I've been thinking a lot about the boys who fought both on the North and South. These guys were just normal everyday people just like the rest of us. They had families, jobs, responsibilities. But they did something that I don't know if I could do....they went off to war. And some of these guys never returned.
Most of these men and boys returned home....in coffins....but some have remained where they fell. And some of these guys are just now being found.
About thirteen years ago, a Confederate soldier was unearthed in Gettysburg. Just last October a New York soldier was discovered in Antietam. And now I read that a body was located in Franklin, Tennessee. Only this time, they have no idea which side he was on.
Every time I hear about a soldier's body being found, there is also a report about a funeral for him. Gettysburg buried him with military honors at Gettysburg National Cemetery. Antietam had him reinterred in New York....right where he belongs....but not without a ceremony in Antietam and then again in New York. Franklin had a grand funeral for him, but it wasn't just for him....it was for all the soldiers. I'm so glad that these boys, regardless of which side they were on, are receiving the proper burials that they deserve.
Going off to war today is a little different than it was 150 years ago. The chances of being killed in a war today are quite a bit slimmer than they were during the Civil War, although those chances still exist...and the weaponry is quite different. But these men stood, literally, in front of these muskets, rifles, and cannons and, more or less, dared them to shoot them. And many did get shot....and many died. I could not do it. I am too much of a wimp to allow myself to be put in a situation like that. These men were anything but wimps. Even the shirkers were still braver than I could ever be.
I will never look down at any soldier, Union or Confederate, who fought. These men are my heroes....every single one of them (even the guys I don't like....like Dan Sickles....are still my heroes). I'm so glad that the National Parks are getting involved in the reinterment of these men and that they are allowing us, the civilians, to get a glimpse of what and who these men were.
Like I said before, these guys are my heroes and I'm so glad that we can be apart of honoring them for what they did!
Showing posts with label Antietam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Antietam. Show all posts
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
R.I.P.
This week was the anniversary of the battle at Antietam. September 17, 1862....to be exact. Although the anniversary of battles is a very solemn occasion, something took place in Antietam this week that was truly a heartrending occasion and I, personally, would like to thank the National Park Service for doing something truly good.
Now for a little background. About a year or so ago, while walking in The Cornfield at Antietam, a visitor located the remains of a soldier who had fought at Antietam. He was killed going into the Cornfield with so many other young men. What happens so often is that the dead are buried in shallow graves and some were left behind after the battle. In time, the remains will begin to surface. The remains were exhumed and an archaeologist had identified what he could of the remains. It seems that he was a young man (18-20 years old) from the state of New York. That is all that they were able to find out about him.
On Thursday, the anniversary of the battle, the park service had a memorial service for him at Antietam, then placed him in the rear of a hearse to be taken to New York for a proper burial in Saratoga National Cemetery.
I really wish I had attended this service. Unfortunately, because of "stuff" I wasn't able to make it down there, but I did get to see bits and pieces of the ceremony. One of the rangers at Antietam has a blog and I was able to follow it through his blog. Here is how to find his blog:
http://volunteersinparks.blogspot.com/2009/09/going-home.html. But more importantly (and if you look at only one thing, this is it!), he made a short film about the ceremony and here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9OefwyhR_E
PLEASE watch this. And make sure the tissues are close by....you will need them.
Rest In Peace, our unknown soldier. You have finally made it home!
Now for a little background. About a year or so ago, while walking in The Cornfield at Antietam, a visitor located the remains of a soldier who had fought at Antietam. He was killed going into the Cornfield with so many other young men. What happens so often is that the dead are buried in shallow graves and some were left behind after the battle. In time, the remains will begin to surface. The remains were exhumed and an archaeologist had identified what he could of the remains. It seems that he was a young man (18-20 years old) from the state of New York. That is all that they were able to find out about him.
On Thursday, the anniversary of the battle, the park service had a memorial service for him at Antietam, then placed him in the rear of a hearse to be taken to New York for a proper burial in Saratoga National Cemetery.
I really wish I had attended this service. Unfortunately, because of "stuff" I wasn't able to make it down there, but I did get to see bits and pieces of the ceremony. One of the rangers at Antietam has a blog and I was able to follow it through his blog. Here is how to find his blog:
http://volunteersinparks.blogspot.com/2009/09/going-home.html. But more importantly (and if you look at only one thing, this is it!), he made a short film about the ceremony and here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9OefwyhR_E
PLEASE watch this. And make sure the tissues are close by....you will need them.
Rest In Peace, our unknown soldier. You have finally made it home!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Robert E. Rodes
I'm checking out some biographical information on Robert E. Rodes and thought I would share what I can find. He was one of Lee's best generals and yet at Gettysburg, he seemed to have just fallen apart. I guess everyone can have an off day....but he was "off" three days in a row. Hmmmm. Anyway, here is some of the information that I have found out about him:
*He was born in Lynchburg, Virginia on March 30, 1829.
*Father: General David Rodes Mother: Martha Yancey
*Graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1848
*Was an assistant professor of Physical Science, Chemistry and Tactics at VMI for two years
*In September, 1857 he married Virginia Hortense Woodruff
*He had two children: Robert Emmet Rodes, Jr and Bell Yancey Rodes
*Prior to the Civil War, he was a Civil Engineer.
