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In one day in September 1862 Antietam Creek went from the site of a quiet meandering creek near Sharpsburg, Maryland, to the site of the bloodiest day of the Civil War and of American History with about 23,000 killed, wounded or missing.

Yes, a dark introduction to a site we had looked forward to visiting as we traveled the East Coast on our spring 2023 adventure. It is hard to comprehend the fighting that went on in one day here at the Antietam National Battlefield, but following the tour of the battlefield tells the story well. I can not attempt to retell such a story here, but below are a few sights from our visit.

As the Union soldiers came out of the north woods and through the cornfield at daylight they were met with savage fighting in the form of cannon and rifle fire. Fighting went on here for about four hours without much ground gained by either side.

There were some good outcomes from all the brutal fighting that took place here. Clara Barton, who provided aid to the wounded here went on to found the American Red Cross.

The Sunken Road which, after the battle was referred to as Bloody Lane, provided strategic protection for about 2300 Confederate soldiers fending off the attack of 10,000 Union forces.

It’s hard to imagine the type of fighting that took place here. Loading rifles with powder and a bullet, cannons firing their exploding ordinance across the battlefield as whole rows of men march toward their death in lines.

At the expense of several thousand men the sunken road finally fell after hours of fighting. The Confederates again held the strategic high ground as the US Army advanced on the lower bridge, to be later known as the Burnside Bridge.

Following another fierce fight the bridge fell and the Confederates fell back once again. A sycamore by the bridge was alive during the battle and still survives today.

That was all the ground the Union gained that day, as General Burnsides forces gained the hill but were later driven back by arriving Confederate reinforcements. Later the next day General Robert E, Lee withdrew south across the Potomac River handing the Union a narrow victory, but enough for President Lincoln to later issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

Antietam is a moving site to visit. Taking the self guided tour tells a vivid story of the battle. Our last stop was the cemetery. Walking the cemetery you are left to ponder the battle, and the cost of war. Antietam was a high cost indeed.

Logistics:

Antietam National Battlefield has a entrance fee, but they do accept the America the Beautiful Pass. Arrive early, watch the video (narrated by Darth Vader himself) to get yourself oriented, then take the driving / walking tour to follow the battle. There is plenty here to fill the better part of a day. You’ll be left with a good picture of how the battle unfolded throughout the day of September 17, 1862.