To Antietam

[Dusty]

Tomorrow here in south central Pennsylvania and in the Sharpsburg area of Maryland, the temperature is to be around 81* with low humidity, so I am planning my first visit to Sharpsburg and Antietam National Battlefield. We want to try to drive down to Shepherdstown also, time permitting. I understand that it is only about four miles from Sharpsburg. Since moving to Chambersburg from the Lehigh Valley in Pa. four years ago, I have been over to Gettysburg quite often and also to Harpers Ferry while my wife was at the casino in Charles Town, but we have never made the 50 minute trip to Antietam even though I have passed the exit for it off route 81 while on the way to Charles Town West Virginia, quite a few times. I looked up their web site and have spoken to an individual at the visitors center to get some of the particulars, as well as reading remarks about the battlefield from members here. From what I have gathered, it seems as though the battlefield is extremely well preserved and that the visitors center and museum is a great experience as is the one in Gettysburg. Some have even said that they prefer it to Gettysburg. And from speaking to the individual there, it appears that the town of Sharpsburg is not commercialized like Gettysburg. A tavern and an ice cream shop but not many little shops. That is fine with me. So, we will get up and go get breakfast at a local diner and head down around 9:00 am. Any other comments about the area there will be appreciated.

 

[MHB1862]

@Dusty,
My only bit of advice is to walk the trails. The NPS has created some good ones that are well interpreted. You might also want to stop in the bookstore in the visitors center and pick up some maps to help guide you on your hikes.
Enjoy your first visit. I hope it is one of many to come.

 

[JohnW.]

Have fun and enjoy....walking is absolutely the best way to appreciate Antietam.

 

[TwoSides]

I visited Antietam National Battlefield about ten years ago. I parked at the Visitor Center, watched the movie and then walked the trails in the northern and middle sections, especially the Sunken Road (the Bloody Lane) which was a sobering place to try and absorb. Afterwards, I drove to the southern section and walked the steep trail down to Ambrose's Bridge where I looked up at the hill behind me across the streambed to a Confederate Army location. The records say that's where my CSA ancestor's unit (and he) ended their day. My day was done, too. I know you will have a great visit!

 

[Andrew]

Enjoy your trip. I'd recommend getting the park map and doing the driving tour, which will give you an overview of the whole park and battle. You will find the park to be a much more low-key park than Gettysburg and much less crowded. You are close enough that you can go back often and do more walking and less driving to really get to know the battlefield.

In addition to the ice cream (Nutter's) and the tavern (Captain Bender's) there is a sandwich shop/convenience store, Battlefield Market, right next to the park. Good for picking up snacks, water, etc.

 

[ErnieMac]

Enjoy your trip. Your understandings about the battlefield and surrounding area are spot on. At some point you should take the opportunity to visit the South Mountain battlefields.

 

[Dusty]

Thanks! Yeah, we are no "spring chickens " anymore, so how much walking we will do remains to be seen. But it is to be a pleasant day tomorrow. However, when my wife goes to the shore with her friends in September and it is just me and my Chihuahua for the week, I plan to get down there again. Or, another trip to Gettysburg. She likes the vititors centers and battlefields but not quite as much as I do. She is more into shops at Gettysburg and a Gettysburg Outlet person. lol

 

[Stony]

My family just visited Antietam this spring. We loved it. Enjoy.

 

[Dusty]

Thanks

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

Was just there and it is wonderful and poignant. Go to Burnside Bridge and just stand there for 30 minutes or so watching the beautiful birds dart around and think back on terrible times. There is a big tree at Burnside Bridge which is still going strong and is a witness tree.

Watch out for the park's service pet snake which lives under a monument near the visitor center!

 

[Dusty]

Thank you for the info.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

You're going to love it! Make sure you visit Nutter's Ice Cream (as @Andrew suggested) after your visit to the battlefield. There may be a line, but it is well worth the wait. Also, don't miss the Antietam National Cemetery. Have fun and post some pics!

 

[Andy Cardinal]

I agree with Andrew that it is probably best to do the driving tour first to get an overview. The walking tours are great and, as others have said, the only way to truly understand the battlefield. Each walking tour is an eye opening experience. For example, as much as I had read about the attack on the Sunken Road & visited Bloody Lane, I did not understand it until I walked the trail and up the hill following the footsteps of the 8th Ohio (more or less). Even more eye opening was when my son and I walked down to Snavely's Ford & up the hill to the final attack area. I think these hikes make more sense once you have a feel for the battle.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun!

 

[Eleanor Rose]

By the way @Dusty, if you want to "reward" your wife for her patience at the battlefield, treat her to a nice dinner at Old South Mountain Inn (casual fine dining) or the Bavarian Inn at Sheperdherdstown. There are several dining options at the Bavarian Inn. We really like the less formal one, the casual Rathskeller. Both spots are winners!!!

 

[Bruce Vail]

The driving tour mapped out by the NPS is just great. You can stop anywhere that strikes your fancy, and walk as much, or as little, as you like.

Outside of the park proper is McClellan's HQ, which is worth a stop. Great view of the battlefield plus they have a good Civil War medicine exhibit.

 

[Stony]

Got this pic early on.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

At the corner of the sunken road and bloody lane there is another witness tree. They know from photographs of "then and now." Sometimes there is a volunteer interpreter that hangs out on that corner.

I can't recommend The Inn at South Mountain enough! DH Hill made it his headquarters and the bartender is very nice and can give lots of historical info. I didn't realize the battle of Turner's Gap was just in front of it until he told my niece and I all about it. The Inn was also Daniel Webster's (my home boy) and Henry Clay's favorite resting place. Lots of history there.

Climb up the walking trail of South Mountain and climb the stone monument at the top - inside spiral staircase. The first monument ever to George Washington and built in the 1820s. Was used in the Civil War as a signals tower. The view up there is simply amazing.

 

[Jimklag]

I agree with Andrew that it is probably best to do the driving tour first to get an overview. The walking tours are great and, as others have said, the only way to truly understand the battlefield. Each walking tour is an eye opening experience. For example, as much as I had read about the attack on the Sunken Road & visited Bloody Lane, I did not understand it until I walked the trail and up the hill following the footsteps of the 8th Ohio (more or less). Even more eye opening was when my son and I walked down to Snavely's Ford & up the hill to the final attack area. I think these hikes make more sense once you have a feel for the battle.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun!

Also, if you can, go up in the observation tower at the southern end of the sunken road for a good panorama. Take a good map up there with you for orientation.

 

[MHB1862]

You're going to love it! Make sure you visit Nutter's Ice Cream (as @Andrew suggested) after your visit to the battlefield. There may be a line, but it is well worth the wait. Also, don't miss the Antietam National Cemetery. Have fun and post some pics!

If you have time, walk to the back of the National Cemetery and climb up on the back wall (there are stairs) to get a good appreciation at the macro level of the terrain over which the final assault was made. Well worth the time.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

If you have time, walk to the back of the National Cemetery and climb up on the back wall (there are stairs) to get a good appreciation at the macro level of the terrain over which the final assault was made. Well worth the time.

So glad you added this. You are so right!