Touring Antietam?

[trice]

I am heading out to a group tour of Antietam led by Tom Clemens next week, 2+ days, probably ending at Sheperdstown on Sunday.

I haven't been on a tour at Antietam since the 1990s (also led by Tom Clemens). I am sure he will do an even better job than he did 20+ years back, but does anyone have a suggestion for something I should check out on my own time that he might not be able to include with a large group on a bus tour?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[George Thomas]

I am heading out to a group tour of Antietam led by Tom Clemens next week, 2+ days, probably ending at Sheperdstown on Sunday.

I haven't been on a tour at Antietam since the 1990s (also led by Tom Clemens). I am sure he will do an even better job than he did 20+ years back, but does anyone have a suggestion for something I should check out on my own time that he might not be able to include with a large group on a bus tour?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

If you have time, there is a wonderful assortment of hiking trails at Antietam that take you off the beaten path a little bit.

https://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

Here is a view along the Bloody Lane trail, following the Union advance uphill from the low ground around the Roulette Farm towards the Sunken Road, which is over the crest of the hill in the distance.

You might also consider a short drive over to Fox's Gap and/or Turner's Gap at South Mountain. Those sites gave me a whole new perspective on the lead up to Antietam. At Fox's Gap you can see the Reno monument and take a short walk into the woods to see the wonderful North Carolina monument.

Have a great tour!

 

[trice]

Thanks! That hiking trail looks nice. I have been up to the gaps on South Mountain (but it was 20 years back, it was March, and there was one Hell of a wind -- I suspect a revisit would be worthwhile). I will have to see how much extra time I can negotiate with the wife.

Our itinerary looks like this:
FRIDAY (May 3):
Board Bus at 7:45 a.m.
Bus departs hotel at: 8:00 a.m.
8:30 am Arrive at Best Farm, Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor's Center; we'll cover the arrival in Maryland and campaign through Lee's departure and McClellan's arrival; discussion of the fateful Special Orders 191.
Approx. 9:30 a.m. — Depart for Harpers Ferry. We'll cover the siege and capture, Bolivar Heights, Schoolhouse Ridge, the cavalry escape, and Maryland Heights.
11:00 a.m. — Depart for Crampton's Gap, cover Franklin's march and approach, drive by Brownsville Pass. Burkitsville, Gathland.
Stop for lunch [provided]
Approx. 1:00 p.m. — Depart for Turner's Gap, stop at Mountain House. First Corps attack.
Approx. 1:45 p.m. — Walk to Fox's Gap — Ninth Corps attack
4:00 p.m. — Bus picks up the group at Fox's Gap; Drive through Keedysville to Pry House overlook
5:00 p.m. — Day One tour concludes, return to hotel.


SATURDAY (May 4):
Board Bus at 7:45 a.m.
Bus departs hotel at: 8:00 a.m.
8:30 a.m. — Overview from Visitor Center at Antietam National Battlefield.
Poffenberger Woods fight (September 16)
North Woods
Cornfield and East Woods
West Woods
Lunch on the field [provided]
Mumma and Roulette farms
Sunken Road
Middle Bridge
Burnside Bridge and Ninth Corps Attack
Shepherdstown Ford (if time allows)
Day Two tour concludes, return to hotel.

Optional Sunday AM visit to Shepherdstown battle site (Boteler's Ford) as everyone takes off.

 

[ErnieMac]

I've attached a link to a pdf that gives a brief description of the hiking trails available at Antietam along with a map showing their locations. I've hiked West Woods, Bloody Lane and part of Snavely's Ford; they weren't difficult.
https://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/upload/Hiking-2011.pdf

 

[trice]

I've attached a link to a pdf that gives a brief description of the hiking trails available at Antietam along with a map showing their locations. I've hiked West Woods, Bloody Lane and part of Snavely's Ford; they weren't difficult.
https://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/upload/Hiking-2011.pdf

Thanks!

 

[Wesley P Ellington]

8:30 am Arrive at Best Farm, Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor's Center

If you're going to be near Frederick, you could visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. I've never been there, so I can't tell you anything about it, but here is its website:

http://www.civilwarmed.org/

 

[Wesley P Ellington]

The only problem with the Snavely Ford trail is that Snavely's Ford isn't on the trail! It's nice though because it's mostly through the woods and runs along the edge of the creek for about a mile. There are benches along the way, if I remember correctly.

My favorite is the Final Attack Trail, but it has a number of (important) hills to climb, so it can be tiring. Only one bench, I think.

 

[Andy Cardinal]

I've finally completed all the trails. They're all really good and I don't believe you can fully understand the battle without hiking the trails.

My own opinion.... The final attack trail is probably the most difficult but also the most important as I believe this is the most overlooked part of the battle. You really get a sense that advancing from Burnside's Bridge to Sharpsburg was not as easy as it looks on a map. I truly enjoyed following the path of the 9th New York, for example, and gained a new appreciation for what they did.

Similar in my mind is the Sunken Road trail. It's a whole different perspective to approach Bloody Lane from the Union perspective.

I think if I could recommend only 1 (also an easier trail), it would be the West Woods trail. The 125th Pennsylvania and 15th Massachusetts (2 of my favorites) are on this trail -- although you pass by the 15th Massachusetts while driving on the bypass.

​

Another recommendation would be to stop in and visit the National Cemetery.

EDIT: If anyone knows how to fix the orientation of the picture....

 

[Wesley P Ellington]

View attachment 304707

 

[JOHN42768]

Some nice photos

 

[Brian Downey]

I am heading out to a group tour of Antietam led by Tom Clemens next week, 2+ days, probably ending at Sheperdstown on Sunday.

Hi Trice,

I'm in the tour group also. Looking forward to it.

Have you decided on what else you want to see or do? It looks to be a thorough itinerary with plenty of battlefield stomping, but there's always more to see.