The Battle of Antietam (or Sharpsburg as it was known in the South) was fought on 17 September 1862. In this battle, the 16th Mississippi, a part of Richard Anderson's Division, was held in reserve until shortly before noon when it was sent into the desperate fight at the Sunken Road.

"Colonel Carnot Posey took Featherston's brigade of Mississippians right across the lane in a counterattack that was wrecked before it fairly began. Posey's men charged through [the lane] and 'flowed over and out of the road and many of them were killed in this overflow. The 16th Mississippi disappeared as if it had gone into the earth.' "
(Landscape Turned Red, The Battle of Antietam, by Sears, Stephen W.)

Somewhere in the vicinity of the Sunken Road, Lt. E. H. Gatlin was wounded. He was subsequently admitted to Chimborazo No. 2 hospital in Richmond on 27 September 1862. He was discharged from the hospital on the 29 September 1862, and granted a furlough of 60 days dated from 1 October 1862.

The 16th Mississippi was a part of Featherston's brigade at the time of this action. After this action, Carnot Posey was assigned command of the brigade.

-- One Soldier's Story --