Fifth Army Corps

On September 16-17, 1862, the Fourth United States Infantry of the Fifth Army Corps, with eight companies under Captain Hiram Dryer, seized the middle bridge over Antietam on the morning of the 16th. Companies B, G, I, and K crossed the bridge, deployed on either side of the road, advanced about 300 yards, and between 2 and 4 p.m. engaged the enemy's skirmishers before being relieved at sunset by the 1st Battalion, 12th U.S. Infantry and recrossing Antietam. Between 2 and 3 p.m. on the 17th, the regiment again crossed Antietam under orders to support the horse batteries, advanced beyond the batteries, and took position in the field to the right with its left resting on the road. Companies G, I, and K, under Lieutenant C. H. Carlton, deployed as skirmishers and advanced westward until they encountered Confederate skirmishers behind a rail fence. The skirmishers suffered severely from enfilading canister fire from Cemetery Hill south of the turnpike and from enemy skirmishers in front, and at about sunset they were withdrawn and the regiment, carrying its dead and wounded, recrossed Antietam.

Maryland · United States