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

"I Hate Cannons"

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 5, 2007

1. "I Hate Cannons" Marker

Inscription.
Confederate Colonel Stephen D. Lee positioned his batteries to repel Union attacks toward the Dunker Church. The attacks came and the guns fired solid shot and explosive shells and canister - tin cans filled with small lead or iron balls that transformed the cannon into a terrible shotgun.

A South Carolina surgeon, Captain J.R. Boulware, spoke for soldiers of both armies at Antietam: "I was never so tired of shelling in my life before. I hate cannons."

Alexander Gardner, an assistant of Civil War photographer Matthew Brady, was at Antietam two days after the battle. Brady exhibited Gardner's photographs in New York:

"The dead of the battle-field come up to us very rarely, even in dreams. We see the list in the morning paper at breakfast, but dismiss its recollections with the coffee. Mr. Brady has done something to bring home to us the terrific reality and earnestness of war. If he has not brought bodies and laid them in our door-yards and along streets, he has done something very like it."
New York Times
October 19, 1862

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1849.

Location.

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39° 28.491′ N, 77° 44.742′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. It is on Dunker Church Road / Old Hagerstown Pike, on the right when traveling north. Located at an artillery display just to the north of the Antietam National Battlefield Park Visitors Center. 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: “Load” “Commence Firing” (here, next to this marker); 10-Pounder Parrott Rifle (a few steps from this marker); 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle (a few steps from this marker); Lee’s Artillery Battalion (a few steps from this marker); Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer (a few steps from this marker); A Converging Storm of Iron (a few steps from this marker); Model 1841 6-Pounder Gun (a few steps from this marker); A Savage Continual Thunder (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.

More about this marker. On the lower left of the marker is a painting captioned, Union Captain James Hope was at Antietam. He painted several battle scenes. Here he depicts Colonel Lee's cannoneers at the Dunker Church. Hope's paintings are on display in the Visitors
Photographed by Craig Swain, March 29, 2008

2. Set of Interpretive Markers near the Artillery Display
The artillery display includes examples of common weapons used during the Civil War. The four in frame, from left to right, are a 3-inch Parrott Rifle Model 1863, a 3-inch Ordnance Rifle Model 1861, a 12-pounder Field Gun Model 1857 "Napoleon", and a 6-pounder Field Gun Model 1841.
Center. On the right is Gardner's famous photograph of the wrecked battery in front of the Dunker Church.

Regarding "I Hate Cannons". This marker was replaced by another named "A Converging Storm of Iron." See nearby markers.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Virtual Tour by Markers of Artillery at Antietam

Also see . . . Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on March 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

The Dunker Church from Lee's Artillery Position image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 5, 2007

3. The Dunker Church from Lee's Artillery Position

The Gardner Photograph image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

4. The Gardner Photograph

One of the most recognized photographs from the war. The photo is often titled "Wrecked Battery at the Dunker Church." The dead are likely members of S.D. Lee's artillery battalion, which served guns on the ground to the east of the church during the battle.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,488 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 3, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.