"Antietam: A Savage Day In American History" Topic

"On this morning 150 years ago, Union and Confederate troops clashed at the crossroads town of Sharpsburg, Md. The Battle of Antietam remains the bloodiest single day in American history.

The battle left 23,000 men killed or wounded in the fields, woods and dirt roads, and it changed the course of the Civil War.

It is called simply the Cornfield, and it was here, in the first light of dawn that Union troops — more than 1,000 — crept toward the Confederate lines. The stalks were at head level and shielded their movements…"

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Armand

I visited the battlefield a couple of days after Historicon. Well worth visiting to understand the lie of the land.

Richard

I've been to the Sharpsburg battlefield numerous times. I like it better than Gettysburg because it isn't as "commercialized". G'burg has essentially become "Civil War Disneyland".
My wonderful wife (Gawd bless her!), stood by the Dunker Church and remarked how beautiful it was in her simplicity. Then I showed her the Matthew Brady photograph.
Of all the battlefields I have been to, this one moves me the most, and I feel that it's impact on the war was as important, (as much so), if not more than Gettysburg.

Thanks!

Armand

My wife and I visited this uniquely preserved battlefield in 2002 and like Mr. Murphy I have a picture of her by the front door of the Dunkard church.

Very naughty as women had to use the side doors in the time.

Much has been done since to improve the field but I too was impressed with the lack of monuments compared to Gettysburg.

It's raw simplicity I feel is a far better testament of those that gave their lives for the courage of their convictions on that dreadful day.

Best wishes,

Chris

I don't agree with the 'civil war Disneyland' description.

I was there in 1961 with my family and the park was pristine. Jenny Wade's house in particular was excellent and original.

When we went back in 1964 the house had been sold and was being 'redone' and I have never gone back in. That is when the commercialization was going on. The population was not happy with the 'renovations' which included an observation tower and a couple of big name hotels.

The native population got it fixed in the 1990s and later. The tower was gone and much of the 'modernization' had disappeared.

The new visitor's center is excellent and tucked away so that it is hard to see and the Union center is being restored where the old visitor center was.

I've been there a few times with my wife and son, since he was little, and it is still my favorite battlefield park.

Driving into the park in the early morning captures the aura of the battle and I highly recommend it to anyone. The battle itself was, along with the capture of Vicksburg at the same time, the death knell of the Confederacy.

Antietam is also excellent and is a pristine battlefield park.

This may help regarding the Gettysburg National Military Park:

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Thanks Kevin…

Armand