HARPERS FERRY TO ANTIETAM... THE BLOODIEST DAYS IN AMERICA'S HISTORY

Famous American Civil War - Battles and Events ^ | Sept 15, 2003 | National Park Service description of the Battle of Antietam

[SwinneySwitch]

Roll Call
Nathaniel Graham Shepherd (1834-1888)
Stanza 2, 5, 7 and 10

"Cyrus Drew!" --- then a silent fell;
This time no answer followed the call;
Only his rear-man had seen him fall:
Killed or wounded --- he could not tell.

For the foe had crossed from the other side,
That day, in the face of a murderous fire
That swept them down in its terrible ire;
And their life-blood went to color the tide.

"Ezra Kerr!" --- and a voice answered "Here!"
"Hiram Kerr!" --- but no man replied.
They were brothers, these two; the sad wind sighed,
And a shudder crept through the cornfield near.

'Twas a victory, yes; but it cost us dear:
For that company's roll, when called at night,
Of a hundred men who went into the fight,
Numbered but twenty that answered "Here!"

[carlo3b]

 
...AND HERE IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITES... "GRAB those friggin kleenex  ALERT!"

I have always been fascinated by how the early Americans, without the advantage of a structured modern education, had such a grasp of our language, and the ability to articulate their feeling in the written word. None are more poignant than the writing of our soldiers to their loved ones describing their plight and emotions between the heat of battle.  This letter written by an officer to his wife that was featured on one of the finest documentaries of our Civil War, ever produced on film.

 
Sullivan Ballou's letter to his beloved wife Sarah, July 14,1861 Camp Clark, Washington DC, as it was read on the PBS series The CIVIL WAR by Ken Burns series....

Dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. And lest I should not be able to write you again I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I am no more.

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing - perfectly willing - to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but omnipotence can break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly with all those chains to the battlefield. The memory of all the blissful moments I have enjoyed with you come crowding over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them for so long. And how hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes and future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and see our boys grown up to honorable manhood around us.

If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name...

Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless, how foolish I have sometimes been!...

But, 0 Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they love, I shall always be with you, in the brightest day and in the darkest night... always, always. And when the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath, or the cool air your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the 1st Battle of Bull Run.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

The Battle of Antietam, known in the South as the Battle of Sharpsburg, was fought on Wednesday, September 17, 1862 near Antietam, Maryland....

Gee, I thought the Battle of Antietam was fought near Sharpsburg, MD. I thought Antietam was the name of the creek that what later became known as "Burnside's Bridge" crossed. Checking my maps now.

Bye the Bye, Antietam was also important for keeping Europe, namely Great Britain and France, from recognizing the Confederate States of America and openly providing aid the the CSA.

[carlo3b]

You are right of course, and I guess I, an others, get our confussion from the faulty historians that call it Antietam Maryland, as this does.

Maryland Campaign: September 1862 :
      Antietam, Maryland (MD003) , Washington County, September 17, 1862
Stephen W. Sears

CS General Robert E. Lee was driven by two ambitions in leading his Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac River into Maryland early in September 1862. The first was to shift the contest from war-torn Virginia to what he called the Confederacy's northern frontier. The second was to force US Major General George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac into a showdown battle that would be decisive for the South's independence.

That battle was fought along Antietam Creek at Sharpsburg, Maryland, but not in the setting Lee originally planned. Chance had intervened. Several days earlier a Confederate courier had lost a copy of his operational orders, which were found by a Union soldier and turned over to McClellan. Although McClellan moved too slowly on September 14 to break through the gaps in South Mountain and cut off the scattered parts of the Confederate army, he did force Lee to decide to give battle sooner than he wanted and with fewer troops than he intended. Despite the odds against him, Lee deliberately chose to stand and fight at Sharpsburg, confident that he and his soldiers would win.

[Constitution Day]

Thanks for the ping.

I might be getting the new G&G DVD for my birthday!

[azhenfud]

Hey, I just purchased my own copy yesterday. Thought maybe my local camp could use it too if we had it in a "library".

Thanks again, CD, for getting me involved with SCV. I got my truck tag with our logo on it too.

Regards,
Az

[Howie]

"Does anyone think that the original thirteen colonies would have signed onto anything they couldn't have gotten out of?"

No and they would never have signed on to a compact that would forbid expressions of religion in public places. How could they dream that someday JUDGES would rule the country by legislating from the bench!

[jellybean]

Thank you for the history lesson. :)

[carlo3b]

No and they would never have signed on to a compact that would forbid expressions of religion in public places. How could they dream that someday JUDGES would rule the country by legislating from the bench!

BINGO! Nor would they have ever thought that it could be possible that a court could overturn an election because of one's skin color makes them too studid to be able to vote!!!

[kegler4]

"It's a shame more folks never got to see GODS AND GENERALS, because of a all out effort to kill it's popularity."

What effort? By whom?

I saw it at home and enjoyed it a fair amount, but then I'm a Civil War fan. A friend of mine who's an even bigger fan found the dialgoue too much and the running time too long. My wife was bored to tears.

