Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Antietam: Connecticut Day on Saturday

Top photo: 11th Connecticut veterans gather in front of the Roulette farmhouse during
 their 1894 visit to Antietam. Below: Roulette farmhouse today. (Top photo: Courtesy Tad Sattler)
On Saturday morning in Sharpsburg, Md., two busloads of folks from Connecticut will begin their tour of Antietam at the railroad station where veterans began their visit to the battlefield in October 1894. The first Connecticut Day at Antietam since those veterans visited the field promises to be a special -- and moving --  event. During their trip to Antietam 118 years ago,  the old soldiers dedicated monuments to the 8th, 11th, 14th and 16th Connecticut regiments and toured the field where many of their friends were killed 32 years earlier. Among many other activities, this new generation of  visitors will honor soldiers from Connecticut who fought at Antietam at a ceremony at the national cemetery in Sharpsburg, just up Main Street from the church where wounded soldiers from the state were treated after the battle. Beginning Thursday, I will be in Sharpsburg too, blogging on what should be a terrific 3 1/2 days in one of my favorite places.
"Old Simon" stands watch at Antietam National Cemetery.

2 comments:

  1. John, I hope I run into you at Antietam. I have some great CT at Antietam photos that I know you would appreciate. Among others I have a stereoview of the CT section of the cemetery with the temporary wooden markers.

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  2. Stephen: I will be at visitors' center on saturday morning. I am really looking forward to this trip. would love to see the conn. stuff that you have!

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