Memorial Day Weekend
Today, AB and I went to Antietam and Monocacy National Battlefields. I feel like for the first time, in a long time, I've done something appropriate for Memorial Day. The Battle of Antietam , as you probably already know, is the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. General Robert E. Lee, the famed Confederate General, commanded a decisive victory at Second Battle of Manassas. He then eyed Maryland, because it would be strategic for the Confederacy to win in enemy territory. Meanwhile, in Europe, a Confederate victory would set in motion recognition by the French and the British. Recognition meant that there would be a possibility of a truce, and potentially end the Civil War. For the Union, therefore, this battle became a do-or-die. Major General George B. McClellan was on defense behind Antietam Creek (namesake of this battle) in September of 1862. The fighting mainly was around Dunker Church, which was ironic because that was a church built by pacifist Breth...