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Colonel Joseph Snider at Antietam |
At the Battle of Antietam, Snider's regiment was part of the First Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps. His report on the battle follows:
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS, September 20, 1862.SIR: I have, in obedience to your order, the honor of submitting the following report:
In obedience to your order on the morning of the 17th instant, we took our position in line of battle on the extreme left of your brigade, and, in further obedience of your orders, moved forward at 8 o'clock, at which time we engaged the enemy, who were drawn up in large force. The fight was terrific during the whole engagement. The enemy endeavored to deceive us by hoisting a white flag, which for a moment caused our men to cease firing, during which time the enemy was discovered to be moving in large force with the view of flanking our left, which caused us to change the position of our left wing, this being done as speedily as possible, when we succeeded in driving the enemy back with great slaughter beyond their original position, where we held them until our ammunition was exhausted, when we were relieved by the Irish Brigade, commanded by General Meagher. During the engagement our colors were shot down three times, but were promptly hoisted each time, and were brought off the field with the regiment.
JO. SNIDER,
Colonel, Commanding Seventh Virginia (Official Records, Series I, Volume 19, Part 1)