⭐ If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com.
In September of 1992 I walked this entire battlefield. It's the only Civil War battlefield I've ever visited. It was downright chilling and spooky to walk where so many fought (at close distances) were wounded and killed. I was alone. I never saw another person on any part of the battlefield all day, but often felt I was being accompanied and followed.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Yes it is. I will confess ... I caused a little damage that day. I tried to take a short cut through a split rail fence to the Visitors Center. I think it was the fence in Mumma's Lane. Well, when I stepped on the bottom rail, it broke. Like I said, no one else was around and I hoped no one saw the fence break from the Visitors Center. By that time, I was exhausted so I just headed straight to the parking lot. The rangers are probably still looking for me. To this day I can hear the snap of that rail.
I love being in a place with no one else, thinking about the important events that took place there, honoring the memory of the event, and even saying a prayer of thanks for the freedom I enjoy that came at such a cost.
I've said it before and I will say it again. Antietam is the prime example of a well preserved Civil War battlefield. It is somewhat remote, there's very little development in the area, there are no businesses encroaching on the battlefield (Genersl Picket's Buffet, for example), and it is very well marked. You also had a beautiful day for your tour. Excellent video and series.
It would be cool to make an exact model replica of what the church looked like right after the battle. Complete with blood stains holes sniper holes etc.
Just found your channel. Well done. The Civil War began and ended on my great uncles property. Wilmer McLean..where the Battle of Bull Run began..and then the surrender in Mcleans parlor at Appomattox. You've done a respectable job here.
Your great uncle was destined for history for sure. He slipped out to avoid having himself and his family slaughtered by war. But then to have his property used in the closing ceremony of the war. All I can say is WOW 🤩
You guys absolutely are phenomenal with this stuff. Presentation, perspectives, visuals, everything, just outstanding. Well done. Bar none, the best history channel ANYWHERE.
Had the privilege of doing living history as an infantry soldier with the Medich Battalion at Antietam Battlefield back in early 2000's. Camped for two nights next to Dunkard Church which was unbelievable in itself. At night... I walked a distance away from the campfires to just sit and wonder what was going thru the minds of those that were entangled in the chaos of their day and was overwhelmed with my own emotions from so much loss. Thanks to the National Park Service and Col. Medich's leadership, it was one of my most favorite times in my reenacting years. Thank you so much for this video. From a Vietnam Era Marine Corps veteran.
I was just there for what will likely be my last visit, with a friend I first visited Gettysburg with in 1964! Ten years ago we walked the entire Union advance through the cornfield to the Dunker Church. This year, the old bones couldn't handle as much walking, so I am especially grateful that you walked to where we could not.
The irony of war is that some of the most horrendous battles were fought on some of the most beautiful and peaceful geography. This is certainly true of Antietam, and Gettysburg. Thanks for bringing our history to life on its actual location.
Once again GREAT episode JD! While visiting Antietam for the first time in 2018, one of the park rangers mentioned that in the late 1970s(?) one of the ground hogs had actually pushed some bone fragments of a fallen soldier out of it's den in Miller's Cornfield. Apparently a guest, who also happened to be a physician, was out walking the empty field after harvest and recognized the remains as human and promptly alerted the park staff!
You could spend all day everyday learning about the civil war and still never learn it all. There’s too much to know. I still want to try! It never gets old for me. It all enthralls me unendingly. Thank you for your perspective. Love the info.
Glad to hear your latest report. Ha, ha, much better than the history classes I had back in the day. Sorry I am not able to help you financially, but please know you have my full support and prayers for your work. I am trusting youths will find you and learn what they are not taught in school. You never know who you may help. Thanks. Keep traveling.
Correct. He do a wonderful & great job. Shame these idiots are tearing down our history. War was over state rights more than anything else. My family was honestly very close to 50/50 on both sides, many family stories of cousins running into each other on opposite sides & helping each other out. Even 1 story of 1 helping the other escape as POW & they was his guard. Our area was so divided a county vote in 61 it was 49.5% ? Yankees or very close to that amount & 50.5% Confederate. They just shut courthouse down right then for rest of the war. 2 area elderly local men was killed in cold blood by Yankees trying plead not take all of there livestock & there fall harvest about 3 miles below my home in 63. Family got land grants for kin folk services in Rev War.
