Final Attack Trail-Stop 7

“The conflict died away, the enemy also had got all the fighting they wanted for the day. It had been an afternoon in the valley of death.”

A soldier in the 9th Corps

 

Born in 1822, Rodman commanded a division of 3,200 soldiers until he was shot in the chest on the hill in front of you. Taken to a field hospital, General Rodman died on September 20, 1862.  He is buried in his family’s cemetery in Peace Dale

Stop 7 - Final Attack Vista

You are overlooking one of the best battle panoramas at Antietam. From this spot you can see most of the ground covered in the 9th Corps advance and A.P. Hill’s counterattack. The 4th Rhode Island and 16th Connecticut Infantry were below and in front of you. They constituted the left flank of the entire Union army that stretched for close to three miles to the north. These two regiments were slowed by the difficult terrain and the corn. The 8th Connecticut, also part of Harland’s Brigade pushed on, advancing with Fairchild’s men all the way to the top of the far hill. This created a huge gap in the line and it was into this gap where most of Hill’s Confederates would strike.

Looking west toward the 16th CT monument, you are standing on the eastern edge of the 40-Acre Cornfield. Gregg’s Brigade, South Carolinians, attacked from your left (south). North Carolinians in Branch’s Brigade drove right (north) across the highest ground in front and into the flank of the 8th CT and Fairchild’s Brigade. Archer’s Brigade, men from Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, moved between Gregg and Branch, turned and drove toward you. The 30th and 23rd Ohio moved up to meet them where the tour road is today.

The 4th RI and 16th CT tried to hold but as one soldier described they, “stood for a few minutes trying to rally, swept by a destructive cross fire...Men were falling on every hand.” The new soldiers gave way, exposing the flank of the Ohio men where Major Hildt of the 30th stated that “a withering fire was directed from our left flank, from which we suffered severely.” They withdrew, further exposing Fairchild’s men and the 8th CT at the top of the hill who were forced to retreat. The entire 9th Corps collapsed from left to right and fell back towards the bridge.

 

 

Stop by the 12th Ohio Monument then continue north along the ridge line.

 

• Introduction and Map
• Stop 1 - The Burnside Bridge
• Stop 2 - Advance on Sharpsburg
• Stop 3 - Sherrick Farm
• Stop 4 - Otto Lane Respite
• Stop 5 - Caught in the Corn
• Stop 6 - The End of the Line
• Stop 7 - Final Attack Vista
• Stop 8 - Artillery Ridge
• Stop 9 - Soldier, Statesman and Martyr
• Timeline and Organization