*Commissioned the Colonel of the 5th Alabama Infantry
*made a Brigadier General in October 1861
*Led his command at Fair Oaks, Gaines's Mill, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville
*wounded at Seven Pines
*Fought in the Antietam Campaign
*Wounded at Antietam
*Promoted Major General in May 1863
*Led his division at Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania
*Served under Jubal Early in the Shenandoah Valley and fought at Kernstown
*Killed at Winchester on September 19, 1864
*Buried in Lynchburg, Virginia
Friday, June 19, 2009
98th PA
Ok....its taken me awhile, but I have finally gotten around to writting about the 98th PA....my great great grandfathers regiment. Peter Stroup was born and lived his entire life in and around the Germantown section of Philadelphia. His daughters, daughter was my grandmother on my dad's side of the family. In 1861, the 17th PA was being pulled together, and for whatever reason, he decided to join up. This was a three month regiment, so after 3 months he was mustered out and he rejoined with the 21st PA. Again, this was a three month regiment and at the end of the three months, he again was mustered out. Then he joined up again and this regiment became the 98th PA. I'm not sure but I believe the 17th PA just turned into the 21st and the 21st turned into the 98th....but I don't know that for sure. Its just that a lot of the names are the same in each of the regiments.
The 98th PA seems to have participated in most of the major battles. Although it seems that they were held in reserve in quite a few....or that's what my research has found. I know that they were at Chancellorsville (although they technically fought at Marye's Heights in Fredericksburg) and they were also at Antietam (although they were following Darius Couch on a mission of wandering the valley and never actually made it into the fight). I do know that they DID participate in the Battle at Gettysburg. And here is what they did at Gettysburg.
The Sixth Corps made an incredible march of 26 miles from Manchester, Md all the way to Gettysburg in about 24 hours, arriving on July 2. As they arrived, they were to go to the middle part of the battlefield and be held in reserve. The 98th was the lead regiment in this march and as they approached Gettysburg, somehow they missed the message of where they were supposed to go. They ended up on Little Round Top....on the northern slope of the hill.
As the battle was progressing, the fighting in the Wheatfield was heating up. General Samuel Wylie Crawford decided that he had had enough and he grabbed the colors from the color-bearer, who refused to let him have them, and he grabbed some troops that he found in the area (mostly the U.S. Reserve troops of Day and Burbank), including the "lost" 98th PA, and off they went to end the fighting in the Wheatfield. From the slopes of Little Round Top, they went down, through the Valley of Death (Plum Run Valley) and up Day's Hill to the edge of the Wheatfield. They weren't able to regain the Wheatfield (which had changed hands at least 6 times) but they were able to push the Confederates back so that at the end of the fighting, the Wheatfield was considered No-Man's Land.
After this fight, the 98th PA was reunited with its brigade, who happened to be on the farm lane that led up to the Althoff farm (or the John Weikert Farm....depending on which farmer you choose to name the farm after). Today, there are two monuments to the 98th PA: one on the northern slope of Little Round Top and one back by the Weikert/Althoff house.
My great great grandfather may not have been one of the "big" heroes of the Civil War, but because he actually stood and fought, reenlisted when he could have just gone home, and was wounded twice and still went on, he will always be my hero. Each one of the guys who fought at Gettysburg or any of the other battles will always be the greatest men who ever lived!
The 98th PA seems to have participated in most of the major battles. Although it seems that they were held in reserve in quite a few....or that's what my research has found. I know that they were at Chancellorsville (although they technically fought at Marye's Heights in Fredericksburg) and they were also at Antietam (although they were following Darius Couch on a mission of wandering the valley and never actually made it into the fight). I do know that they DID participate in the Battle at Gettysburg. And here is what they did at Gettysburg.
The Sixth Corps made an incredible march of 26 miles from Manchester, Md all the way to Gettysburg in about 24 hours, arriving on July 2. As they arrived, they were to go to the middle part of the battlefield and be held in reserve. The 98th was the lead regiment in this march and as they approached Gettysburg, somehow they missed the message of where they were supposed to go. They ended up on Little Round Top....on the northern slope of the hill.
As the battle was progressing, the fighting in the Wheatfield was heating up. General Samuel Wylie Crawford decided that he had had enough and he grabbed the colors from the color-bearer, who refused to let him have them, and he grabbed some troops that he found in the area (mostly the U.S. Reserve troops of Day and Burbank), including the "lost" 98th PA, and off they went to end the fighting in the Wheatfield. From the slopes of Little Round Top, they went down, through the Valley of Death (Plum Run Valley) and up Day's Hill to the edge of the Wheatfield. They weren't able to regain the Wheatfield (which had changed hands at least 6 times) but they were able to push the Confederates back so that at the end of the fighting, the Wheatfield was considered No-Man's Land.
After this fight, the 98th PA was reunited with its brigade, who happened to be on the farm lane that led up to the Althoff farm (or the John Weikert Farm....depending on which farmer you choose to name the farm after). Today, there are two monuments to the 98th PA: one on the northern slope of Little Round Top and one back by the Weikert/Althoff house.