[carlo3b]

GODS AND GENERALS, was released to less than 65% of the major nationwide theaters, 1st screen placement, meaning Dolby sound, wide screens, and stadium seating.  There were prearranged agreements that held that the showing would be for only 2 weeks, in deference to the NAACP, and ACLU, ADL*.

The average run of a major motion picture is determined by the stroke of the distributor, the real attendance, and frequency of viewership.. Furthermore, the movie was roundly and unanimously criticized in the previews (NOTE: Mel Gibson's, THE PASSION) even before the trailers were shown.. Ted Turner personally had to agree to many of these conditions in order to get the movie distributed, and domestic* TV, video, and blockbuster.. (Mel, surely hasn't got the industry forbearance as does Turner, so the jury is far from out on PASSION)

As for your wife, she's perfectly normal... the venue falls into the 18-59 male dominant marketing 78% v 43% female.  Geeeze, I am so glad you asked.. whew

I have no ax to grind in this fight or for attention, so don't ping  show me a link BS, I'm in the industry, and watched this unfold in awe of the weight of the left to control our culture in front of the camera, or as in this case, BEHIND the scene.

* Their real threat of protest, media blitz, and boycott.

[zygoat]

"Perhaps Civil War is just not my thing" Don't feel bad. I live within 5 miles of the entrance to the battlefield, and have never visited it. Been a resident of Washington County, Md. for all my 43 years, except for a few years in Louisiana and Pennsylvania.I know a lot of re-enactors and metal detector buffs who love it though, lots of minnie balls , buttons, buckles and other things can be found outside the boundries of the park, and they seem to fetch quite a price.

[azhenfud]

I suppose the conversation where Hawkins(?) and his brother discussed an excuse of ending slavery being offered as an attempt to cover the war's real cause and justify the WoNA struck a raw nerve with Revisionist Historians. Too close to the truth for comfort, I suppose....

[austingirl]

When I visited Antietam, I got goosebumps. There is a sacred air about the place where so much blood was shed. It was truly moving.

[BooBoo1000]

The "States Rights" are a bunch of hooey, the South knew that if they said they were fighting for a way of life, including slaves, they could expect no help from England and France. So they dressed up their actions in "States Rights, when in fact what they wanted was slavery, and estates, and mint julips.

[Vinnie]

Coming back from wedding in NY several yrs. ago, my wife and I stopped at Gettysburg.
I was amazed at the effect that had on me. Such a solemn site.
The next day we visited Antietam, another 'must see'.
When we pulled out of the parking lot we turned right instead of left. That put us on the old Harper's Ferry Rd.
What a drive. A narrow country road, very winding.
The road comes out on the Potomac River then follows the river to the opposite side of the river from Harper's Ferry. A canal system and locks are still there on that side of the river. Apparently horse drawn barges plyed the river.
There are old buildings on the opposite, apparently the landing from Harper's Ferry. And likely originals

I don't remember exactly how we got on the main highway but it was not difficult.
Then we visited the old Harper's Ferry. It probably looks exactly as it did 130 yrs ago.
Anyone visiting Antietam and planning to go to Harper's Ferry , Take the Old Harper's Ferry Road. You won't be sorry.

A fantastic 2 days of history.

[carlo3b]

When I visited Antietam, I got goosebumps. There is a sacred air about the place where so much blood was shed. It was truly moving.

I had exactly the same chills when walking through the cemeteries in Vicksburg especially, and throughout the southern sites. Strangely I didn't get to any of the sites on the eastern seaboard.

I am an avid collector of vintage historical memorabilia, Victorian, and pre and Early American, and first edition Civil War books and documents, signed when possible.. Just holding the works of eyewitness accounts of the battles, written in real time, signed in hand is a sobering experience indeed.

I know there are many collectors that are Freepers, that have similar experiences, and sometimes will share their knowledge with us on threads.. anyone listening???  LOLOL

[carlo3b]

we visited Antietam, another 'must see'. When we pulled out of the parking lot we turned right instead of left. That put us on the old Harper's Ferry Rd. What a drive. A narrow country road, very winding. The road comes out on the Potomac River then follows the river to the opposite side of the river from Harper's Ferry. A canal system and locks are still there on that side of the river. Apparently horse drawn barges plyed the river. There are old buildings on the opposite, apparently the landing from Harper's Ferry. And likely originals

Vinnie my man, you did it.. I have to get to see those sooner rather than later.. Thanks so much

[EllaMinnow]

I'm listening!

I buy, sell, and collect carte de visites from the Civil War. I feel such a connection to them - I can't explain.

I've been to all of the eastern battlefields, and to Shiloh and Vicksburg.
I'll never forget my first trip to Gettysburg. We were at Devil's Den, at high noon, on a hot June day. There was honeysuckle blooming, and the air was full of the fragrance. All of a sudden, I couldn't smell the flowers anymore, but I could smell blood so strongly that it almost made me sick. I felt like I was going backwards through a tunnel.
I've never had that experience at any other site, but Devil's Den still effects me.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the ping Carlo3b.

Good job on covering the Antietam Campaign.

The FReeper Foxhole will be covering the Battle of Antietam on the 17th. We found an interesting article that presents the battle in a different perspective.