behind AotW

On the afternoon of 17 September 1862 the 4th Rhode Island Infantry were in action at Antietam in a large cornfield on the Otto farm above the lower (later Burnside’s) bridge:

… as the enemy showed the national flag (the corn concealing their uniform), and as our troops had been seen in advance on our right, moving diagonally across our front, the order to cease firing was given, and a volunteer officer to go forward to ascertain who was in our front was called for. Lieutenant George E. Curtis and George H. Watts immediately stepped forward, and placing themselves one on each side of the color bearer (Corporal Tanner, Company G), carried the flag up the hill within 20 feet of the rebels, when the enemy fired, killing the corporal. Lieutenant Curtis seized the colors and returned, followed by Lieutenant Watts.

This fine photograph was sent me by Robert Grandchamp from his personal collection. The quote above is from Lieutenant Colonel Curtis’ after-action Report.

A photograph in the Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs at the Library of Congress. A former VMI cadet and later US Congressman, Lieutenant Turner was noted for his actions on South Mountain on 14 September and at least slightly wounded at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862.

In April 1861 Marcellus Newton Moorman was appointed Captain in command of the Lynchburg (VA) Artillery and he led them in action on the Piper Farm at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862.

Here he is about the time of graduation from the Virginia Military Institute in 1856, from the fine VMI Archives collection.