Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Battery I, 1st U.S. Artillery
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
1. Battery I, 1st U.S. Artillery Marker
Battery I, 1st U.S. Artillery,
Lieut. Geo. A. Woodruff, U.S.A. Commanding.
(September 17, 1862.)
Between 9 and 10 a.m., Battery I, 1st Artillery, advancing by the Smoketown Road, passed through the East Woods to the assistance of the infantry of Sedgwick's Division, then engaged in the West Woods. The battery went into position about 380 yards North 62° west of this point, opening fire, at once, with canister and checking the advance of the Confederates from the West Woods. A movement of the enemy on its left, from the woods around the Dunkard Church, compelled the battery to retire to this point, its left gun on the road, where it again went into action. It remained in this position until about noon, when it was relieved by Batteries A and C (Consolidated), 4th U.S. Artillery, and withdrawn. At 4 p.m., after replenishing ammunition, the Battery took position on the high ground overlooking the Sunken Road where Richardson's Division had been engaged, and remained until 2 p.m., of the 18th.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 109.)
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 date for this entry is September 17, 1862.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Batteries A and C 4th U.S. Artillery (here, next to this marker); Battery D, 2d U.S. Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Jackson's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery F, 5th U.S. Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery A (within shouting distance of this marker); Woolfolk’s (Ashland) Virginia Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Hexamer's (New Jersey) Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith's Division, Sixth Army Corps (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on March 8, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Woodruff's Battery. Sometimes referred to by the battery commander's name, the unit was equipped with six 12-pdr smoothbore Napoleon guns at the time of the battle. (Submitted on March 8, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Lt George Woodruff's Official Report. (Submitted on October 24, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Jordan Butler, November 9, 2021
2. Battery I, 1st U.S. Artillery Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
3. Tablets 101 and 109 Beside the Smoketown Road
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
4. Battery I, 1st U.S. Artillery Marker, Missing
Photographed By Brian Scott
5. Lieut. George Woodruff (d. 1863)
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
6. Woodruff's Battery Checks the Confederate Counterattack
Woodruff's Battery, deployed in the field in the foreground, was able to fire upon Confederates attacking from the vicinity of the Dunker Church (to the left out of frame). The photo was taken from the Smoketown Road. Cornfield Avenue is on the right side. Later the battery moved to a location near the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,019 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on November 10, 2021, by Jordan Butler of New Windsor, Maryland, USA. Photos: 1. submitted on March 7, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on November 10, 2021, by Jordan Butler of New Windsor, Maryland, USA. 3. submitted on March 7, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on October 24, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6. submitted on March 8, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
