Antietam Battlefield

Our first stop on the U.S History portion of the trip was the site of the bloodiest one-day battle of the entire Civil War.  Being there was so good for us in realizing the reality of war, and history in general.

The structures, fences and artwork were amazing, but the photos and sketches that were made during and just after the battle are what hit us the deepest.

There were drawings by a sketch artist who traveled with one of the regiments.  This one is of a tree (much smaller than it is today) that we were able to walk over and stand next to for a family picture.  Interacting on that bridge, and next to that tree made history come to life! 

The clothing changed, the bridge had to be rebuilt, the National Park Service information kiosks weren't there on September 17, 1862- but that tree still stands- and we were there to touch it!









*Cliff Clavin little known fact: The bridge in the drawings/pictures above, is called Burnside's Bridge.  It's named for General Ambrose Burnside- a Union General who had unique facial hair...and why we use the word sideburns today! (you can see him in the drawing if you look closely)