Sharpsburg, Maryland. 17th. September 1862.
The Battle of Sharpsburg (or Antietam as it was known in the North) climaxed the first of Gen. Robert E. Lee`s two attemps to carry the war into the North.
About 40,000 Southerners were pitted against the 87,000 man Federal Army of the Potomac under Gen. George B. McClellan.
1. The Dunker Church. The house of worship of the pacifist German Baptist Brethren was in the centre of the Battle.
2. Model 1841 6 pounder. Although of Mexican war vintage this smoothbore was still being used by many Confederate batteries at Sharpsburg. Weight 1,784 pounds, Range up to 1,830 yards, Approximate number at Sharpsburg, Confederate - 45, Union - 0.
3. Canon and Limber (the limber carried the ammunition etc and spare wheel as shown) Eight cannoneers were needed to fire field pieces. Five at the gun (the gunner and four canoneers) the gunner was in charge of the piece and gave the commands. The other three other cannoneers would prepare the ammunition and cut fuses and supply the cannon. Six horses would be attached to the limber to pull the limber and canon.
4. Alexander Gardner produced the first true images of war. Sharpsburg was the first battle to depict the grim and bloody truth of civil war through the lens. His scene of a limber with the Dunker Church in the background almost matches the present day photo (3)..
5. Note the canon information. Revere Copper Co. , Weight 1220 lbs., canon No. 47 made in 1862 and T.J.R. company manufacturer initials
6. Bridadier General Thomas Francis Meagher, The Irish Brigade Commander was born in Waterford City in Ireland on 23rd. August 1823. A well educated orator he joined the Young Ireland Movement, this led to his exile to a British penal colony in Tasmania, Australia in 1849. He escaped and became a U.S. citizen in 1852. At the outbreak of the war be raised company K, Irish Zouaves for the 69th. New York Militia Reg. He subsequently raised the Irish Brigade and Commanded from 3rd. Feb. 1862 to 14th. May 1863.
7. The Sunken Road from the observation tower. The Federals of the 1st. Delaware, 5th. Maryland and 4th. New York attacked through the corn fields and were first to meet the North Carolinians in the Sunken Road (left of above picture). Gen. John B. Gordon promised Gen. Lee that his men would stay in their positions "until the sun went down or victory was won". He did his best to live up to his word. He was shot five times, (one bullet entering his jaw and passing through the other side of his face), before falling face down into his hat which was filling up with blood. Unable to move the only thing that saved him from drowning in his own blood as a bullet hole in the hat which let the blood out. He recovered from his wounds and survived the war to become U.S. Senator from Georgia.
8. A drawing of the Sunken Road. The inscription reads " Soldiers from Union 2nd. Corps appeared at the top of the ridge. Mem from Delaware, Maryland and New York looked down on men from Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina.
9. The wide fences proved a murderous obstruction to an advancing army.
10. Burnside Bridge. Named, Lower Bridge prior to the battle was re-named Burnside Bridge after Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside whose troops were held at bay by a few hundred Georgia riflemen. Burnside invented a breech loading rifle - The Burnside Carbine.
11. Burnside Bridge. The Georgians held the high ground (right) The Federals attacked over the Bridge meeting murderous fire from above.
12. The Monument to the Fifty First New York Infantry at Burnside Bridge.
13. The Monument to the 90th. Pennsylvania Infantry on Cornfield Avenue near the Dunker Church. The inscription reads "Here faught the 90th. Penna. (Phila) Sept. 17th. 1862. A Hot Place".
14. 3 inch Ordnance Rifle. One of the most accurate weapons used. It was preferred over the heavier 10 pounder Parrott which fired the same size ammunition. Weight 1,726 pounds, Range 1,830 yards. Approximate number at Sharpsburg, Conferderate - 40, Union - 94.
15. Model 1857 12 Pounder Gun - Howitzer. Commonly known as the "Napoleon" this smoothbore was the favoured artillery piece of both armies throughout the Civil War. Although it was used at moderate range with explosive shell, it was especially effective at short range with canister shot. Weight 2,355, Fires 12 pound projectiles, Range 1,619 yards. Approximate number at Sharpsburg, Confederate - 27, Union - 108.
16. 10 Pound Parrott Rifle. This cast iron rifle with its band of wrought iron reinforcing the breech was a modern weapon of the day. It was effective at moderately long range. Fires 10 pound projectiles, Weight 1,799 pounds, Range up to 1,900 yards. Approximate number at Sharpsburg - Confederate - 36, Union - 42.