Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Washington Artillery, Longstreet's Command

Washington Artillery Tablet for September 15-16 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007

1. Washington Artillery Tablet for September 15-16

Inscription. C.S.A.
Washington Artillery, Longstreet's Command,
Col J. B. Walton, Commanding.
Organization.
1st Company, Washington Artillery, La.
2nd Company, Washington Artillery, La.
3rd Company, Washington Artillery, La.
4th Company, Washington Artillery, La.
September 15-16, 1862.
The Washington Artillery crossed the Antietam about 9 a.m. of the 15th and took position on the high ground overlooking the creek to the east and south of Sharpsburg. The left wing, compoosed of the 1st and 3rd Companies, rested on the Boonsboro' Pike, on ground now occupied by the National Cemetery; the right, composed of the 2nd and 4th Companies, was posted on the bluffs commanding the approaches to the Burnside Bridge. During the afternoon of the 15th and the morning of the 16th it became engaged with the enemy's heavy batteries on the opposite side of Antietam Creek.

Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 307.)

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 month for this entry is September 1840.

Location. 39° 27.61′ N, 77° 44.514′ W. Marker is in Sharpsburg, Maryland

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, in Washington County. Marker is on Boonsboro Pike (State Highway 34), on the right when traveling east. Located at the entrance of the National Cemetery, stop eleven on the driving tour of Antietam Battlefield. 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. A different marker also named Washington Artillery, Longstreet's Command (here, next to this marker); Not For Themselves, But For Their Country (a few steps from this marker); Antietam National Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Evans' Brigade, Longstreet's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Evans' Brigade, Longstreet's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); Squires’ Battery, 1st Company Washington Artillery of New Orleans (within shouting distance of this marker); Longstreet's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Longstreet's Command (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.

Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on April 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. 1st Battalion, Longstreet's Artillery. Col. Walton described his command in the official report: The
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007

2. Washington Artillery Tablets at the Entrance to the National Cemetery
Number 307 on the left details the Battalion's operations on September 15-16. Number 308 on the right discusses September 17.
first company, Capt. C. W. Squires, Lieuts. E. Owen, Galbraith, and Brown, with two 3-inch rifles and two 10-pounder Parrott guns, on the right of the turnpike running through the center of and to the front of the town; the third company, Capt. M. B. Miller, Lieutenants McElroy and Hero, with four 12 pounder Napoleons, to the right of Captain Squires; to the right of Captain Miller, across a ravine and in an orchard in front of General D. R. Jones' position, were placed the second company, Capt. J. B. Richardson, Lieutenants Hawes, Britton, and De Russy, with two Napoleons and two 12-pounder howitzers, and the fourth company, Capt. B. F. Eshleman, Lieutenants Norcom, Battles, and Apps, with two 6-pounder bronze guns and two 12-pounder howitzers (Submitted on April 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

3. A Brief History of the Washington Artillery. The Washington Artillery was a pre-war military organization from New Orleans. The four companies mentioned on this tablet served with the Army of Northern Virginia. A fifth company served in the Western Theater. (Submitted on April 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Additional commentary.
1. Washington Artillery Batteries
The Washington Artillery batteries are often

2nd and 4th Companies Position, September 16 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 6, 2008

3. 2nd and 4th Companies Position, September 16

On the 16th, the 2nd and 4th Companies (the right wing mentioned in the text), occupied a position here, on the high ground overlooking the Antietam near the Burnside Bridge. The location is now stops 2 (the brown post at the edge of this clearing) and 3 of the Final Attack Trail on the southern part of the battlefield. The Burnside Bridge, which cannot be seen due to the trees from this point of view, stands directly to the distant center, between the ridges. Federal artillery was deployed on the open high ground in the distance on both the left and right of this photo.

referred to by the commanding officers: 1st Company - Capt. C.W. Squires; 2nd Company - Capt. J. B. Richardson; 3rd Company - M. B. Miller; 4th Company - Capt. B. F. Eshleman.

— Submitted April 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 937 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.