Burnside Bridge - Sharpsburg, Maryland
N 39° 27.032 W 077° 43.912
18S E 264933 N 4370336
The Burnside Bridge is located in the Antietam National Military Park near Sharpsburg, Maryland.
Waymark Code: WM38GE
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 02/25/2008
Views: 55
The Burnside Bridge was built in 1836 by John Weaver, is a proportioned three arched bridge that crosses Antietam Creek. In the Civil War the bridge saw major action during the Battle of Antietam. The fighting that took place at the Burnside Bridge was towards the end of the battle on September 17, 1862. General Ambrose Burnside and 12,000 Union soldiers under his command had been trying to cross the bridge for over three hours. It took them so long because the Confederate soldiers, under the command of Brigadier General Robert Toombs, had the advantage of being hidden behind trees and boulders on the hillside. As the Union soldiers would try cross the bridge, the Confederate sharpshooters were able to drive them back. Many Union soldiers were killed while trying to cross the bridge, but they finally succeeded in making it across. Since the battle the bridge has been known as The Burnside Bridge. Today the bridge has been restored to its original condition and is one of the major attractions for visitors to the Antietam National Military Park.
Length of bridge: 125-feet
What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Pedestrain
What kind of gap does this bridge cross?:
Antietam Creek
Date constructed: 1836
Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: No
Name of road or trail the bridge services: Burnside Trail
Location:
Antietam National Military Park
Sharpsburg, Maryland
Height of bridge: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please submit a photo(s) taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background, and old vacation photos are accepted. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit. If the bridge location prevents you from taking a safe photograph, then please do not stop to take the photo. Safety is more important.