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ARTILLERY CAMP, SYKES' DIVISION, Near Sharpsburg, Md.,
September 1862
Captain S. H. WEED,
Fifth Artillery, Chief of Artillery, Sykes' Division.
SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 16th instant I was ordered by General Sykes to report to Colonel Warren, commanding Third Brigade, to be posted by him but was not engaged with the enemy during the day. On the 17th I was ordered by General Sykes to report to General Pleasonton, by whom I was directed to relieve Captain Robertson's battery (B and L, Second Artillery), which was in position in advance of the Antietam Creek and on the left of the Sharpsburg road. As soon as possible I opened a fire of spherical case on the flank of one of the enemy's batteries, which, after a few rounds, retired to a position beyond the range of my guns. Being somewhat annoyed by the sharpshooters of the enemy, a portion of the Second Infantry was deployed as skirmishers in advance of the battery and drove them beyond range. As my position was an unfavorable one for the use of artillery, on account of the nature of the ground and its proximity to a large corn-field and other cover, by means of which the enemy could approach to within a very short range unperceived, and as none of the enemy except pickets were visible, I reported for further orders to General Pleasonton, and was ordered to return to my former position, where I remained till the close of the engagement.
On the 19th one gun of my battery was engaged for a short time at Shepherdstown Ford, and on the 20th the whole was placed in position near the ford, but was not regularly engaged.
I lost neither men nor material during the various actions.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. M. RANDOL,
First Lieutenant First Artillery, Commanding Battery.
Source: OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, Vol 19, Part 1 (Antietam - Serial 27) , Pages 352 - 353