Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fifty-First New York Infantry
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
1. 51st New York Monument Inscription
Col. Robert B. Potter
2d Brigade - Ferrero's 2d Division - Sturgis'
9th Army Corps - Burnside's
Army of the Potomac
Sept. 17, 1862
In compliance with orders received from
General Burnside on the morning of September 17,
the 51st New York and the 51st Pennsylvania were
selected to carry this bridge at all hazards.
The 51st New York, with the 51st Pennsylvania
on its right, formed on the ridge in the rear of this
position, moved forward at double quick, and at
One P.M. carried the bridge at the point of the
Bayonet. The passage was obstinately disputed.
Casualties
1 officer and 18 men killed
4 officers and 64 men wounded
Total 87
Erected 1908 by State of New York.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 17, 1740.
Location. 39° 27.033′ N, 77° 43.878′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from Old Burnside Bridge Road, on the left when traveling east. Located to the east of stop 9 (Burnside Bridge) of the driving tour of Antietam Battlefield, along the walking trail east of the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sharpsburg MD 21782, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Fifty-First New York Infantry Monument. National Park Service page detailing the monument. (Submitted on March 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. 51st New York Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, IX Corps. Private Orlando Caruana of Company K was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at the Battle of South Mountain (Fox's Gap). (Submitted on March 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
2. 51st New York Monument
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. Monument and Tablet Cluster on East End of Burnside Bridge
From left to right are the Ninth Army Corps Tablet for September 15-16 (Number 56), Ninth Army Corps Tablet for 17 September (Number 57), The 51st New York Monument, Sturgis' Division (Number 58), and Ferrero's Brigade Tablet (Number 68)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 1977
4. Fifty-First New York Infantry Monument
Prior to restoration.
Photographed By Edwin Forbes (artist)
5. The Charge of the 51st New York and 51st Pennsylvania
Edwin Forbes sketched this illustration of the dramatic charge of the two regiments that finally carried the Lower, or Burnside, Bridge. Note the two sets of colors, indicating the New Yorkers on the left and the Pennsylvanians on the right.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
6. Similar View of the Bridge Today
The two regiments formed behind Nagle's Brigade, then rushed forward onto the bridge, side by side. Note the small tree in Forbes' drawing which stood next to the wall on the near side landing of the bridge. That tree has grown substantially, and survives as a witness to the battle, seen in the break of the stone wall at the bridge abutment.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 946 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on November 22, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on March 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
