The following article is transcribed from the New York Times, dated September 20, 1862:

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BATTLE OF ANTIETAM CREEK.;

Full Particulars from Our Special Correspondent. The Most Stupendous Struggle of Modern Times. The Battle Won by Consummate Generalship. The Rebel Losses Estimated as High as Thirty Thousand.

A GREAT NUMBER OF PRISONERS CAPTURED.

 

BATTLE-FIELD OF ANTIETAM CREEK, Thursday, Sept. 18, 1862.

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          Another great battle has been fought, and the cause of the Union has once more been vindicated upon one of the most bloody and well-contested fields known to ancient or modern times. Wednesday, Sept. 17, 1862, will, we predict, hereafter be looked upon as an epoch in the history of the rebellion, from which will date the inauguration of its downfall. On that day about one hundred and sixty thousand men met in deadly strife upon the field of Antietam -- a name which will occupy a leading position in the history of the war -- and there, marshaled by brave and able men, fought with a desperation and courage never before excelled, and rarely, if ever equaled, for twelve hours, leaving the Union army in possession of the contested ground. This victory was not gained, however, without the sacrifice of many valuable lives, and the maiming of thousands of individuals. PRECEDING EVENTS. Before attempting to present even a glance at this battle, let us first prepare the reader for a correct understanding of it by relating -- in continuation of my last letter -- the events immediately preceding the great contest. My last brought Gen. MCCLELLAN's advance into Maryland up to midday on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at which time the army occupied a position in close proximity to the road leading from Boonesville to Sharpsburgh, and upon and near the left bank of the little creek known by the name of Antietam, which rises in Central Pennsylvania, and, after running in a southerly direction, its waters are mingled with the turgid waters of the Potomac, about five miles above Harper's Ferry. The enemy occupied a position on the right bank of the Antietam, favorably located for both offensive and defensive operations, and in this respect had the advantage. To circumvent the enemy, and secure an equally favorable position, was the first object to be obtained. That this required the [???] of a great leader, needed no mititary man to elucidate, for the whole position of affairs could be taken in at a glance. How well and successfully this object was accomplished, the success of our arms is abundant evidence. Of [???] of the details of the movement to this end we shall give in the proper place, just across the creek, in plain view from the eastern bank, the enemy's skirmishers could be distinctly then, and from elevated positions massed forces of infantry and cavalry could be discovered covered in every [???] for [???] on either hand. Two hundred thousand been was what the enemy pretended to have within the scene of the eye, and from repeated personal inspection, [???] by an excellent glass, while standing in a favorable position, I should judge the [???] not in exaggerated one. PREPARATIONS FOR A MOVEMENT. Between 12 and 2 o'clock P.M. all was silent along the lines. The German Battery of sixteen 20-pound Parrott guns, upon the eminence overlooking the river's bank were silent. Major ARNDT had fallen, and the infantry battalions were quietly resting upon the ground under the hill, upon the tops of which were planted our artillery. This quietness was like the quietness that precedes the storm. The Commanding General had arrived upon the ground at an early hour the day before, and had made himself familiar with the position, and at the time of which we write was busily engaged in giving the necessary instructions to the Commanders of Corps, so as to render our success in the impending conflict as much a matter of certainty as possible. THE MOVEMENT. Soon after 2 o'clock P.M. the Parrott guns, to which allusion has been made before, were opened upon the enemy and worked with great rapidity, and nearly every shell thrown, as I afterward ascertained, did fearful execution in the massed columns of the enemy. In a brief space after this terrible fire had been opened, there was a movement of the troops inexplicable to the uninitiated at the moment, but the object of which was soon, revealed to the careful observer. The Antietam was to be crossed; Gen. HOOKER's Corps, by a [???] movement, gained a [???] to the north of between two and [???], and changing direction to the left reached the river at Kelly's Ford. A portion of the Pennsylvania [???], under command of Brig.-Gen. [???] were thrown across the river and were deployed [???] skirmishers, and under [???] cover and the support of the [???] to New-York Battery, Gen. [???] and most of the missiles were thrown too high, hence our loss at this point was comparatively trifling. This battery was speedily silenced, and the rapid movements of Gen. HOOKER's column soon placed it in jeopardy; but the enemy, always on the alert, managed to get their pieces out of the way before a battery could be thrown across to sustain the infantry column in its local movements. The enemy's skirmishers were forced back step by step by the Reserves to their main body, by which time the whole of the advancing column was in position, and ready for more decisive offensive operations. The enemy rushed forward seemingly bent upon annihilating the comparatively small force sent against them, and several times there was some wavering under the terrible and impetuous resistance -- but the troops quickly rallied, and, under the lead of their able commander, secured the much coveted and a necessary position to secure success. This movement across the river was one for which Gen. HOOKER was peculiarly qualified, and he executed [???] in a manner highly creditable to his skill as a General. Here the battle of Antietam commenced in earnest. Until nightfall set in Gen. HOOKER pressed the enemy back, and every step was gained by hard fighting. THE DEMONSTRATION TO THE LEFT Tuesday afternoon Gen. BURNSIDE's column was brought up to the river and directed to make a demonstration on the enemy's right, by crowing the stream three or four miles below the point where Gen. HOOKER had crossed, with a view to secure a stone bridge -- to facilitate the crossing of artillery and munitions -- and also to threaten the enemy's right flank, to correspond with the demonstration of Gen. HOOKER an his (the enemy's) left, which was to be the real point of attack. This order was promptly obeyed, and carried out with alacrity. Gen. BURNSIDE, by dark, had arrived at the point of crossing, and on the following morning forced the enemy back from the bridge, and rendered important aid with his artillery. THE SLAY NIGHT. During the night of Tuesday, Gen. BANKS' Corps, then under the command of Gen. MANSFIELD, who was killed early the following day, Gen. FRANKLIN's Corps and two divisions of Gen. SUMNER's Corps -- SEDGWICK's and FRENCH's -- were drown across the river at the ford to sustain Gen. HOOKER, when the line of battle was formed in the following order: Gen. HOOKER on the right; Gen. SUMNER -- the line running nearly north and south -- the left, inclining toward the river and in a direction a little to the east of south. Gen. FRANKLIN's force was placed in a reserve on the right. On Wednesday morning early the balance of Gen. SUMNER's Corps -- Gen. RICHARDSON's Division -- was thrown across the creek and extended the line to the left; the commands of Gens. MORELL, FITZ-JOHN PORTER and COUCH were brought on to the field later in the day, but were not required, and were therefore held in reserve.

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