The Alabama in the Civil War Message Board

Re: 44th Alabama at Devil's Den

Ron,
I just want to advise you that there is a book on the 44th Alabama which is out of print but may be available from Internet book sellers. The title is Devil's Den: A History of the 44th Alabama Volunteer Infantry Regiment by Charles E. Boyd. The book obviously covers the regiment's military engagements as well as the fighting on day 2 at Gettysburg. The battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) is discussed but, as I recall, lacks specific detail. Stephen Sears in his award winning book on Antietam (Landscape Turned Red) discusses the fighting in the Sunken Road (Bloody Lane) in detail. The 44th Alabama's Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Ambrose Wright was wounded while bringing up his men to reinforce the Confederate right flank. In the area where the present day observation tower is located, the 44th Alabama confronted the Irish Brigade under Gen. Meagher, who were firing smoothbores loaded with buck-and ball cartridges which were very effective at close range. The fighting was fierce and the many of the 44th Alabama died, including two of my direct relatives who were brothers. Sears mentions that Wright's Brigade was the only brigade that advanced as far as the Sunken Road, although R.H. Anderson's entire division was attacking. September 17, 1862 is still the "bloodiest day in American history."

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