Of all the Confederate brigades thrown at Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick’s Union Division in the West Woods, none fought so hard, advanced so far, and paid a steeper price than that led by Brig. Gen. Paul Semmes. Unlike other McLaw’s Division brigades, Semmes was the only one to squarely face the front of Union commander Willis Gorman’s brigade. After the initial assault, aided by artillery on the high ground on their left, and joined by two cavalry outfits, Semmes Virginians and Georgians clashed with thrown-together Union regiments all the way to the D.R. Miller farmstead. With casualties mounting, Semmes looked back, hoping for support from Confederate infantry, but none arrived. Abandoned and stranded at the Miller farmstead, the brigade eventually withdrew to the safety of the West Woods, save for Semmes and a stalwart band who held out at the Miller barn for another hour before leaving. On July 4, Institute historian Jim Buchanan will lead the hike following the footsteps of Semmes’ brigade from the Hauser farmstead as they first run into Gorman’s Union brigade at the Alfred Poffenberger farmstead. We will then proceed northward and eventually end at the D.R. Miller farmstead. In addition to the battle narrative, we will learn about the three farmsteads that cover the route—Hauser, A. Poffenberger, and Miller.
A fourth generation native of Washington, D.C., Jim graduated from the city’s public schools. He returned there to teach social studies before signing on to work on a Supreme Court history project. After 11 years there, he developed a law-related education curriculum for high school teachers. Then in 1992, he joined the Federal Judicial Center, where he worked until retirement in 2017. Currently, he is a 20-year volunteer at Antietam Battlefield National Park. He is also a certified guide there. He contributed essays for the Antietam Institute’s Brigades of Antietam and Commanders of Antietam, including an essay on Paul Semmes’ Brigade, and maintains a blog titled Walking the West Woods.
This two-hour hike covers approximately 1 ½ miles, across moderate terrain and park trails. All excursions will run from 9:30 to 11:30 am and start at the Visitor Center overflow parking area. The “Following in the Footsteps” hikes are for current members only, and advance registration is required (login before registering), but there is no fee to attend. Members are required to purchase the park entrance pass at the Visitor Center.