Shepherdstown - September 20, 1862

American Battlefield Trust’s map of the Battle of Shepherdstown

On September 19, elements of Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter’s V Corps pushed across the Potomac River at Boteler’s Ford and attacked the Confederate rearguard commanded by Brig. Gen. William Pendleton, capturing four guns (Sept. 19 action not shown on this map).

Early on the 20th, Porter pushed the V Corps brigades of Gens. James Barnes, Charles Lovell and Gouverneur Warren across the Potomac to establish a bridgehead. Hill’s division counterattacked while many of the Federals were crossing and nearly annihilated the 118th Pennsylvania (the “Corn Exchange” Regiment), inflicting 269 casualties of 737 men. Porter withdrew back across the river. The two-day fight at Shepherdstown discouraged McClellan from pursuing Lee’s retreating army.

Learn More: The Battle of Shepherdstown