Willcox's Division, Ninth Army Corps

   Willcox's Division was the last to cross the Antietam. Passing over the stone bridge at 2 P.M., it moved up the road to this point and deployed. Christ's Brigade was filed across the hollow on the right (east) and formed on the low ground between the creek and the bluff; Welsh's Brigade on the heights west of the road. Christ scaled the bluff on the right, Welsh swept over the hills on the left, Crook's Brigade of the Kanawha Division moved by the road in support, and under a heavy fire of artillery the line reached Sherrick's lane on the right and the high ground beyond Otto's house on the left. A section of the 8th Battery, Massachusetts Artillery, went into position in Otto's orchard. A severe engagement took place, resulting in the expulsion of the Confederate Artillery and Infantry from Cemetery Hill and the adjacent heights overlooking Sharpsburg, and the Division skirmishers entered the streets of the town. During the contest Crook's Brigade moved up and formed on the left of Welsh. The left of the Corps line being turned by the attack of A.P. Hill, Willcox's Division, with its support, was withdrawn to this point where it remained until the 18th, when it was relieved by Morell's Division, Fifth Army Corps.