The below is a modified version of the Boy Scout of America sanctioned trail guide and questionairre mentioned in the previous article. It can be used by non-BSA members for their pleasure if they wish to hike and can be used to learn more about the battle. BSA members must obtain the actual document and patch requirements from the Visitor's Center, where the BSA patch can also be purchased.
Go inside the Antietam Visitor Center and view the film and exhibits. From the film answer these questions: Lincoln visited Antietam to meet with Gen. (1)__________, the man who commanded Union forces during the battle. The Confederate commander was Gen. (2) ___________. The three main landmarks on the battlefield are (3) ____________ from the morning phase, (4) ____________ from the midday phase and (5) ______________ from the afternoon phase.
After Antietam, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, thus freeing the (6) _____________ in states then in rebellion against the Union.
After viewing the museum answer the following questions: The youngest casualty of the war was (7) __________. Henry Kyd Douglas was born (8)__________ miles from the battlefield. Two popular muskets were the (9)_________ and the (10) ___________, while the (11)________________________ was popular with Union Cavalry. The (12) ____________________ ignited the charge loaded in the rifled musket. Two types of projectiles fired from Civil War cannon are (13) ____________________________ and (14) _____________________________. The (15) _______________________ ignites the powder charge in the cannon tube.
After leaving the Visitor Center, go to the flag pole in front of the main entrance. Proceed to the Dunker Church the focal point of the assault by Union forces in the (16) ____________ phase.
Leaving there proceed in a northeasterly direction to the Mansfield Road, at which point you will see a vertical cannon barrel monument dedicated to General (17) ____________________ , who was killed by a Confederate sharpshooter on this spot. Proceed south on the Smoketown Road, through the East Woods to Cornfield Avenue. Go westerly on Cornfield Avenue, but before reaching the Hagerstown Pike stop at the audio station and listen to the message. To the north was (18) _______________________, where Union and Confederate troops battled throughout the early morning, moving back and forth across the battlefield some (19) ____ times. For his service in the section, Johnny Cook, a fifteen year old bugler, became the youngest soldier to receive the (20) _________ ___ ____________.
Next continue west on Cornfield Avenue to the New Jersey State monument at the intersection of Cornfield Avenue and the Hagerstown Pike. Go south on the Hagerstown Pike for 860 feet then west for 440 feet, until you come to a tall monument. This monument was dedicated to those troops from (21) ______________ who died in what is known as the "West Woods Slaughter." Elements of Jackson's Corps killed over 2200 Union troops in 20 minutes of fighting on this ground. Leaving the monument go southwest to the audio station. Listen to the taped message. The vertical cannon monument set in the ground , 200 feet away is dedicated to General (22) _____________, who was killed there.
Proceed south on the Hagerstown Pike to the Smoketown Road, then go east for 1200 feet, until you come to the Mumma farm lane. Proceed southwest along this lane. The farm you pass is the Mumma farm and was burned to the ground by Confederates to prevent its use by Union sharpshooters. The present house was reconstructed after the battle. Following the tour route, just beyond the house where the trace of the old farm lane joins the tour road on the east side there is a marker which states that only the whitewashed (23) ________________ survived the fire and looks today as it did during the battle. Continuing south on the Mumma Farm lane, you will see several cannon to the west. These Parrott rifles mark the position where Tompkins fired in support of French's advance on the Confederate line in the Sunken Road. In (24) ______ hours, Tompkin's batteries fired (25) ______________ rounds. As you continue along Mumma Farm lane, you will pass a large stone monument on your right dedicated to (26) ______________________.
A short distance south of this monument you will come to the Sunken Road. Turn east, passing the Delaware Monument dedicated to the 130th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. It was near this monument that a misunderstood Confederate order resulted in the retreat of Rebel troops across the Sunken Road back to the Piper Farm. Proceed down the Sunken Road until you come to the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Monument. The base of the monument reads: "In this field Ohio's (27)_________________ ____________________________________."
From here follow the lane to the Roulette Farm to the audio station. Southeast of the audio station and on the northern edge of Sunken Lane stands a monument dedicated to the 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Continuing in a southeasterly direction along the Sunken Road, you will note a vertical cannon barrel monument behind the rail fence. This marks the location where General (28) ____________________ was mortally wounded.
In the area where the 2nd Delaware Volunteers Monument now stands; the Union troops under Richardson broke the Confederate line in the Sunken Road. The Confederate soldiers were caught by musket fire while standing on the road over which you have just passed. Their bodies were so thick by the end of the fight that it was said you could walk from one end of the Sunken Road to another and not touch the ground -- hence it was given the name (29) "_______________ Lane."
