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Antietam Battlefield Historical Tablet No. 75

Irwin's Brigade, Smith's Division

12 PM 17 September to 12 PM 18 September

U.S.A.
SIXTH ARMY CORPS
IRWIN'S BRIGADE, SMITH'S DIVISION
Col. William H. Irwin, 49th Pennsylvania Infantry, Commanding.
Organization.

7th Maine Infantry
20th 33d, 49th and 77th New York Infantry

(September 17, 1862.)
   Irwin's Brigade reached the field about noon of the 17th, formed line across the road at this point, and charged through the Batteries and across the fields in their front to check the advance of the Confederates from the West Woods. The direction of its advance was south of the Dunkard Church and, when its right Regiments, the 33d and 77th New York, were nearly abreast the Church, they received such a destructive fire on their right and rear as compelled them to retire to the cover of the ridge in front of the Church, the remainder of the Brigade forming on their left. Late in the day the 7th Maine charged across the Bloody Lane to Piper's Barn and was repulsed with great loss.

About noon of the 18th the Brigade was relieved by Cochrane's Brigade of Couch's Division, and withdrawn to the rear.

Location: north side of the Smoketown Road north of the Mumma Farm Lane (Map 2)

 

Units described and/or located by this Tablet:

    3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Corps
        7th Maine Infantry
        20th New York Infantry
        33rd New York Infantry
        49th New York Infantry
        77th New York 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 16826]

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