53rd Pennsylvania Infantry

At its organization, the following field officers were selected: John R. Brooke, colonel; Richard McMichael, of Reading, Berks Co., Lieutenant-Colonel; and Thomas Yeager, of Allentown, Lehigh Co., Major. Charles P. Hatch, of Philadelphia, was appointed adjutant. The Regiment fought on the Peninsular Campaign, and at Vienna, Va, after 2nd Bull Run.

On the 11th of September General French was assigned to the command of a division, and was succeeded by Colonel Brooke in command of the Brigade.

The regiment engaged in the Maryland Campaign, being in reserve at South Mountain and in the hottest of the fight at Antietam, where its loss was 28. After the battle it was engaged for two days in the work of interring the dead. It encamped at Bolivar heights until Oct. 30.
(from Bates)

"At four A.M. of the 17th the regiment left its position on the Keedysville road, and moving a mile to the right, crossed Antietam Creek at a ford. It occupied the extreme right of the division. In front was the "sunken road" occupied by the enemy's first line. His second line was protected by a stone wall on the hill beyond."

"To the right and rear was an orchard, immediately in front of which was the cornfield where, subsequently, the battle raged with great fury. It was important to drive the enemy from this position, and the Fifty-third was chosen for the charge. Changing front to the rear, and advancing at double-quick, in a short but desperate contest it drove him from his well-chosen ground. The regiment was subsequently engaged in the hottest of the fight and shared the varying fortunes of the day. The position gained was of great importance, and was held with tenacity until the regiment was ordered to the support of a battery. Lieutenant Weaver, of Company K, a brave young officer, was mortally wounded. The loss in killed and wounded was twenty-eight."
(from Bean)

Detail Map #9: Richardson's Division Attacks the Sunken Road (10-11 am)
Detail Map #10: Confederate Counterattacks in the Center (11 am-1 pm)

Tablet #35: Second Army Corps - 15 Sep, 7 AM to 15 Sep, 8 PM
Tablet #34: Richardson's Division, Second Army Corps - 15 Sep, 8 PM to 17 Sep, 7 AM
Tablet #115: Second Army Corps - 15 Sep, 9 AM to 17 Sep, 7 AM
Tablet #47: Brooke's Brigade, Richardson's Division - 17 Sep, 10 AM to 17 Sep, 2 PM
Tablet #121: Army of the Potomac - 17 Sep, 8 AM to 17 Sep, 6 PM
Tablet #116, cont: Second Army Corps - 17 Sep, 9 AM to 17 Sep, 12 PM
Tablet #44: Richardson's Division, Second Army Corps - 17 Sep, 9 AM to 17 Sep, 2 PM

Sources: Bates, Samuel P., History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-65, Harrisburg, 1868-1871.; Extracted online at the Pennsylvania in the Civil War site; and
Bean, Theodore W. ed., History of Montgomery County Pennsylvania, Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1884., transcription online from RootsWeb.