Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Purnell Legion Infantry
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
1. Purnell Legion Monument
Maryland
Third Brigade.
2nd Greene's Division.
12th Mansfield's Corps.
Occupied a line
running north from
this marker. Loss 3
killed. 23 wounded.
The monument to the
Maryland troops is
near the Dunkard
Church.
Erected 1900 by State of Maryland.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 39° 28.514′ N, 77° 44.883′ W. Marker is in Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Smoketown Road, on the right 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. 125th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Walker's Division, Longstreet's Command (a few steps from this marker); 125th Penna (a few steps from this marker); 34th New York Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Longstreet's Command (a few steps from this marker); Dunker Church - "Symbol of Peace and Brotherhood" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beacon of Peace (about 400 feet away); Jackson's Command (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
this page online
1. Purnell Legion Infantry Monument. National Park Service page detailing the monument. (Submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Purnell Legion Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, XII Corps. The Legion was actually composed of nine infantry companies operating as a regiment under the command of Lt. Col. Benjamin L. Simpson. (Submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
2. Purnell Legion and 125th Pennsylvania Monuments
On the opposite side of the Smoketown Road is Kershaw's Brigade Tablet (Number 361). In the far distance the 13th New Jersey's Third Monument here at Antietam stands on the right side of the road. The Legion advanced through the West Woods to a point near the monument during Greene's assault of the Dunker Church area around mid-day. Note that the 125th Pennsylvania Monument and Kershaw's Brigade Tablet recount the action around 9:30 a.m. in the West Woods. The Purnell Legion and 13th New Jersey Monuments are for actions after 10:30 a.m. Indicating two distinct phases of the battle.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
3. Purnell Legion Position
From the New York State Monument, looking north. As the lone part of Goodrich's Brigade in this sector, the Legion was posted along the high ground on the north side of Smoketown Road, opposite the location now occupied by the Maryland State Monument. According to the Battlefield Board maps, the unit was aligned approximately where the tree line on the north side of the road stands. However, the tree line does not appear on the maps of the time, and probably is post-war growth.
Photographed By Craig Swain
4. Purnell Legion's Attack into the West Woods
Looking at the intersection of Dunker Church Road (Old Hagerstown Pike) and Smoketown Road. The old Hagerstown Pike ran on the left side of the photo to the north. At around 10:30 a.m. Purnell's Legion advanced down the north side of the Smoketown Road and into the woods north of the Dunker Church, in support of Tyndale's Brigade. Greene's Division was terribly exposed at that point and retired following another round of bloody fighting.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 951 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
