Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
William McKinley
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 23, 2020
1. William McKinley Marker
(Front):
January 29, 1843 - September 14, 1901
(Rear):
Twice Governor of Ohio 1892-3 and 1894-5
Twice President of United States 1897-1900 and 1901.
Sergeant McKinley Co. E. 23rd Ohio Vol. Infantry, while in charge of the Commissary Department, on the afternoon of the day of the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, personally and without orders served "hot coffee" and "warm food" to every man in the Regiment, on this spot and in doing so had to pass under fire.
Erected 1903.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 17, 1862.
Location. 39° 26.952′ N, 77° 43.978′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Old Burnside Bridge Road, on the left when traveling south. Located just south of the parking lot for stop nine, the Burnside Bridge, of the driving tour of Antietam Battlefield. 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
this page online
Also see . . .
1. William McKinley Monument. National Park Service page detailing the monument, with additional background information about McKinley's service at Antietam. (Submitted on March 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. 23rd Ohio Infantry. Two presidents served in the 23rd Ohio during the Antietam Campaign. Future President Rutherford B. Hayes, commanding the regiment, was wounded at South Mountain days before the Battle of Antietam. McKinley was commissary sergeant, and later promoted to captain in the regiment. (Submitted on March 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
2. Front Inscription and Relief
The relief depicts McKinley serving coffee and food to the soldiers of the 23rd Ohio during a pause in the advance.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
3. Rear Inscription
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
4. Portraits of McKinley
Portraits on this plaque depict McKinley as the commissary sergeant and later as president.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
5. William McKinley Monument
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
6. William McKinley Monument
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
7. A "Pointer" Marker for the William McKinley Monument
This pointer marker stands along the foot trail to the Burnside Bridge.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 28, 2013
8. William McKinley Monument
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 28, 2013
9. Sgt. William McKinley Serving Coffee to his Regiment
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 28, 2013
10. Sgt. William McKinley Serving Coffee to his Regiment
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 28, 2013
11. Close-up of photo on the nearby Burnside Bridge sign
Inscription on sign:
Just off to your right is the McKinley Monument, dedicated to the 24th President. William McKinley was a Commissary Sergeant with the 23rd Ohio of Colonel Hugh Ewing's Brigade. During the battle, Sergeant McKinley bravely served the soldiers in his regiment in the fields to your right.
After the war, McKinley served as a Congressman of Governor of Ohio. He was twice elected as President before he was shot by Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901. The President survived for eight days before succumbing to his wound on September 14th. Just over a year before his death McKinley was here for the dedication of the Maryland State Monument, near the visitor center.
Just off to your right is the McKinley Monument, dedicated to the 24th President. William McKinley was a Commissary Sergeant with the 23rd Ohio of Colonel Hugh Ewing's Brigade. During the battle, Sergeant McKinley bravely served the soldiers in his regiment in the fields to your right.
After the war, McKinley served as a Congressman of Governor of Ohio. He was twice elected as President before he was shot by Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901. The President survived for eight days before succumbing to his wound on September 14th. Just over a year before his death McKinley was here for the dedication of the Maryland State Monument, near the visitor center.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,553 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on May 14, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 14, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on September 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 7. submitted on April 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on September 29, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
