The Battle of Antietam marked the single bloodiest day in American history. Some 23,110 men were killed or wounded in action here on September 17, 1862. The fighting here was a result of Robert E. Lee's first attempt at taking the war north and the Union's attempt, under George McLellan, to stop him. The battlefield preserves such famous landmarks as the Dunker Church, the infamous Cornfield, the Sunken (or Bloody) Lane, and Burnside's (Lower) Bridge.
This album follows the course of the battle as told along the self-guided auto tour that circles the park. Where I have been able to find pictures from the time of the battle I have included links to accompany my shots and descriptions...
This album follows the course of the battle as told along the self-guided auto tour that circles the park. Where I have been able to find pictures from the time of the battle I have included links to accompany my shots and descriptions...
The visitor's center which, due to our lack of time, we spent very little time at...
One of the cannon near the visitor's center, overlooking State Route 65 (Sharpsburg Pike)...
Entering the battlefield...
The auto tour begins by heading north from the visitor's center along the Sharpsburg Pike...
The Dunker Church (ca. 1852) was built by a local German Baptist Brethren congregation. The church was a major focal point for commanders of both sides during the battle. Heavily damaged during the battle, the church was quickly repaired and services were held here until the beginning of the 20th Century...
Dunker Church after the battle.
Dunker Church after the battle.
Poffenberger Farm - Union General Joe Hooker occupied this farmhouse the evening prior to the battle. Skirmishers placed by Hooker in the nearby North Woods were the first engaged in the battle...
North Woods - 5:30am - Union and Confederate forces first clashed here, at the North Woods near the Poffenberger Farm. Union forces of the First Corps advanced north from this position towrds Jackson's lines on the far side of a neighboring cornfield...
East Woods - 6:00am - The battle started to get serious here at the East Woods. Eventually Union forces gained control of the woods and pushed forward to the adjacent cornfield...
The Cornfield (Confederate Lines) - 6:00 am - The modern-day Cornfield Avenue marks the approximate front of the Confederate lines the morning of September 17th. Hookers men advanced upon this position across the soon-to-be infamous cornfield just to the left of this photo...
The Cornfield - 6:30 am - This small, deadly piece of ground has seen some of the bloodiest fighting in American history. For nearly three hours Union and Confederate forces attacked and counter-attacked across this field. Before the last shell was fired over 8,000 men lay dead or wounded...
Confederate Dead along the fenceline at the cornfield
Confederate Dead along the fenceline at the cornfield
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