Pennsylvania monuments at Antietam
The monument to the 90th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Antietam is on the south side of Cornfield Avenue. (Cornfield Avenue East tour map) It was dedicated in 2004. There are also three monuments to the 90th Pennsylvania on the Gettysburg battlefield.
Colonel Peter Lyle was in command of the 90th Pennsylvania at the Battle of Antietam until he took over brigade command. Lieutenant Colonel William Leech then took over the regiment.
Two members of the regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions at Antietam. Lieutenant Hillary Beyer of Company H remained with the wounded when the rest of his company was forced to fall back, caring for them and carrying one to safety. Private William H. Paul of Company E picked up the flag when the color bearer and two members of the color guard were killed, and carried it through the rest of the battle.
Text from the monument:
Here fought the 90th Penna. (Phila)
Sept. 17, 1862
A Hot Place
This monument is a reconstruction of the original that was created by the veterans of the regiment. It was made from three actual Civil War rifles, and was dismantled around 1930 due to its state of deterioration and fears of theft.
Gary Casteel of Four Winds Studio designed and sculpted the new monument, which was planned and funded by Descendants of the 90th Pennsylvania Volunteers. It was dedicated on the 142nd anniversary of the battle on September 17, 2004.
Location of the monument
The monument to the 90th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment is north of Sharpsburg on the south side of the Cornfield Avenue. It is 350 yards east of the Hagerstown Pike (39°28’51.4″N 77°44’40.9″W).
See more on the history of the 90th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War
