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Posted: 5/18/2020 2:54:26 PM EDT
[#1]
Both
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Posted: 5/18/2020 3:01:16 PM EDT
[#2]
I recommend Antietam and also Harpers Ferry. You need a good amount of time to explore Gettysburg, unless you want to focus on just one aspect of the battle (Culp's Hill, Little Round Top, Pickett's Charge, etc.).
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Posted: 5/18/2020 3:03:22 PM EDT
[#3]
To me Antietam is a manageable size to take in during a single visit. Usually far less crowded too. Make sure to read up on the battle before going to either one. Walking down the Sunken Road/Bloody Lane is a must. And don't miss Burnside's Bridge.
 
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Posted: 5/18/2020 3:04:34 PM EDT
[#4]
Antietam is much more of a preserved battlefield. Way cooler than Gettysburg, imo.
Gettysburg is still worth visiting, tho. |
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Posted: 5/18/2020 3:07:04 PM EDT
[#5]
Both.
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Posted: 5/18/2020 5:40:03 PM EDT
[#6]
Sharpsburg
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Posted: 5/18/2020 5:45:46 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By SanchoPanza: Sharpsburg Yep Antietam |
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Posted: 5/18/2020 5:48:26 PM EDT
[#8]
The biggest wow for me at Gettysburg was visiting Little Round Top. I walked the whole area
I haven't seen Antietam |
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Posted: 5/18/2020 5:55:31 PM EDT
[#9]
Antietam (Sharpsburg) National Battlefield Park by a mile.
Go to Miller's Cornfield and have someone you are with walk 30 steps away. That's how far away they were firing at each other on many occasions that morning, my ancestors included. Of course the area was being raked by artillery fire the whole time too. Then go to the Sunken Road and have the same person walk over the crest of the hill then walk toward you. When their belt buckle is visible that's when the firing started. Then consider when the road was finally flanked and direct fire was poured into the length of the road. It was a slaughterhouse from start to finish. The puck and courage those men exhibited was and still is simply beyond measure. Gettysburg is best experienced in the winter. |
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Posted: 5/18/2020 6:21:08 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 1srelluc: Antietam (Sharpsburg) National Battlefield Park by a mile. Go to Miller's Cornfield and have someone you are with walk 30 steps away. That's how far away they were firing at each other on many occasions that morning, my ancestors included. Of course the area was being raked by artillery fire the whole time too. Then go to the Sunken Road and have the same person walk over the crest of the hill then walk toward you. When their belt buckle is visible that's when the firing started. Then consider when the road was finally flanked and direct fire was poured into the length of the road. It was a slaughterhouse from start to finish. The puck and courage those men exhibited was and still is simply beyond measure. Gettysburg is best experienced in the winter. Thanks! Getting some good advice from folks on here. Antietam it is |
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Posted: 5/18/2020 6:50:52 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CPT_CAVEMAN: Both They're not far from each other. When you look at the topography and remember it was the first battle, Antietam had had to be terrifying for those kids. Gettysburg would have been terrifying too, but most of those soldiers knew battle. |
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Posted: 5/18/2020 6:52:19 PM EDT
[#12]
Growing up in that area definitely both. Gettysburg should be a whole day or two reserved for a nice day so you can hike the Trails.
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Posted: 5/18/2020 6:58:37 PM EDT
[#13]
I plan on going to Sayler's creek this summer. It's not well known but it is the one battle I know for sure my family was in.
But if I had to choose one of yours op I would choose Anteitam , just because. |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 10:02:59 AM EDT
[#14]
Both
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Posted: 5/20/2020 11:57:13 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CPT_CAVEMAN: Both Fredericksburg is about an hour south of DC and is an interesting tour since it includes several battles fought in the area (1st Fred, Dec 11-15, 1862. 2nd Fred, May 3, 1863) but takes most of a day to hit all of it. Make sure to start at the visitors center and get the CD & Map combo. (However, it looks like this is still closed for COVID-19.) You drive to one of the numbered locations and then play the CD track of the same number that describes what happened at the location and then you can walk it. There is also a "Fredericksburg Battle App" available for iPhone (not sure about Android, but I would guess so) that also takes you through the battle sites and what happened there. As you come to the visitor's center, look up the hill....that's Marye's Heights with the Telegraph "Sunken" road in front of it. Now you can understand Lincoln referring to the battle as "butchery" as Union forces tried to advance into fire from up there. |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 12:17:57 PM EDT
[#16]
I went to Gettysburg in 1992 for an eighth grade field trip. We arrived at 0700 and the fog was as thick as pea soup. Was pretty cool but there was too much to see in just a few hours.
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Posted: 5/20/2020 12:29:10 PM EDT
[#17]
Participated in Pickett's charge a few years ago.
