U.S.A.
Ninth Army Corps.
Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, Commanding.
September 17, 1862.
On the morning of the 17th, Durell's Battery D, Pennsylvania Light Artillery took position on the ridge to the right of Benjamin's and both engaged the Confederate Batteries posted on the high ground near Sharpsburg. At 10 o'clock Crook's Brigade preceded by the 11th Connecticut, as skirmishers, attepmted to cross the bridge but failed. Several attempts made by the 2d Maryland and 6th New Hampshire failed also. At 1 o'clock the bridge was carried by Ferrero's Brigade of Sturgis' Division and the whole division crossed and formed on the high ground west in one curved line, the left resting on the Antietam at the bend below the bridge, the right on the Sharpsburg road 250 yards north of the bridge. Crook's Brigade crossed and supported the right. Rodman's Division and Ewing's Brigade crossed at Snavely's Ford, below the bridge, and took position on the left of the line on the crest above the bridge. Willcox's Division crossed the bridge and relieved Sturgis who was held in reserve at the head of the bridge. In this order, Wilcox on the right supported by Crook and Rodman on the left supported by Scammon, the line moved forward at 3 o'clock in the direction of Sharpsburg, encountered and drove back D.R. Jones' Division and reached the high ground in the outskirts of the town, where it was assailed on the left flank by A.P. Hill's Division and obliged to fall back to the banks of the Antietam.
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