124th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Monument
 
There are roughly 100 monuments in the Sharpsburg/Antietam National Battlefield area devoted to the battle fought Sept 17, 1862 "America's Bloodiest Day". This is a of photo of the monument to the 124th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry which went into battle near this spot (intersection of Starke Ave and Old Hagerstown Pike) as a part of 1st Brigade, 1st Division, US XII Corps. This 9-month regiment was commanded by Col. Joseph W. Hawley. According to the side panel, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the survivors of the regiment paid for the monument. There are also panels for Col Hawley, the XII Corps, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seal. The statue of the soldier seemed to be very well supplied with gear for anything that might come his way-even a backpack!

48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Monument

This photo shows the monument to the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry located on Branch Ave in the area of the final attack where this regiment and others of the US IX Corps under command of Ambrose E. Burnside were hit by A.P. Hill's Division of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. The are a series of monuments along Branch Ave at the Antietam National Battlefield for Union regiments engaged in this phase of the Battle of Sharpsburg/Antietam on Sept 17, 1862.

The statue on top of the base of the monument is Col James Nagle, who organized and commanded the 48th Pennsylvania Regiment. There is a side panel that tells of Col Nagle's life & military career and a panel with information about the activities of the 48th PA Vol Inf. (This regiment was made of miners who dug the mine at Petersburg)

The IX Corps insignia is carved into the front of the base, because during the battle the 48th PA Vol Inf was part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corps of the Union Army of the Potomac.

The monument also states that survivors and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania paid to have the monument made & erected.


William Bozic
Houston, Texas
Photo taken October 2001
 

James Nagle Panel

This panel details the life and military career of James Nagle. The panel is part of the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment Monument on Branch Ave. at Antietam National Battlefield. The inscription on the panel reads:

"JAMES NAGLE
ORGANIZER AND FIRST
COLONEL OF THIS REGIMENT
_____________________________
RECEIVED COMMISSION AS
BRIGADIER GENERAL OF VOLUNTEERS
ON THE BATTLEFIELD OF ANTIETAM
SEPTEMBER 17, 1862
_____________________________
CAPTAIN
COMPANY B 1ST PENNA REGIMENT
WAR WITH MEXICO
______________________________
COLONEL
6TH 48TH, 39TH 149TH REGIMENTS
PENNA. VOLUNTEERS
WAR OF THE REBELLION
_______________________________
BORN APRIL 5, 1822
DIED APRIL 22, 1866
 

Close-up of Nagle Statue on 48th PA Monument

This is a close-up of the statue of Col James Nagle of the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry USA on Branch Ave. at Antietam National Battlefield. There are a number of monuments at Antietam with statues of soldiers in various positions, but not so many of specific individuals like this one. When the photo was taken it was a bit of uneasy feeling as Nagle seems to looking down over your shoulder like a school teacher while you are taking an exam. The detail of the sculpture is also quite impressive.