Historic Burnside Stone Bridge — Attraction in Maryland

Known at the time of the battle as the Rohrbach or Lower Bridge, this picturesque crossing over Antietam Creek was built in 1836 to connect Sharpsburg with Rohresville, the next town to the south. It was actively used tor traffic until 1966 when a bypass was built and the bridge was restored to its 1862 appearance.

For more than three hours on September 17, 1862, Confederate Gen. Robert Toombs and fewer than 500 soldiers from Georgia held this imposing position against three Federal assaults made by Gen. Ambrose Burnside's much larger Ninth Corps. Confederate General James Longstreet wrote of the action, "Gen. Toombs held the bridge and defended it most gallantly, driving back repeated attacks, and only yielded it after the force brought against him became overwhelming and threatened his flank and rear.

About 1:00 p.m., with Union soldiers crossing downstream and another attack made on the bridge, Toombs and his men were forced to retreat. However, the strong delaying action provided the much needed time to allow Gen. A.P. Hill's Confederate soldiers, marching from Harpers Ferry, to arrive...

Here is the icon that encapsulates Antietam National Battlefield. There was a Park Ambassador setup for those that wanted more details of this area. You can get a glimpse of it from the top and there are several plaques along the way that provide historical guides like other parks.

When you get to the bottom and cross the bridge, there are some monuments. The largest was for the 51st NewYork Infantry. There are several decorative ones commemorating other groups. If inclined, there are some walking paths for those that want to look around the area. Don’t forget to check out the large monument dedicated to William McKinley which is right before the additional parking area.

They have plenty of parking for any vehicles. There was a 2 car handicap area by the left ramp, but otherwise, you will need to park at the regular area.

There are 2 sides to approach from with one being the ramp for wheelchairs. The other one has some steps, but mostly a walkway that spirals to the bottom.

This was definitely the highlight of the tour. When you wind out of the park, there is a local winery...

Opened in 1836 this three arched limestone bridge was of strategic importance and fiercely contested in the battle of Antietam. Indeed it took thousands of Union soldiers three attempts to overwhelm up to 500 Confederate defenders before it's final capture. Contrastingly on that fateful day of September 17th 1862 whilst the fighting raged on and around Burnside Bridge, the creek which it crosses flowed under and peacefully on its meandering way. As the musket smoke has long since cleared, so the souls of the heroic dead have also flowed on into eternity, leaving a haunting atmospheric vortex which certain folks may sense lingering over...