When the soldiers of the 50th Pennsylvania Volunteers saw the dawn of September 17th, 1862, they heard the sounds of cannon and musket fire to the Northwest. Having spent the rainy night on guard duty, understandably, many of the men were tired. The men were camped on the Rohrbach farm, East of Antietam creek. They had an impressive view of the battlefield, as they observed the wounded being carried to the rear, and stragglers walking aimlessly away.
As part of the IX Corps, under General Ambrose Burnside, they were to take part in Burnsides attack on the heights outside of Sharpsburg. However, the plan took forever to work out, as too much time was wasted attacking the Rohrbach bridge, due to very poor coordination and planning.
The mile long federal line, having crossed the creek, formed up behind the cover of trees, was immediately under fire from rebel batteries on the opposing hills. Described as, "artillery hell", it was an amazing, and deadly sight to behold.
“Now a large force made its appearance, marching to the front, having debouched from the woods on the banks of the Antietam, which had partially concealed them. At the same time heavy bodies were observed moving to attack our troops on the right, composed of Drayton's and a portion of Kemper's brigades. I moved my command some distance to the front in the standing corn (as many of my guns were short range), in order that they could produce more effect, and opened fire.”
- Brigadier General R.B. Garnett
The battlefield was one of rolling hills, and detrimental to the federals. Rebel batteries poured everything they had to the approaching Yankees, and skirmishers crept ahead, and sniped away at the attackers. The 50th P.V., part of Colonel Benjamin Christs brigade of the 79th N.Y. Vol., 28th Mass. Vol. and 17th Mich. Vol., took a beating from the artillery posted at the Sherrick farm.
“Prostrated upon the ground at the crest of the hill, we endured a severe fire from the enemy's artillery.”- Adj. Lewis Crater 50th PA
“While halting under cover from the enemy directly in front, he opened a battery on my left which commanded my whole line from left to right, and for thirty minutes we were under a most severe fire of round shot, shell, grape, and canister, and suffered severely. It was impossible to move forward for the reason before stated - no place in the neighborhood that afforded any cover - and the alternative presented itself either to retire from a good and only position from which to advance on the enemy in front, or to wait patiently until some demonstration on the left would compel him to change the direction of his fire. Again, I could not get under cover without retiring at least 250 yards, in full view of the enemy, and if there would have been the least confusion the men might have retreated in disorder, and exposed and largely increased the list of casualties. I chose the former, and was gratified by having my expectations realized. A demonstration on the left compelled the enemy to change the direction of his fire, and my supports coming, we moved to the front, where we engaged the enemy on his left, and in about one hour succeeded in driving both his artillery and infantry from the position.” - Colonel Benjamin Christ (Commander 1st Brigade, 50th PA)
Just as it seemed to be apparent that a Federal victory was near, C.S. General A.P. Hill arrived with two fresh Confederate brigades, and bloody hand to hand combat broke out in a few spots along the line. The Federals had no choice, but to retreat.
"On the 17th Edward Harner get killed by a canon ball & a bullet went in my cap and cut the skin a little on my head & one ball hid my Rifel O god the dead and wounded lays by hunderds &1000s on the next day ...O that the almighty god in heaven would make a ant of this war...The line of battle was twist as broud that our valy at home ...You might think how I did feel when I saw so many boys fall out our Regt. All I have to say take good care of our children. O my dear children what you do dont curse nor sware so if I cant see yous any more in this wourld so that we can meat in heaven were no war and no fighting can be no more." - Sgt. Samuel Schwalm Co. A 50th PA