September 19.—General McClellan, from his headquarters near Antietam, Md., sent the following despatches to the War Department at Washington:
8.30 A.m.—But little occurred yesterday except skirmishing. Last night the enemy abandoned his position, leaving his dead and wounded on the field. We are again in pursuit I do not know whether he is falling back to an interior position or crossing the river. We may safely claim a victory.
10.30 A.m.—General Pleasanton is driving the enemy across the river. Our victory is complete. The enemy is driven back into Virginia. Maryland and Virginia are now safe.
—In the rebel House of Representatives in session at Richmond, Va., Mr. Foote offered the following resolution:
Resolved, by the Congress of the confederate States of America, That the signal success with which Divine Providence has so continuously blessed our arms for several months past, would fully justify the confederate Government in despatching a commissioner or commissioners to the Government at Washington City, empowered to propose the terms of a just and honorable peace. —Richmond, Examiner, September 20.
—General Halleck issued the following circular from his headquarters at Washington:
“Major-General Foster, commanding the Department of North-Carolina, has called attention to an article in the New-York Evening Post of September 4, in which is published the numbers and positions of his troops. He remarks that the New-York papers always reach the enemy in a few days after publication, and that such information from our friends is more injurious than that gained by the rebel spies. The newspaper press is earnestly requested to make no publication in regard to the numbers and movements of our troops.
“No information could be more desirable to the enemy than this. Such publications have done immense injury to our cause.”
—The funeral exercises over the remains of Major-General Reno took place to day in Trinity Church, Boston, Mass. Bishop Eastman officiated. Governor Andrew and other State officials were present
—The battle of Iuka, Mississippi, was fought this day by the National forces under General Rosecrans and the rebels under the command of General Price.—(Doc. 126.)
