Monday, October 19, 2009

Antietam National Park, Maryland

Antietam Natl. Park
There is much to see and do while exploring and learning at Antietam National Park in Maryland. You can tour by car, by walking, on your own or in groups. $4.00 per person, $6.00 per family, $20.00 annual pass is a small fee to pay for those that gave so much. Can you see and learn it all in day, NO! Is it worth going multiple times? YES!

The actual address of the park is Sharpesburg, MD; just 10 miles from Hagerstown and 70 miles from Washington D.C. Think how nervous we would be today if a battle took place just 70 miles from our Nations Capital.

 hillside
 This is farm country, rolling hills green fertile farm land.  This picture gives you a feel for what it must have been like to have a battle going on in your back yard, in your cornfield.  And the importance of the lay of the land, maintaining control over the high ground.  Hold the high ground at all costs.

trenches

These are trenches.  Picture yourself over the wall on the right picking off men easily as they attempt to move up the hill through the only available opening.  This path holds no protection from enemy fire or means of escape.

William McKinley Memorial

This is one of less than 10 individual memorials in the park.  This memorial is that of President William McKinley.  Not a name you might associate with The Civil War.  He was but 18 years old when war broke out.  He quit his job as postal clerk in Poland, Ohio and enlisted as a Private in Co. E. of the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Before the close of his first year in the military, he was promoted to Commissary Sgt.  It was in this post he made a name for himself that fateful day in Antietam.  His fellow Ohioans had been under fire for quite some time, and he knew his fellow Buckeye's were in need of nourishment.  Against all odds and under fire he proceeded to personally deliver hot food and drink to the men.  His first team of oxen were killed, but he continued on.  His bravery and service to these men didn't go unnoticed.  He was then promoted to 2nd Lt.; and by the close of the war had been promoted to Major.  Thirty years after the bloodiest one day battle in American history, (23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, and or missing after 12 hours of battle); he became our President.  He served his country as a 14 year member of Congress, twice elected as Governor of the State of Ohio, and twice elected as our President.  He was assassinated in Buffalo, New York by anarchist Leon Czolosz at the Pan-Am Exposition.  This memorial is beautiful.  Look at the details.  I took several closer shots.
Wm. McKinley Memorial close up

The two faces are of Pvt. and President McKinley.  William McKinley was born Jan. 29, 1848 and died on Sept. 14, 1901.  He was not the only famous Ohioan who served in the 23rd O.V.I, President James A. Garfield did as well.  Sadly, President Garfield was also assassinated in office.  This though is another story; there are many that can be told from a visit to Antietam National Park in Maryland.  I highly recommend this tour for people of all ages.  Children will love to run through the fields, even if they're too young to understand what happened here.  It's beautiful with many opportunities for photo's.  The cannons and the memorials are in abundance.  Some for The Confederacy, some for The Union; some state specific, some for specific companies; and a few for individuals such as President William McKinley.
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17 comments:

  1. it looks wonderful! I'm not much of a Civil War buff, but the middle states there are so beautiful. {:-D

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  2. I think I'd rather vacation at Six Flags but I've never been to either so it's a pretty uninformed opinion.

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  3. Thanks for the history and the information about this national park! It just amazes me that that all happened not all that long ago - history wise that is.

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  4. Oh good grief, I was at Antietam less than two weeks ago, and am working on the blog post right now. Have you been spying on me? (just kidding about the last part)

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  5. lol, Historical...I was there a year ago, just hadn't gotten around to editing pics. I loved it there and do want to go back.

    Hope you too enjoyed it there, will pop over to see your pics as well.

    Sandy

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  6. Yet another very good history lesson. Thank you very much! It is good that you have been able to visit all these historic places a capture the memories on film as well as you mind. Thanks again for the share Sandy.

    Friends 4 Life!

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  7. The Battle of Antietam was part of what is known as the Maryland Campaign of 1862.That's why it is much popular among all. Really great content and pics!
    Home lighting

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  8. I'll have to keep that in mind for next year, Bill always needs a destination to ride to when we ride the trike that would be a nice run of course I'd have to wear my helmet and get an excruciating headache.

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  9. I visited Antietam National Battlefield earlier this year and it was incredible, a place I'll never forget. I'll never forget the monuments or the famous landmarks, or the national cemetery. I want to go back and explore it even more!

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  10. Antietam looks like a neat place to visit. We visited Vicksburg a few years ago and were just amazed by the history!

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  11. this is fascinating. i love the history behind it. i cant imagine what life must have been like back then. kinda scary huh!?

    Tina from
    Mummy Diaries
    Game FreakZ
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    Travel Shack

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  12. Great post, very informative. I think a lot of people will find this very useful. Keep post in coming future as well!

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  13. I love national parks. It's like summing all up history and putting it in one place.

    I like the farm country part. I wish I could visit it someday. Thanks for sharing this.

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  14. We've gone past Antietam a few times and I'd like to stop. We'll have to make it its own trip/adventure, I'm thinking.

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  15. Love the history lesson. Never been here but I'd like to know more...

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  16. Wow Sandy! You sure know your history. Thank you for the lesson. I have never been to Antietam National Park. However, after reading your blog and looking at these photos, it really looks like a nice place to visit. Thanks for sharing.

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