Longstreet's Command

On September 17, 1862, Manning's Brigade of Walker's Division, commanded by Col. Van H. Manning and composed of the 3d Arkansas, 30th Virginia, and 27th, 46th, and 48th North Carolina, attacked near the Dunkard Church about 10:20 A.M. The 30th Virginia, 46th North Carolina, and 48th North Carolina charged from the woods beyond the church to capture Tompkins' Rhode Island Battery on the high ground east of the church. The 30th Virginia crossed the road there, moved right across the two fences of the Smoketown Road and over the rock ledge occupied by the Maryland monument to the depression at the base of the ridge, where the right of Greene's Division and artillery checked it. At the same time, the 46th North Carolina passed on either side of the church, crossed the road, and mingled with the 30th Virginia. After a very short struggle, both regiments were repulsed with great loss and retreated through the West Woods. After reaching the road north of there, the 46th North Carolina was checked by artillery fire from the front and fell back as Greene's Division advanced into the woods around the church. Losses in the three regiments were 77 killed, 387 wounded, and 41 missing, and the 30th Virginia lost over 68 percent of its men.

Keedysville, Maryland · United States