Willcox's Division, Ninth Army Corps

   On the night of September 16th Willcox's Division was held in reserve behind the ridge on the east bank of the Antietam, about one mile from the Burnside Bridge. On the afternoon of the 17th the Division crossed the bridge and, relieving Sturgis' Division, formed on the right of the line with Crook's Brigade in support.

In the general advance of the Ninth Corps on Sharpsburg, the Division moved on either side of the road from the bridge to the town until the center reached this elevation, when, the left flank of the Corps having been turned, the Division was withdrawn to the banks of the Antietam, where it remained until the evening of the 18th, when it was relieved by Morell's Division of the Fifth Army Corps.

A section of the 8th Massachusetts Battery, under Lieut. John N. Coffin, accompanied the Division in its advance and went into position in Otto's orchard about 350 yards south of this point.