Soldiers and wagons crossing the Antietam Bridge, 1862
The Battle of Antietam, fought in Maryland’s farmlands on Sept. 17, 1862, proved to be one of the Civil War’s decisive conflicts. Encouraged by his Bull Run victory, Gen. Robert E. Lee advanced to nearby Sharpsburg in the hope of positioning his troops for a dash into Pennsylvania, only to be bested by the Union Army. The battle was the bloodiest of the war, with each side losing three generals and total losses of more than 23,000 men.
Civil War historians Ed Bearss and Gregg Clemmer conduct this tour of the Antietam Battlefield area. Stops include battle sites at the Dunkard Church, North Woods, Miller’s Cornfield, Burnside Bridge, and the national cemetery where 5,000 Union soldiers are buried.
Lunch is served at the Old South Mountain Inn in Boonsboro.
Fringe stop at about 8:30 a.m.
Dress for battlefield walks.
