Happy Treadhead Tuesday!
Our last visit brought us to Sharpsburg, Maryland and the battle of Antietam. While Sharpsburg does not get the frequency of visitors that Gettysburg or Manassas might, this place had a charm and country flavor that enhanced our visit. We were told that the battlefield looks about the same it did on Sept. 17, 1862. Much of the area is still private farming.
The morning phase of Antietam (6am to 9am).
At dawn (5:43AM) Gen. Hooker’s First Corps launched the initial attack from this point in the North Woods. That’s the Miller Farmhouse in front of the woods and “The Cornfield in the forground.
At 8AM Gen. Joseph Mansfield 12th Corps would advance into the right flank of the confederate army in the East Woods.
The focal point of repeated clashes as both armies sought to occupy and hold the high ground was the Dunker Church (the church of “the bloodiest battlefield in all American History"). Col. Stephen Lee positioned his batteries to repel Union attacks from Gen. Hooker in the North Woods through the Miller Cornfield and toward the Dunker Church.
As Hooker and Mansfield advanced more fighting took place here in the Miller cornfield. The battle lines swept back and forth across the field for three hours. This is Cornfield Road. Green’s Division, First Corps on the left; Hoods Division, Jackson’s Corps on the right.
Here at “The Cornfield” the 1st, 4th and 5th Texas Brigades helped blunt the attack of Mansfield's Corps almost alone. The Texas Brigades sealed a threatening gap in the cornfield line and in so doing the First Texas Infantry suffered a 82.3% casualty rate the greatest loss suffered by any infantry regiment north or south. 850 less 550.
Also into the “Jaws of Death” Union Gen. John Sedwicks’s division lost more than 2,200 men in less than half an hour in an ill-fated charge into the West Woods against Jackson’s Corps.
The Mumma Farmstead, where the Mumma house stood. The only property deliberately destroyed by the confederates to prevent a sharpshooter stronghold.
Midday Phase (9:30AM to 1PM).
Union troops under French and Richardson crossed these fields (Roulette Farm) on their way to meet the Confederates posted in the Sunken Road.
The Sunken Road (Bloody Lane). The Unions 2nd Corps appear atop the ridge. Longstreet's Corps of Georgians, Alabamians and North Carolinians occupy the road. For nearly 4 hours Union and Confederate infantry contested this sunken country raod, resulting in over 5000 casualties.
Panoramic shot from atop the memorial tower dedicated to the Irish Brigade. Running along the left side of the pic is The Sunken Road. On the left horizon (see the tiny memorial spire?) is the location of the Dunkers Church. Just to the left of the white roofed house (Roulette Farmhouse) is the “Bloody Cornfield”.
Afternoon Phase (1PM to 5:30PM).
The Lower Bridge (Burnside’s obsession). The fighting here was a key to McClellan’s failure at Antietam. 500 Georgian and South Carolinian riflemen kept the entire Union 9th on the far side of the bridge for 3hrs. Note the weed infested original rifle pit below.
From the Union position . . . Burnside would eventually take the bridge and march across.
After taking the lower bridge Burnside marched his men across these hills toward Sharpsburg, threatening to cut off Lee’s line of retreat. Just as the Federals reached this area, A.P. Hills Confederate division arrived from Harper’s Ferry and rolled up the last Union attack. The 9th Corps retreated to Antietam Creek and the battle was over.
That's it! One of the most memorable vacations and it was a pleasure sharing it with people who appreciate our history.
Be sure and drop by the gift shop on your way out . . .