I thoroughly enjoy every episode. I also have to give you credit of telling this history and remaining respectful to the Union as well as the Confederacy. 160 years later and the discussion of the American Civil War is still touchy to so many. The union fought to save the Union while the south fought for a way of life they always knew. The vast majority of southerners never owned slaves , so their fight was not about that. Without living in that moment , Im not sure what the the average confederate soldier was fighting for. I would summize that many of them were just fighting for their individual state and or property. We all should take a minute and remember the men in blue as well as the men in gray were all Americans. Both sides comitted war time attrocities on their opponents military as well the civilians that had the misfortune to be in the way. The North can point to Andersonville whilst the south could point towards Sherman's march to the sea. Slavery was a horrid portion of our history , that is an understatement at best. Individual men died with individual thoughts on both sides of the mason dixon line. Once again , not sure you get the recognition for respecting this touchy subject, but I believe it is due. In one of your videos you gave a reason why monuments shouldnt be taken down, I couldnt have said it better. Every soldier that fell in the early 1860's had a mother, father, siblings and children.. No matter their points of view they were human and Americans.
Sherman's March to the sea was necessary: It's purpose was to cut through some of the remaining parts of Confederacy, And "Make the South howl," to wear down the Confederacy's will and capacity to fight. Sherman knew it would have and needed to have this "Bringing the war' home" effect. Sherman himself though was quite ready to get quickly to a better postwar, for as soon as the Confederate leaders gave up. Sherman actually got in political trouble for proposing too lenient, too generous terms when Confederate generals surrendered in the closing stages of the war.
Nope sorry revisionist history isn't working. The Southern rebels broke away from the Union to keep people enslaved. Look at every article of Confederacy from every rebel state, number one reason is to keep slavery. I'm glad my ancestors fought to destroy that institution.
@@carlcushmanhybels8159 strategically yes it may have been necessary, but the burning of civilian homes, theft and reports of rape were indeed not. I doubt Sherman himself would have stood for this but he did not have 100% control of his men. I mentioned Sherman's march to the sea and Andersonville in reference to war time attrocities.
"I'm not sure what the average Confederate soldier was fighting for.." yes, they may not have been slave owners but Slavery was The Issue. I was equally confused on this very important issue. I read , among many other books, the Time-Life multi-volume series on U.S. Civil War. The authors mentioned "States Rights" as the cause but the only states right important to the South was the ability to maintain slavery. Regarding the common CSA soldier one can read their letters wherein they reveal their intent to fight to maintain slavery.
Thanks, JD. Great work. I spent a couple of days at Antietam on two visits and it thankfully looks the same. The NPS, local community, ABT, et al are to be applauded.
Another amazing video. Really enjoy how you walk the battlefield and show the viewer just what the men saw and went through. It helps put things into perspective and provides just a better all around overview of the battles. Thank you and keep ‘em coming !!!
I'm from Missouri and have visited a few Civil war related sites, mostly sites that were related to Bushwacker activities throughout the war. The first time I visited the field where the Centralia massacre took place was an experience I'll never forget. As I walked from the parking lot out onto the field and started reading a few names on a monument of those killed by bushwackers I looked around and realized I was the only one there, even though there were a couple cars in the parking lot..Pretty odd.. I guess I expected to see someone else out there messing around but it was just me. That late October morning while looking around, a front came through. The winds picked up and began swirling the tall grasses growing in the field on which I was standing and the temperature dropped around 30 degrees or so before I could get back to the truck. Probably means nothing but something I'll always remember. it... Great video.
When I was at Antietam we saw a groundhog in one of the fields. My great grandfather was a First Sergeant in the 26th Georgia which was in the West Woods. He survived but had four brothers who did not survive the war.
Thank you for showing the troop movements. It gives such a better understanding as to what happened at the battle. Plus, you have provided some new info that I did not get from watching the American Battle Field Trust video on Antietam.
That entire area is dripping with history. I've never been but have read a lot and of course your programs. Plus, maybe you didn't know the C&O Bike Trail is there. Harper's Ferry and all. Thank you for your programs. I've loved every one of them
Excellent as always! As a Brit who may never visit these battlefields, you bring to life the books I've read. Unusually, I got a little confused with the geography of this one with the different woods and the N, S, E, W aspect. For me, a small map up in the corner of the screen with an arrow illustrating the particular movement you're describing, would have helped. But that's probably just me. Thanks and keep 'em coming!
