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 Bretheran.
Map 2: Antietam National Battlefield with major landmarks
The Union forces were able to hold Lee's Army of Northern Virginia back, but McClellan was unable to hold Lee back enough to destroy his army. Instead, the battle was inconclusive, and eventually led to McClellan's dismissal by Abraham Lincoln. Following the battle, Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves from any rebel states.
We then went to Monocacy Battlefield, where Confederate Lt. General Jubal Early defeated Union forces who were under Maj. Gen. Wallace. In the Shenandoah Valley campaign, Early's forces attempted to divert Union from Robert E. Lee's army in Petersburg, which was under siege. Union troops retreated, and Confederate soldiers were heading towards the weakly fortified Washington D.C., whose attention was on Petersburg. Monocacy slowed down Early, which led to an unsuccessful Battle of Fort Stevens for the Confederacy. The Union lost the battle of Monocacy, but eventually won the war.
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 Bretheran.
Map 1: Antietam in relation to East Coast landmarks
Map 2: Antietam National Battlefield with major landmarks
The Union forces were able to hold Lee's Army of Northern Virginia back, but McClellan was unable to hold Lee back enough to destroy his army. Instead, the battle was inconclusive, and eventually led to McClellan's dismissal by Abraham Lincoln. Following the battle, Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves from any rebel states.
Dunker Church
View from Observation Tower (quite the climb!)
This was the "Sunken Road" (really sunken--quite deep). This is where over 5,500 soldiers lay dead or wounded. Described by a Confederate soldier in the 3rd Alabama Infantry as "Heaps upon heaps were there in death's embrace"
Here, we have the "Burnside Bridge". This is where Gen. Ambrose Burnside's 9th Corps was held out by Confederate Gen. Toombs with around 500 Georgia soldiers. Additional support by Gen. Rodman flanking from other side eventually led to Burnside capturing this bridge. By the way, this is Burnside:
(That's where the term "Side-Burns" came about)
The final battle sealed Antietam's fate as the bloodiest battle for American soldiers, with more than 22,000 dead, wounded or missing.
We then went to Monocacy Battlefield, where Confederate Lt. General Jubal Early defeated Union forces who were under Maj. Gen. Wallace. In the Shenandoah Valley campaign, Early's forces attempted to divert Union from Robert E. Lee's army in Petersburg, which was under siege. Union troops retreated, and Confederate soldiers were heading towards the weakly fortified Washington D.C., whose attention was on Petersburg. Monocacy slowed down Early, which led to an unsuccessful Battle of Fort Stevens for the Confederacy. The Union lost the battle of Monocacy, but eventually won the war.
The National Park Service has always been special to both AB and me. Check out www.nps.gov for all the sites they maintain. The National Park Service Passport program is really cool too. You can get "cancellation stamps" which are unique stamps with the dates you visited the park. Almost like a ready made checklist. There are hundreds of sites available. We'll be writing about the program periodically here, so don't miss it!
It was also truly a privilege to pay respects to the fallen on this Memorial Day. We cannot express our gratitude for all members of the armed forces who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
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