The main body of the Confederates was finally encountered at Antietam, and on September 17, 1862, a savage action was fought, which left Lee badly shattered.

MARTHY VIRGINIA'S HAND

[September 17, 1862]

"THERE, on the left!" said the colonel; the battle had shuddered and faded

away, Wraith of a fiery enchantment that left only

ashes and blood-sprinkled clay "Ride to the left and examine that ridge, where the enemy's sharpshooters stood. Lord, how they picked off our men, from the treacherous vantage-ground of the wood!

But for their bullets, I'll bet, my batteries sent them something as good.

Go and explore, and report to me then, and tell me how many we killed. Never a wink shall I sleep till I know our vengeance was duly fulfilled."

Fiercely the orderly rode down the slope of the

cornfield-scarred and forlorn, Rutted by violent wheels, and scathed by the

shot that had ploughed it in scorn; Fiercely, and burning with wrath for the

sight of his comrades crushed at a blow,

Flung in broken shapes on the ground like ruined memorials of woe;

These were the men whom at daybreak he knew, but never again could know. Thence to the ridge, where roots out-thrust, and twisted branches of trees Clutched the hill like clawing lions, firm their prey to seize.

"What's your report?" and the grim colonel smiled when the orderly came back at last.

Strangely the soldier paused: "Well, they were punished." And strangely his face looked, aghast.

"Yes, our fire told on them; knocked over fifty-laid out in line of parade. Brave fellows, Colonel, to stay as they did! But one I 'most wished had n't stayed.

Mortally wounded, he'd torn off his knapsack; and then, at the end, he prayed

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With you they shook dread Stonewall's spell,
With you they braved the blended yell
Of rebel and maligner fell;

With you in fame or shame they dwell,
McClellan!

Antietam-braves a brave can tell.

And when your comrades (now so few,
McClellan,

Such ravage in deep files they rue)
Meet round the board, and sadly view
The empty places; tribute due
They render to the dead - and you!
Absent and silent o'er the blue;
The one-armed lift the wine to you,
McClellan,

And great Antietam's cheers renew.
HERMAN MELVILLE.

On October 1, 1862, President Lincoln issued to McClellan a peremptory order to pursue Lee. Twenty days were spent in correspondence before that order was obeyed. McClellan had exhausted the patience even of the President. On November 5 he was relieved from command, and General A. E. Burnside appointed to replace him. The latter paused to get the army in hand and then moved down the Rappahannock toward Fredericksburg, where Lee was strongly intrenched. On December 11 the Union army managed to cross the Potomac in the face of a heavy fire.

THE CROSSING AT FREDERICKSBURG

[December 11, 1862]

I LAY in my tent at mid-day,
Too full of pain to die,
When I heard the voice of Burnside,
And an answering shout reply.

I heard the voice of the General. —
"T was firm, though low and sad;
But the roar that followed his question
Laughed out till the hills were glad.

"O comrade, open the curtain,

And see where our men are bound, For my heart is still in my bosom At that terrible, mirthful sound.

"And hark what the General orders,
For I could not catch his words;
But what means that hurry and movement,
That clash of muskets and swords?"

"Lie still, lie still, my Captain,

"T is a call for volunteers; And the noise that vexes your fever Is only our soldiers' cheers."

Where go they?" "Across the river." "O God! and must I lie still,

While that drum and that measured trampling

Move from me far down the hill?

But yet the boats moved onward;

Through fire and lead they drove, With the dark, still mass within them, And the floating stars above.

So loud and near it sounded,
I started at the shout,
As the keels ground on the gravel,
And the eager men burst out.

Cheer after cheer we sent them,
As only armies can,
Cheers for old Massachusetts,
Cheers for young Michigan!

They formed in line of battle;

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Not a man was out of place.
Then with levelled steel they hurled them
Straight in the rebels' face.

"Oh, help me, help me, comrade!
For tears my eyelids drown,
As I see their smoking banners
Stream up the smoking town.

"And see the noisy workmen

O'er the lengthening bridges run,
And the troops that swarm to cross them
When the rapid work be done.

"For the old heat, or a new one,
Flames up in every vein;
And with fever or with passion
I am faint as death again.

"If this is death, I care not!

Hear me, men, from rear to van! One more cheer for Massachusetts, And one more for Michigan!"

GEORGE HENRY BOKER.

On the morning of December 13, 1862, the Union army advanced to the attack. The Confederate advance lines were driven back, but rallied and drove back their assailants with heavy loss. Assault after assault was repulsed, and Burnside was finally compelled to withdraw with a loss of fifteen thousand men. He was relieved of command soon afterwards.

AT FREDERICKSBURG

[December 13, 1862]

GOD send us peace, and keep red strife away; But should it come, God send us men and

steel!