My great great grandfather may not have been one of the "big" heroes of the Civil War, but because he actually stood and fought, reenlisted when he could have just gone home, and was wounded twice and still went on, he will always be my hero. Each one of the guys who fought at Gettysburg or any of the other battles will always be the greatest men who ever lived!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Just Who Was Israel B. Richardson Anyway?
I did some searching. Afterall, if Hancock replaced him in the Battle of Antietam, I think I should know a little bit about his predecessor. As a Hancock "stalker" (as I have been called), I need to know all things Hancock and if anyone who had anything to do with him. So I did some searching.
Here are some facts that I learned about him: He was born on December 26, 1815 in Fairfax, Vermont (its a small town about halfway between Burlington and St. Albans....another Civil War related town that I have been to). He attended West Point and was graduated in 1841. Now this is interesting because Hancock graduated in 1844....so they probably knew each other at the school. I'm not sure how involved seniors would have been with freshman (plebes) but they may have known each other from classes or even barracks or whatever. He was given the nickname of "Fighting Dick" because once out on the battlefield he fought just as hard as his men. One thing that I saw repeatedly about him, was that he was quoted as saying "I would never put my men somewhere that I wasn't willing to go." I wish all leaders felt that way. He recruited and organized the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry. And was made the Colonel of that infantry. Now, at this point you are probably saying, how did he go from Vermont to Michigan???? Good question. This is all I know, somehow, he made his way down from Vermont and settled in Pontiac, Michigan. It was at a point after he resigned from the Army in the 1850's. He must have either been stationed in the area or traveled through the area and grew to like it, so it became home.
Now, at the Battle of Antietam, he attacked the enemy at the Sunken Road. During this fighting, he was wounded by a spent shell fragment. So many men were wounded this way. I don't believe that direct hits were as common as the indirect hits. The wound wasn't considered life threatening but infection set in and eventually it led to pneumonia and he ended up dying on November3, 1862 in the Pry House. If the Pry House sounds familiar, it was the house that McClellan used as his headquarters during the Battle of Antietam.
General Richardson sounds like an interesting guy. I really do need to find out a bit more about him, but I'm glad I got to know him a bit better. There is a Civil War Round Table in the Pontiac, Michigan area that is named after him. If a group of this caliber is naming itself after this gentleman, then he must have been a really good guy. Sounds like more research is needed!
Here are some facts that I learned about him: He was born on December 26, 1815 in Fairfax, Vermont (its a small town about halfway between Burlington and St. Albans....another Civil War related town that I have been to). He attended West Point and was graduated in 1841. Now this is interesting because Hancock graduated in 1844....so they probably knew each other at the school. I'm not sure how involved seniors would have been with freshman (plebes) but they may have known each other from classes or even barracks or whatever. He was given the nickname of "Fighting Dick" because once out on the battlefield he fought just as hard as his men. One thing that I saw repeatedly about him, was that he was quoted as saying "I would never put my men somewhere that I wasn't willing to go." I wish all leaders felt that way. He recruited and organized the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry. And was made the Colonel of that infantry. Now, at this point you are probably saying, how did he go from Vermont to Michigan???? Good question. This is all I know, somehow, he made his way down from Vermont and settled in Pontiac, Michigan. It was at a point after he resigned from the Army in the 1850's. He must have either been stationed in the area or traveled through the area and grew to like it, so it became home.
Now, at the Battle of Antietam, he attacked the enemy at the Sunken Road. During this fighting, he was wounded by a spent shell fragment. So many men were wounded this way. I don't believe that direct hits were as common as the indirect hits. The wound wasn't considered life threatening but infection set in and eventually it led to pneumonia and he ended up dying on November3, 1862 in the Pry House. If the Pry House sounds familiar, it was the house that McClellan used as his headquarters during the Battle of Antietam.
General Richardson sounds like an interesting guy. I really do need to find out a bit more about him, but I'm glad I got to know him a bit better. There is a Civil War Round Table in the Pontiac, Michigan area that is named after him. If a group of this caliber is naming itself after this gentleman, then he must have been a really good guy. Sounds like more research is needed!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Sunken Road
Now, to go back to Antietam. I took a bit of a walk on the Sunken Road/Bloody Lane Trail. Unfortunately, I didn't have too much time because I really wanted to go back to the VC to do a battlefield tour with a ranger (which I highly recommend to anyone who happens to be in the park on a day that they are offered).
The Bloody Lane happens to be the area where Hancock fought. And being a HUGE Hancock fan, I HAD to go and check it out.
I went to the Mumma farm and cemetery before I got over to the Sunken Road. The farm had a fair amount of school kids running around the yard with Signal Corps flags....so I never got to the farm itself. I'm guessing that these kids were learning about the Signal Corps and how the messages were delivered. This, in and of itself, is a very interesting topic that I will have to talk about some day. Some of the signal stations are in very obscure areas and I have been to a few of them....so I will talk about them soon. But the cemetery was awesome. I love old cemeteries. It's not very big and there are probably a 1-200 people buried in it, but when you start to look at the names, there are quite a few names that are familiar to anyone who has studied the battle. The day that I was there I ran into 2 other people heading into the cemetery to take a look around. So I had it all to myself prior to the others heading in. I can't remember how many trees are in the cemetery but I know that with the trees and the the hilltop, there was a constant breeze. The cemetery is completely surrounded by a beautiful stone wall. It's just a nice little cemetery. As I was leaving, that was when I ran into the other couple.
