Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) to Jefferson Davis
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07362 Author/Creator: Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) Place Written: Sharpsburg, Maryland Type: Letter Date: 18 September 1862 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.9 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy
Charles Marshall's (1830-1902) copy containing the substance of a letter from Robert E. Lee to Jefferson Davis regarding battle of Antietam. Writer inferred from handwriting. Recounts major events of the battle and states that at the end of the day "Our Army occupied the same line it had held before the Battle. The enemy I believe do the same. I have again to report the loss of many brave men."
Charles Marshall was Robert E. Lee's aide-de-camp.
[excerpt]
[Note: Struck text has not been included.]
…Mr. President, My letter of the 16th inst: informed you that the enemy was in force in our front. He made no attack except by a feeble cannonade on our lines on the evening of that day. The division of Genl Jackson which had come up on the morning of the 16th, and been placed in position our right, was transferred to the left on the afternoon of that day. The divisions of Generals [Lafayette] McLaws, [Richard H.] Anderson and [John G.] Walker had not arrived. Early in the morning of the 17th, the enemy, having crossed the Antietam about two miles above our position, advanced in three compact columns and attacked that part of our line held by Genls. Jackson and DH Hill. Our position on the left was maintained with great resolution. The enemy pressed heavily upon DH Hill, and forced him back. The commands of Generals McLaws, Walker and RH Anderson, who had come up during the morning, were sent to the support of Jackson and DH Hill, where the enemy was driven back, our lines restored, and we continued to hold our position during the rest of the day. In the afternoon, the enemy attacked our right commanded by Gen D[avid] R Jones, who maintained his position handsomely, until the superior numbers of the enemy, enabling him to extend his left and cross the Antietam below the bridge held by Gen. [Robert] Toombs Brigade, compelled our right to retire. Gen AP Hill who had come up about three o'clock, and was ordered to take position on the right of Gen. Jones attacked the enemy with five brigades of his division continued the contest until dark, drove them back, reoccupied the ground and restored our line. Our army occupied the same line it had held before the battle. The enemy I believe do the same. I have again to report the loss of many brave men. Generals [William E.] Starke & [Lawrence] Branch are reported killed, and I learn that Generals R.H Anderson, [Alexander R.] Lawton, [Roswell S.] Ripley, [Ambrose R.] Wright, [Louis A.] Armistead & [Maxcy] Gregg are wounded, none of them however severely….
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