Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 2

The Army of Northern Virginia, under Gen. R. E. Lee, crossed Blackford’s Ford during the night of September 18, 1862, and on the morning of September 19 took up its line of march toward Williamsport. Lawton’s and Armistead’s Brigades were left to guard the ford, and 44 guns were placed on the bluffs north and south of this point to check Union pursuit. Heavy artillery firing and infantry sharpshooting continued during the day, and some of the Confederate artillery was silenced. At dark, while the Confederate artillery was being withdrawn, detachments from the 4th Michigan, 18th and 22nd Mass., and 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, under Brigadier General Charles Griffin, crossed the ford, forced back Lawton’s and Armistead’s Brigades, and captured two guns that were taken across the river. Griffin remained on this side between two and three hours and then recrossed to Maryland. Early on the morning of September 20, the 4th Michigan and 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry crossed to this side of the river and secured three guns and several caissons before returning to the Maryland side at 8 A. M.

West Virginia · United States