Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
D.R. Jones' Division, Longstreet's Command
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
1. D.R. Jones Tablet for actions on September 15-16
Note missing letter from Jenkins' name.
D.R. Jones' Division, Longstreet's Command.
Brig. Gen. David R. Jones, Commanding.
September 15-16, 1862.
This division, composed of the brigades of Toombs, Kempter, Drayton, [J]en[k]ins, Garnett, and George T. Anderson, withdrew from its position on the South Mountain during the night of Sept. 14, and marched by the Boonsboro' Pike, to Sharpsburg.
It crossed the Antietam at the Middle Bridge and took position on the high ground to the south and southeast of the town, commanding the Burnside Bridge. This division participated in the artillery firing and skirmishing on the afternoon of the 16th, but was not otherwise seriously engaged.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 322.)
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 1835.
Location. 39° 27.592′ N, 77° 44.56′ W. Marker is in Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. It is on Boonsboro Pike, on the right when traveling east. Located in a tablet cluster near the service entrance to the National Cemetery, stop eleven of the driving tour of Antietam Battlefield.
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Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region and in Western Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named D.R. Jones' Division, Longstreet's Command (here, next to this marker); Longstreet's Command (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Longstreet's Command (a few steps from this marker); Hood's Division, Longstreet's Command (a few steps from this marker); Reserve Artillery, Longstreet's Command (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Longstreet's Command (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Longstreet's Command (a few steps from this marker); Evans' Brigade, Longstreet's Command (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 April 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. D.R. Jones' Division, Longstreet's Command. A year later, with the division then commanded by George Pickett, many of these units were part of the famous charge at the battle of Gettysburg. (Submitted on April 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain
2. Tablets for D.R. Jones' Division
Three tablets in this cluster detail the operations of D.R. Jones' Confederates. On the left is a tablet for Anderson's Brigade (number 328). In the center is D.R. Jones' Division tablet for September 17 (number 321). On the right is another tablet for the division, covering operations for September 15-16 (number 322).
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
3. D.R. Jones' Division Position Before the Battle
Looking south from the National Cemetery. Before the battle of Antietam, D.R. Jones' Division was posted to cover the southern approaches to Sharpsburg. On the high, open ground in the distance is Hawkins' Zouaves monument. On September 15-16, and on the morning of the 17th, Kemper's, Drayton's, and Jenkin's Brigades were posted in defense there. Toombs' Brigade was posted further eastward defending the Burnside Bridge. Garnett's and Anderson's Brigades occupied the high ground east of the Lutheran Church, on what later became the National Cemetery.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,108 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
