Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Brigadier General L. O'B. Branch
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
1. Brigadier General L. O'B. Branch Monument
L. O'B. Branch
C.S.A.
killed here.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 17, 1862.
Location. 39° 26.877′ N, 77° 44.479′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Branch Avenue, on the right 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 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ninth Army Corps (a few steps from this marker); Rodman's Division, Ninth Army Corps (a few steps from this marker); Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Battery E, 2nd U.S. Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Battery G, 4th U.S. Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Battery A, 5th U.S. Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); Archer's Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Ninth Army Corps (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
More about this marker. Marker is mounted on a Model 1857 12-pounder Light Field Gun, also known as a "Napoleon."
Also see . . .
this page online
1. Six Generals Killed at Antietam. The locations of six generals killed in the battle are marked by muzzle down cannon. (Submitted on March 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Brigadier General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch. Branch saw service in the Seminole Wars before the Civil War. He was killed by a sharpshooter while consulting with his division commander, A.P. Hill. (Submitted on March 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Lawrence O. Branch. Lawrence O'Bryan Branch (November 28, 1820 – September 17, 1862) was a North Carolina representative in the U.S. Congress and a Confederate brigadier general in the American Civil War, killed at the Battle of Antietam. (Submitted on October 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
2. Brigadier General L. O'B. Branch Mortuary Cannon
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
3. Brig. Gen. Branch Mortuary Monument
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
4. Brigadier General L. O'B. Branch Mortuary Cannon
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
5. Brigadier General L. O'B. Branch Mortuary Cannon (Looking North on Branch Avenue)
Photographed By Brian Scott
6. Brig. General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch (1820-1862)
On September 17, 1862, he led his troops on a rapid march from Harpers Ferry to Sharpsburg, Maryland where the Battle of Antietam was raging. Branch arrived on the field around 2:30 PM, in time to help stop the Union advance, thus saving General Robert E. Lee's right flank from a crushing defeat. Soon after this victory, Branch stood talking with fellow brigadier generals Maxcy Gregg, Dorsey Pender, James J. Archer, along with Hill and General Lee when a Federal sharpshooter, seeing the group, fired a shot that hit him in the right cheek and exited behind his left ear, killing him instantly. He fell dead into the arms of a staff officer.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,093 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on March 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
