Antietam?

[Lifeisgood]

How many of you guys and gals have been to Antietam? What did you think of it? My uncle used to be a tour guide there, just recently I went in july.

Thanks

 

[Lifeisgood]

pics

here are some pics

 

[Lifeisgood]

pic

here is a pic of a cannon not sure what kind, need to brush up on my artillary

 

[Lifeisgood]

pic

statue not sure the regiment

 

[JohnW in E.TN]

Haven't made it up there yet, but it's definitely on the list. Nice photos.

Regards,

John W.

 

[ewc]

The artillery piece is a bronze Napoleon, probably a 12- pounder, the most common variety used in the war. The Napoleon is a smooth bore gun; it's greenish tinge is a giveaway of its' copper (in bronze) composition. Napoleons are frequent pieces seen on Civil War battlefields- this one is a beauty.

Was at Antietam a number of years ago, taking my son who was doing a school report on the battle. It is wonderfully maintained, interspersed with sections of private property, also well maintained. After reading for years of this battle, Dunker Church, Miller's Cornfield, Hagerstown Pike, Burnside's Bridge, Bloody Lane, the horrific casualties - what awed and amazed me was the compactness of the field, everything is close by and pretty much visible from where you are. Unlike Gettysburg with its broader spaces, everything at Antietam happened pretty much right underfoot. A beautiful field now left us of what could only have been ugly ugly horrible days.

Haven't been to Shiloh, but I understand it is like that there as well.

 

[ole]

ewc:

Shiloh is at least equally as awesome; however, you can't see diddly from one spot. Actually, you can't see diddly from any spot. You have to go from spot to spot with map in hand to see from which direction who advanced. Much, much broader scale.
Ole

 

[Lifeisgood]

What does a parrot cannon look like compared to a Napoleon?

Thanks

 

[ewc]

Ole- thanks for clearing that up for me. I meant but didn't explain well that Shiloh has the haunting beauty of a dreadful field like Antietam does. I think also that not being able to see anything was one of the problems the soldiers experienced during that battle.

Lifeisgood, also about that Napoleon field gun, it is probably of Union manufacture- note the muzzle swell- the belling of the muzzle mouth which served to reenforce this end of the cannon. Napoleons of Confederate manufacture tended to be straight tubes without the belling.

The Parrott gun is rifled and of cast iron manufacture (the Napoleon is smooth bore and usually bronze), Parrotts are identified easily by being thinnish dark straight tubes (iron is stronger than bronze), with reenforcing iron bands around the breech. These are shrunk onto the cast cannon to help the breech end of the cannon absorb the force of the exploding powder. Napoleons are thicker, greenish, and not quite as long. Worry not, when you see these pieces on the battlefield, you will be able to identify them. ed

And thank you for the great pictures!

 

[RebAl]

I have been fortunate to visit Sharpsburg several times over the years here are a few picture I took on my last visit.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/rebsremembered/Graphics/sharpsburg/map1.htm

 

[JohnW in E.TN]

I have been fortunate to visit Sharpsburg several times over the years here are a few picture I took on my last visit.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/rebsremembered/Graphics/sharpsburg/map1.htm

RebAl, your photos are always awesome.

Regards,

John W.

 

[ewc]

As usual, wonderful pictures RebAl!!

Another point on civil war era cannons that are now found on battlefields, parks, memorials, and such. I noticed this I remember that trip to Antietam, some of these Napoleons are actually 6-pounders with the first foot or so of the bore enlarged to resemble the 12-pounder. Otherwise the 6- & 12-pounders look pretty much the same. Though the 12-pounder was the common field piece of both armies, the 6-pounders saw alot of service, especially in the first years of the war. They were gradually replaced by 12-pounders, so that by Gettysburg, they were gone from the Army of the Potomac. The Confederate Army, by necessity, continued many of their pieces to late in the war, some serving throughout. The use of the 6-pounder to mark artillery emplacements in our battlefield parks was done due to a shortage of available 12-pounders.

Also note that the gun carraiges and wheels are almost all iron and steel in our parks. The original wooden carriages and wheels did not stand weathering over time very well and were largely replaced by lower maintenance ones.

Last note, at least at Gettysburg and Antietam, field pieces that were in service at those battles usually have engravings or plaques on or near the cannon that state its service.

 

[Lifeisgood]

Very nice pics RebAl!

 

[Arioch]

Been there a number of times.

One of my favorite trips was a canoe trip down the creek....and trying to place ourselves from that standpoint.....You definitely know where you are when you get to Burnsides bridge......There was one small waterfall (man made), that we had to get out and lug the canoe around.....Watched a couple gals doing the same thing and struggling mightily to haul their canoe up the bank and around the waterfall......

Being the 'gentlemen' that my buddy and I are, we sincerely offered assistance.....being the women that they were, they just snarled, cursed, and emphatically yelled 'NO!!!".....why do women do that?

We had zero problem moving on at that point.....

 

[kel1985]

Been there a number of times, most recently was the anniversary in Sept. It is everything that Gettysburg isn't...not overly crowded, not a ton of touristy stuff, looks pretty much as it did when the battle was fought. Well worth the time and effort and highly recommended.

 

[Pvt_McIntire]

I'm proud and honored to be on the volunteer staff there and I also serve on Battery B, 4th U.S. Artillery. We do firing demos with the park's Napoleon. It is hands down my favorite battlefield in the Eastern theater (I've not been to any Western theater ones).

 

[kholland]

Have always liked Antietam as it is still relatively pastoral unlike Gettysburg. And its terrain being flat makes it easier to visualize the battle.

 

[Rob9641]

Have always liked Antietam as it is still relatively pastoral unlike Gettysburg. And its terrain being flat makes it easier to visualize the battle.

Flat?????? Are you sure you were at Antietam?

 

[Nathanb1]

Flat?????? Are you sure you were at Antietam?

Hence my note about climbing that hill.

 

[Union_Buff]

I went to Antietam with Prroh and Bonny Blue Flag last year while in America on holiday and it was simply amazing!