Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sturgis's Division, Ninth Army Corps
Sturgis' Division, Ninth Army Corps.
Brig. Gen. Samuel G. Sturgis, Commanding.
September 17, 1862.
On the night of September 16th, Sturgis' Division bivouacked on the eastern slope of the ridge bordering the east bank of the Anitetam to the left of this point. On the morning of the 17th Durell's Pennsylvania Battery and Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery (Clark's) were put in position on the left of Battery I, 5th U.S. Artillery (Weed's) and on the right of Battery E, 2nd U.S. Artillery (Benjamin's) and the 6th New Hampshire supported by the other regiments of Nagle's Brigade made an unsuccessful attempt to carry the bridge. At 1 p.m. Ferrero's Brigade carried the bridge and the entire division crossed and occupied the high ground beyond, supported on the right by Crook's Brigade of the Kanawha Division.
In the general advance of the Ninth Corps on Sharpsburg the division was held in reserve. Late in the afternoon Nagle's Brigade was sent to the support of Rodman's Division on the left and, after a severe contest, succeeded in checking the right of A.P. Hill's Division.
Ferrero's Brigade was sent in support of Willcox's Division on the right and advanced to Otto's farm lane.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 58.)
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 month for this entry is September 1889.
Location. 39° 27.032′ N, 77° 43.877′ 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, at a tablet cluster 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fifty-First New York Infantry (here, next to this marker); Ninth Army Corps (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Ninth Army Corps (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Ninth Army Corps (here, next to this marker); Witness to History (a few steps from this marker); 51st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (a few steps from this marker); 2nd Maryland Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); "Will You Give Us Our Whiskey?" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Sturgis' (2nd) Division IX Corps Markers
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on March 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. 2nd Division, IX Corps. Incidentally, Sturgis' post war career included command of the 7th U.S. Cavalry. Indeed he was in "command" of the regiment in July 1876, but on recruiting duties, when Lt. Col. George A. Custer led the regiment at the Battle of Little Big Horn. One of the General's sons was killed in the battle. (Submitted on March 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Samuel D. Sturgis. American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on September 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 967 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on April 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on September 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 5. submitted on March 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.