From there, I went on to the Sunken Road. This old farm road is very deceptive. The first time I went into it, I was shocked at how "sunken" it really is. I stood in the middle of it and the sides were actually over my head. This was a complete surprise to me because in all the pictures I've seen of it and the way it looked from the sides, I didn't think it was that deep. But it is! I'm looking at my map of the different regiments involved. I didn't realize how many actually fought there. On the Union side, they had: 4NY, 108NY, 7WV, 132PA, 5MD, 130PA, 8OH, 1DE, 14CT, 14IN. Then on the Confederate side, it was: 30NC, 4NC, 14NC, 2NC, 6AL, 5AL, 12AL, 26AL. Its odd looking at some of these regiments and seeing those same guys at other battlefields. Some fought at Gettysburg, others fought at Chancellorsville, and the list goes on and on. Some of these guys fought each other repeatedly on the battlefield....but in different places. I think about these things often. Did they recognize the same guys? If they saw a guy, battle after battle, and finally he fell, did they feel bad for him or where they glad? Just what went on in the heads of these men?
I wonder about some of the leaders. Quite a few of these men never made it to Gettysburg. But one that intriques me a bit is Israel B. Richardson. I'm going to have to check out his biography. I guess one of the reasons that he intriques me is because Hancock took over after he was wounded.
There are so many things that I need to look up....and so little time. One day I might scratch the surface!
The Bloody Lane happens to be the area where Hancock fought. And being a HUGE Hancock fan, I HAD to go and check it out.
I went to the Mumma farm and cemetery before I got over to the Sunken Road. The farm had a fair amount of school kids running around the yard with Signal Corps flags....so I never got to the farm itself. I'm guessing that these kids were learning about the Signal Corps and how the messages were delivered. This, in and of itself, is a very interesting topic that I will have to talk about some day. Some of the signal stations are in very obscure areas and I have been to a few of them....so I will talk about them soon. But the cemetery was awesome. I love old cemeteries. It's not very big and there are probably a 1-200 people buried in it, but when you start to look at the names, there are quite a few names that are familiar to anyone who has studied the battle. The day that I was there I ran into 2 other people heading into the cemetery to take a look around. So I had it all to myself prior to the others heading in. I can't remember how many trees are in the cemetery but I know that with the trees and the the hilltop, there was a constant breeze. The cemetery is completely surrounded by a beautiful stone wall. It's just a nice little cemetery. As I was leaving, that was when I ran into the other couple.
From there, I went on to the Sunken Road. This old farm road is very deceptive. The first time I went into it, I was shocked at how "sunken" it really is. I stood in the middle of it and the sides were actually over my head. This was a complete surprise to me because in all the pictures I've seen of it and the way it looked from the sides, I didn't think it was that deep. But it is! I'm looking at my map of the different regiments involved. I didn't realize how many actually fought there. On the Union side, they had: 4NY, 108NY, 7WV, 132PA, 5MD, 130PA, 8OH, 1DE, 14CT, 14IN. Then on the Confederate side, it was: 30NC, 4NC, 14NC, 2NC, 6AL, 5AL, 12AL, 26AL. Its odd looking at some of these regiments and seeing those same guys at other battlefields. Some fought at Gettysburg, others fought at Chancellorsville, and the list goes on and on. Some of these guys fought each other repeatedly on the battlefield....but in different places. I think about these things often. Did they recognize the same guys? If they saw a guy, battle after battle, and finally he fell, did they feel bad for him or where they glad? Just what went on in the heads of these men?
I wonder about some of the leaders. Quite a few of these men never made it to Gettysburg. But one that intriques me a bit is Israel B. Richardson. I'm going to have to check out his biography. I guess one of the reasons that he intriques me is because Hancock took over after he was wounded.
There are so many things that I need to look up....and so little time. One day I might scratch the surface!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
And to think I drove right through it.....
Well, after doing tons of research and getting my hands on the book "Guide to the Battle of Antietam" by Jay Luvaas and Harold W. Nelson, I find that I drove right through Turner's Gap on my way home from Antietam. Apparently its on Alt. Rt. 40 (the National Road) just a few miles east of Boonesboro. I now wish that I had spent more time looking at signs and less time feeling tired.
I found a little bit of Gen. George B. McClellan's Official Report where he talks about Turner's Gap. Here is what he had to say:
"The South Mountain range near Turner's Pass averages perhaps 1000 feet in height, and formas a strong natural military barrier. The practicable passes are not numerous and are readily defensible, the gaps abounding in fine positions. Turner's Pass is the more prominent, being that by which the National Road crosses the mountains. It was necessarily indicated as the route of advance of our main army." O.R. XIX, Part 1, pp. 24-27
If you are on Alt Rt 40 and go west through Middletown, its about 3 miles away. When you turn onto Bolivar Road and look up 40, you can see it. I suppose that I will have to take a trip back down and check this out.
