Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ninth Army Corps
Christ's Brigade, Willcox's Division
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
1. Christ's Brigade Tablet
Ninth Army Corps,
Christ's Brigade, Willcox's Division
Col. B.C. Christ, 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, Commanding.
Organization.
50th Pennsylvania Infantry,
79th New York Infantry,
28th Massachusetts Infantry,
17th Michigan Infantry.
September 17, 1862.
On the morning of the 17th Christ's Brigade was in reserve on the eastern slope of the ridge on the left flank of the Antietam, nearly opposite the Burnside Bridge.
About 2 p.m. after Sturgis' Division had carried the bridge, the Brigade crossed and, following the stream and the road to Sharpsburg, filed to the right where the course of the former diverged to the east and formed line on the narrow plateau at the foot of the bluff southeast of this point. After the formation of the Corps line, the brigade advanced, under a heavy fire of artillery from Cemetery Hill and the high ground west of the raod, to within a few yards of this point where it was checked. After a short delay the 79th New York advanced as skirmishers and compelled the Confederate artillery to retire. The brigade was about to move forward when the attack of A.P. Hill on the left of the Corps obliged it to fall back to the Antietam, where it remained until the evening of the 18th when it was relieved by Morell's Division of the Fifth Corps.
Erected by
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 date for this entry is September 17, 1862.
Location. 39° 27.502′ N, 77° 44.199′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Rodman Avenue, on the left when traveling south. 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. 50th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Longstreet's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Longstreet's Command (approx. 0.2 miles away); Willcox's Division, Ninth Army Corps (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Ninth Army Corps (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fifth Army Corps (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Fifth Army Corps (approx. ¼ mile away); The Soldiers Monument (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on March 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corps
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
2. Ninth Army Corps Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
3. Tablet Number 63 along Rodman Avenue
Christ's Brigade advanced into position here from the low ground beyond this field.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
4. Ninth Army Corps Marker (Right)
Photographed By Brian Scott
5. Col. Benjamin C. Christ (1824-1869)
Christ's Brigade--consisting of the 50th Pennsylvania, 28th Massachusetts, 79th New York, and 17th Michigan--saw considerable action and suffered significant casualties at the battles of 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, and Antietam. Casualties in Christ’s Brigade at the Battle of Antietam numbered 245 men killed, wounded, and missing, with the heaviest loss occurring in the ranks of the 17th Michigan.
Photographed By Craig Swain
6. Christ's Brigade on the Sherrick Farm Lane
Looking south from the location of the 50th Pennsylvania Monument and Tablet 63 location. Elements of Christ's Brigade, including the 17th Michigan, 50th Pennsylvania, and 28th Massachusetts formed along the farm lane along the high ground here. The Brigade faced to the west, confronting Confederates in the high ground in the vicinity of the present day National Cemetery.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 970 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on March 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on September 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6. submitted on March 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
