October 1, 1862, The New York Herald
It is evident, from the tone which the rebel journals have recently assumed, that a desire for peace is gaining strength in the South. It is even reported, although upon very vague authority, that a commission, or something of that kind, has been appointed by the rebel Congress to make propositions of peace upon certain terms. We give all the particulars touching this rumor in our editorial and news columns today.
General McClellan has furnished an official report to Major General Halleck of some of the results of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. General McClellan confines himself almost exclusively to the extent of the loss which our army suffered, referring also to the probable loss of the enemy, which he estimates at a considerably higher number. Our loss in the two battles he puts down as 14,794; but he says that we lost neither a gun nor a flag, while we captured thirty-nine rebel colors and thirteen guns.
General Halleck has issued a circular to the Governors of the several States, urging them to fill up the vacancies of commissioned officers who have fallen in battles in such large numbers recently, by appointing deserving non-commissioned officers and privates who have distinguished themselves in battle and have evinced a capacity to command to the vacant places – an excellent suggestion, which, if carried out, will provide our army with many competent officers, and will thus supply a want greatly needed.
General Stahel, from Sigel’s command, has made another reconnoissance from Washington as far as Salem and White Plains, but found no rebels there. On his way he fell in with a few wounded and sick wretches belonging to the enemy at the village of Warrenton, whom he captured and paroled. It was reported at Alexandria that some portion of General Sigel’s forces had captured all the locomotives and cars which the rebels left un-destroyed after their demolition of Bristow Station and Warrenton Junction.
Governor Bradford, of Maryland, has issued a proclamation thanking General McClellan for his gallant defence of that State during the late invasion of the rebel army; also to Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, for his active co-operation in sending the State militia to the frontier to aid General McClellan at that point.
Our news from the West is to the effect that General Morgan has evacuated Cumberland Gap with his entire force, and is now on his way to the Ohio river. On evacuating the Gap, General Morgan sprung the mines, closing the passage through the mountains so completely as to make it entirely impassable.
All stores, artillery and munitions of war were either brought away or destroyed, not leaving anything of value to the enemy.
Important movements are said to be on foot against the forces of Kirby Smith and Marshall. At Louisville General Buell’s force is fully organized, and fully adequate to meet all the force of the rebels in Kentucky.