There are just a few things that I really know about what happened at Turner's Gap:
1) Colquitt's Brigade was there (D.H. Hill's Division, Jackson's Corps)
2) It was Hooker's objective
3) Union losses: 328 killed
1463 wounded
4) Confederate losses: est. 3000 men
5) John Gibbon's Brigade (the Iron Brigade) concentrated on this area
6) The fight took place on September 14, 1862
There are so many other things that I need to find out. Why was the fight there? Which regiments fought there? What really happened? Which directions did they come and go? and the list goes on and on. As I find this stuff out, I will post it, but until then, these questions are being placed out there for the universe to answer!
I found a little bit of Gen. George B. McClellan's Official Report where he talks about Turner's Gap. Here is what he had to say:
"The South Mountain range near Turner's Pass averages perhaps 1000 feet in height, and formas a strong natural military barrier. The practicable passes are not numerous and are readily defensible, the gaps abounding in fine positions. Turner's Pass is the more prominent, being that by which the National Road crosses the mountains. It was necessarily indicated as the route of advance of our main army." O.R. XIX, Part 1, pp. 24-27
If you are on Alt Rt 40 and go west through Middletown, its about 3 miles away. When you turn onto Bolivar Road and look up 40, you can see it. I suppose that I will have to take a trip back down and check this out.
There are just a few things that I really know about what happened at Turner's Gap:
1) Colquitt's Brigade was there (D.H. Hill's Division, Jackson's Corps)
2) It was Hooker's objective
3) Union losses: 328 killed
1463 wounded
4) Confederate losses: est. 3000 men
5) John Gibbon's Brigade (the Iron Brigade) concentrated on this area
6) The fight took place on September 14, 1862
There are so many other things that I need to find out. Why was the fight there? Which regiments fought there? What really happened? Which directions did they come and go? and the list goes on and on. As I find this stuff out, I will post it, but until then, these questions are being placed out there for the universe to answer!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Cornfield
While at Antietam on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, I took a walk on The Cornfield Trail. Its a 1.6 mile trail that takes you through the North Woods, East Woods, Cornfield, and Miller farm. It was a beautiful morning for a walk.
First thing, I got at the trail around 9 am. There was very little traffic on the battlefield. Through the entire walk, all I heard were the birds singing. I'm sure this was in direct conflict with what the soldiers heard that fateful morning of September 17, 1862.
The first stop was at the parking lot at Stop #2 on the Battlefield Tour. There was a sign there warning you to be aware of groundhog holes. At first I thought they were being a bit overdramatic about the holes, but soon learned that they were right. Those holes were not only large in circumferance but very deep also. If anyone were to fall in a hole, I'm sure that broken ankles or legs would be the result. So be aware of the groundhog holes. Through the entire trail I saw a dozen or more of them right on the trail. I saw about that many groundhogs, also....two of which were barely 8 inches long....just little babies out playing in the early morning sun. Very cute!
General Hooker of the Union army had placed his men in this area and was planning on taking the high ground where the Visitor Center is today. Once he got his men moving through that Cornfield he learned that taking that ground would not be easy....the Confederates were already there. Here at Atietam, General Hooker was in command of the I Corps. For the majority of the hike, you are following in Hooker's mens footsteps.
At stop #2 you are moving out of the North Woods. It has been replanted in recent years. Its good to see that the NPS is working on restoring the battlefield to the way it looked in 1862. Reminds me of what the NPS is doing in Gettysburg! From this point, if you are looking south (toward the VC), when you look to your left and to your right, the line of battle extended 1/4 mile on either side. These poor men were being fired on from cannons to their front and from the west. There were cannons set up on some high ground to the west which has come to be known as Nicodemus Heights (named after the farmer who owned the land). Little known fact, Nicodemus Heights is the same height as the Cornfield....but there are valleys in between. You can still see the Heights from the Cornfield, today.
Stop #3 has you walking along the East Woods. The park is planning to extend the woods farther south. Another thing that the park is doing to restore the battlefield. Its quiet and almost sad walking along this trail. But having the birds singing helps tremendously. This is the area where three brigades of the 1st Corps were to set out. The three brigades belonged to Duryea, Christian, and Hartsuff. Hartsuff was wounded so it took awhile for his brigade to get ready to move out. Duryea was ready and they took off at 6am. Christian panicked and ran for the rear. So his brigade was held up while they were waiting to figure out who was in charge. In the first thirty minutes of the fighting, Duryea was alone out there, and he lost almost half of this 1000 men. Some tough fighting. You can feel it as you walk along this trail.
Stop #4 takes you to the corner of the East Waoods and the Cornfield. The 12th Mass fought in this area. They moved through the corn only to be stopped by Harry Hays' Louisiana Tigers. These men have quite the reputation for being fighters! The 12th Mass lost 224 of 334 men (67% casualties). I really felt that out there in the field. The horrors of the battle still linger today.
At Stop #5, you are about to enter the Cornfield. This is the area where the Iron Brigade fought. These are the men I was most interested in learning about. Before I even set foot in the Cornfield, I got goose bumps. It was a lovely morning....not too warm, not to cold....the sun was out and I was standing in an open field, but I suddenly got very cold and was shivering for a second or two. As I walked into the field, I could almost feel the energy of the Iron Brigade as they stepped off to face their enemy. Very cool feeling....very sad feeling!
