Dedicated on September 17, 1904, the monument to the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry is east of Sharpsburg on Rodman Avenue. (see map)
The 50th's Colonel Christ, honored by the bronze statue on the monument, had taken over brigade command in July of 1861. Its Lieutenant Colonel Brenholtz had been wounded at Second Bull Run, leaving the regiment to be commanded by Major Edward Overton, Jr.
Major Overton was severly wounded on the advance up the slope from Burnside's Bridge, where the regiment "charged with great spirit and gallantry, and attained a position in advance of the Union lines, where it was exposed to a terrible cross-fire of artillery; but it maintained its position until the rebels were forced to retreat." Captain William H. Diehl took over when Overton was wounded.
From the monument:
1st Brigade 1st Division 9th Corps
Colonel Benjamin C. Christ
Casualties at Antietam
Killed 8
Wounded 46
Missing 3
Total 57
Recruited in Berks, Schuylkill, Bradford, Susquehanna, Lancaster and Luzerne Counties.
Battles participated in:
Coosaw Spotsylvania
Pocotaligo N.Y. River
Second Bull Run North Anna
Chantilly Bethesda Church
South Mountain Cold Harbor
Antietam Petersburg
Fredericksburg
The Crater
Vicksburg Weldon Railroad
Jackson Ream's Station
Blue Springs Poplar Spring Church
Campbell's Station Hatcher's Run
Siege of Knoxville Fort McGilvery
Wilderness Fort Stedman
Assault on Petersburg
See more on the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry >
< last • Pennsylvania monuments • next > |
