surging to and fro, like a horde of savages. The fight became, in places, one of hand-to-hand; and there was no spot where the opposing forces were more than ten paces apart. The attack was as short as it was fierce; but it ended in the complete repulse of the rebels. They were driven back, with all their yells and clatters, leaving nearly three hundred killed and wounded on the field.

This brief but sanguinary fight is known as that of Garnett's Hill.

On the following morning the enemy renewed the attack, with all the fury of armed men balked of their prey. But they were again signally repulsed, with loss; leaving a Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, and other officers and men of the Seventh and Eighth Georgia regiments, prisoners in our hands

General Hancock continued to hold the enemy in check at this important point until three o'clock of the morning of the 28th of June, when he rejoined the remainder of the division of General Smith, and participated actively in the obstinate battles of Savage's Station, on the 29th, and of White Oak Swamp, on the 30th of the same month.

For his services at Garnett's Hill he was again. recommended for appointment as Major General of Volunteers, by the commander of the army. He was

recommended, subsequently, for three brevets in the Regular Army, for meritorious conduct during the Peninsular campaign.

On his return from the Peninsula, General Hancock prepared at once to take part in the defence of Washington, made by General Pope against the advance of the rebel army, under Lee. But before he could reach the field of action, the Union army had withdrawn to a better position for the immediate protection of the city.

The particulars of the career of Hancock in front. of Richmond, in the campaign of '62, are thus carefully narrated here, in order that it may be seen with what pertinacity, skill and courage he continued to act his part.

We must now go with him to the battle of Antietam; where the unusual honor was conferred upon him of being made a division commander, during the engagement.

CHAPTER XVIII.

AT ANTIETAM.

"For freedom's battle, once begun,
Bequeathed by bleeding sire to son,
Though baffled oft, is ever won."

Byron.

N the 27th of June, 1862, the brevet of Colonel

ON

in the Regular Army was bestowed on Hancock, for distinguished conduct in the Peninsular campaign. His next service was in command of his brigade at the battle of Antietam, in Maryland, which was fought on the 17th of September, of the same year.

This battle was one of the most baffling in its immediate character of any of the war; and yet its results have been eminently beneficial to the Union

cause.

The transfer of the seat of operations from the front of Washington to the Maryland line had much enlarged the sphere of the Army of the Potomac. It became necessary not only to cover the National Capital with an adequate force, but Baltimore, Phila

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delphia, and important interior towns, even as far west as Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, required protection. The enemy were on the alert in all directions, demanding the most vigilant efforts of our patriotic troops to meet and overcome them.

The first prizes to be fought for by the rebels and to be defended by the patriots were Washington, Baltimore, the Cumberland Valley, Harper's Ferry and Philadelphia

On the 16th of September the rebels were posted on the heights in the rear of Antietam creek. This stream rises in the southern part of Pennsylvania, and pursuing a southerly course through a portion of Maryland, empties into the Potomac. The country contiguous is broken, and beyond are the passes of the South Mountain range. The principal roads in the vicinity lead to and from Sharpsburg, Hagerstown, Harper's Ferry and Baltimore. The body of the rebels occupied strong positions among the hills, commanding the valleys and plains below, for a considerable distance. Their artillery was well posted on all the principal heights.

It was the design of the Union commander to attack the enemy on their left. The Pennsylvania troops were among the first to advance. The position of affairs, as our men swept into the areas before

the rebel guns, was intensely trying; but their valor sustained them well to the close of the hard-fought engagement. Our loss in killed and wounded, especially in officers, was large, several generals being carried from the scene of action.

In the valley of Antietam, where some of the hottest engagements of the battle were fought, we were crowded into a narrow space, and subject to a galling fire from the protected batteries of the enemy. It was found to be almost impossible to enfilade them, in consequence of the abruptness of the hills. These steep slopes were lined with rifle-pits and breastworks, from which the rifles and guns swept large portions of the whole of that part of the field.

As our troops continued to advance, determined to drive the enemy from their strongholds, the slaughter was fearful. But they pressed on to every point where there was any possibility of meeting the foe on equal grounds. The rebels were now strongly reinforced, battery being added to battery, as if they were determined, in return, to make a wholesale. butchery of the brave men so exposed before

their fire.

The battle over the entire field was much of it of this description. It was one of the most unequal fights on record. Our artillery was promptly filed