Stop #6 takes you to where the Georgians and Texans sat waiting for the Union soldiers to arrive. Col. Marcellus Douglas in command of the Georgian brigade was killed. John Bell Hood's Texans were waiting at the Dunker Church so that they could eat for the first time in 3 days, but got called out to await the approaching Union soldiers. Till all was said and done, the 1st TX lost 82% of their men in this battle.
At stop # 7, we see the area where Battery B, 4th US artillery was located. They had a 15-year-old bugler who, when he saw that most of the men were down, took it upon himself to start firing those guns. Johnny Cook, the bugler, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this feat.
Stop #8 takes us to the Miller farm. Daniel Miller owned the land that the Cornfield was on. He left his property prior to the battle and when he returned, the farm was all but destroyed. Mr. Miller was fortunate, he put in a claim to the US government for $1237 and received $995 in return. Most civilians received nothing from the government.
At this point, you return to the parking lot, going through the newly planted North Woods.
I found this walk to be highly emotional. Maybe I know too much about what these men experienced so I could feel it better. Maybe the ghosts of the past are there making sure that we experience what they felt. All I know is that I plan to do this walk again and when I do, I will definitely be looking for the goose bumps and chills that I experienced this time. Hopefully, I will be revisited by the ghosts of the men who fought so long ago on the horrific day in September of 1862.
First thing, I got at the trail around 9 am. There was very little traffic on the battlefield. Through the entire walk, all I heard were the birds singing. I'm sure this was in direct conflict with what the soldiers heard that fateful morning of September 17, 1862.
The first stop was at the parking lot at Stop #2 on the Battlefield Tour. There was a sign there warning you to be aware of groundhog holes. At first I thought they were being a bit overdramatic about the holes, but soon learned that they were right. Those holes were not only large in circumferance but very deep also. If anyone were to fall in a hole, I'm sure that broken ankles or legs would be the result. So be aware of the groundhog holes. Through the entire trail I saw a dozen or more of them right on the trail. I saw about that many groundhogs, also....two of which were barely 8 inches long....just little babies out playing in the early morning sun. Very cute!
General Hooker of the Union army had placed his men in this area and was planning on taking the high ground where the Visitor Center is today. Once he got his men moving through that Cornfield he learned that taking that ground would not be easy....the Confederates were already there. Here at Atietam, General Hooker was in command of the I Corps. For the majority of the hike, you are following in Hooker's mens footsteps.
At stop #2 you are moving out of the North Woods. It has been replanted in recent years. Its good to see that the NPS is working on restoring the battlefield to the way it looked in 1862. Reminds me of what the NPS is doing in Gettysburg! From this point, if you are looking south (toward the VC), when you look to your left and to your right, the line of battle extended 1/4 mile on either side. These poor men were being fired on from cannons to their front and from the west. There were cannons set up on some high ground to the west which has come to be known as Nicodemus Heights (named after the farmer who owned the land). Little known fact, Nicodemus Heights is the same height as the Cornfield....but there are valleys in between. You can still see the Heights from the Cornfield, today.
Stop #3 has you walking along the East Woods. The park is planning to extend the woods farther south. Another thing that the park is doing to restore the battlefield. Its quiet and almost sad walking along this trail. But having the birds singing helps tremendously. This is the area where three brigades of the 1st Corps were to set out. The three brigades belonged to Duryea, Christian, and Hartsuff. Hartsuff was wounded so it took awhile for his brigade to get ready to move out. Duryea was ready and they took off at 6am. Christian panicked and ran for the rear. So his brigade was held up while they were waiting to figure out who was in charge. In the first thirty minutes of the fighting, Duryea was alone out there, and he lost almost half of this 1000 men. Some tough fighting. You can feel it as you walk along this trail.
Stop #4 takes you to the corner of the East Waoods and the Cornfield. The 12th Mass fought in this area. They moved through the corn only to be stopped by Harry Hays' Louisiana Tigers. These men have quite the reputation for being fighters! The 12th Mass lost 224 of 334 men (67% casualties). I really felt that out there in the field. The horrors of the battle still linger today.
At Stop #5, you are about to enter the Cornfield. This is the area where the Iron Brigade fought. These are the men I was most interested in learning about. Before I even set foot in the Cornfield, I got goose bumps. It was a lovely morning....not too warm, not to cold....the sun was out and I was standing in an open field, but I suddenly got very cold and was shivering for a second or two. As I walked into the field, I could almost feel the energy of the Iron Brigade as they stepped off to face their enemy. Very cool feeling....very sad feeling!
Stop #6 takes you to where the Georgians and Texans sat waiting for the Union soldiers to arrive. Col. Marcellus Douglas in command of the Georgian brigade was killed. John Bell Hood's Texans were waiting at the Dunker Church so that they could eat for the first time in 3 days, but got called out to await the approaching Union soldiers. Till all was said and done, the 1st TX lost 82% of their men in this battle.
At stop # 7, we see the area where Battery B, 4th US artillery was located. They had a 15-year-old bugler who, when he saw that most of the men were down, took it upon himself to start firing those guns. Johnny Cook, the bugler, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this feat.
