Second Army Corps

On September 17, 1862, the U.S.A. Second Army Corps under Major General E.V. Sumner fought at Antietam with its three divisions east of the Antietam at daybreak. Sedgwick's Division crossed at Pry's Ford, advanced through the East Woods, Miller's Cornfield, and the fields to the south, crossed the Hagerstown Pike north of this position, and entered the West Woods, where its right and center reached the open ground beyond before Jackson's command and the artillery of Stuart's Cavalry Division checked the advance. Gorman's Brigade led in the first line, with Dana's and Howard's Brigades in the second and third lines, but McLaws' and Walker's Divisions attacked and turned the left flank, forcing the division to retreat northward to the fields and woods beyond D.R. Miller's. French's Division followed across the Antietam, turned to come in on Sedgwick's left and cover that flank, met the enemy near Roulette's house, drove them back to the Sunken Road or Bloody Lane, and there was checked by part of D.H. Hill's Division. During the desperate contest that followed, Richardson's Division came up on the left, and together the two divisions forced the Confederates to retire to Piper's Lane and the fields beyond, after which French's Division bivouacked near the Roulette House. Richardson's Division had crossed at Pry's Ford about 9:30 a.m., formed line of battle beyond the high ground east of Roulett's, advanced on French's left against the Confederates in and beyond the Sunken Road or Bloody Lane, and after a stubborn and sanguinary fight supported by French on its right, forced the enemy back from the Bloody Lane to and beyond the Hagerstown Pike before a later advance to the high ground overlooking the Piper House was withdrawn and the division bivouacked on the high ground southeast of Roulett's.

Keedysville, Maryland · United States