Monuments to Individuals at Antietam
The monument to Major General Israel B. Richardson at Antietam is next to the observation tower on Richardson Avenue. (Sunken Lane East tour map) This is one of six “mortuary cannons” placed on the Antietam battlefield to honor six generals, three Union and three Confederate, who were killed or mortally wounded at Antietam.
General Richardson was mortally wounded at Antietam while bringing up artillery and organizing an attack on the Sunken Road. Although the wound was not considered mortal, infection and then pneumonia set in, and Richardson died on November 3rd.
Born in Vermont in 1815, Richardson graduated from West Point (West Point Class of 1841) and served in the Seminole War before winning two brevets and the nickname, “fighting Dick” in the Mexican War.
At the beginning of the war he was a farmer near Pontiac, Michigan, but he quickly recruited and became colonel of the 2nd Michigan Infantry Regiment. He led a brigade at Bull Run, then advanced to division command during the Peninsula Campaign, and was promoted to major general on July 4, 1862.
From the monument
Major General
Israel B. Richardson
U.S.A.
Mortally wounded
45 yards N. 32° E.
Location of the monument to Israel Richardson
The monument at Antietam to Major General Israel Richardson is north of Sharpsburg next to the Observation Tower on Richardson Avenue, at the end of the Sunken Road (or Bloody Lane).