Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
McLaws' Division, Longstreet's Command
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
1. McLaws' Division Tablet
McLaws' Division, Longstreet's Command.
Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws, Commanding.
September 17, 1862.
McLaws' Division left Harper's Ferry on the forenoon of September 16th, crossed the Potomac at Blackford's Ford about daybreak of the 17th, and halted in the western suburbs of Sharpsburg at sunrise.
At about 9 a.m. it moved across the fields northwest of town and deployed on the rising ground south and west of this point, the right near the Hagerstown Pike, nearly opposite the Bloody Lane, the left extending about 250 yards northwest of the Hauser House. Supported on the right by Walker's Division and Armistead's Brigade and on the left by Jackson's Command, Geo. T. Anderson's Brigade and Stuart's Cavalry the division encountered the left flank and front of Sedgwick's advancing Division and forced it back to the fields and woods beyond D.R. Miller's.
An effort to advance east of the Hagerstown Pike was checked by Greene's Division of the Twelfth Corps aided by the destructive fire of the Federal Artillery, and the division reformed behind the ledges of rock running north from this point, where it remained until withdrawn to recross the Potomac on the night of the 18th.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 357.)
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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 month for this entry is September 1909.
Location. 39° 28.503′ N, 77° 45.051′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Smoketown Road, on the left when traveling west. 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. 13th New Jersey Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Longstreet's Command (about 700 feet away); 125th Penna (about 800 feet away); 125th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (about 800 feet away); Purnell Legion Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Walker's Division, Longstreet's Command (approx. 0.2 miles away); 34th New York Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Longstreet's Command (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. McLaw's Division at Antietam.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on April 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
2. McLaws' Division Tablet on Smoketown Road
The modern bypass of the Hagerstown Pike runs beyond the park boundary at this point. Signs behind the tablet point out the edge of the West Woods and Hauser Ridge.
2. McLaws' Division, Longstreet's Command. The division consisted of four brigades: Barksdale's, Semmes', Kershaw's, and Cobb's. The division had participated, and was considerably attritted during, the battles of Crampton's Gap and Harpers Ferry during the days before Antietam. (Submitted on April 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
3. McLaws' Division Advances
Looking west down the Smoketown Road, at a point west of the Dunker Church. In the far distance is Hauser Ridge. The extension to the road did not exist at the time of the battle, and this area was part of the West Woods. McLaws' Division advanced up to the wood line, which stood roughly where the bypass runs. Kershaw's Brigade continued forward toward the camera, but Barksdale's and Semmes' Brigades turned to the north (right) into the middle of the woods. Cobb's Brigade was further south, close to the intersection of the Sunken Road and the Hagerstown Pike. Later, near mid-day, the division would reform along the rock ledges just this side of the modern bypass.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 800 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
