Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ricketts' Division, First Army Corps
Ricketts' Division, First Army Corps,
Brig. Gen. Jas. B. Ricketts, Commanding.
(September 17, 1862.)
Rickett's Division moved from its bivouac in the Poffenberger Woods, early in the morning of the 17th. Duryea' Brigade moving south through the North Woods and over the open ground between the Hagerstown Pike and the East Woods, passed through Miller's cornfield to its southern edge and engaged the Confederate line 220 to 230 yards in its front. After an obstinate contest of 30 to 40 minutes the brigade was compelled to retired. The center of the brigade line is marked by its tablet west of this. Hartsuff's Brigade (supported by Christian's) went into action on a line running northwest and southeast through this point, and after a sanguinary contest, the brigade was compelled to retire with a loss of half its numbers. Christian moved in the left rear of Hartsuff, his right supporting and relieving Hartsuff at this point, his left forming on the west edge of the East Woods, south of the Smoketown Road. The Division was relieved by the advance of the Twelfth Corps, and joined the rest of the First Corps on the right near the Hagerstown Pike, north of J.Poffenberger's.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 81.)
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° 28.868′ N, 77° 44.663′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Cornfield Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Located between stops three and four of the driving tour of Antietam Battlefield. 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 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Army Corps (a few steps from this marker); Jackson's Command (a few steps from this marker); 90th Pennsylvania (a few steps from this marker); 27th Indiana Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named First Army Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery B (within shouting distance of this marker); 137th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Jackson's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); 128th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker). 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. Ricketts' Division Markers
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Batlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on February 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. 2nd Division, First Army Corps. Ricketts continued to command at the divisional level through much of the war. He is most known for his actions at the Battle of Monocacy, in July 1864. (Submitted on February 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. James B. Ricketts. James Brewerton Ricketts (June 21, 1817 – September 22, 1887) was a career officer in the United States Army, serving as a Union Army general during the Civil War. (Submitted on October 22, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. War Department Marker Text
One has to watch the wording on many of these markers. In this case, the text misspells Brig. Gen. Abram Duryee's name. But this particular marker's style has a decidedly different tone from others in the set. The use of words like "obstinate" and "sanguinary" indicate a departure from the otherwise dry and matter of fact prose seen on the other markers.
— Submitted February 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 992 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 22, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on April 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on October 22, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on February 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.