Comments on: Frank Schell’s battle

By: Richard G. Krom

Richard G. Krom — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:31:54 +0000

I recently published a historical narrative on the First Minnesota that includes all 218 letters of my Great Grandfather that fought in that regiment. At Antietam they were on the extreme right wing of the Union army and fought in the East Woods, crossed the cornfield, went into the West Woods and were the last to withdraw. He mentions several regiments that were overwhelmed and withdrew leaving them surrounded on 3 sides.

By: siobhan schell

siobhan schell — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:01:48 +0000

this is really great. Francis was my great great grandfather, i believe not sure how many greats are in there. i’d love to know more about him.

By: Jim Buchanan

Jim Buchanan — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:28:03 +0000

Brian–Thank you for posting Frank Schell’s battle. The images and narrative from Schell provides a new found depth to the narrative of the West Woods.

I am, however, curious about Schell’s drawing of the 72nd Pennsylvania. In it, the regiment is clearly opposite the Mary Grove Locher cabin where her tenant, Alfred Poffenberger and family resided on September 17.

Here is what I don’t understand: Documentary evidence places the 72nd down by the Dunkard Church. First, the map series prepared under the direction of the Antietam Battlefield Board and published in final edition in 1908, shows the 72nd split into two wings (“Right Wing” and “Left Wing”). The “Left Wing” is situated opposite the Dunkard Church; the “Right Wing” further north along the Hagerstown Pike. The map shows that the “Right Wing” retreated in a north east direction. The”Left Wing” has no retreat indicator. Second, we have documentary evidence from individuals in the 28th Pennsylvania that places the 72nd opposite the Dunkard Church near the intersection of the Smoketown Road with the Pike.

The question that Schell’s drawing raises is this: Where was the 72nd Pennsylvania that morning?