Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery

At daybreak on September 17, 1862, Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery, commanded by Capt. Joseph C. Clark Jr., was in bivouac behind the high ground east of Burnside Bridge. Soon after daybreak it took position on the ridge overlooking the Antietam and the field of battle to the north and west, about 685 yards a little east of north from the bridge, and opened fire on Confederate infantry north of Sharpsburg. When that fire ceased to be effective, the battery moved to the western slope of the bluff immediately opposite the bridge, 240 yards from it, and shelled the Confederate infantry defending the bridge. It then followed the infantry of Sturgis' Division across the bridge and went into battery on the crown of the ridge due west of the bridge and about 580 yards northeast of this point. While going into position, spherical case shot from a Confederate battery killed Lieut. W.L. Baker, severely wounded Captain Clark, and left Sergeant C.F. Merkel in command, and he fought the battery until the close of the action.

Maryland · United States