established, and on the i4th engaged in an artillery duel with the enemy, in which Maj. F. L. Wiatt, of the Forty-eighth North Carolina, was wounded, and one or two privates were also struck. General Jackson moved by way of the Winchester & Harper’s Ferry railroad. On nearing the town, General Fender, in command of his own, Archer’s and Brockenbrough’s brigades, was sent to seize a crest overlooking the town, which was done with slight loss. This eminence was that night crowned with artillery. Generals Branch and Gregg marched along the river and occupied the plains in rear of the enemy’s works. Ewell’s division was moved into position on Schoolhouse hill, and other batteries were placed. On the 15th, all the guns on both sides opened with much noise and little destruction. Just as General Fender prepared to move his infantry forward in assault, a white flag was displayed, and General White, the commanding officer, surrendered 11,000 men, 73 pieces of artillery, 13,000 small-arms, and other stores.[1]
After a brief rest, Jackson and Walker started to join their commander. "By a severe night march," they reached Sharpsburg about noon on the i6th. General Walker says: "The thought of General Lee s perilous situation, with the Potomac river on his rear, confronting with his small force McClellan’s vast army, had haunted me through the long hours of the night’s march,"[2] A. P. Hill and McLaws followed Jackson, arriving during the battle when they were sorely needed. When Jackson and Walker reported for position, General Lee’s ground had been selected, and he had placed Longstreet on his right and D. H. Hill to Longstreet’s left. The line of battle extended along a slight crest, parallel to the Antietam river, and just in front of the village of Sharpsburg. General Jackson was assigned to the extreme left, his right connecting with Hill’s left, and his line at first
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