Virtual Tour of Sharpsburg: The Dunker Church

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The first stop on the tour route is the famous Dunker Church. "This was the focal point of repeated clashes as both armies sought to occupy and hold the high ground around it." It is located along the Hagerstown Turnpike, near the Visitor Center.

The battle of Sharpsburg can be best understood as three phases. The first phase of the battle occurred around the East and West Woods, Dunker Church, and the Cornfield. On the National Park tour route, the morning phase of the battle is stops 1 through 6.

At daybreak on the morning of September 17, 1862, the Union Army of the Potomac commander, George B. McClellan, attacked the Confederate left flank. During the battle, the Dunker Church was the focal point of the attacks of Stonewall Jackson and General Joseph Hooker. The high ground around the church became the object of the Union commanders during the first (morning) phase of the battle.

This simple church was built in the early 1850s and used by the German Baptist Brethren congregation that lived near Sharpsburg, Maryland. These "Pennsylvania Germans" were known as Dunkers because they performed baptism by full immersion. The Dunkers believed in pacifism and because they also believed in modesty and humbleness, their churches were simple with no stained glass windows, steeple or crosses.

A peek inside the church reveals its simplicity.

Simple, almost crude wooden benches were provided for seating. The inside of the church lacks any adornment whatsoever. After the battle, the church was used by the Confederates as a temporary aid station and field hospital. In 1921, the battle scarred little church was destroyed by a violent hail storm. It was rebuilt upon the original foundation by the Park Service in the early 1960s. Much of the building consists of original materials and bricks that had been saved after the storm.

Near this church, John Bell Hood's Division awaited to enter the attack. From the high ground around the church, they most likely could see the fighting then occurring between Hooker's corps of the Army of the Potomac and elements of Stonewall Jackson's corps in the Miller cornfield and the East, North, and West Woods. Hood's men would launch a severe counterattack from this position, saving the Confederate line for the time being.

As Hood's men fought their way forward, the Union commander of the Twelfth Corps, Major General John Mansfield launched his attack. He drove the Confederates back to the Dunker Church, but a desperate stand by Southern soldiers stationed there put an end to the fighting during the "Morning Phase." The Dunker Church remained in Confederate hands for the rest of the battle.

Monuments in the Area

5th, 7th, and 66th Ohio Infantry Monument.

Located directly across the Hagerstown Pike from the Dunker Church. These three Buckeye state regiments were members of Tyndale's brigade, Greene's Division, Mansfield's XII Corps. They fought here, attempting to capture the high ground near the church. This probably marks their furthest advance. The monument's text reads: These three regiments became engaged about 7:30 A.M., September 17, 1862, advanced and drove the enemy from the woods near the Dunkard Church and were in action until 1:30 P.M. Their combined loss was 17 men killed, 4 officers and 87 men wounded, 2 men missing, total 110.

The Maryland Monument.

This is the Maryland State Monument and it is dedicated to the sons of Maryland who fought for both armies -- Union and Confederate. Located near the Ohio regimental monument above, it is also across the road from the Dunker Church. The inscription reads: "Erected by the State of Maryland to her Sons, Who on this field offered their lives in maintenance of their Principles." Maryland Union regiments honored by this monument include: Purnell Legion, Maryland Infantry, U.S.A., "Wolcott's" Battery "A" 8 Guns, First Maryland Light Artillery, U.S.A. , Fifth Regiment Maryland Infantry, U.S.A. , Third Regiment Maryland Infantry, U.S.A., and the Second Regiment Maryland Infantry, U.S.A..

 

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