New York Monuments at Antietam
The monument to the 59th New York Infantry Regiment at Antietam is at the corner of Hagerstown Turnpike and Smoketown Road just north of the Dunker Church. (Visitor Center-Dunker Church tour map) It was dedicated in 1920.
The 59th New York Infantry was commanded at the Battle of Antietam by Colonel William L. Tidball, a New York City Lawyer. It brought 381 men to the field. Antietam was the regiment’s first major fight, and it lost 71 men killed and 153 wounded fighting in the West Woods. Lieutenant Colonel Stetson was mortally wounded “at the head of the regiment” and eight other officers became casualties. Lieutenant Colonel Stetson is honored by a monument at the site where he fell.
The regiment is also honored by a monument at Gettysburg.
Text from the monument:
59th New York Infantry
3d Brig. – 2d Div. – 2d Corps
John Lemuel Stetson
of Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Lieutenant Colonel
“Men Rally on Your Colors”
Out of 300 men and 21 officers who went into battle nearby, there fell 224, including Lieut. Col. Stetson and 8 officers – a loss in officers exceeded only twice in the war.
In memory of his brother, by Francis Lynde Stetson
Location of the monument
The monument to the 59th New York Infantry at Antietam is north of Sharpsburg on the northeast corner of the Old Hagerstown Pike and Smoketown Road (39°28’33.5″N 77°44’47.8″W).
