Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
“A Thrilling Spectacle”
Confederate Colonel John B. Gordon watched them:
"The men in blue formed in my front, an assaulting column four lines deep. The front line came to a 'charge bayonets,' the other lines to a 'right shoulder shift.' The brave Union commander, superbly mounted, placed himself in front, while his band in the rear cheered them with martial music. It was a thrilling spectacle. The banners above them had apparently never been discolored by the smoke and dust of battle. Their gleaming bayonets flashed like burnished silver in the sunlight."
Antietam was the first battle for the 132nd Pennsylvania Regiment.
"An occasional shell whizzed by or over, reminding us that we were rapidly approaching the 'debatable ground.' The compressed lip and set teeth showed that nerve and resolution had been summoned to the discharge of duty."
Then a shell smashed through some beehives on the Roulette farm. Shells and bullets and now angry bees were too much for the rookies. The officers had their hands full getting the regiment formed and moving again.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 39° 28.43′ N, 77° 44.556′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Mummas Lane, on the left when traveling west. Located at a pull off on Mummas Lane after stop six of the driving tour of Antietam Battlefield. The stop is just south of 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 location. I Found the Enemy in Great Force (here, next to this marker); Battery A, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Vermont Brigade (about 400 feet away); A Deadly Struggle (about 600 feet away); Twentieth Regiment (about 700 feet away); Battlefield Namesake (about 800 feet away); The Maryland Campaign of 1862 (about 800 feet away); New York State Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
More about this marker. On the lower left is a map illustrating the tactical situation at this phase of the battle. On the upper right, Alexander Gardner photographed the Roulette farm two or three days after the battle. What are probably the smashed beehives are visible in the front of the farm house. The background of the marker is a scene depicting the 132nd Pennsylvania at the Roulette farm.
Regarding “A Thrilling Spectacle”. This marker was replaced by another named I Found the Enemy in Great Force (See nearby markers).
Also see . . . Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on March 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 995 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 15, 2008, by Bryan Olson of Syracuse, New York. 4. submitted on March 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.