Sharpsburg
The Wall
Texas BBQ
Fairfield

Sharpsburg ~ We all loaded up on a bus anticipating a quick ride to Sharpsburg and spend the day there under the tutelage of Wayne Wachsmuth LBG examining the ground. The ground drives the battle. I had been to Antitam National Battlefield before on a rainy Tuesday with the field to myself so I was interested in walking the ground with this group.
Gen Longstreet celebrates his birthday the night before.	Dscf0001.jpg	Wayne Wachsmuth		DSCF0005.JPG
Bus was delayed in detours and traffic and our friends meeting us there waited for two hours. One, from Canada finds it shorter to get to GB via Sharpsburg. I still don't get that Mitch! On arrival it was good to stretch legs and start looking around. Col. Watshsmuth us gave a vivid description of the battle as it unfolded.
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DSCF0012.JPG	DSCF0013.JPG	The Cornfield.
The Cornfield in the Northernmost part of the field was the opening battle. Very flat and surrounded by woods on three sides with tall corn standing in September 17, 1862. After the battle no corn was standing.. The Battle of Sharpsburg at Antietam National Battlefield saw more men killed or wounded than on any other day of the war.
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Fighting moved to the south and bitter fighting raged for four hours around a sunken road. There was an oppressive saddness here for me and I only reluctantly went into Bloody Lane.
The Bloody Lane looking uphill toward the observation tower.		To the North an open field except for a deep depression 75 yards out.	DSCF0029.JPG	Atop the knoll to the South.
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JHA made some photographs of a monument the way it is supposed to look, a rich brown color. Wayne explained it is the result of proper care. Monuments are now cleaned and coated with wax which protects them from turning black or green. The treated ones are very attractive. .
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Gen Ambrose Burnside had been trying all day to cross the Antietam Creek at the Lower Bridge. It was defended by 400 Georgians dug in on the high sloping ground. The Federals finally broke through and advanced nearly to Sharpsburg until A P Hill arrived from Harper's Ferry and forced them back to the brigde ending the fighting for the day.
DSCF0044.JPG	DSCF0045.JPG	DSCF0046.JPG	A big ol' bug on the bridge. Hey, I photograph everything It was about four inches long. Know what it is?	DSCF0048.JPG
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Little Roundtop sunset is a tradition in the camp. We had a good sized crowd around us and were photographed by "Blue and Gold" Mmagazine.
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Next day JHA, John Hitchkiker (no that's not his real name and he wouldn't tell us what it was, but that's another story found elswhere) and I spent time touring and searching out little known monuments.
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Working the Top that night we were accompanied by lovely ladies. Thanks to Harrison for taking some pictures.
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Next day preparations for the Texas BBQ started early.
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DSCF0112.JPG	The SWSNBN Gambit.
No photographs of The Wall Ceremony on this camera. There was a moving memorial after at the Armistead Monument
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As we formed and introduced ourselves at the Virginia Monument I was thinking of a year earlier. How I was worried about the heaat and the heavy clothing on the long walk. Not realizing then how emotional the day would become.
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Next day I gave the lurkermobile a much needed bath and visited Gettysburg Harley Davidson. It is HUGE. Bought some shirts and found out you can rent a softtail for less than 400 a week. hmmmmm... A trip out to Fairfield was in order as this is where "Grumble" Jones was engaged on the third day of the battle. The Jones Brigade not only saved a train, they kept the pass open which was used for the retreat of much of the Confederate army. I took panoramic shots in two locations and while I will probably never have time to stitch them together they do serve their purpose as a reminder of the ground here. And the ground drives the battle. I was disappointed in the marker (pulled weeds while I was there) and the lack of a place to park.
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© 2003 Mike Warren all rights reserved