That must have taken some digging David. Very interesting journal. Great work. I'm sure Craig will take interest in it considering the expected Confederate bashing and flag waving (Union). As I recall Lee left the field at Sharpsburg in no great hurry and crossed back into Virginia with little harrassment and injury from the Federal Army. With A.P. Hill's speedy march from Harper's Ferry to seal the deal, Robert E. Lee proved he could take his army into enemy territory (yes Maryland, that's the way we considered you) and inflict damage and then leave. I know all you Federal boys (Chase and Mofed for instance) will say that Sharpsburg was a Union victory. But actually I'd say it was a "resounding" Confederate victory. Lee ventured into enemy territory, he was not driven from the field, and he was able to cross back into the Confederacy with a great number of casualties but inflicting the same with an army ready to fight again at an instants notice. Much like Gettysburg, Lee's Army loitered for a couple of days befor a great "retreat" was insued. In both instances it took the Federal Army a good deal of time to get "back on line" and ready for battle. (months) With Burnside's total inemptness at getiing his corps and supporting corps across a river (creek) on a bridge, defended by 500 Georgia sharpshooters, when the creek was easily fordable on foot just down stream showed the great leadership skills he would exhibit at Fredericksburg. Another situation where Federals occupied the prime gound even weeks before the ANV got on line. Only to be destroyed by Confederate artillery and massed infantry behind formidible defenses just outside of the town. Have you ever been to Chatham Manor and Stafford Heights? The Federals executed an eight hour cannonade with 9000 rounds fired with little affect on Lee's army. They did do a (word edited by admin) of a job blowing up the city of Fredericksburg. Just another example of the destruction and mayhem exhibited by the Federals on civilians and Southern property.

In The Face of the Enemy,
I am respectfully yours.

Keith Saunders
First Sergeant
Smith's Battery
Richmond Howitzers
Mechanicsville. VA