Proceed to the Observation Tower, which was built in 1896 by the War Department and served as an ideal study area for West Point cadets and military history students. From the top they could study troop movements and field strategy as part of their training. There are (30) _______ steps leading to the top of the tower which is (31) _______ feet high.
At the base of the tower, near the northwest side is yet another vertical cannon barrel. This marks the spot where Gen. (32) _________________ was fatally wounded.
Continue along the tour route, in a southeast direction, to the Boonsboro Pike (SR 34 -- be sure to use caution when crossing the road). At the time of the battle this road was one of the major routes to Sharpsburg. After crossing go through the large farm gate to the east of the tour road, and follow the marked trail. PLEASE DO NOT CROSS THE FIELD! On the ridge, just across Antietam creek, the Union stationed artillery to fire on Sharpsburg. One of Weed's batteries, using a three inch ordnance rifle, shot the front legs off the horse that was carrying General DH Hill across the Piper Farm.
Go south along the west bank of the creek to the country road. Upon reaching the road proceed east across Antietam Creek to a farm gate which is located 330 feet from the bridge. Go through the farm gate to the east bank of the creek, and proceed to the Lower Bridge. Since the battle this bridge has been called (33) __________________ Bridge. It was this bridge that troops from the (34) __________________ and the (35) __________________ finally captured, forcing the Confederates from the high ridge on the west bank of Antietam Creek. It has been said that during this phase of the battle, the road surface of the bridge was covered with so much blood it was difficult to stand. On the east bank, to the north side of the bridge, stands a large (36) _______________ tree, which was there at the time of the battle. Cross over the bridge and go up the trail which leads to the audio station in front of a large monument. This is dedicated to a commissary (37) _______________________ who serve (38) _________________ and (39) _________ during the battle. This man was later to become the 25th President of the United States -- (40)________________________________.
Leaving the monument, follow the tour road in a northwesterly direction, passing the Otto house on your way to Branch Avenue. On top of the hill there are several cannon. These guns represent three Confederate batteries that fired from this vicinity against the men of General (41) ______________________. Continuing southwest along Branch Avenue you will pass the fifth vertical cannon barrel, marking where Gen. (42) _________________ was killed.
Beyond the cannon barrel, Branch Avenue turns west. Continue to follow the tour route to Harper's Ferry Road. Proceed north on this road to the Hawkin's Zouaves Monument. Near here, Gen. (43) _______________ was killed. This is known as the (44) ___________ of the Battle of Antietam. This is where the battle ended late in the afternoon of September 17, 1862. It is also where Lee's forces stopped Burnside's advance and drove him back to Antietam Creek after the timely arrival of A. P. Hill's men.
Return to the Harper's Ferry Road by the same route, then continue north to Sharpsburg. On the southeast corner of Main & Mechanic Streets is the Jacob Grove house. Here Lee held a long conference with Longstreet on the day of the battle. The house was struck many times by shot and shell during the day. All the houses currently standing in Sharpsburg that were standing during the battle are marked with a plaque.
Leaving the square in Sharpsburg, proceed east on Main Street to the National Cemetery. There are (45) ____ historic houses on the south side of Main Street which display the plague. The Kretzer Mansion, 128 East Main Street, served as a refuge for the townspeople during the battle. It was here that the famous "flag incident" took place. The Kretzers were displaying a Union flag at the time of the battle. A Confederate officer ordered the Kretzer family to take down the flag and burn it. Upon returning to see if his order had been carried out, he was told by a daughter that the "flag was in ashes." It was true, but not completely accurate. Rather than destroy the flag, the family had buried it in the ash pile.
At the Antietam National Cemetery are buried (46) __________ Union soldiers, along with (47) ___________ unknowns. The U. S. Soldiers Monument in the center of the cemetery is dedicated to the private soldier. Complete the lines on the monument:
" Not (48) _____________________________ ______________________________________ But (49) ______________________________ ____________________________________"
Standing back to back with the soldier on the monument, proceed on an azimuth of 160 degrees for a distance of 265 feet to the stone wall. Go over the wall and down the steps provided on the other side of the wall. Proceed in an easterly direction to the tour road, and then turn south. The large red house to the east is the (50) ___________________, looks today as it did in September, 1862. After crossing the highway bridge, turn east to the end of the guard rail. Cross over the creek to the country road. You have completed the trail.
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© Copyright 1993 by David W. Tschanz.
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