Civil War Battlefields



 Thursday May 12th

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Today we visited 2 big battlefields. The first was Harper's Ferry. We started at the Visitor Center. These panels tell what happened during the attack on Bolivar Hill. 




Harper's Ferry was at the confluence of two big rivers, the Shenandoah & the Potomac.
Both sides wanted control of these rivers.

George Washington put an armory here. Robert Harper started a ferry here across the Potomac in 1747. This was a big railroad hub.

Factories from the early 1800's  fueled the Industrial Revolution.

We were pleasantly surprised that a shuttle bus took us down to the old town, or what's left of it.



Provost Marshal's Office







The confluence of the rivers.



John Brown an abolitionist struck a blow against slavery. In October 1859 John Brown & several others seized the armory & several other places. The raid failed with most of the men being killed or captured. He was jailed & executed, but brought a lot of attention to the slavery issue. This is where they made their last stand.


A few pics around the site of the battle.






The battle was terrible. Stonewall Jackson placed troops on all 3 sides. On the 15th of Sept. they set a terrible barrage on the town 
The Union troops surrendered to Jackson.

We had a nice picnic lunch at the Visitor Center (outside again!)

Next up was Antietem (Sharpsburg) This was set up as an auto tour.

General Lee wanted a foothold in Maryland & on Sept 15, 1862, the Confederate troops were divided between Harper's Ferry  & Hagerstown Maryland.  Sept 17th caused a very bloody battle. Without a significant win Lee's troops left & the Union held on.

Also because of the war, Sharpsburg was struck by severe disease from the soldiers.
3500 were buried in farm fields.

Clara Barton brought bandages, lanterns & food & would later found the Red Cross in 1881. Hospitals were set up in barns, churches & homes to care for 17,000 wounded soldiers.

Just weeks before this battle, Dr. Jonathan Letterman set up an ambulance corps to evacuate the wounded & also put "triage" in place.

This church they called the Dunkers church
because this German sect believed in baptism by immersion. The people took cover in the church & in basements & wherever they could hide. Pardon my finger.

These 3 monuments are to different regiments that fought here.






This field is where a battle took place. Many fields were torn up because of the battles or where the dead are buried.




More monuments.


Another area where they fought.

The Antietem National Cemetery.



It was a beautiful place. How heartbreaking to have so much destroyed & so many lives lost!!
We came to our campsite near Gettysburg, because tomorrow we are doing that. Steve wanted to see it, so we are dedicating the whole day. (yay!) Sorry girls!!

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