Antietam

When we first moved to Maryland we had visited Antietam but the atmosphere there depressed us so much that we hadn't been back. So, we decided it was time for another visit. Although the museum and other buildings were closed, visitors were free to visit and walk around outside so we decided to take the boys as well as Cleo. It was a beautiful day and we had a wonderful visit. The only bummer thing was that there were absolutely NO trash cans available anywhere on the battlefield (thanks, weird Covid restrictions) and, with a dog along for the ride, things got a little stinky.

Dunker Church, the focal point of a number of Union attacks during the battle of Antietam but Stonewall Jackson's troops were able to hold their position.

It was also used as a temporary medical aid station after the battle.

The West Woods was the scene of some of the opening fighting the morning of September 17, 1862.

Walking around the battlefield. Such a beautiful place!!

My guys!

Cleo alerted us to this amazing encounter. She was walking along the wall sniffing and all of a sudden jumped high in the air; the rest of us were walking in the middle of the road and would never even have known this fight for survival was going on. The video is much better though David kept telling me to get back. I was pretty confident in my belief that that snake was never going to let go of that frog and come after me. Noah wanted us to save the frog but I told him we couldn't interfere and unfortunately the snake did pull that frog into his den as we watched.

The Sunken Road. It was here that 3,000 Union and 2,500 Confederate soldiers perished.

A monument to Clara Barton, who brought supplies and nursing aid to the wounded on the battlefield.

Hiking near the cornfield. On the morning of September 17th, the battle begins here when Confederate and Union forces engaged in a series of attacks and counterattacks for 3 hours.

Back to the West Woods where Xander and I checked out some of the monuments and markers.

Xander's Covid hair is out of control!

On the afternoon of the battle, Sergeant William McKinley of the Ohio Infantry, while in charge of the Commissary Department, personally and without orders served hot coffee and warm food to every man in the regiment on this spot. In doing so, he had to pass under fire. He was to survive the Civil War only to be assassinated while serving as the nation's 25th President.

About 500 Georgians held the area overlooking the Lower Bridge for 3 hours. This was their view as they manned this position against three Federal assaults made by General Burnside.

Burnsides Bridge. Once General Burnside's men captured the lower bridge, his men took nearly two hours to cross it and form for an attack against the final Confederate line.

There are 4, 776 Unon remains (1,836 unknown) buried here from the Battle of Antietam as well as other action in Maryland. The graves of the unknowns are marked with a small square stone.

This 44-foot tall granite memorial, known as the Private Soldier Monument, features a Union infantryman symbolically looking north toward home.

I am so glad we spent the day with the boys walking down history's paths. I want them to learn about and always appreciate the great sacrifices that have been made for freedom in this country.