Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Battery A, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery
Capt. John A. Tompkins
This battery of six rifled 10 lb. Parrott guns provided exceptional support to the Second Corps infantry during their attacks on the Sunken Road. They fired over 1,000 rounds in three hours. At one point, Confederate soldiers charged directly into their position, leading to a hand to hand melee. The battery retired only after expending all of their ammunition.
9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 39° 28.441′ N, 77° 44.616′ W. Marker is in Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Mummas Lane, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on the Antietam Battlefield, just southeast of the visitor center. 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. “A Thrilling Spectacle” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); I Found the Enemy in Great Force (about 300 feet away); A Deadly Struggle (about 300 feet away); Twentieth Regiment (about 400 feet away); Battlefield Namesake (about 500 feet away); The Maryland Campaign of 1862 (about 500 feet away); Old Vermont Brigade (about 500 feet away); New York State Monument (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
More about this marker. A portrait of Capt. Tompkins appears at the bottom of the marker.
Also see . . . Antietam National Battlefield. National Park Xervice website entry (Submitted on October 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 411 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 15, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.