The marker for Kemper’s Brigade of D.R. Jones’ Division is on the west side of Branch Avenue. (Branch Avenue North tour map)
From the marker:
C.S.A.
Longstreet’s Command
Kemper’s Brigade, D.R. Jones’ Division
Brig. Gen. James L. Kemper, Commanding.
Organization.
1st, 7th, 11th, 17th and 24th Virginia Infantry
September 15-17, 1862.
Kemper’s Brigade reached Sharpsburg about noon September 15th and took position on Cemetery Hill. In the afternoon the Brigade moved to the ravine about 520 yards northwest of this. At noon of the 17th, the 7th and 24th Regiments were sent down the Harpers Ferry Road about 520 and 850 yards respectively, to guard the right flank. Upon the approach of the 9th Corps, about 3 P.M. the 1st, 11th and 17th Regiments advanced to the high ground in their front and met the charge of Fairchild’s Brigade; they were driven from their position and retreated through the town. They reformed with Garnett’s and Drayton’s Brigades in the Harpers Ferry Road just south of the town and, co-operated with Toombs’ Brigade, and A.P. Hill’s Division, checked the further advance of the enemy and reoccupied the ground from which they had been driven, where, joined by the 7th and 24th, they remained until the morning of the 19th, when the Brigade recrossed the Potomac.
No. 346.
