled the enemy. Gen. Mansfield was killed and Gen. Hooker wounded at this crisis, and obliged to withdraw from the field. Gen. Sumner’s corps soon reached this portion of the field and became hotly engaged. This corps suffered greatly at this period of the contest, Gens. Sedgwick and Crawford being wounded, and portions of the line were compelled to fall back. The enemy, however, were checked by the Federal artillery. Sumner’s corps was soon reinforced, and the lost ground was recovered. The contest in the mean time on the right was most obstinate, and the losses in this part of the field were very heavy. Gen. Burnside’s corps, on the left, was ordered early in the day to carry the bridge across the Antietam and to attack the enemy’s right. The approaches to the bridge being in the nature of a defile, and being swept by batteries of the enemy, the opposite bank of the Antietam was only reached after a severe struggle. It was afternoon before the heights were in his possession. The enemy were driven back, and a portion of their line in disorder. By the most desperate efforts, however, the enemy rallied their retreating regiments, strengthened their lines with all their available fresh troops, and opened batteries on the hills.
Gen. Burnside could not maintain his advantage, and was obliged to withdraw from the extreme position which he had gained to one slightly in rear. He, however, held his bank of the river completely, and maintained much ground beyond it which he had taken from the enemy. During the advance on the left Gen. Rodman was wounded.
Notwithstanding substantial and decided successes of the day, the Federal forces had suffered so severely during the conflict, having lost 11,426 killed and wounded, and among them many general and superior officers, that it was deemed prudent by Gen. McClellan to reorganize and give rest and refreshment to the troops before renewing the attack. The 18th was accordingly devoted to those objects. On the night of the 18th, however, Gen. Lee withdrew his forces hastily across the Potomac, abandoning further contest with the Union forces, and yielding all hopes of further remaining on Maryland soil. The Confederate army is supposed to have lost nearly 30,000 men during its brief campaign in Maryland. The Federal forces captured 39 colors, 13 guns, more than 15,000 small-arms, and more than 6000 prisoners.—Extracts from D. Appleton’s “History of the Rebellion,” by Tenney, “Lippincott’s Gazetteer,” and Haydn’s “Dates.”
Antioch. A city in Syria, built by Seleucus 300 B.C.; after the battle of Ipsus it acquired the name “Queen of the East.” Here the disciples were first called Christians, A.D. 42. Antioch was taken by the Persians, 540; by the Saracens about 638; recovered from the Eastern emperor, 966; lost again in 1086; retaken by the Crusaders in 1098, and held by them till 1268, when it was captured by the sultan of Egypt. It was taken from the Turks in the Syrian war, Aug. 1, 1833, by Ibrahim Pasha, but restored at the peace.
Antium. A maritime city of Latium, now Porto d’Anzio, near Rome; after a long struggle for independence it became a Roman colony at the end of the great Latin war, 340–38 B.C. The treasures deposited in the Temple of Fortune here were taken by Octavius Cæsar during his war with Antony in 41 B.C.
Antonia. A fortress in Jerusalem on the north side of the area of the temple, originally built by the Maccabees under the name of Baris, and afterwards rebuilt with great strength and splendor by the first Herod. The fortress communicated with the northern and western porticoes of the temple area, so that the garrison could at any time enter the courts of the temple and prevent tumults. Josephus describes it as standing on a rock 50 cubits high, and having everything necessary within itself.
Antustriones. A body-guard of the kings or chiefs of the ancient Germans, which was composed of volunteers.
Antwerp (Fr. Anvers). The principal port of Belgium; is mentioned in history in 517; it was pillaged and burnt by the Spaniards and the inhabitants massacred, November 4, 1576. This event has been termed the “Spanish Fury.” After Marlborough’s victory at Ramillies, Antwerp surrendered at once, June 6, 1706; the Barrier treaty concluded here, November 16, 1715; taken by Marshal Saxe, May 9, 1746; occupied by the French, 1792–94 and 1814. The Belgian troops, having entered Antwerp, were opposed by the Dutch garrison, who, after a dreadful conflict, being driven into their citadel, cannonaded the town with hot shot and shells, October 27, 1830; the citadel was bombarded by the French, December 4; surrendered by Gen. Chasse, December 23, 1832. The exchange burnt, archives, etc., destroyed, August 2, 1858; fortification completed, 1865.
Anvil. An archaism for the handle or hilt of a sword. Also, a little narrow flag at the end of a lance.
Anvil. The resisting cone, plate, or bar against which the fulminate in a metallic cartridge is exploded. See Primer.
Aosta. A town in Piedmont, which was captured by the Romans in 24 B.C.
Aous, or Aeas (now the Voyussa). A river in Epirus, Greece, which flows into the Adriatic Sea; on the banks of this river Philip of Macedon was twice defeated by the Romans.
Apaches. A warlike tribe of savage Indians who infest New Mexico and Arizona. Until within a few years they were hostile, making frequent raids into the neighboring Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua, and robbing and murdering the settlers. They are now peaceable, and settled on reservations (with the exception of a few renegades); but being entirely uncivilized, their peaceful condition is uncertain. See Indians and their Agencies.
Aparejo. A kind of pack-saddle used in the American military service. See Pack-saddles.
Apex. The tip, point, or summit of anything. The Romans so named the crest of a helmet, or the part whereon the horse-hair plume was attached.
Aphracti. In the ancient military art, open vessels, without decks or hatches, furnished only at head and stern with cross-planks, whereon the men stood to fight.
Apobates. A name given by the ancients to warriors who fought mounted on chariots; they were also called Anabates, or Paraebates; they were generally leaders who fought in this manner; their armor and arms consisted of helmet, breast-armor, lance, javelin, sword, and shield. These warriors occasionally alighted from the chariots to attack their adversaries on foot.
Apology. In a military sense, when made and accepted, debars the officer who accepts from bringing forward the matter as a substantive accusation. See Appendix, Articles of War, 25.
Apomaque. This word, with the Grecians, signified those soldiers who were disqualified for military service from physical disability or other causes.
Appalachee Indians. A tribe of Indians once powerful in West Florida. In 1700 a part of them removed into what is now Alabama, and the tribe soon ceased to exist.
Apparatus. Ammunition and equipage for war.
Appareilles. Are those slopes that lead to the platform of the bastion.
Appastis, or Pactis.