Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

34th New York Infantry

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 29, 2008

1. 34th New York Infantry Monument

Inscription. (Front Side):
Thirty-Fourth Regiment
N.Y.S.V
Col. James A. Suiter
Commanding
Enlisted under President Lincoln's
call, issued April 15, 1861, for 75,000
men, to serve two years.
Mustered into the State service May 1, 1861
Mustered into the United States service
June 15, 1861
Mustered out June 30, 1863
————
First Brigade - Second Division
Second Corps
————
The surviving members of the
Regiment, aided by the County
of Herkimer, and the State of
New York, have erected this
monument, to the memory of the
gallant men who fell on this
and other Historic fields.
————
The dead on this field were 43
and the wounded 74.

(Right Side):
The Story in Brief
————
At 7:30 on the morning of September 17, 1862, the Thirty-fourth Regiment left camp near Keedysville, crossed the Antietam Creek and marched westward into the East Woods, now extinct. Facing Westward being on the extreme left of Brigade line it emerged from the East Woods and soon became heavily engaged with the Confederate forces in its front. Crossing the open field and the Hagerstown Pike, it entered the West Woods, now also extinct, the line extending

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North and South of the Dunkard Church. The left of the Regiment being unprotected was in danger of being enveloped by the enemy, and a hasty retreat became necessary, the Regiment reforming near the East Woods with its organization intact. In a very brief time 43 men had been killed and 74 wounded, the killed being 13 percent of all engaged.

(Back Side):
Composition of the Regiment
at the time of this Battle
————
Colonel
James A. Suiter
Lieutenant Colonel
Byron Laflin
Major
John Beverly
Adjutant
George W. Thompson
Quartermaster
Nathan Easterbrook, Jr.
Surgeon
Socretes N. Sherman
Asst. Surgeon
Edward S. Walker
Chaplain
John B. Van Petten
Co. Captain County
"A" Benjamin H. Warford Albany
"B" Wells Sponable Herkimer
"C" Thomas Corcoran Herkimer
"D" John A. Scott Clinton
"E" Henry Baldwin Steuben
"F" Charles Riley Herkimer
"G" Joy E. Johnson Herkimer
"H" Samuel P. Butler Essex
"I" William H. King Steuben
"K" Emerson S. Northrup Herkimer

(Left Side):
1862 - 1902
After many years,
we, their surviving comrades,
journeying hither,
and calling to remembrance
their fortitude in the

Front Side of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 29, 2008

2. Front Side of Monument

Notice the Corps Badge below the plaque.

midst
of hardships, and their
courage in the midst of dangers,
have reverently,
and with loving hands,
erected this noble shaft,
overlooking the fields
on which they fell in glory,
to preserve their memory
from decay, and to tell all
the story of
their sacrifice, their patriotism,
and their valor.
————
Other Important Engagements
Edward's Ferry - Glendale
Siege of Yorktown - Malvern Hill
Fair Oaks, 1st & 2nd Days - South Mountain
Savage Station - Fredericksburg
Chancellorsville

Erected 1902 by State of New York.

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. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1901.

Location. 39° 28.519′ N, 77° 44.881′ W. Marker is in Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. It is on Smoketown Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sharpsburg MD 21782, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region

and in Western Maryland.

It is also in

Right Side of Monument - The Story in Brief image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 29, 2008

3. Right Side of Monument - The Story in Brief

the American Mid-Atlantic,

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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Purnell Legion Infantry (a few steps from this marker); 125th Penna (a few steps from this marker); 125th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Walker's Division, Longstreet's Command (a few steps from this marker); Longstreet's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson's Command (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dunker Church - "Symbol of Peace and Brotherhood" (about 400 feet away); Beacon of Peace (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.

Regarding 34th New York Infantry. The official report of Col. Suiter illustrates the confusion of this portion of the battle: From some cause to me unknown, I had become detached from my brigade, the one hundred and twenty-fifth Regiment

Back Side of Monument - Unit Composition image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 29, 2008

4. Back Side of Monument - Unit Composition

Pennsylvania Volunteers being on my right. On my left and rear I was entirely unsupported by infantry or artillery. The enemy were in strong force at this point, and poured a tremendous fire of musketry and artillery upon me. At this time I discovered that the enemy were making a move to flank me on the left. (Submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Also see . . . 34th New York Infantry Monument. National Park Service page detailing the monument. (Submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Left Side of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 29, 2008

5. Left Side of Monument

34th New York on the Left Flank image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 29, 2008

6. 34th New York on the Left Flank

The regiment was at the far left flank of General Sedgwick's Divisional attack into the West Woods. From this view, near the Dunker Church looking west down the Smoketown Road, the southern edge of the West Woods stood around what is now open field. This extension of the road was not in existence at the time of the battle. The regiment dressed their line with the 125th Pennsylvania on the high ground further up the road before the flank was turned.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,777 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on October 11, 2025, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.