Massachusetts Monuments at Antietam
The monument at Antietam to the 35th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment is on the east side of Antietam Creek at Burnside’s Bridge. (Burnside Bridge tour map) For many years the monument was mounted on the corners of the Burnside Bridge along with those of the 51st Pennsylvania, 51st New York and the 21st Massachusetts. In the early 1960s auto traffic moved to a new bridge upstream, the Burnside Bridge was restored, and the monuments were moved to the east bank.
The north side of the monument shows the symbol of the Union Ninth Corps, an intertwined cannon and anchor inside a shield. The monument was dedicated in 1898.
About the 35th Massachusetts at the Battle of Antietam
Major Sumner Carruth commanded the 35th Massachusetts at the Battle of Antietam as Colonel Edward A. Wild had been wounded at the Battle of South Mountain. After Major Carruth was wounded Captain Stephen H. Andrews took command of the regiment. The regiment stormed Burnside’s Bridge and then advanced up the slope toward the village of Sharpsburg. It was then caught in a deadly crossfire when Burnside’s line was counterattacked by A.P. Hill. The 35th Massachusetts fought until they were out of ammunition and then fell back. They lost 214 casualties, of whom 79 were killed.
The Medal of Honor was awarded to two members of the 35th at Antietam. Sargent Marcus M. Haskell of Company C rescued a badly wounded comrade and carried him to safety while wounded and under heavy fire. Private Frank M. Whitman of Company G saved the lives of several comrades and was among the last to leave the field.
Text from the west face of the monument:
The Thirty-fifth Regiment
of
Massachusetts Volunteers
crossed this bridge with Ferrero’s
Brigade, Ninth Army Corps
at noon, Sept. 17, 1862, and
moved to the right up the hill
where, at the lane, two hundred
and fourteen of their officers
and men were killed or wounded.
Gloria est Pro Patria Mori
From the north face of the monument:
Erected by
Lieut. Col. Albert A. Pope,
as a memorial of his
dead comrades.
Location of the monument to the 35th Massachusetts Infantry at Antietam
The 35th Massachusetts Monument is southeast of Sharpsburg on the east side of Burnside’s Bridge across Antietam Creek. (39°27’03.0″N 77°43’53.8″W)