Monuments to Individuals at Antietam
The monument to Union Colonel James Childs is on the south side or Route 34 east of Sharpsburg. (Boonsboro Pike tour map) Colonel Childs commanded Averill’s Cavalry Brigade as senior colonel while General Averill was on sick leave.
At the Battle of Antietam the brigade was on the left of the Union line, supporting Tidball’s Battery A, 2nd United States Artillery on the Newcomer Farm on the west side of the stone bridge that carried Boonsboro Pike over Antietam Creek. Childs had just completed an inspection of his line when he was struck.
“A single solid shot, which fell in the midst of the squadron supporting these guns, killed two men and four horses. Colonel Childs was among the killed… He had completed an inspection of the skirmish line, and was with the staff, under cover of a hill, in a place of comparative safety. While there chatting pleasantly, he was struck by a solid shot on the right hip. The ball passed across him, throwing him from his horse and disemboweling him. He was at once carried to better shelter, when conscious of his certain death, he first arranged his military duties, sending Captain Hughes to report to General Pleasanton, and another of his aids to Lieutenant Colonel Kerr, that he might take command of the brigade. He then dispatched an orderly to Dr. Marsh, to tell him ” if not attending to any one whose life could be saved, to come to him, as he was in great pain.” Lastly, he called Captain Henry King, Assistant Adjutant General, to whom he delivered his last messages to his family, and wishes as to his property. He lived forty minutes after he was struck, but was unconscious during the last twenty.” (Bates, Samuel P., Martial Deeds Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia: T. H. Davis & Co., 1876)
From the monument
At this spot
Colonel James H. Childs
of the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry
in temporary command of Averill’s
Brigade fell mortally wounded on
the morning of Sept. 17, 1862.
See more on the life of Colonel Childs.
Location of the monument to Colonel James Childs at Antietam
The monument to Colonel Childs is east of Sharpsburg on the south side of Maryland Route 34 about 340 yards west of the Bridge over Antietam Creek. (39°27’50.0″N 77°43’42.8″W)