Willcox's Division, Ninth Army Corps

Under Brig. Gen. Orlando B. Willcox, Willcox's Division of the Ninth Army Corps was held in reserve on the night of September 16-17, 1862, behind the ridge on the east bank of the Antietam about one mile from Burnside Bridge. On the afternoon of the 17th, the division crossed the bridge and, relieving Sturgis' Division, formed the right of the line with Crook's Brigade in support. In the Ninth Corps' general advance on Sharpsburg, the division moved on either side of the road from the bridge to the town until the center reached this elevation; when the corps' left flank had been turned, the division withdrew to the banks of the Antietam, where it remained until the evening of the 18th, when Morrell's Division of the Fifth Army Corps relieved it. A section of the 8th Massachusetts Battery under Lieut. John N. Coffin accompanied the advance and went into position in Otto's orchard about 350 yards south of this point.

Maryland · United States