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Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Longstreet's Command

Kershaw's Brigade, McLaws' Division

 
 
Kershaw's Brigade Tablet image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
1. Kershaw's Brigade Tablet
Inscription.
C.S.A.
Longstreet's Command.
Kershaw's Brigade, McLaws' Division.

Brig. Gen. J.B. Kershaw, Commanding.
Organization.
2d South Carolina Infantry, 7th South Carolina Infantry,
3d South Carolina Infantry, 8th South Carolina Infantry.
September 17, 1862.

Kershaw's Brigade crossed the Potomac at Blackford's Ford about daybreak of the 17th and halted in the western suburbs of Sharpsburg until nearly 9 a.m., when it crossed the fields and took position in the open ground southwest of the Dunkard Church from which, supported by Walker's Division and Early's Brigade, it moved to the attack of the 34th New York Infantry of Sedgwick's Division, Second Corps, and the 125th Pennsylvania of the Twelfth Corps, just west of the church, causing them to retire. Efforts to drive Greene's Division and the Federal artillery from the ridge east of the Hagerstown Pike were repulsed and the brigade fell back beyond the western limits of the West Woods.

Later in the day it moved to the northern part of the West Woods, where it remained until the night of the 18th when it was withdrawn and recrossed the Potomac.
 
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 361.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil
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. In addition, it is included in the Antietam Campaign War Department Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 17, 1862.
 
Location. 39° 28.509′ N, 77° 44.892′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Smoketown Road, on the right when traveling east. 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); 125th Penna (a few steps from this marker); Walker's Division, Longstreet's Command (a few steps from this marker); Purnell Legion Infantry (a few steps from this marker); 34th New York Infantry (within shouting distance of 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.
 
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Follow Kershaw's Brigade by tablets.
 
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.) 

2. Kershaw's Brigade
Confederate Tablets along the Smoketown Road Extension image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
2. Confederate Tablets along the Smoketown Road Extension
Two Confederate Tablets stand on the south side of the road. Walker's Division (Number 360) on the left and Kershaw's Brigade (Number 361) on the right.
. The 3d South Carolina Infantry, according to the reports, was initially held in reserve behind the main brigade line. Later when attacking Greene's Division, the 3rd was sent forward to reinforce the line. (Submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.) 
 
Kershaw's Brigade Moves into Position image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
3. Kershaw's Brigade Moves into Position
Looking east down the Smoketown Road extension, the tablet location is just to the left out of frame. At the time of the battle, this field was covered by the West Woods. Kershaw's Brigade moved into the low ground here and formed into line. The Federal left flank, held by two regiments, the 125th Pennsylvania and the 34th New York, anchored their lines on the high ground on the left side of this photo.
Kershaw's Brigade on Line image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
4. Kershaw's Brigade on Line
Another view of the field, which was covered by the West Woods during the battle, this time from about half way up the road to the tablet location (to the photographer's left). As the brigade advanced, crossing this point the line of the brigade extended away from the camera's position, with the 2nd S.C. closest and the 7th and 8th S.C. Infantry to the right (further out along the tree line here). Had this been open field, Kershaw's advance would have been more difficult, but the woods provided some concealment.
 
 
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 819 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

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Mar. 29, 2024