Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Battery E, 1st U.S. Artillery
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 6, 2008
1. Battery E, 1st U.S. Artillery Tablet
Battery E, 1st U.S. Artillery.
Lieut. Alanson M. Randol, U.S.A., Commanding.
(September 17, 1862.)
Early in the afternoon of the 17th, Battery E, 1st U.S. Artillery, crossed the Antietam by the Middle Bridge and relieved Robertson's Battery (B and L, 2nd U.S. Artillery) which was in position on a knoll about 80 yards south of this point. It opened a fire of spherical case on the flank of one of the Confederate Batteries on Cemetery Hill compelling it, apparently, to retire beyond the range of its guns. As the position was an unfavorable one for the use of artillery and subjected to an annoying fire of the Confederate skirmishers the battery was withdrawn and recrossed the Antietam.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 96.)
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 year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 39° 27.803′ N, 77° 43.9′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Boonsboro / Shepherdstown Pike (State Highway 34), on the right when traveling west. Located in a cluster of Federal artillery tablets.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Batteries C and G, 3d U.S. Artillery (here, next to this marker); Batteries B and L, 2d U.S. Artillery (here, next to this marker); Battery M, 2d U.S. Artillery (here, next to this marker); Battery K, 5th U.S. Artillery (here, next to this marker); Battery A, 2d U.S. Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Horse Batteries and Reserve Artillery (a few steps from this marker); V Corps, 2nd Division, 1st Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Twelfth United States Infantry (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on April 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Batteries E and G, 1st U.S. Artilery, V Corps Artillery. Randol's Battery was actually Batteries E and G of the regiment consolidated. The battery was armed with four 12-pounder Napoleon Smoothbore guns. (Submitted on April 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain
2. Federal Artillery Tablet Cluster on Boonsboro Pike
Closest to the camera to furthest: Horse Batteries and Reserve Artillery (Number 30), Battery K, 5th U.S. (Number 97), Battery M, 2d U.S. (Number 93), Batteries B and L, 2d U.S. (Number 94), Batteries C and G, 3d U.S. (Number 95), Battery E, 1st U.S. (Number 96), and Battery A, 2d U.S. (Number 92).
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 6, 2008
3. Battery E's Position
Randol's Battery went into action along the knoll (in the center of the photo) that stands just to the east of the modern day picnic area off Boonsboro Pike. Based on the Battlefield Board maps, the battery moved forward during the action, finally placed near the west entrance to the picnic area.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 867 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 12, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