We lined up in the trees and marched across the fields just as it happened. Wound up with poison Ivy and ticks. |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 12:35:25 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By vatopa: Participated in Pickett's charge a few years ago. We lined up in the trees and marched across the fields just as it happened. Wound up with poison Ivy and ticks. Meh, still better off than the last guys. |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 12:47:18 PM EDT
[#19]
I love both. Gettysburg if you can only do one. And if you can’t read a book before you go, at least watch the movie.
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Posted: 5/20/2020 12:54:58 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By vatopa: Participated in Pickett's charge a few years ago. We lined up in the trees and marched across the fields just as it happened. Wound up with poison Ivy and ticks. That's why I prefer Winter. That and nobody fucks with you if you want to retrace the same steps. Retracing the assault upon Little Round Top will humble you too. When Dan Sickles marched his III Corps out of line and into The Peach Orchard It's sort of hard to picture without seeing the ground he gave-up. Some claim that though it cost the Yankees the III Corp it likely disrupted Lee's plans in the area. Speaking of Daniel Sickles he was easily the most interesting General Officer the Yankees had. His shattered/amputated leg still resides at the Smithsonian. He visited it often when in DC and died at 94.  There is a great book on his life of which the CW was just a small part.....The title is pretty accurate.  
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Posted: 5/20/2020 12:58:31 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 1srelluc: That's why I prefer Winter. That and nobody fucks with you if you want to retrace the same steps. Retracing the assault upon Little Round Top will humble you too. When Dan Sickles marched his III Corps out of line and into The Peach Orchard It's sort of hard to picture without seeing the ground he gave-up. Some claim that though it cost the Yankees the III Corp it likely disrupted Lee's plans in the area. Speaking of Daniel Sickles he was easily the most interesting General Officer the Yankees had. His shattered/amputated leg still resides at the Smithsonian. He visited it often when in DC and died at 94. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Sickles_leg.jpg There is a great book on his life of which the CW was just a small part.....The title is pretty accurate. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71ZEGR5F9CL._SX338_BO1,204,203,200_.gif Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 1srelluc: Originally Posted By vatopa: Participated in Pickett's charge a few years ago. We lined up in the trees and marched across the fields just as it happened. Wound up with poison Ivy and ticks. That's why I prefer Winter. That and nobody fucks with you if you want to retrace the same steps. Retracing the assault upon Little Round Top will humble you too. When Dan Sickles marched his III Corps out of line and into The Peach Orchard It's sort of hard to picture without seeing the ground he gave-up. Some claim that though it cost the Yankees the III Corp it likely disrupted Lee's plans in the area. Speaking of Daniel Sickles he was easily the most interesting General Officer the Yankees had. His shattered/amputated leg still resides at the Smithsonian. He visited it often when in DC and died at 94. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Sickles_leg.jpg There is a great book on his life of which the CW was just a small part.....The title is pretty accurate. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71ZEGR5F9CL._SX338_BO1,204,203,200_.gif Damn! His actual leg is on display? Wow. Was it amputated while he was still alive or cut from his corpse? Fascinating. ETA read the rest of your post. Lived to 94! I |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 12:58:55 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Both This. |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 1:02:17 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ryann: Damn! His actual leg is on display? Wow. Was it amputated while he was still alive or cut from his corpse? Fascinating. ETA read the rest of your post. Lived to 94! I Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ryann: Originally Posted By 1srelluc: Originally Posted By vatopa: Participated in Pickett's charge a few years ago. We lined up in the trees and marched across the fields just as it happened. Wound up with poison Ivy and ticks. That's why I prefer Winter. That and nobody fucks with you if you want to retrace the same steps. Retracing the assault upon Little Round Top will humble you too. When Dan Sickles marched his III Corps out of line and into The Peach Orchard It's sort of hard to picture without seeing the ground he gave-up. Some claim that though it cost the Yankees the III Corp it likely disrupted Lee's plans in the area. Speaking of Daniel Sickles he was easily the most interesting General Officer the Yankees had. His shattered/amputated leg still resides at the Smithsonian. He visited it often when in DC and died at 94. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Sickles_leg.jpg There is a great book on his life of which the CW was just a small part.....The title is pretty accurate. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71ZEGR5F9CL._SX338_BO1,204,203,200_.gif Damn! His actual leg is on display? Wow. Was it amputated while he was still alive or cut from his corpse? Fascinating. ETA read the rest of your post. Lived to 94! I During the height of the Confederate attack (Peach Orchard), Sickles was wounded by a cannonball that mangled his right leg. He was carried by a detail of soldiers to the shade of the Trostle farmhouse, where a saddle strap was applied as a tourniquet. He ordered his aide, Major Harry Tremain, "Tell General Birney he must take command." As Sickles was carried by stretcher to the III Corps hospital on the Taneytown Road, he attempted to raise his soldiers' spirits by grinning and puffing on a cigar along the way. His leg was amputated that afternoon. |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 1:02:22 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Damn! His actual leg is on display? Wow. Was it amputated while he was still alive or cut from his corpse? Fascinating. ETA read the rest of your post. Lived to 94! I Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Participated in Pickett's charge a few years ago. We lined up in the trees and marched across the fields just as it happened. Wound up with poison Ivy and ticks. That's why I prefer Winter. That and nobody fucks with you if you want to retrace the same steps. Retracing the assault upon Little Round Top will humble you too. When Dan Sickles marched his III Corps out of line and into The Peach Orchard It's sort of hard to picture without seeing the ground he gave-up. Some claim that though it cost the Yankees the III Corp it likely disrupted Lee's plans in the area. Speaking of Daniel Sickles he was easily the most interesting General Officer the Yankees had. His shattered/amputated leg still resides at the Smithsonian. He visited it often when in DC and died at 94. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Sickles_leg.jpg There is a great book on his life of which the CW was just a small part.....The title is pretty accurate. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71ZEGR5F9CL._SX338_BO1,204,203,200_.gif Damn! His actual leg is on display? Wow. Was it amputated while he was still alive or cut from his corpse? Fascinating. ETA read the rest of your post. Lived to 94! I Ole Uncle Dan is a side story that can take up volumes. It was lost when he was wounded in the Peach Orchard at Gettysburg (or thereabouts, correct me if I'm wrong). He was wounded, transported back to DC, and amputated. He loved to go see his leg. He also stated his actions, which were against orders, saved the Union Army in Gettysburg.  Daniel Sickles: The Colorful and Controversial Commander of Gettysburg - Ranger Matt Atkinson  Leadership Series: Meade, Sickles, and Communication! |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 1:03:06 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By vatopa: Participated in Pickett's charge a few years ago. We lined up in the trees and marched across the fields just as it happened. Wound up with poison Ivy and ticks. A sight better than grape and shrapnel. |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 1:07:28 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By wgjhsafT: Ole Uncle Dan is a side story that can take up volumes. It was lost when he was wounded in the Wheat Field at Gettysburg (or thereabouts, correct me if I'm wrong). He was wounded, transported back to DC, and amputated. He loved to go see his leg. He also stated his actions, which were against orders, saved the Union Army in Gettysburg.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbolrpSc0KUI think the truth is somewhere in-between. He spent much of his remaining life trying to justify his movement among his many other post war activities. |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 1:18:46 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ryann: Damn! His actual leg is on display? Wow. Was it amputated while he was still alive or cut from his corpse? Fascinating. ETA read the rest of your post. Lived to 94! I Dan Sickles also shot a man for sleeping with his wife, and successfully used the first “temporary insanity” defense to get off. |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 1:21:19 PM EDT
[#28]
Not into civil war history myself but what I’ve found interesting Is the outsized number of British people who are really into it
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Posted: 5/20/2020 1:28:46 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Troutman84: Dan Sickles also shot a man for sleeping with his wife, and successfully used the first “temporary insanity” defense to get off. He shot the son of Francis Scott Key. He stayed with his wife but she confined herself to sleeping on the floor as penitence for her infidelity. http://www.murderbygaslight.com/2009/10/dan-sickless-temporary-insanity.html |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 1:38:28 PM EDT
[#30]
……...
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Posted: 5/20/2020 1:49:58 PM EDT
[#31]
I once spent a short week in Gettysburg...it rained the first 2 days, so the wife and I went to every little museum in town.
We learned a bunch - it was really cool. If you have that kind of interest, you will need a few days. A few years later, I participated in the battle of Hanover re-enactment. Our rebel artillery battery made the front page of the newspaper - we scared the living poop outta them Yankees. (the townspeople - not the re-enactors) I do not believe the artillery have been invited back since. Danville Art'y, ANV - FTW
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Posted: 5/20/2020 1:52:01 PM EDT
[#32]
Antietam was a very humbling visit, read about the battle and imagine as you stand/walk there the shear numbers of Soldiers (25,000) that died in the bloodiest day in American history...it will get dusty
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Posted: 5/20/2020 2:20:59 PM EDT
[#33]
I really enjoyed the visitor's center at Gettysburg. If you're missing that this trip, I'd recommend you go back a second time anyway.
And the personal historians are very valuable at Gettysburg. They learn what you know about the actual battle and conform their discussion to cover things you didn't know. And they're not too expensive. |
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Posted: 5/20/2020 2:43:22 PM EDT
[#34]
 The Battle of Antietam |
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