I have always wanted to know more about the Civil War. It was such an important part of our history, and it always seemed there should have been a way to solve or differences without a civil war.
Visiting my brother-in-law near Hagerstown, Maryland one day he said, “Let’s visit the Antietam Battlefield today.” I didn’t realize it was just a few miles away. They live in such a historic part of our country. A few miles from the Potomac, General Hagger Park, his Mansion and Museum, and historic towns like Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg. General Haggar’s house is unique because a creek runs through It.
Out in the country the roads are very narrow with stone walls on the edge of the road. There are blind intersections with huge stone houses built nearly up against the road. The battlefield is a National Park, and is quite large. Beautiful drives with statues from each state in the Union.
The battle lasted only one day and was the bloodiest ever. 23,000 young men in their prime killed, and probably that many wounded. The army’s came from both sides of Antietam Creek and fought on the plain, Miller’s cornfield and West’s woods. The battle took place on September 17th,1862. So much for beautiful corn fields that were ready you harvest.
One thing of interest, there was a Dunkerd Church smack dab in the middle of the battle field. So much for the Dunkerd Church. There were three large Stone Bridges to cross the creek. With cliffs on both sides, and deep flowing water, it was nearly impossible to cross anyplace else. The Confederate troops were on the high side but were outnumbered 2 to 1. ( 87,000 to 38,000 ) the Union Army didn’t even use all of their subs.
An important part was “The Sunken Road,” which was a farmer’s lane that had been worn down several feet over the years. At the end their were layers of bodies in the shallow trench. Today there is a tower at the end of “The Sunken Road,” where you can get a great view of the entire countryside. People talk of rifle balls still Lodged in trees. An important happening in the war, was that General Lee’s battle plans were found by two Northern soldiers, simply lying on the ground.
The battle took place early in the war, and was in Union Territory. The South invaded the North early in the War, had some early victories, and it seemed that the South might win. The South had left a path of destruction. They had burned down towns and we’re heading for Washington DC, in an attempt to cripple our government. They came to Hagerstown demanding, $200,000. The town quickly assembled at the courthouse, bringing much needed clothes, food, and supplies, The Confederate Army left without harming them.
Who won the battle. . . it was a draw. Lincoln claimed victory, and used this to introduce the Emancipation Proclamation, five days later. This battle probably kept the British and French from entering the war on the side of the South. Which they had planned, and the South was expecting their help. Lincoln fired McClellan for not pursuing the Southern Army. He said, “”He had a bad case of “The Slows.””
That beautiful country church has been completely restored, courtesy of the Federal Government. It had simple benches, but at least they had backs.
The clincher was that the people of the Dunkard Church were pacifists. They were non combatant. One of only four denominations I have ever heard, that didn’t fight in the military. However some of them believed in serving as medics. They would have lost everything anyway, it wouldn’t have mattered which side they chose. The Dunkard Church is now the Church of the Brethren, which as many denominations are declining in our country. Church attendance is becoming less as we have seen it in Europe, with churches which are empty on Sunday.
Today is a big football day, and it is hard to see, how people get so wrapped up in a game. Still it’s fun watching 60,000 people sit out in the rain, and 37°. Perhaps our churches need a dose of enthusiasm. For any business or institution to survive you must have young people, that are willing to step in and continue the cause. Do we have successful programs to keep the youth involved?
—James Neuhouser
