Near Shepherdstown in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Barnes' Brigade
Col. James Barnes, 18th Massachusetts Infantry, Commanding
Organization 2d Maine, 18th and 22d Massachusetts, 1st Michigan, 13th and 25th New York, 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, 2d Company Massachusetts Sharpshooters
(September 20, 1862)
Barnes’ Brigade of Morell’s Division, Fifth Corps, crossed the Potomac at the Ford 420 yards south of this at 9 A. M., September 20, under orders to march on the River Road to Shepherdstown. When it became known that A. P. Hill’s Confederate Division was in front and advancing, Gen. Sykes ordered the Brigade to suspend its movement on Shepherdstown and take position on the right of Lovell’s Brigade, which was on the bluffs south of this point. The greater part of the Brigade pushed part way up the slope of the bluffs a few yards west of this, with skirmishers thrown well to the front; the 118th Pennsylvania advanced up the bluff north of this point to extend the Brigade line to the right. The formation of the line had not been completed when the Brigade was ordered to be withdrawn. That portion of the Brigade in front and to the left of this was withdrawn, under fire, and recrossed the river in good order and with slight loss, but the 118th Pennsylvania was attacked by A. P. Hill’s Division and suffered severely in killed, wounded
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Antietam Campaign War Department Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 20, 1862.
Location. 39° 25.709′ N, 77° 46.853′ W. Marker is near Shepherdstown, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is on River Road (County Route 17/1) 0.1 miles west of Trough Road (County Route 31/1), on the left when traveling west. Site location is an estimate based on references. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shepherdstown WV 25443, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 118th Pennsylvania Infantry (here, next to this marker); Battle of Shepherdstown (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Boteler's Ford (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association (about 600 feet away); Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 3 (about 600 feet away); Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 1 (about 600 feet away); Pack Horse Ford (about 600 feet away); Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 2 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shepherdstown.
Also see . . . Virtual Antietam. Text for this marker was determined from the Monument Database on the Virtual Antietam web site.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,754 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 12, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
