Connecticut Monuments at Antietam
The monument to the 8th Connecticut Infantry Regiment is on the south end of the battlefield. It is east of Harpers Ferry Road near the 9th New York Monument. (Harpers Ferry Road tour map)
Monument to the 8th Connecticut Infantry at Antietam
About the monument
The monument is a granite pillar with alternating rough hewn and finished segments. A relief of a haversack, bayonet and belt is at the bottom of the front of the monument. A relief of a crossed anchor and cannon on a shield, the symbol of the Union 9th Corps, is at the top of the front of the monument. The monument was dedicated on October 8, 1894.
The 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry at Antietam
Lieutenant Colonel Hiram Appleman commanded the 8th Connecticut Infantry at the beginning of the Battle of Antietam. The regiment crossed Antietam Creek at Burnside’s Bridge and advanced up the slopes toward the village. It charged McIntosh’s Confederate battery along the Harpers Ferry Road and forced the gunners to abandon their pieces. But the regiment was not supported and its advanced position exposed it to fire from both flanks. Lieutenant Colonel Appleman was wounded, Major John E. Ward took command, and the regiment was forced to fall back.
The 8th Connecticut lost 34 men killed, 139 wounded and 21 missing, over 50% of the men engaged. The entire color party were shot down, but the colors were carried from the field by Private Charles Walker. The survivors of the regiment retired in good formation.
From the front of the monument
8th Conn.
Vol. Infantry
2d Brig.
3d Div.
9th Corps.
From the rear of the monument
8th Conn. V.I.
No. Engaged – 400
Killed and Wounded – 194
Location of the monument to the 8th Connecticut
The monument to the 8th Connecticut Infantry is southeast of Sharpsburg. (39°27’08.6″N 77°44’37.3″W) It can be reached by a paved walking path that starts from the east side of Harpers Ferry Road about 0.5 mile south of Main Street (Maryland Route 34) in Sharpsburg. The path heads east and then north about 380 yards toward the 9th New York Monument. The 8th Connecticut monument is 30 yards east of the path and just south of the 9th New York Monument.