New Jersey Monuments at Antietam
There are two monuments to the 1st New Jersey Brigade on the Antietam battlefield. The main monument is on the north side of Smoketown Road (Smoketown Road South tour map) and the smaller on the north side of Cornfield Avenue. (Cornfield Avenue East tour map) The monuments were dedicated on September 17, 1903. There are also monuments to the brigade on the South Mountain battlefield and at Gettysburg.
The brigade was commanded by its senior colonel, Alfred T. A. Torbert of the 1st New Jersey, while Lieutenant Colonel Mark W. Collet commanded the 1st. The 2nd New Jersey was commanded by Colonel Samuel L. Buck, the 3rd New Jersey by Colonel Henry W. Brown, and the 4th New Jersey by Colonel William B. Hatch.
The 1st New Jersey Brigade monument on Smoketown Road
Looking north from Smoketown Road. In front of the New Jersey Brigade monument are War Department markers to (left to right) Smith’s Division, Irwin’s Brigade of Smith’s Division, and Slocum’s Division
Text from the monument on Smoketown Road:
First New Jersey Brigade
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Infantry and Hexamer’s Battery
September 17, 1862
The Brigade arrived upon the field from Crampton’s Pass about noon, and was formed for a charge upon the Confederate line just North of the Dunkard Church. The order for the charge was countermanded, and the brigade took position across this road, in support of the 6rh Corps Artillery, the right of the brigade in woods North of the road, the left in the open field South, where it remained, under artillery fire, until the morning of the 19th.
Location of the monument to the 1st New Jersey Brigade on Smoketown Road
The monument is north of Sharpsburg on the northwest side of Smoketown Road about 160 yards northeast of the intersection with Mummas Lane. (39°28’46.8″N 77°44’34.0″W)
Monument to the 1st New Jersey Brigade on Cornfield Avenue
Text from the monument on Cornfield Avenue:
First New Jersey Brigade
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Infantry and Hexamer’s Battery
September 17, 1862
This stone marks the right of the brigade, when a little after noon it was formed to charge the woods North of the Dunkard Church. The order was countermanded and the brigade moved a short distance to the left to support the Corps Artillery, soon after which Hexamer’s Battery engaged and silenced the Confederate Artillery at Dunkard Church.
Location of the monument to the 1st New Jersey Brigade on Cornfield Avenue
The monument is northeast of the Visitor Center on the north side of the east end of Cornfield Avenue. (39°28’46.8″N 77°44’34.0″W)
See more on the history of the regiments of the 1st New Jersey Brigade in the Civil War:
1st New Jersey Infantry Regiment
2nd New Jersey Infantry Regiment
3rd New Jersey Infantry Regiment
4th New Jersey Infantry Regiment