It is one of Antietam’s most memorable stories. After two unsuccessful tries to seize the Lower Bridge, Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside turned to one of his 9th Corps brigade commanders Col. Edward Ferrero and—through an orderly—told him to “take the two 51sts” and seize the bridge (“the two 51sts” were the 51st New York and … Continue reading A Bridge for Whiskey: The 51st Pennsylvania and Its Famous Request Examined