Stop #8 takes us to the Miller farm. Daniel Miller owned the land that the Cornfield was on. He left his property prior to the battle and when he returned, the farm was all but destroyed. Mr. Miller was fortunate, he put in a claim to the US government for $1237 and received $995 in return. Most civilians received nothing from the government.
At this point, you return to the parking lot, going through the newly planted North Woods.
I found this walk to be highly emotional. Maybe I know too much about what these men experienced so I could feel it better. Maybe the ghosts of the past are there making sure that we experience what they felt. All I know is that I plan to do this walk again and when I do, I will definitely be looking for the goose bumps and chills that I experienced this time. Hopefully, I will be revisited by the ghosts of the men who fought so long ago on the horrific day in September of 1862.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Destination - Antietam
Well, I made it to Antietam on Tuesday. I left my house at 6am with the hopes of finding Crampton's Gap before I made it to the battlefield (which opened at 8:30). I drove all over Rt. 67 and never found a sign or anything for the gap. This was a huge disappointment for me. But on I went and eventually found myself at the Visitor Center by 8:45. I was shocked at the number of cars in the parking lot at that time....it was about half full.
I went into the VC to pay the fee...for one person, it's $4.oo...for a family its $8.00 and the pass is good for three days. I don't mind paying for admission to a battlefield because I know that the money is going for a good cause. Antietam is so pure that I know that money will be used to help keep the purity of that ground.
I talked to one of the volunteers at the park and he was telling me about the different walking tours and then gave me the brochures on two of them: The Cornfield and The Bloody Lane. So off I went in search of the Cornfield. I learned a lot about the 6th WI and 1st TX on this tour and will talk about that in a later post. The path was 1.6 miles long and went around and through the Cornfield. It took me about an hour to walk it. I stopped along the way to take pictures of flowers and butterflys. I saw two little baby groundhogs at one point. Then on the way back I got some good shots of sheep...who seemed to want their pictures taken.
I then got back into my car and went on the driving tour. The tour takes you through the North Woods, East Woods, Cornfield, West Woods, Sunken Road (Bloody Lane) and Burnsides Bridge. To talk about each stop would cause me to go on forever. For some reason, when I reached Burnside Bridge I got goose bumps. Hmmmmm.
I was also able to take part in a small section of the Bloody Lane tour. But I had to get back to the VC by 1:00 so that I could go on a battlefield tour with a park ranger. I like how they do these tours. We met at the observation room in the VC and the ranger talked to us for about half an hour about the events that led up to the battle. We all went out to our cars and we followed the ranger to the Cornfield. The ranger was a gentleman named Mike Gamble and he was really interesting. He's a retired teacher and you can tell because he can tell a story in an interesting and exciting way. I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. We then moved on to the Sunken Road. Again the story of the events were explained to us in a very thorough and interesting way. The third stop was at Burnside Bridge. The day was getting very long and I had an hour+ drive home, so I never made it to that part of the tour.
Now, there were three things that I was looking for information on and here is what I found out about each:
1) 6th Wisconsin: They fought in the Cornfield. They came from the north heading south. This particular regiment in the Iron Brigade actually fought along side the Hagerstown Pike. They fought against William Starke.
2) Winfield Scott Hancock: He fought at the Sunken Road. When Richardson was killed, Hancock took over. He was told to hold his men at the Sunken Road. So he really didn't do too much at this battle.
3) 98th Pennsylvania: They moved all over Pleasant Valley. Not sure what was really happening there, but there seemed to be a lot of confusion with their commander Darius Couch. I was able to locate Pleasant Valley. Rt. 67 runs right through the Valley. As I drove through the area, I kept wondering if I was at the same location that my great great grandfather, Peter Stroup, was at 146 1/2 years ago.
Overall, I had a great day and can't wait to head back down!
I went into the VC to pay the fee...for one person, it's $4.oo...for a family its $8.00 and the pass is good for three days. I don't mind paying for admission to a battlefield because I know that the money is going for a good cause. Antietam is so pure that I know that money will be used to help keep the purity of that ground.
I talked to one of the volunteers at the park and he was telling me about the different walking tours and then gave me the brochures on two of them: The Cornfield and The Bloody Lane. So off I went in search of the Cornfield. I learned a lot about the 6th WI and 1st TX on this tour and will talk about that in a later post. The path was 1.6 miles long and went around and through the Cornfield. It took me about an hour to walk it. I stopped along the way to take pictures of flowers and butterflys. I saw two little baby groundhogs at one point. Then on the way back I got some good shots of sheep...who seemed to want their pictures taken.
I then got back into my car and went on the driving tour. The tour takes you through the North Woods, East Woods, Cornfield, West Woods, Sunken Road (Bloody Lane) and Burnsides Bridge. To talk about each stop would cause me to go on forever. For some reason, when I reached Burnside Bridge I got goose bumps. Hmmmmm.
I was also able to take part in a small section of the Bloody Lane tour. But I had to get back to the VC by 1:00 so that I could go on a battlefield tour with a park ranger. I like how they do these tours. We met at the observation room in the VC and the ranger talked to us for about half an hour about the events that led up to the battle. We all went out to our cars and we followed the ranger to the Cornfield. The ranger was a gentleman named Mike Gamble and he was really interesting. He's a retired teacher and you can tell because he can tell a story in an interesting and exciting way. I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. We then moved on to the Sunken Road. Again the story of the events were explained to us in a very thorough and interesting way. The third stop was at Burnside Bridge. The day was getting very long and I had an hour+ drive home, so I never made it to that part of the tour.
