First Army Corps

On September 17, 1862, U.S.A. First Army Corps, Hartsuff's Brigade of Rickett's Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. George L. Hartsuff and organized from the 11th Pennsylvania, 83rd New York, and 12th and 13th Massachusetts Infantry, advanced early from the Poffenberger Woods through the northern part of the East Woods and over the open ground west of them, then went into action on a line running northwest and southwest through this point. Early in the movement Gen. Hartsuff was wounded and command passed to Col. Richard Coulter of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry. The left center of the 11th Pennsylvania was at this point with the 12th Massachusetts on its right, the 13th Massachusetts immediately on the left of the 11th, and the 83rd New York on the left of the 13th. In this position, supported by two regiments of Christian's Brigade, it maintained a sanguinary contest in which it lost half its numbers, but was compelled to withdraw after being relieved by the advance of Crawford's Brigade, Twelfth Corps. The brigade carried about 1,200 men into action, of whom 82 were killed and 497 wounded, and the 12th Massachusetts lost 224 of 334 engaged.

Keedysville, Maryland · United States