Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Battery C, 5th U.S. Artillery
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
1. Battery C, 5th U.S. Artillery Marker
Battery C, 5th U.S. Artillery
Captain Dunbar R. Ransom, U.S.A. Commanding,
(September 16-17, 1862.)
On the evening of September 16th, Battery C, 5th U.S. Artillery came into battery 370 yards east of the Hagerstown Pike, on the south edge of the North Woods and opened fire upon a Confederate battery in the open field west of the Pike and north of the Dunkard Church, causing it to retire. After dark the Battery was withdrawn and bivouacked 75 yards east of J. Poffenberger's Barn.
On the morning of the 17th, the Battery advanced to a position 205 yards due east of this point and engaged the Confederate infantry which had made a lodgement in Miller's Cornfield; the Battery was supported by Anderson's and Magilton's Brigades of Meade's Division and Gordon's Brigade of the Twelfth Corps. After the repulse of the Confederate advance the Battery retired to its bivouac of the 16th.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 105.)
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 16, 1862.
Location. 39° 29.06′ N, 77° 44.982′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Army Corps (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Longstreet's Command (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named First Army Corps (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named First Army Corps (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battery B, 4th U.S. Artillery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee's Brigade, Stuart's Cavalry Division (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hampton's Brigade, Stuart's Cavalry Division (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stuart's Cavalry Division (approx. 0.2 miles away); Independent Battery C, Pennsylvania Light Artillery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Doubleday's Division, First Army Corps (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on March 9, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Ransom's Battery. The battery was part of 3rd Division (Meade's), I Corps Artillery. It was armed with four 12-pdr Napoleon guns. General Meade gave the Battery high
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
2. Battery C, 5th U.S. Artillery Marker
3. Dunbar R. Ransom. Dunbar R. Ransom (January 10, 1831—July 11, 1897) commanded Union artillery in the American Civil War. (Submitted on October 25, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
3. Battery C Tablet next to the sign for D.R. Miller's House
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
4. Battery C, 5th U.S. Artillery Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott
5. Captain Dunbar R. Ransom (1831-1897)
Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, who led the division at Antietam, praised Ransom’s battery for its support of the Reserves as they advanced into and beyond the Cornfield.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
6. High Ground east of D.R. Miller's House
The battery occupied high ground here east of the farm house, but north of the Cornfield. From this rise, the battery was able to repulse Confederate infantry attacks from the south.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
7. Confederate View of Ransom's Battery
From the Cornfield stop on the battlefield tour looking north. The battery stood just left of center in the distance on the high ground overlooking the cornfield.
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 6, 2008
8. View from Ransom's Position
Looking from the east corner of the D.R. Miller House to the south toward Cornfield Avenue. The cars seen in the distance are along that avenue. Notice the Georgia and Texas monuments also along the avenue, almost in the center. This is generally the view from Ransom's guns toward the Confederate advances into the Cornfield.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 23, 2020
9. D.R. Miller Farm House
Marker is on Dunker Church Road/Old Hagerstown Pike in front of the house.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,185 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 9, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 25, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on March 9, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on October 25, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on March 9, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 8. submitted on August 3, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 9. submitted on May 12, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
