Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
1. Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery Tablet
Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery.
Capt. Joseph C. Clark Jr., U.S.A. Commanding.
(September 17, 1862.)
At daybreak Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery, was in bivouac in rear of the high ground east of the Burnside Bridge. Soon after daybreak it took position on the ridge overlooking the Antietam and the field of battle to the north and west, and about 685 yards a little east of north from the bridge, and opened fire upon the Confederate infantry north of Sharpsburg. When this fire ceased to be effective, the battery moved to the western slope of the bluff immediately opposite the bridge and but 240 yards from it, and shelled the Confederate infantry defending it. It followed the infantry of Sturgis' Division across the bridge and went into battery on the crown of the ridge due west of the bridge and about 580 yards north east of this point. While going into position spherical case shot from a Confederate battery killed Lieut. W.L. Baker, severely wounded Captain Clark, and the command devolved on Sergeant C.F. Merkel, who fought the battery until the close of the action.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 107.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil
this page online
Location. 39° 26.869′ N, 77° 44.476′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Branch Avenue, on the left when traveling south. 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battery E, 2nd U.S. Artillery (here, next to this marker); Ninth Army Corps (here, next to this marker); Battery G, 4th U.S. Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Brigadier General L. O'B. Branch (a few steps from this marker); Battery A, 5th U.S. Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Rodman's Division, Ninth Army Corps (a few steps from this marker); Jackson's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); Archer's Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on March 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery, 2nd Division, IX Corps. The battery was equipped with four 10-pounder Parrott Rifles at the time of the
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
2. Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. Federal Tablet Cluster on South End of Branch Avenue
A rather well-spaced cluster of tablets stand on the Federal side of Branch Avenue. The nearest left is a stone indicating the location of the 12th Ohio Infantry Monument 395 yards to the Northeast. Next to it is Harland's Brigade Tablet (Number 67). The center two tablets are Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery (Number 107) and Battery E, 2nd U.S. Artillery (Number 106). Furthest from the camera are Battery G, 4th U.S. Artillery (Number 111) and Battery A, 5th U.S. Artillery (Number 112).
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
4. U.S. Artillery Tablets
Tablets for E Battery, 4th U.S. (Number 107, on the left) and Battery E, 2nd U.S. (Number 106, on the right) stand beside signs pointing to the battery positions. The position for E Battery 4th U.S. is 580 yards northeast of the tablet. For Battery E, 2nd U.S. the position is 1950 yards northeast.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
5. Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery Marker
First From the Left
First From the Left
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
6. View from E Battery's Position
From the ridge line, along Otto's Farm Lane, looking west toward Branch Avenue. The 23rd Ohio Monument is visible in the distance. The battery covered the Federal lines engaged here. As the battery was going into action, a Confederate battery, Wise Artillery, was located just in front of the house on the distant right.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,153 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on March 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on October 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6. submitted on March 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
