Antietam and Harpers Ferry, Hisory All around Us

 The Cornfield, Bloody Lane, Burnside Bridge, all names familiar to readers of history. The ranger who gave us our introductory talk told of how the Civil War could have ended in 1862 with Lees annihilation at Antietam and how Burnside was too slow developing his attack after taking the bridge. Could it be that simple?
We left the visitor center and walked to Dunken Church, a prominent sight during the battle of Antietam. From there we drove the auto tour reading of the courage and honor of men long dead, The stories and monuments of the cornfield, such sacred ground. The monument to Hood's Texans who suffered 82 percent causalities in their charge but stabilized the Confederates line.

From there we drove to Bloody Lane and walked the lane a bit before climbing the observation tower for a look at the battlefield. It was simply too much to take in trying to imagine the waves of Union troops attacking the position and then to walk among the ghosts of the dead confederates in the lane.

From there we finished our tour by walking down from the heights defended by Georgians, as Burnside threw attack after attack across the bridge that now bears his name. The bridge and the woods seemed so peaceful. A Baltimore oriole sang its song and gave us a good glimpse of his spring plumage. Looking at the Confederates positions across the bridge one wonders how anyone could have had the courage too attack them.
Our history lesson wasn't done as we asked the directions to Harpers Ferry and headed down narrow roads along the Potomac. Arriving at the park we showed our entrance pass, parked, and were quickly on the bus. The recorded history of the Harpers Ferry started its talk and I couldn't hear because the young people behind us were chatting. Using my sternest teachers voice I turned and said, Miss, we are trying to hear the recording would you please be quiet? The twenty something was pissed and snarled back at me but at least she shut up.
Getting off the bus one of her male companions made a comment as to my rudeness  as they passed and Renita remarked at how nicely I asked for them to be quiet. There is no way I could be a campground host as many of our friends do, I have simply used up my patience dealing with rude people.

We walked along the streets of Harpers Ferry. It was cool and the busy summer season hasn't started. There were no people reenacting the early life of the famous city. We stopped and gazed at a daughters of the confederates monument, and the read the verse of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, posted next to it,

Crossing the railroad bridge we took a look at the town and the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. Renta started to sing Oh Shenandoah and we both felt the history of the place. It was a fitting end to a long day of history lessons and we were both tired as we drove back to Winchester and our house. A day well spent. Clear skies