Here is a chilling fact we all learned in school, yet don’t often think about, save for history and Civil War buffs: On September 17, 1862, the Battle of Antietam was fought, marking the bloodiest one-day battle in American history. On that day, after 12 hours of brutal combat between Union and Confederate armies, 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or went missing.
Today, 146 years later, many continue to visit the 3,200 -acre site nestled in the rolling terrain outside of Sharpsburg.
The place is the Antietam National Battlefield, and today the Park will be presenting a series of activities to commemorate the anniversary.
“Visitors often make pilgrimages at times of anniversaries,” said Tom Riford of the Hagerstown/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Antietam National Battlefield is the single most visited historic attraction in all of Western Maryland.”
A full day has been set aside for commemorative events involving the park’s staff of 12 rangers. These programs include in-depth, two-mile hikes of the battlefield, several lectures at the Visitor Center, ranger-guided automobile tours through the park and artillery and infantry demonstrations.
“Visitors can arrive anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and get involved in something,” said Stephanie Gray, Antietam Park Ranger.
Gray does caution, however, that there are two types of hiking tours. One is a very specialized, in-depth hike that attracts Civil War buffs, people who are interested in great detail and have specific questions for the ranger. The other is an overview hike, more for first-time visitors, who are interested in a broader aspect of the battle. The self-guided and ranger-guided auto tours are great programs for people with mobility issues.
There are 96 monuments in Antietam, built primarily by veterans of the battle and states to commemorate their sacrifices. They are typically located where the troops, both the Blue and Gray fought. These monuments include regimental, state and individual memorials.
The Visitor Center is a great first stop for brochures and a self-guided map of the field. An on-sight museum and film does charge admission.
During this anniversary weekend, like every day of the year, there is no charge to roam the battlefield, bring a picnic lunch and feel, as Ranger Gray noted, “a real connection to this place.”
“There’s a great opportunity to find silence here, to enjoy this place as an important part of American History,” she said.
If you go:
- What: Antietam National Battlefield and Visitor Center
- Where: 5831 Dunker Church Rd. in Sharpsburg
- Distance: 65 miles from Baltimore, 70 miles from D.C.
- Special events: Today, beginning at 8 a.m.
- Commemorative hikes: Wednesday (7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.)
- Info: 301-432-5125; www.nps.gov/anti
