Near Shepherdstown in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 3

(September 20, 1862)

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2020

1. Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 3 Marker

Inscription. Early in the morning of September 20, movements were made by General McClellan to ascertain the position of the Army of Northern Virginia. Maj. Charles S. Lovell’s Brigade (1st and 6th, 2d and 10th, the 11th and 17th U. S. Infantry) Sykes’ Division, 5th Corps, crossed the Ford and pushed out on the Charlestown Road. Barnes' Brigade, Morell’s Division, was ordered to cross and move on Shepherdstown. Lovell had gone about a mile and a half on the Charlestown Road when he met the Confederates in force. The Brigade was deployed, about-faced and fell back to the bluffs bordering the river and on either side of the Charlestown Road. The 2d and 10th Infantry were deployed as skirmishers in a belt of woods on the left front. Warren’s Brigade (5th and 10th N. Y. Infantry) Sykes’ Division, crossed at the Ford and formed on Lovell’s left. Barnes, being ordered by Sykes to form on Lovell’s right, suspended his movement on Shepherdstown and went into position west of the mill, 220 yards north of this point. Lovell’s skirmishers and some Cavalry, which had crossed and gone to the front were now pressed back by the advance of A. P. Hill’s

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Confederate Division and Sykes ordered the entire command to recross the Potomac, which was done in good order by Lovell’s and Warren’s Brigades. The Confederate advance on the part of the line held by them being checked by the fire of Weed’s, Randol’s and Van Reed’s Batteries posted on the heights on the Maryland side of the river. Barnes’ Brigade, the last ordered withdrawn, met with great loss at the mill and on the bluffs and river bank beyond. (Marker Number B.F. 3.)

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 20, 1801.

Location. 39° 25.673′ N, 77° 46.727′ W. Marker is near Shepherdstown, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It is at the intersection of River Road (County Route 17/1) and Trough Road (County Route 31/1), on the left when traveling west on River Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shepherdstown WV 25443, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in

Markers at the Intersection of River and Trough Roads image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 28, 2007

2. Markers at the Intersection of River and Trough Roads

the Eastern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 2 (here, next to this marker); Battle of Boteler's Ford (here, next to this marker); Pack Horse Ford (a few steps from this marker); Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 1 (a few steps from this marker); Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Shepherdstown (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barnes' Brigade (about 600 feet away); 118th Pennsylvania Infantry (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shepherdstown.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2020

3. Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 3 Marker

Along River Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 28, 2007

4. Along River Road

On the left are some of the bluffs that confronted the attacking Federal Forces.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 28, 2007

5. Mill Ruins

Ruins of the cement mill stand next to a path down to the Patomac. In this vicinity, Barnes Brigade covered the Federal withdrawal.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 6, 2019

6. Mill ruins

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,374 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 12, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 12, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5. submitted on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on February 4, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.