Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Isaac Rodman’s Union division had moved slowly downstream from the bridge in search of a crossing. Rounding a sharp bend in the creek, nearly a mile south, scouts came upon shallow water at Snavely’s Ford. Late in the morning Rodman crossed the stream and began to drive against the right flank of the Georgians guarding the bridge. About the same time, Col. George Crook’s scouts located a ford a few hundred yards above the bridge; there he sent his brigade across. Capt. Seth J. Simonds’ battery was placed in position to command the bridge. [Illustration: _Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside._ From photograph by Brady or assistant. Courtesy, Library of Congress.] [Illustration: _Burnside or Lower Bridge shortly after the battle. Toombs’ men were on the bluff in background._ Courtesy, Library of Congress.] [Illustration: _Burnside’s men storm the bridge._ From wartime sketch by Forbes.] [Illustration: _The same view today. Note how tree at near end of bridge has grown._] [Illustration: _Zouaves of Burnside’s IX Corps charge toward Sharpsburg._ From wartime sketch by Forbes. Courtesy, Library of Congress.] Charge of Burnsides 9^th Corps, on the right flank of the rebel army, Antietam, 3.30 p.m. Sept 17 1 The Town of Sharpsburg. 2 The Old Lutheran Church. 3 9^th N.Y. Vols. Hawkins Zouaves. 4 Rebels retreating into the town. 5 Rebel line of battle. At 1 p.m., the defending Confederates saw a sudden stir across Antietam Creek. Two regiments, the 51st New York and the 51st Pennsylvania, marched swiftly out from the cover of the wooded hill and charged for the bridge. Supported now by converging artillery fire, they quickly formed into columns and were over the bridge before Confederate artillery could halt them. Soon a wide gap split the Confederate defense. Masses of Federal troops poured across the bridge while Rodman and Crook hammered the Confederate flanks. Burnside’s men had gained the west bank of the creek. But again there was fateful delay as Burnside paused to reorganize. By the time he was ready to drive the Southern defenders from the ridge in his front, 2 critical hours had passed. Close to 3 p.m., the mighty Federal line moved slowly up the hill toward Sharpsburg, then gained momentum. “The movement of the dark column,” related an observer, “with arms and banners glittering in the sun, following the double line of skirmishers, dashing forward at a trot, loading and firing alternately as they moved, was one of the most brilliant and exciting exhibitions of the day.” First brushing aside the depleted ranks in the rifle pits above the bridge, the Federals struck D. R. Jones’ four lonely brigades on the hills southeast of Sharpsburg—whence every other Confederate infantry unit had been withdrawn to reinforce the line to the north. Unable to stem the massive Federal attack, Jones’ men were driven back toward the town.