Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sixth Army Corps
Irwin's Brigade, Smith's Division
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 5, 2007
1. First Tablet
(First Tablet):
Sixth Army Corps.
Irwin's Brigade, Smith's Division,
Col. William H. Irwin, 49th Pennsylvania Infantry, Commanding.
Organization
7th Maine Infantry,
20th, 33d, 49th, & 77th New York Infantry
Irwin's Brigade came on the field about noon of the 17th, and formed across the Smoketown Road in rear of a line of artillery.
After an unsuccessful attempt to penetrate the Confederate line south of the Dunkard Church, the brigade rallied behind the ridge east of the Hagerstown Pike and between it and the Mumma's Lane. The left of the Brigade resting a few yards west of the lane, where it was exposed to a severe fire of artillery and sharpshooters.
(Second, continuation, tablet):
About 5 p.m., the 7th Maine, on the left of the Brigade, crossed Mumma's Lane, moved obliquely across the front of Brook's Brigade, charged over the Bloody Lane at this point, dispersed the Confederates in its front and in the orchard on its left and reached the low ground north of Piper's Barn, when the enemy from behind the stone fences on the Hagerstown Pike and the hill adjoining poured a severe fire on its right flank and front.
The regiment then obliqued to the left, passed through an opening in the fence into the orchard
this page online
It reformed a short distance east of this point and returned to the position from which it had advanced.
At noon of the 18th, the Brigade was relieved by Cochrane's Brigade of Couch's Division.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 74.)
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. 39° 28.267′ N, 77° 44.467′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. It is on Bloody Lane, on the left when traveling east. Located where Bloody Lane turns sharply to the southeast. 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 the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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: Jackson's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); 5th Maryland Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 1st Delaware Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker); French's Division, Second Army Corps (within
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 5, 2007
2. Continuation Tablet
Regarding Sixth Army Corps. This marker is included on the Sunken Road or Bloody Lane Virtual Tour by Markers see the Virtual tour link below to see the markers in sequence.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on February 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. 7th Maine at Antietam. After a sharp fight in the West Woods, the brigade was re-faced to the south to shore up Federal lines opposing the Sunken Road. In the late afternoon, after complaints of Confederate sharpshooters harassing Federal lines, the 7th Maine was sent forward to clear the Confederate pickets from the position. This article details the regiment's
Photographed by Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
3. Sixth Army Corps Marker #1
Photographed by Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
4. Sixth Army Corps Marker #2
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 5, 2007
5. Irwin's Brigade Tablets
Photographed by Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
6. Sixth Army Corps Marker
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 5, 2007
7. Afternoon Advance of the 7th Maine
Photo taken from Richardson Avenue, near the intersection with the Hagerstown Pike. The 7th Maine advanced into the low ground north of the Piper barn, the top of which is seen here in the right distance. The orchard on the left flank of the regiment is seen on the ridge line on the distant left of the photo. In this pocket, the Maine solders received fire from Confederates behind a fence line on the Hagerstown Pike and on the high ground behind the Piper barn.
via American Battlefield Trust, unknown
8. Sunken Road or Bloody Lane Virtual Tour by Markers.
A collection of markers interpreting the action of during the Battle of Antietam around the Sunken Road.
(Submitted on February 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Click for more information.
(Submitted on February 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,076 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on September 25, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 5. submitted on February 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on September 25, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 7. submitted on February 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 8. submitted on April 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
