Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Longstreet's Command
Drayton's Brigade, Jones' Division
Longstreet's Command,
Drayton's Brigade, Jones' Division
Brig. Gen. Thomas F. Drayton, Commanding.
Organization.
50th Georgia Infantry, 51st Georgia Infantry,
15th South Carolina Infantry,
(September 15-17, 1862.)
Drayton's Brigade reached Sharpsburg about 11 a.m., September 15th, and was posted on the southwest slope of Cemetery Hill. Last in the day it was moved to the rear of the high ground northwest of this point and formed on the left of Kemper's Brigade. On the 16th the 50th Georgia was detached and sent to the support of Toombs' Brigade at the Burnside Bridge. The brigade was exposed to artillery fire on the 16th and 17th from the enemy's long range guns beyond the Antietam. About 3 p.m., of the 17th, the enemy, having forced a crossing at and below the bridge, attacked the brigade and forced it back to the streets of the town. It soon reformed and joined by Garnett's Brigade, co-operated with Kemper and Toombs in checking the further advance of the enemy.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 347.)
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 1717.
Location. 39° 27.192′ N, 77° 44.361′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Branch Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Located at stop 10, the Final Attack, of the driving tour of Antietam Battlefield, in a cluster of Confederate tablets. 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. D.R. Jones' Division, Longstreet's Command (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named D.R. Jones' Division, Longstreet's Command (here, next to this marker); Ninth Army Corps (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Ninth Army Corps (a few steps from this marker); 28th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (a few steps from this marker); “It Is A.P. Hill” (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fate of the Army (within shouting distance of this marker); Brown’s (Wise), Virginia Battery (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on March 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Drayton's Brigade, Jones' Division. Not mentioned on the tablet, but part of Drayton's Brigade and engaged in the battle were the 3rd South Carolina Infantry Battalion and Philip's Georgia Legion Infantry Battalion. Both units suffered badly at South Mountain in the lead up to Antietam. (Submitted on March 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Thomas Drayton. Thomas Fenwick Drayton (August 24, 1809 – February 18, 1891) was a plantation owner, politician, railroad president, and military officer from Charleston, South Carolina. He served in the United States Army and then as a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. (Submitted on October 9, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,114 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 9, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on March 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on October 9, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6. submitted on March 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.