Antietam Battlefield
Our day was a very full day, and I had been warned by the veteran teachers to bring a water bottle because we do a lot of walking. We left the hotel at 7:15 in Fredrick, MD and proceeded to Sharpsburg, MD where the Antietem Battlefield is located. Antietam was part of the Maryland Campaign of 1862 during the Civil War. It is known as the "Bloodiest One Day Battle in American History". We had a very good tour guide named Bill who really knew the information, and relayed it in a way we could understand. You know teachers sometimes like to analyze everything said, over ponder it, and try to give new meaning to it, but Bill stated it plain and simple. For example, he said things like "Robert E. Lee looked like everyone's sweet grandpa, but he was really more like a riverboat gambler" and "Leading the Union Army was like herding cats!". We could all relate to that as it is probably much like leading excited children. So, we very quickly claimed him as one of us and began the tour. |
| Monument in honor of Texas Soldiers who died at Antietam |
Each state has a monument that represents those who fought. After hearing about the Cornfield Battle, we then went to "Bloody Lane", yes there is a reason it is called that! It is located on the other side of a small rise just past the cornfield where the earlier battle had taken place. It was like a trench that had been created between crop fields by wagons. What looked to be a great strategic place to hide and attack turned into a huge rut for bodies. This was the first real battle on Northern territory, and had the most casualties of any war in America. It was enough of a victory for the Union to prompt Abraham Lincoln to proclaim his Emmancipation Proclamation.
Time to load the bus and head to our next stop! An Irish Inn for lunch and then Clara Barton's house.
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