David A. Welker - The Cornfield: Antietams Bloody Turning Point

THE CORNFIELD

Antietams Bloody Turning Point

David A. Welker

For Marilyn Welkermy guide, my inspiration, my mother

Whoever stood in front of the corn field at Antietam needs no praise.

M AJOR R UFUS D AWES (1862),

Any work such as this is never the result of just one persons efforts, even if only one name is printed on the cover. While it is impossible to name all those who contributed their support, expertise, and knowledge to creating this volume, I want to note a few individuals who were particularly instrumental in making this book a reality. Jeffrey Fortaismy friend, brother-in-law, and fellow historiancreated the unsurpassed maps that grace this work and provided his own detailed, thorough cartographic research that informed my research. Without his contribution, it would be impossible for most readers to comprehend the often-complex movements that occurred in the Cornfield and elsewhere at Antietam. His ability to transform my simple sketches and vague ideas into such clear, concise maps is unique, and I could not have written this book without him. Ted Alexander, Antietam National Battlefields former chief historian, reviewed an early draft of my book and offered invaluable advice and insight. The rangers and volunteer staff of Antietam National Battlefield contributed both by maintaining a national treasuremaking it possible to walk the battleground of September 17, 1862and by always happily answering odd, highly detailed questionsthey are a model of true public service. I received tremendous assistance from the staffs of the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the US Armys Heritage and Education Center (formerly the Military History Institute), and the various universities, libraries, and historical societies listed in the notes and bibliographic entries at the end of this volume. Their unique knowledge and stewardship of Americas irreplaceable documents makes it possible to dig deep into the battlethey are all a national treasure in their own right. The living historians of the 3rd US Regular Infantry helped me better understand nineteenth-century military tactics and life, and they routinely served as a sounding board to test my ideas and theories about military movements and tactics employed in the Cornfield. My cousin, Robert W. Austin, who served in the 105th New York and survived wounding in the Cornfield, inspired me throughout this volumes creation and reminds me daily what it is to be an American. Lastly, and most importantly, this book would not be possible without the love and support of my wife, Margaret, and my children Rebecca and Thomas. Their patience with my spending too many days and evenings in front of the keyboard and their willingness to support my writing habits, whether wandering with me over obscure parts of Antietam Battlefield or enduring yet another visit to the Archives or Library of Congress, is the love that makes such a bookand anything in lifepossible.

Hookers Planned First Corps Attack

Rickettss AttackDuryees Advance

Gibbons Brigade Advances and Divides; Hartsuff Attacks

Lawtons and Hayss Brigades attack; Gibbon Nears Success; Starke Faces Disaster

Hoods Attack Opens

Hoods Attack Develops

Woffords Brigade Moves to the Left

Laws Brigade Advances

Meade Repulses Hoods Attack

Ripleys Brigade Takes the Cornfield

Crawfords Brigade Attacks the East Woods

Crawfords 128th Pennsylvania Attacks Ripleys Brigade

Colquitts Brigade Relieves Ripley; Gordons Brigade Enters the Fray

Colquitts Attack Stalls While Greenes Division Strikes the Flank

Greenes Division and Gordons Brigade Take the Cornfield

Greene and Gordon Await Sumners Arrival

Sumners Attack Begins; Gormans Brigade Enters the West Woods

McLaws Counterattacks

McLaws Attacks, Sedgwick Breaks

McLawss Attack Stalls

Greenes Division Breaks Lees Line in the West Woods

Pleasontons Calvalry Division Advances in the Center

Greenes Division is Driven from the West Woods

Franklins VI Corps Deploys as Cookes and Cobbss Brigades Attack

Slocums Division Prepares to Attack

Stuarts Calvalry Seeks to Turn the Union Right