[central_va]

This battlefield is not near a major urban center and everyone agrees that it looks pretty much like it did on 1862. A must see.

[LS]

I use this in all my talks to discredit so-called "social history" and note that this single battle did more to change the world than all the "I Love Lucy" episodes or union activity put together.

1) Br and Fr were put out of the war by the Union victory.

2) Lee was finally (though not decisively) beaten by a Union general and his losses as % of troops committed was significantly higher than McClellan's losses.

3) Lincoln was able to issue the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

4) Battlefield photography really reached the public for the first time and put new pressure on the Army to limit casualties.

[MissMagnolia]

The one battlefield that ALWAYS has a profound effect on me .... spirits still wander there and I can feel them - I alway have a very emotional reaction to being there. I’m not into paranormal occurrences, etc. but at Antietam .... it’s different.

[SMARTY]

The stat I read was that more Americans died in the first 20 minutes at Antietam than all the Americans at the Normandy beachhead.

[missycocopuffs]

In late October 2001, my husband and I took a trip out East to tour Civil War battlefields. The morning we visited Antietam, the mist was rising off the fields. The park ranger said that conditions were probably similar to the day of battle as it was a very foggy/misty morning that day, too. We were the first visitors out that morning and the eery quiet served to heighten the sense of loss and sadness. It was a sobering visit and felt so important for us to do in the aftermath of 9/11.

I agree, it is a must-see.

[ratzoe]

My 5th grade class took a field trip to watch the re-enactment in 1962, still have vivid memories of that day.

[GreyFriar]

Thanks for reminding us of the Antietam/Sharpsburg battle on this day in 1862

[WKUHilltopper]

Thanks for the post!

[Billthedrill]

Great stuff, and thanks for posting! This place is on the bucket list.

[A_Former_Democrat]

TYVM for this. I learned recently that my ancestor was one of the six generals killed that day. In reading further about him, quite an accomplished man he was. Also, that Antietam was the bloodiest day in US Military History.

[stylecouncilor]

ping

[HokieMom]

I visited there this past spring. Beautiful place.

[John S Mosby]

Up for Song of the Year, from my friend Claire Lynch (written by her and Louisa Branscomb):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqp_rn9rdTw

It is the soldier who craves Peace, and the libs who rail against our military are the ones who constantly get us into conflicts. Blessings for the Fallen this 150 Anniversary Year of the WBTS.

Deo Vindice.

[ops33]

Is that Burnside’s Bridge?