Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
O.T. Reilly Monument
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
1. O.T. Reilly Monument
Old Dunkard Church
The oak tree that stood
in front and the Union
Civil War Veterans of
Sharpsburg, MD.
Erected by O.T. Reilly the
half-century Antietam
battlefield guide. 1927
Erected 1927.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 39° 28.416′ N, 77° 44.759′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Dunker Church Road / Old Hagerstown Pike, on the right when traveling south. Located on the opposite side of the Dunker Church Road from the Visitors Center. 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. 3rd Maryland Volunteer Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Twelfth Army Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); The Maryland Campaign of 1862 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battlefield Namesake (about 300 feet away); A Deadly Struggle (about 400 feet away); A Converging Storm of Iron (about 500 feet away); “Load” “Commence Firing” (about 500 feet away); A Savage Continual Thunder (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
this page online
Also see . . . O.T. Reilly Monument. National Park Service page detailing the monument. (Submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Additional commentary.
1. O.T. Reilly - Battlefield Tour Guide
Oliver T. Reilly, a native of Keedysville, MD, saw the armies passing through Maryland as a young child. As a teenager and young adult, Reilly often listened to the stories of veterans who had returned to visit the battlefield. Over time, he collected these stories, somewhat as an informal oral history of the battle. His Stories of Antietam: As Told to Mr. Reilly by Veterans and Eye-Witnesses of the Battle, is a compilation of many of these accounts. Reilly made a living providing his services as a guide for visitors. Over time he opened a gift shop and museum. Reilly's favorite spot on the battlefield was the Dunker Church. When the church was destroyed in a 1921 wind storm, Reilly placed the monument as a reminder of the location to future generations. The Church has since been restored, and the monument stands today.
Based on O.T. Reilly, Battlefield Guide, Blue & Gray Magazine, Fall 1995 Special Edition, pages 54-55.
— Submitted April 5, 2008, 
by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
2. O.T. Reilly Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 937 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
