The south end of Branch Avenue crosses ravines cut by Antietam Creek’s tributaries. The southern flank of Burnside’s 9th Corps advanced here after crossing the creek, moving on the almost undefended rear of Lee’s army. Then A.P. Hill’s Light Division arrived after a brutal forced march from Harpers Ferry and launched a violent counterattack that struck the rookie 16th Connecticut on Burnside’s flank. The 9th Corps was forced to withdraw, and Lee’s Army was saved.

Branch Avenue passes a cluster of monuments and markers before turning west to Harpers Ferry Road. One of the monuments is to Confederate Brigadier General Lawrence O’Brien Branch, killed during the counterattack, for whom the avenue is named.

At Harpers Ferry Road there is another cluster of markers and the monument to the Confedate 1st Maryland Battery.  Turn right to return to Sharpsburg, and another cluster of monuments and markers just before the town along Harpers Ferry Road.

monuments
1st Maryland Battery CSA
12th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment
16th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment
30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Brigadier General Lawrence O’Brien Branch

markers
2nd United States Artillery, Battery E
4th United States Artillery, Battery E
4th United States Artillery, Battery G
5th United States Artillery, Battery A
A.P. Hill’s Light Division
Artillery Battalion, A.P. Hill’s Division
Archer’s Brigade
Branch’s Brigade
Ewing’s Brigade
Field’s Brigade
Gregg’s Brigade
Harland’s Brigade
Munford’s Cavalry Brigade
Rodman’s Division

views
Branch Avenue from the Otto Farm Lane
View East from near General Branch’s monument