Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Battery E, 2nd U.S. Artillery
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
1. Battery E, 2nd U.S. Artillery Tablet
Battery E, 2nd U.S. Artillery.
Lieut. Samuel E. Benjamin, U.S.A. Commanding.
(September 16-17, 1862.)
On the morning of September 16, Benjamin's Battery took position on the ridge bordering the Antietam, above the Burnside Bridge, engaged the Confederate batteries on and around Cemetery Hill and shelled the infantry north of Sharpsburg. In the afternoon the battery moved to the left (south) and rear, on the high ground about 1950 yards east of this point. Early in the morning of the 17th, it opened fire upon and quickly silenced a Confederate battery which was shelling Rodman's Division. It engaged batteries posted on Cemetery Hill and high ground adjacent and, several times during the day, shelled bodies of infantry. At 3 p.m., the battery changed position to the left in order to shell A.P. Hill's Division as it came upon the field. Its last six rounds of ammunition were used in engaging some heavy guns on the Confederate left.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 106.)
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 16, 1968.
Location. 39° 26.867′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery (here, next to this marker); Battery G, 4th U.S. Artillery (here, next to this marker); Ninth Army Corps (a few steps from this marker); Battery A, 5th U.S. Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Brigadier General L. O'B. Branch (a few steps from this marker); Rodman's Division, Ninth Army Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); Archer's Brigade (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on March 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Benjamin's Battery, 1st Division, IX Corps. The battery was armed with four 20-pounder Parrott Rifles, some of the largest artillery on the battlefield. Benjamin was later awarded the Medal of Honor for distinguished service throughout the war. (Submitted on March 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Samuel Nicholl Benjamin. Samuel
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
2. Battery E, 2nd U.S. Artillery Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. U.S. Artillery Tablets
Tablets for E Battery, 4th U.S. (Number 107, on the left) and Battery E, 2nd U.S. (Number 106, on the right) stand beside signs pointing to the battery positions. The position for E Battery 4th U.S. is 580 yards northeast of the tablet. For Battery E, 2nd U.S. the position is 1950 yards northeast.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
4. Battery E, 2nd U.S. Artillery Marker
Second From the Left
Second From the Left
Photographed By Brian Scott
5. Major Samuel Nicholl Benjamin (1839-1886)
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
6. Battery E, 2nd U.S. Artillery Position
Looking from the tablet location down the direction of the signpost indicating the battery position. The battery was located on high ground south of H. Rohrbach's House.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,169 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on March 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on October 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6. submitted on March 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
