Crampton's Gap is notable itself as the site for one of the battles for the control of the range of hills known as South Mountain, September 14, 1862, in the prelude to the Battle of Antietam or Sharpsburg. Other monuments and tablets here describe the action between part of Lafayette McLaws' Confederale division and the Sixth Corps of William B. Franklin.
You just had to know I'd feel the need to reply. My regiment was among the Confederate force sent to try and defend Crampton's Gap. At the time, the brigade was commanded by Howell Cobb. Here's an excerpt from his report:
I had been in camp about an hour when I received a message from Colonel Munford, at Crampton's Gap, distant about 2 miles, recommending the removal of my command to that point, as the enemy were pressing the small force at the gap. I immediately ordered my two strongest regiments [16th Georgia and Cobb's Legion] to march to their support. Before, however, the head of the column had filed into the road I received a message from Colonel Parham, who was in command of Mahone's brigade at the gap, to the effect that the enemy was pressing him hard with overwhelming numbers, and appealing for all the support I could bring to him. I immediately ordered the remaining two regiments [15th North Carolina and 24th Georgia] to march, and accompanied the command in person. As I was marching the last of the column, I received a message from you [Lafayette McLaws] through your assistant adjutant-general (Major Mcintosh) that I must hold the gap if it cost the life of every man in my command.
Unfortunately, for my regiment and Cobb's brigade, it almost did cost every man. Cobb estimated that the entire Confederate force "did not exceed 2200." Franklin's corps was reported at 15,000 +/-.
One participant in the battle told it this way:
"[We] were ordered to meet the Yankees on another mountain so as to keep them from crossing into the valley, but a charge of McClellan and his forces came upon us like a thunderbolt. The Brigade resisted like heroes, though terribly killed, wounded and taken prisoner. The Legion [Cobb's Legion] and the 16th Ga. badly cut up…" Source: Southern Banner (Athens, GA), Oct. 1, 1862, page 3.
McLaws reported the 16th Georgia entered the fight with 27 officers and 341 enlisted men= 368 engaged. Officially, the regiment reported 24 killed; 36 wounded; 107 missing = total 167
Actual Casualties were much higher.
(from my own research; compilation of numerous sources)
Killed: 27 Mortally Wounded: 25 Wounded: 14 Wounded & captured: 57 Captured: 93 Missing: 0
TOTAL 216
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