(First Tablet):
U.S.A.
Second Army Corps.
Major General E.V. Sumner, Commanding.
(September 17, 1862.)
At daybreak of the 17th the three divisions of the 2d Corps were east of the Antietam: Sedgwick's Division moved, crossed the Antietam at Pry's Ford and, advancing through the East Woods and Miller's Cornfield and the fields to the south, in column of brigades, crossed the Hagerstown Pike about a third of a mile north of this, entered the West Woods, and the right and center had reached the open ground beyond, when its advance was checked by Jackson's Command and the artillery of Stuart's Cavalry Division.
Gorman's Brigade was in first line, its left regiment, the 34th New York, a few yards west of the Dunkard Church and separated from the brigade by an interval of 940 yards from this and 610 yards west of the Hagerstown Pike. Dana's and Howard's Brigades were in second and third lines respectively. Their left flanks in the ravine and on the roll of ground 200 to 250 yards northwest of this and 280 to 300 yards west of the pike. In this position the left flank of the division was attacked and turned by McLaws' and Walker's Divisions and it was obliged to retreat northward to the fields and woods beyond D.R. Miller's.
(Second, continuation, tablet):
No. 116 Continued.
French's Division followed Sedgwick's across the Antietam and upon nearing the East Woods, changed direction to come in on Sedgwick's left and cover that flank. As it appoached Roulette's house, 800 yards east of this, it encountered the enemy and pushed them back to the Sunken Road or Bloody Lane, where its advance was checked by a portion of D.H. Hill's Division. A desperate contest ensued, during which Richardson's Division came up and formed on the left. The combined action of the two divisions obliged the Confederates to retire to Piper's Lane and the fields beyond. The Division bivouacked near the Roulette House.
Richardson's Division crossed the Antietam at Pry's Ford about 9:30 a.m. and, moving to the ravine beyond the high ground east of Roulett's, formed line of battle and advanced on French's left, engaging the Confederates in and beyond the Sunken Road or Bloody Lane. After a stubborn and sanguinary contest, in which it was supported by French's Division on its right, the enemy was forced back from the Bloody Lane to and beyond the Hagerstown Pike. An advance was made to the high ground overlooking the Piper House, which was soon withdrawn and the division bivouacked on the high ground southeast of Roulett's.
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