Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fifth Army Corps
Fourth United States Infantry
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 6, 2008
1. 4th U.S. Infantry Tablet
Fifth Army Corps
Fourth United States Infantry (8 Cos.).
Captain Hiram Dryer, 4th U.S. Infantry, Commanding.
September 16-17, 1862.
On the morning of the 16th, the 4th Infantry seized the middle bridge over the Antietam; companies B. G. I. and K. were thrown across the bridge, deployed on either side of the road, advanced about 300 yards, and, between 2 and 4 p.m., became engaged with the enemy's skirmishers. They were relieved at sunset by the 1st Battalion 12th U.S. Infantry and recrossed the Antietam. Between 2 and 3 p.m. of the 17th, the regiment again crossed the Antietam, under orders to support the horse batteries. It advanced beyond the batteries and took position in the field to the right, the left resting on the road at this point. Companies G. I. and K. under Lieut. C. H. Carlton, were deployed as skirmishers and, advancing in a westerly direction, encountered the Confederate skirmishers posted behind a rail fence. The skirmishers suffered severely from an enfilading fire of canister from Cemetery Hill, south of the turnpike, and from the enemy's skirmishers in the their front.
At about sunset the skirmishers were withdrawn and the regiment, carrying its dead and wounded, recrossed the Antietam.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board
this page online
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 1846.
Location. 39° 27.771′ N, 77° 44.046′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Boonsboro / Shepherdstown Pike (State Highway 34), on the right 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. Fourth United States Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Fifth Army Corps (about 400 feet away); Twelfth United States Infantry (about 400 feet away); V Corps, 2nd Division, 1st Brigade (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Fifth Army Corps (about 500 feet away); Horse Batteries and Reserve Artillery (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Fifth Army Corps (about 700 feet away); Battery K, 5th U.S. Artillery (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on April 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 6, 2008
2. Tablet Protected by the Rails of West Bound Boonsboro Pike
2. 4th U.S. Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, V Corps. Captain Dryer was a veteran with sixteen years of service in the regular army, including service in the Mexican War, by the time of the Battle of Antietam. (Submitted on April 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008
3. The 4th U.S. Infantry Advances up the Pike
Looking from Robertson Avenue, to the east, near the location of Tablet Number 86 (also for the 4th U.S. Infantry). The Pike is seen passing through the trees on the right side of the photo. The horse artillery occupied positions on the high ground in the distant center. The 4th U.S. advanced up from the low ground here to drive off Confederate skirmishers. However, the unit was exposed to fire from Confederate batteries placed on Cemetery Hill once they reached the high ground from where this photo was taken. The Newcomer House stood just off the Pike, on the center right of this photo.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 922 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
