Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"You Are Firing Into Our Own Men"
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
1. "You Are Firing Into Our Own Men" Marker
Union Major General Joseph Mansfield led his Twelfth Corps into the East Woods. He had commanded the corps only two days.
Mansfield saw soldiers from the 10th Maine Regiment firing into the woods:
"Stop, you are firing into our own men!"
Sergeant E. J. Libby remembered what happened next:
"Thomas Wait and myself told him we were not firing at our own men for those that were firing at us from behind the trees had been firing at us from the first."
Mansfield looked again:
"Yes, yes, you are right."
A bullet struck him in the chest. He was carried to the rear where he died.
The spot where General Mansfield was hit is marked by a cannon standing muzzle down. It is visible directly in front of this exhibit, about 300 yards away.
The men of the Twelfth Corps fought on across the Cornfield and beyond without their commander, but his death caused some command confusion. The attack was stopped when Southern Major General D.H. Hill brought up three brigades from the Sunken Road and sent them into the Cornfield and the East Woods.
The Twelfth Corps retreated into the East Woods. The Confederates pulled back to the Sunken Road and behind the Dunker Church. After three hours of fighting, the Cornfield was quiet.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil
this page online
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 39° 28.88′ N, 77° 44.505′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is at the intersection of Cornfield Avenue and Smoketown Road, on the right when traveling west on Cornfield Avenue. Located at stop three of the driving tour of the 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The East Woods (here, next to this marker); Greene's Division, Twelfth Army Corps (a few steps from this marker); Jackson's Command (a few steps from this marker); Longstreet's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); 13th New Jersey Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sixth Army Corps (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Longstreet's Command (about 400 feet away); First New Jersey Brigade (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
More about this marker. In the center of the marker is a depiction of General Mansfield and his last discussion with the 10th Maine. On the right is a map detailing the action of the battle at this phase. Beside the map is a sketch of General
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
2. Battle Map
Regarding "You Are Firing Into Our Own Men". This marker is included on the East Woods Virtual Tour by Markers see the Related markers link below to see the markers in sequence.
This marker has been replaced by another named The East Woods (See nearby markers).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Virtual Tour by Markers of The East Woods
Also see . . . Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on February 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
3. Tour Stop Three
Looking over the marker, in the center distance, is the mortuary monument for General Mansfield.
Internet Archive
4. General J. K. F. Mansfield
From Frank Leslie's Illustrated History of the Civil War by Frank Leslie and Louis Shepheard Moat, 1895.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,183 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on October 8, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
