Antietem Re-enactment

The Confederate Army prepares to charge.


A couple of weeks ago Arik, Julia, and I went back in time to September 17, 1862 to Maryland to witness the Civil War battle at Antietem. OK, it was a re-enactment in Huntington Beach. But the 10 pounder canons and ear splitting cracks from 50 caliber rifles were very real and provided a good feeling for the terror and bravery and blood that mixed together on that terrible day. More men were killed or wounded there than on any other single day of the war, over 23,000. Robert E. Lee was there with 40,000 of his troops from the South. Against these were pitted about 87,000 Federal Army troops under the command of Union General George B. McClellen. Although neither side could claim a decisive victory, Lee failed to carry the war effectively into the North which caused Great Britian to postpone recognition of the Confederate government. Shortly thereafter, on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in States still in rebellion against the United States.


Here are just a few of the scenes we saw...



Grim Countenance



The aftermath of a battle field amputation.



The North prepares to attack.



The South brings up its heavy weapons.



The South takes casualties.



A Union Encampment.



Rifles at the ready.



Arik and Julia visit with the troops.