Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Philadelphia Brigade Park
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 5, 2009
1. Philadelphia Brigade Park Marker
During the fighting in the West Woods, the Philadelphia Brigade, commanded by Gen. O.O. Howard, lost more than 550 men in about twenty minutes of combat. Thirty years later the Philadelphia Brigade Association purchased eleven acres for their monument. The veterans decided to use the excess property around the monument to establish a public park. They planted trees, erected a gate, and in 1896 dedicated a monument in what is known today as Philadelphia Brigade Park. Over seventy feet tall, the Philadelphia Brigade Monument is the tallest monument on Antietam National Battlefield.
"They poured their blood out like water, and we must look to God and our country for a just reward."
Gen. O.O. Howard, Commander of the Philadelphia Brigade
"My comrades of the Philadelphia Brigade...you have erected a magnificent monument in honor of the private soldier who laid his life on the altar of his country in the time of need. No one could do more, and, therefore none more deserving of this honor. You have fittingly placed it on the field where so many brave comrades fell, and the imperishable nature of it is a guarantee that it will remain long after we have all passed away."
Capt. John E. Reilly,
monument dedication, September 17, 1896
Erected 2009 by Antietam National
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 17, 1862.
Location. 39° 28.697′ N, 77° 44.946′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Dunker Church Road / Old Hagerstown Pike, on the right when traveling south. Located at stop five of the driving tour of Antietam Battlefield, near the Philadelphia Brigade monument. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sharpsburg MD 21782, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "We May Never Meet Again" (here, next to this marker); Philadelphia Brigade Monument (a few steps from this marker); "With Flags Flying" (within shouting distance of this marker); The Onward Rush to Victory or Defeat (within shouting distance of this marker); "Back Boys, For God's Sake Move Back;" (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Jaws of Death" (within shouting distance of this marker); Brigadier General William E. Starke (within shouting distance of this marker); The Baltimore Battery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 3rd Delaware Infantry (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Baltimore Battery (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
More about
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
2. Philadelphia Brigade Park Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker replaced one titled "We May Never Meet Again," located at the same spot.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on July 7, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Oliver O. Howard. Oliver Otis Howard (November 8, 1830 – October 26, 1909) was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War. As a brigade commander in the Army of the Potomac, Howard lost his right arm while leading his men against Confederate forces at Fair Oaks in June 1862, an action which later earned him the Medal of Honor. (Submitted on October 16, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
3. Philadelphia Brigade Park Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
4. Philadelphia Brigade Park Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 5, 2009
5. Philadelphia Brigade Park Wayside
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
6. Philadelphia Brigade Park Marker
Library of Congress
7. Major General Oliver O. Howard (1830-1909)
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 5, 2009
8. Philadelphia Brigade Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,132 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 7, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 16, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 5. submitted on July 7, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6, 7. submitted on October 16, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 8. submitted on July 7, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
