Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Jackson's Command
Branch's Brigade, Hill's Light Division
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
1. Branch's Brigade Tablet
Branch's Brigade, Hill's Light Division,
Brig. Gen. L. O'B. Branch.
Organization.
7th North Carolina Infantry,
18th North Carolina Infantry,
28th North Carolina Infantry,
33d North Carolina Infantry,
37th North Carolina Infantry.
September 17, 1862.
Branch's Brigade formed line at this point about 3 p.m. and supported Archer's Brigade in its advance and encounter at the stone wall about 600 yards distance.
Toward the close of the engagement General Branch was killed and the command fell to Colonel James H. Lane of the 28th North Carolina, who formed the brigade on Archer's left, where it remained until the morning of the 19th when it recrossed the Potomac at Blackford's Ford.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 353.)
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° 26.843′ N, 77° 44.758′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is at the intersection of Harpers Ferry Road and Branch Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Harpers Ferry
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hill's Light Division, Jackson's Command (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Jackson's Command (here, next to this marker); Munford's Brigade (here, next to this marker); Artillery Battalion, A.P. Hill's Division (here, next to this marker); Pegram’s (Purcell), Virginia Battery (a few steps from this marker); 1st Maryland Artillery (CSA) (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Jackson's Command (approx. ¼ mile away); Battery A, 5th U.S. Artillery (approx. ¼ mile away); Battery G, 4th U.S. Artillery (approx. ¼ mile away); Brigadier General L. O'B. Branch (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on March 30, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Branch's Brigade, A.P. Hill's Light Division. Col. Lane would write in his official report, We left Harper's Ferry on September 17, and, after a very rapid and fatiguing march, recrossed the Potomac and reached Sharpsburg in time
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
2. Jackson's Command Marker
3. Lawrence O'Bryan Branch. Lawrence O'Bryan Branch (November 28, 1820 – September 17, 1862) was a North Carolina representative in the U.S. Congress and a Confederate brigadier general in the American Civil War, killed at the Battle of Antietam. (Submitted on October 13, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. Confederate Tablet Cluster at Harpers Ferry Road and Branch Avenue
At the intersection of Harpers Ferry Road and Branch Avenue stand, from left to right, tablets for Field's Brigade (Number 349), Branch's Brigade (Number 353), Hill's Light Division (Number 348), Munford's Brigade (Number 320), and A.P. Hill's Artillery Battalion (Number 372).
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
4. Jackson's Command Marker
Second From the Left
Second From the Left
Photographed By Brian Scott
5. Brig. General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch (1820-1862)
Branch stood talking with fellow brigadier generals Maxcy Gregg, Dorsey Pender, James J. Archer, along with Hill and General Lee when a Federal sharpshooter, seeing the group, fired a shot that hit him in the right cheek and exited behind his left ear, killing him instantly. He fell dead into the arms of a staff officer.
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
6. Branch's Brigade Enters the Battle
Branch's Brigade deployed off the Sawmill Road off to the east of Harpers Ferry Road facing north. The Brigade would pass across what is today Branch Avenue and continue north into the flank of the Federal IX Corps. This photo was taken from the west running section of Branch Avenue looking west toward Harpers Ferry Road. The tablet location is at the top of the hill here. The brigade passed from left to right, with the 37th and 7th North Carolina in the front rank, and the 33rd and 18th in the second rank. The 28th North Carolina was deployed along Harpers Ferry Road screening artillery batteries there. To Branch's right on the ground where this photo was taken, Gregg's Brigade advanced into the Forty Acre Cornfield.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
7. Branch's Brigade Attacks the Federal Flank
From a point along the west running section of Branch Avenue, looking north. Branch's Brigade continued their advance into the Federal flank across the fields here. In the distance on the right can be seen Federal monuments along Branch Avenue, indicating the location of the stone wall. According to the maps provided by the Antietam Battlefield Board, Branch was killed at a point just over the spur seen in the center of the frame.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 972 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 30, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 13, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on March 30, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on October 13, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on March 30, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
