Antietam

  Though it's not quite time to start the A-Z challenge, as it begins on April 1, thought I'd do an A posting anyway.  This is a brief look at Antietam.  You could spend hours and hours there, trying to follow how the battle unfolded, reading all the monuments, admiring the beauty of artistic stones, and respecting the brave men.  Antietam was the single bloodiest day in the fighting of The Civil War.  The battle took place on the bank of Antietam Creek, thus the name of the battle.  Though it's near the town of Sharpsburg.  The South refers to it as the battle of Sharpsburg.  Some of these pictures are hard to read (was very sunny the day we were there), the above close up portion is of The 23rd Ohio Infantry Regiment.  This regiment had two men who later became President of the preserved Union, Rutherford B. Hayes, and William McKinley.

 There are a total of 9 Ohio Monuments, honoring The 1st Ohio Light Artillery, The 5th,7th, & 66th Ohio Infantry Regiment, The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment, The 11th Ohio Infantry Regiment, The 12th Ohio Infantry Regiment, The 23rd Ohio Infantry Regiment, The 28th Ohio Infantry Regiment, The 30th Ohio Infantry Regiment, and The 36th Ohio Infantry Regiment.

  The Ohio monuments were all dedicated in 1903.  Ten states have monuments to their dead: Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Ohio.  This was the first battle fought on Union soil.  The battle strategically was considered a victory for The North, but tactically was considered a draw.

The number known to have been killed were 2,108 for the North and 1,546 for the South (3,654 total); wounded numbers were staggering for sides 9,540 for the North and 7,752 for the south (17,292 total).  Add to that the number captured and or missing, 753 for the North and 1,018 for the South (1,771 total).
*****22,717 killed, wounded, captured, and or missing in 1 single battle*********
A horrible loss for our country.

The battlefield is something everyone should put on their list of things to see.  While we can't truly absorb it all, it is worth the try.

Pop in, Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Travel, remembering and honoring.

This isn't a current flag, it's hoisted and proudly flown at Fort McHenry in Maryland. I took this photo a few years ago, while hubby and I were touring. Look at the size of this flag. I wanted to share it with you today, July 4th as we celebrate our Nations Birthday. It's a day to be proud, a day to remember how we got here, who's sacrificed for us.

Sadly, many of those who did serve and protect us, who fought for our freedoms probably aren't celebrating today, not with a family picnic and fireworks. Why? Because they are homeless! They live hand to mouth, out in the elements, in unsafe conditions, wondering in some cases if they'll make it through the night. Wondering if they'll ever be dry and warm again. Yes, it's summer across the country and they currently are going to freeze at night; but the warmer months pass all too quickly. Soon, they'll be huddled against the wind, the rain, the snow and sleet.

Accordingly to The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans 1/3 of all adult homeless people are Veterans. Half those homeless Veterans served during the difficult Vietnam Years. While the bulk of homeless Veterans are male, about 5% are female, and that number is rising with more females in the service of our country. Most homeless Veterans are single, and live in an urban area. Many have health issues, be they mental illnesses, alcoholism and or drugs; or a combination thereof.

As you celebrate with a good meal and fun times with your loved ones today, make a commitment. A commitment to make something for the homeless. Making one thing can be HUGE. Knit or crochet and make a difference. Make a hat, a scarf, a pair of slippers, a pair of mittens, a cotton washcloth, or a square. They've given so much, let's say Thank You and serve others through our yarn.

**This is repost from my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond. Please let me know if you can help. Doing so, is one way to show your patriotism**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!

Adding this for your enjoyment

Ryans Daughter, Baltimore Maryland

Ryan's Daughter. Known as a neighborhood restaurant this classic Irish Pub is one you must put on your list of places to visit, eat and enjoy while touring Baltimore, Maryland. It's located at 600 E. Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21212. Hours are: Monday through Sat 11 am til 2 am. They serve Sunday Brunch startingf at 10:30 am, except for special Sundays like Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc. On those special days they open earlier and have a special menu.
Doesn't it look cozy, inviting? They have snug's, and open areas. Whatever is your preference.
We had been working, cleaning and moving when we had to stop for a late breakfast. It was tasty!
The menu is varied whether you're there for a quick lunch, a snack, happy hour, or dinner. Happy hour specials run from 3 pm to 6 pm daily and include both drinks and food. For traditional Irish Music don't miss Friday and Sat evenings from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. This comfortable, fun Irish Pub also caters. This picture shows one of the sectioned areas which would work well for a group.

My daughter spent lots of time here during her 2 years in Baltimore and she always loved it. The music, and the food, and the service...all good. Put this on your list and enjoy!

**This is my R post for the Z-A Challenge
V = Vintage post Here
U= Urbana post Here

Antietam National Park, Maryland

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.

 

 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.

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.

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.

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.