Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Willcox's Division, Ninth Army Corps
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
1. Willcox's Division Tablet
Willcox's Division, Ninth Army Corps.
Brig. Gen. Orlando B. Willcox, Commanding.
September 16-17, 1862.
On the night of September 16th Willcox's Division was held in reserve behind the ridge on the east bank of the Antietam, about one mile from the Burnside Bridge. On the afternoon of the 17th the division crossed the bridge and, relieving Sturgis' Division, formed the right of the line with Crook's Brigade in support.
In the general advance of the Ninth Corps on Sharpsburg, the division moved on either side of the road from the Bridge to the town until the center reached this elevation, when, the left flank of the Corps having been turned, the division was withdrawn to the banks of the Antietam, where it remained until the evening of the 18th, when it was relieved by Morrell's Division of the Fifth Army Corps.
A section of the 8th Massachusetts Battery, under Lieut. John N. Coffin, accompanied the division in its advance and went into position in Otto's orchard about 350 yards south of this point.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 62.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the
this page online
Location. 39° 27.355′ N, 77° 44.277′ 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. Ninth Army Corps (here, next to this marker); Longstreet's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); 45th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 100th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (about 500 feet away); 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (about 800 feet away); “Forever Free” (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Ninth Army Corps (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Advance Was Made With the Utmost Enthusiasm (approx. 0.2 miles 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 Division, IX Corps. Willcox was a 1847 graduate of West Point. (Submitted on March 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Orlando B. Willcox. Orlando
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
2. Willcox's Division, Ninth Army Corps Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
3. Tablets Number 62 and 64 along Rodman Avenue
Overlooking the Sherrick Farm House are tablets for Willcox's Division (number 62 on the left) and Welsh's Brigade (number 64 on the right). Willcox's Division advanced on both sides of what is today Burnside Bridge Road. Welsh's Brigade straddled the road, with most of the formation south of it (to the right).
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
4. Willcox's Division, Ninth Army Corps Marker (Left)
Sherrick Farm House in Background
Sherrick Farm House in Background
Photographed By Matthew Brady, LOC
5. Brig. General Orlando B. Willcox (1823-1907)
Willcox was captured at First Manassas and held for over a year. Upon his release, he was appointed by President Lincoln a brigadier general and given commanded the 1st Division of Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside's IX Corps in 1862. He led the division at the Battle of Antietam and the corps at the Battle of Fredericksburg.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
6. The Division on the High Ground
Willcox's Division advanced up to the high ground on both sides of what is today the Burnside Bridge Road. Looking south in this photo from the tablet location, the road leading up the high ground in the distance is Branch Avenue. The near most monuments are for the 45th and 100th Pennsylvania Infantry, both regiments from Welsh's Brigade of Willcox's Division. This photo was taken at around 3:46 p.m. (roughly about the time of the day that Willcox's Division advanced out of the low ground to the left of the photo) on the 145th anniversary of the battle.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
7. Sherrick Farm House
View of Sherrick Farm House from the front. The house became a center of activity in the closing stages of the battle.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 903 times since then and 14 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, 7. submitted on March 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