Now, there were three things that I was looking for information on and here is what I found out about each:
1) 6th Wisconsin: They fought in the Cornfield. They came from the north heading south. This particular regiment in the Iron Brigade actually fought along side the Hagerstown Pike. They fought against William Starke.
2) Winfield Scott Hancock: He fought at the Sunken Road. When Richardson was killed, Hancock took over. He was told to hold his men at the Sunken Road. So he really didn't do too much at this battle.
3) 98th Pennsylvania: They moved all over Pleasant Valley. Not sure what was really happening there, but there seemed to be a lot of confusion with their commander Darius Couch. I was able to locate Pleasant Valley. Rt. 67 runs right through the Valley. As I drove through the area, I kept wondering if I was at the same location that my great great grandfather, Peter Stroup, was at 146 1/2 years ago.
Overall, I had a great day and can't wait to head back down!
Monday, May 11, 2009
My anticipated trip to Antietam
I decided last week that it was time to take another trip down to Antietam. The day that I had decided to go was a horrible day for it.....it had rained for about a week straight....and I figured that I should put off my trip for a few days. So, after checking the weather and my work schedule, I decided to go on Tuesday May 12, 2009. Its supposed to be sunny and in the high 60's. Perfect weather for a battlefield stomp.
In anticipation for my trip (hmmm....its only an hour from here, so is it considered a "trip"???) I started going through my books and on the internet, looking for maps and information on the Battle of Antietam. There are three things that I am most interested in finding information on:
1) Winfield Scott Hancock. Hancock is my hero of the Civil War....as such, I look for all things Hancock. I know that he was at Antietam. He fought at the Sunken Road. But I need to know more.
2) 98th Pennsylvania. My great great grandfather fought in the 98th PA and I like to find the areas in which he fought battles. However, I don't think I'm going to find out too much about him at Antietam - he was with Darius Couch, who seemed to have gotten lost and just moved his men back and forth through Pleasant Valley. I need to find out more about this.
3) 6th Wisconsin. For some reason, I have become obsessed with the 6th WI and Rufus Dawes. He has written a wonderful book (Service with the 6th Wisconsin) that details so much of his life throughout the Civil War. This is a book that I HIGHLY recommend to anyone with a passing interest in the life of a Civil War soldier. I know that they fought in Miller's Cornfield, where some of the most intense fighting took place. One of my goals for this trip is to locate more of the areas where the 6th Wisconsin fought.
I'm looking forward to my trip to Antietam. Today, I will go over all my maps....making copies and putting them together in a folder so that when I arrive tomorrow everything will be ready to go. I need to get more batteries for my camera and then will log my trip in pictures. I know that there are walking tours of the Cornfield and the Sunken Road and plan to do both of those. Plus there are quite a few other paths that can be taken. Depending on how much time I have, I will do as many as I possibly can. I've never been to Antietam in the spring and am looking forward to seeing what it looks like at this time of year.
While I'm down in the Sharpsburg area, I also plan to hit the Crampton's Gap and Turner's Gap areas. I've never gone looking for them or even know what might be marked and what might not be marked, but I will go looking. This should be an exciting trip!
In anticipation for my trip (hmmm....its only an hour from here, so is it considered a "trip"???) I started going through my books and on the internet, looking for maps and information on the Battle of Antietam. There are three things that I am most interested in finding information on:
1) Winfield Scott Hancock. Hancock is my hero of the Civil War....as such, I look for all things Hancock. I know that he was at Antietam. He fought at the Sunken Road. But I need to know more.
2) 98th Pennsylvania. My great great grandfather fought in the 98th PA and I like to find the areas in which he fought battles. However, I don't think I'm going to find out too much about him at Antietam - he was with Darius Couch, who seemed to have gotten lost and just moved his men back and forth through Pleasant Valley. I need to find out more about this.
3) 6th Wisconsin. For some reason, I have become obsessed with the 6th WI and Rufus Dawes. He has written a wonderful book (Service with the 6th Wisconsin) that details so much of his life throughout the Civil War. This is a book that I HIGHLY recommend to anyone with a passing interest in the life of a Civil War soldier. I know that they fought in Miller's Cornfield, where some of the most intense fighting took place. One of my goals for this trip is to locate more of the areas where the 6th Wisconsin fought.
I'm looking forward to my trip to Antietam. Today, I will go over all my maps....making copies and putting them together in a folder so that when I arrive tomorrow everything will be ready to go. I need to get more batteries for my camera and then will log my trip in pictures. I know that there are walking tours of the Cornfield and the Sunken Road and plan to do both of those. Plus there are quite a few other paths that can be taken. Depending on how much time I have, I will do as many as I possibly can. I've never been to Antietam in the spring and am looking forward to seeing what it looks like at this time of year.
While I'm down in the Sharpsburg area, I also plan to hit the Crampton's Gap and Turner's Gap areas. I've never gone looking for them or even know what might be marked and what might not be marked, but I will go looking. This should be an exciting trip!
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