Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
William McKinley
(Front):
January 29, 1843 - September 14, 1901
(Rear):
Twice Governor of Ohio 1892-3 and 1894-5
Twice President of United States 1897-1900 and 1901.
Sergeant McKinley Co. E. 23rd Ohio Vol. Infantry, while in charge of the Commissary Department, on the afternoon of the day of the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, personally and without orders served "hot coffee" and "warm food" to every man in the Regiment, on this spot and in doing so had to pass under fire.
Erected 1903.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 17, 1862.
Location. 39° 26.952′ N, 77° 43.978′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Old Burnside Bridge Road, on the left when traveling south. Located just south of the parking lot for stop nine, the Burnside Bridge, of the driving tour of Antietam Battlefield. 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. The Burnside Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); A Crucial Crossing, a General’s Namesake, a Battlefield Icon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Repulsed Again and Again (about 300 feet away); "Point Blank Range" (about 300 feet away); C.S.A. (about 500 feet away); As the Georgians Saw It (about 600 feet away); Witness to History (about 700 feet away); We Showered the Lead Across that Creek (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. William McKinley Monument. National Park Service page detailing the monument, with additional background information about McKinley's service at Antietam. (Submitted on March 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. 23rd Ohio Infantry. Two presidents served in the 23rd Ohio during the Antietam Campaign. Future President Rutherford B. Hayes, commanding the regiment, was wounded at South Mountain days before the Battle of Antietam. McKinley was commissary sergeant, and later promoted to captain in the regiment. (Submitted on March 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 28, 2013
11. Close-up of photo on the nearby Burnside Bridge sign
Inscription on sign:
Just off to your right is the McKinley Monument, dedicated to the 24th President. William McKinley was a Commissary Sergeant with the 23rd Ohio of Colonel Hugh Ewing's Brigade. During the battle, Sergeant McKinley bravely served the soldiers in his regiment in the fields to your right.
After the war, McKinley served as a Congressman of Governor of Ohio. He was twice elected as President before he was shot by Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901. The President survived for eight days before succumbing to his wound on September 14th. Just over a year before his death McKinley was here for the dedication of the Maryland State Monument, near the visitor center.
Just off to your right is the McKinley Monument, dedicated to the 24th President. William McKinley was a Commissary Sergeant with the 23rd Ohio of Colonel Hugh Ewing's Brigade. During the battle, Sergeant McKinley bravely served the soldiers in his regiment in the fields to your right.
After the war, McKinley served as a Congressman of Governor of Ohio. He was twice elected as President before he was shot by Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901. The President survived for eight days before succumbing to his wound on September 14th. Just over a year before his death McKinley was here for the dedication of the Maryland State Monument, near the visitor center.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,519 times since then and 62 times this year. Last updated on May 14, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 14, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on September 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 7. submitted on April 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on September 29, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.