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Antietam Battlefield Historical Tablet No. 359

Semmes' Brigade, McLaws' Division

6 AM 17 September to 9 PM 18 September

C.S.A.
LONGSTREET'S COMMAND,
SEMMES' BRIGADE, McLAWS' DIVISION.
Brig. Gen. Paul J. Semmes, Commanding.
Organization.
10th Georgia Infantry
53d Georgia Infantry
15th Virginia Infantry
32d Virginia Infantry

(September 17, 1862.)
   Semmes Brigade reached the western suburbs of Sharpsburg at sunrise of the 17th and halted until nearly 9 A.M., when it advanced across the fields, in support of Stuart's Cavalry, north and west of Hauser's house. In the general advance of McLaws' Division it was on the left of the line, and encountered the enemy in the northern part of the West Woods, forcing them to retire beyond the Nicodemus house.

Near this point its advance was checked by the Federal Artillery east of the Hagerstown Road. After severe losses it was withdrawn and placed as a reserve to Barksdale's Brigade, in the western edge of the West Woods, where it remained until the night of the 18th when it recrossed the Potomac.

Location: west side of the Maryland Rt. 65 bypass, north of Confederate Avenue (Map 2)

 

Units described and/or located by this Tablet:

    Semmes' Brigade
        10th Georgia Infantry
        53rd Georgia Infantry
        15th Virginia Infantry
        32nd Virginia Infantry

Source: Antietam Battlefield Board, Antietam Battlefield Board Papers, Washington DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1891-1898, Entry 707, Record Group 92 (Historical Tablet text by Generals E.A. Carman and H. Heth)

 

Notes

1   Antietam Board, Antietam Battlefield Commission Papers, Washington DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1891-1898, Entry 707, Record Group 92 (Historical Tablet text by Generals E.A. Carman and H. Heth)  [AotW citation 16798]

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