Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
McLaws' Division, Longstreet's Command
McLaws' Division, Longstreet's Command.
Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws, Commanding.
September 17, 1862.
McLaws' Division left Harper's Ferry on the forenoon of September 16th, crossed the Potomac at Blackford's Ford about daybreak of the 17th, and halted in the western suburbs of Sharpsburg at sunrise.
At about 9 a.m. it moved across the fields northwest of town and deployed on the rising ground south and west of this point, the right near the Hagerstown Pike, nearly opposite the Bloody Lane, the left extending about 250 yards northwest of the Hauser House. Supported on the right by Walker's Division and Armistead's Brigade and on the left by Jackson's Command, Geo. T. Anderson's Brigade and Stuart's Cavalry the division encountered the left flank and front of Sedgwick's advancing Division and forced it back to the fields and woods beyond D.R. Miller's.
An effort to advance east of the Hagerstown Pike was checked by Greene's Division of the Twelfth Corps aided by the destructive fire of the Federal Artillery, and the division reformed behind the ledges of rock running north from this point, where it remained until withdrawn to recross the Potomac on the night of the 18th.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 357.)
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 1909.
Location. 39° 28.503′ N, 77° 45.051′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Smoketown Road, on the left when traveling west. 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. 13th New Jersey Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Longstreet's Command (about 700 feet away); 125th Penna (about 800 feet away); 125th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (about 800 feet away); Purnell Legion Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Walker's Division, Longstreet's Command (approx. 0.2 miles away); 34th New York Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Longstreet's Command (approx. 0.2 miles away). 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. McLaw's Division at Antietam.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on April 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. McLaws' Division, Longstreet's Command. The division consisted of four brigades: Barksdale's, Semmes', Kershaw's, and Cobb's. The division had participated, and was considerably attritted during, the battles of Crampton's Gap and Harpers Ferry during the days before Antietam. (Submitted on April 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 800 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.