Near Keedysville in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Army Headquarters
Signal Station
Positioned on high ground, using flags or torches waving back and forth to “talk” to each other, both armies used this new signal technology that permitted rapid communication across the battlefield. Two of their most important signal stations were here at the Pry House (headquarters station) and on Elk Ridge (mountain station), the high ground over a mile to the east. The Manual of Signals stated that with a 12-foot staff and 4-foot flag, signals “are easily read at a distance of 8 miles.”
Field Hospital
After the battle, the Antietam Valley was described as “one vast hospital.” With more than 18,000 soldiers wounded in the two armies, over one hundred field hospitals were established in houses, barns, churches, and tents. Some operated briefly; others housed the sick and suffering for months. The Pry family home and barn were used to care for the wounded, primarily from the Union Second Corps. Gen. Joseph Hooker was brought to the house briefly after being wounded near the Cornfield before being transferred to Washington, D.C.
Erected by Antietam National Battlefield - National Park Service - U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list.
Location. 39° 28.552′ N, 77° 42.819′ W. Marker is near Keedysville, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from Shepherdstown Pike (Maryland Route 34). Marker is located at the Pry House Field Hospital Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18906 Shepherdstown Pike, Keedysville MD 21756, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pry Family Upheaval (here, next to this marker); Second Army Corps (approx. ¼ mile away); Humphreys' Division, Fifth Army Corps (approx. half a mile away); Morell's Division, Fifth Army Corps (approx. half a mile away); Fifth Army Corps (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Second Army Corps (approx. half a mile away); Richardson's Division, Second Army Corps (approx. half a mile away); Pry’s Mill Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keedysville.
More about this marker. The left side of the marker has a photograph of Gen. George McClellan and President. Abraham Lincoln. The center of the marker displays an Historic map of signal stations and troop positions and a Photograph of a Union signal station. The right side of the marker has a photograph of A surgeon’s tourniquet, bone saw and amputation knife and two portraits captioned: Gen. Israel Richardson was wounded while leading his division at Bloody Lane. His wife and sister cared for him in the upstairs bedroom for over a month before he finally succumbed to his wounds on November 3. During his visit in October, President Lincoln made a point to visit Richardson.and Dr. Jonathon Letterman was the medical director for the Union Army of the Potomac and an organizational genius. He restructured the army’s medical care in the field and established an ambulance corps that was first successfully utilized at Antietam. His leadership helped bring order from chaos in the aftermath of the battle.
Also see . . . Pry House Field Hospital Museum. National Park Service (Submitted on February 21, 2011.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2011. This page has been viewed 904 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 21, 2011. 2. submitted on August 23, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 21, 2011. 6. submitted on August 23, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7. submitted on September 3, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.