Burnside Bridge was heavily attacked?  The question was indeed momentous.  If the Federals were to put forth their whole strength without delay, bring their numerous artillery into action, and press the battle at every point, it seemed hardly possible that defeat could be averted.  McClellan, however, who had never yet ventured on a resolute offensive, was not likely, in Lee’s judgment, to assault so strong a position as that held by the Confederates with whole-hearted energy, and it was safe to calculate that his troops would be feebly handled.  Yet the odds were great.  Even after the arrival of the absent divisions’ no more than 35,000 infantry, 4000 cavalry, and 194 guns would be in line, and the enemy’s numbers were far superior.

(* Men Guns
A.P.  Hill’s Division 5,000 18
McLaws’ Division 4,500 24
B.H.  Anderson’s Division 3,500 18
Hampton’s Cavalry Brigade 1,500 —­
                                          ------ --
                                          14,500 60 )

McClellan had called in Franklin from Rohrersville, and his muster roll was imposing.

Men Guns

First Corps—­Hooker 14,856 40
Second Corps—­Sumner 18,813 42
Fifth Corps—­Porter 12,930 70
Sixth Corps—­Franklin 12,300 36
Ninth Corps—­Burnside 13,819 35
Twelfth Corps—­Mansfield 10,126 36
Cavalry—­Pleasanton 4,320 16
                             ------ ---
                             87,164 275

In comparison with the masses arrayed between the Red Hill and the
Antietam, the Confederate army was but a handful.

5 A.M.

Notwithstanding McClellan’s caution, the opening of the battle was not long delayed.  Before sunrise the desultory firing of the pickets had deepened to the roar of battle.  Hooker, who had been ordered to begin the attack, forming his troops behind the North Wood, directed them on the Dunkard Church, which, standing on rising ground, appeared the key of the position.  Jackson had already thrown back his two divisions at nearly a right angle to the Confederate front.  His right, which connected with the left of D.H.  Hill, and resting on the western edge of the East Wood extended as far as the Miller House, was held by Lawton, with two brigades in front and one in second line.  West of the Hagerstown turnpike, and covering the ground as far as the Nicodemus Farm, was Jones’ division; the Stonewall and Jones’ brigades in front, Taliaferro’s and Starke’s along the edge of the wood in rear.  Three guns stood upon the turnpike; the remainder of the artillery (thirteen) guns was with Stuart on the high ground north of Nicodemus Run.  Hood, in third line, stood near the Dunkard Church; and on Hood’s right were three of Longstreet’s batteries under Colonel Stephen Lee.