Final Attack Trail-Timeline and Organization

Time Line of Burnside’s Attack (all times are approximate)

Daybreak	Battle starts on the northern end of the battlefield when the Union 1st Corps attacked the Confederate left flank.
9:00 a.m.	McClellan’s order was prepared for the 9th Corps to begin their attack on the Confederate right flank on the southern end of the battlefield.
9:30 a.m.	Union attack on the Sunken Road began.
10:00 a.m.	Burnside received attack order and the initial assault on the Lower (later Burnside) Bridge began with the advance of the 11th Connecticut Infantry. Brig. Gen. Isaac Rodman’s division plus Col. Hugh Ewing’s Brigade of the Kanawha Division were sent downstream.
11:00 a.m.	Brig. Gen. James Nagle’s Brigade, Sturgis’ Division, attacked toward the Bridge.
12:00 noon	Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero’s Brigade of Sturgis’ Division began their assault on the Bridge.
12:30 p.m.	Confederate position at the Sunken Road collapses, Union soldier’s force the defenders from their entrenched position.
1:00 p.m.	Ferrero’s Brigade captured the Burnside Bridge and crossed the Antietam.
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.	The 9th Corps crossed the creek, reorganized, resupplied and prepared for final attack.
3:00 p.m.	9th Corps advance began, moving forward (west) from right to left.
4:00 p.m.	Elements of MGen A.P. Hill’s Confederate Division arrived from Harpers Ferry after a grueling fifteen mile march and attacked the Union left flank.
5:30 p.m.	Burnside men driven back to the Bridge, remaining on the west bank as the battle ended.

 

Order of Battle for Principal Units Involved

 

 

• Introduction and Map
• Stop 1 - The Burnside Bridge
• Stop 2 - Advance on Sharpsburg
• Stop 3 - Sherrick Farm
• Stop 4 - Otto Lane Respite
• Stop 5 - Caught in the Corn
• Stop 6 - The End of the Line
• Stop 7 - Final Attack Vista
• Stop 8 - Artillery Ridge
• Stop 9 - Soldier, Statesman and Martyr
• Timeline and Organization