@@TheHistoryUnderground The same thought (@Simon Phillips) went through my mind. I know it would take much more time to put together and edit, but it may be worth it. Short of that, an early verbal reference to ABT maps with a link displayed may be helpful. As someone familiar with the battle and the battlefield, your video worked perfectly. The view from the tower at the end of the Sunken Road might be a good orienting scene to start with?
I love every episode that you put out. Completely! As a young boy, I was always drawn to The American Civil War.. no idea why? So, obviously, my favorite episodes are just og that. You are well-spoken and on-point with everything. You've taught me a lot as far as angles and positions. What a hell of a teacher! I am a re-enactor and was there for the 135th filming of Bloody Lane, A.P. Hill's Counterattack and the Cornfield for God's and Generals. Aside from the movie cameras and crews.. what a sight!! Re-enactors by the thousands!! Smoke! Rebel yell! And, so many musket and cannon shots that it literally sounded as though someone has dozens of full-auto machine guns with large explosives (cannons) in-between. My grandparents took me to participate. But, I was too young to be on the battlefield alone (they didn't re-enact). But, I did get to be in some marching (ended up not being in the film.. only some footage used in the bonus of the film).. Anyway, it's crazy how you describe these things so much in detail. And, it's another thing to see it strategically put together right Infront of you. Goosebumps! And, seeing all of those union charging the sunken road.. I remember having a large sense of being scared (picturing myself in the sunken road).. you'd either freeze still or die trying. You couldn't run from that many enemy. There's still a video (they mailed to all of the participants including dog tags) someone has uploaded on UA-cam. You should check it out (135th Anniversary of Antietam 1997). It was amazing! Thank You so much for what you do to preserve a subject that is no longer taught in our crazy school systems!! Learn from history so to be better. Learn from history so as to not repeat!
This is excellent. During my one visit to Antietam some years ago I spent some time making my way through the West Woods, so this adds to my knowledge of what happened in that area. Thank you, and well done.
Hard to believe that over one hundred years ago Americans were fighting Americans on this battlefield that was drenched in blood but now it looks so peaceful and serene that it seems to do honor to the brave men, both Union and Confederate who fell during the battle.
I've been watching your channel for over a year now and I absolutely love it especially the content on the civil war. Not sure in a past life I lived through that time or was in battle but my soul thirst for the history of this period and is very familiar maybe I just like history or maybe the latter has some truth.
Another great video JD. You do an excellent job of describing these battles which isn’t an easy thing to do. The 15th Massachusetts monument is well worth the walk to see . That poor regiment took horrendous casualties.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Your channel is doing a great service for history. You are probably creating new Civil War buffs with your vids. Your World War2 videos are great. Pacific War series was awesome.
This is LaDonna's partner Bob. I have always been fascinated with the civil war, with a heavy leaning tword the south. Not the slavery, but just in general. I have a good friend that reminded me that most southern folks were not slave owners, mainly the rich folks. Folks in the north had slaves too, sooo. Anyway, I really like your content, and I've subscribed. Thank you for all the work you do to make these presentations.
What a horror that Union soldiers were caught in the middle and getting hit front and back! Thanks for the video, appreciate your skill with the camera and your eye for what is interesting!
@@TheHistoryUnderground I have a concern that perhaps you can answer. I have not seen your Antietam documentary in its entirety - and that might give me the perspective that I seek - but there seems (at least with this episode) to be a lack of perspective or context as to why the Confederate forces were situated in the manner they were aligned in prior to the Union attack. Secondly, why does Sedgewick even cross the Hagerstown Pike to begin with in front of (or in the face of) other Union forces who (apparently) are simultaneously moving southwards down that same Pike? Are these Union forces halting for Sedgewick's troops so they can make their crossing first before moving south down the pike? That takes a certain amount of advance coordination. Was this planned? Wouldn't the Union armies situated to the north of Sedgewick and flanking both sides of the Pike be the ones who should engage with any opposition on their own right flank? Why does Sedgewick move first across their path? It doesn't make sense to me. Why was the Confederate line already positioned in such a way as to create such havoc for Sedgewick's forces? I mean, even the rebel's cannon were properly set in place in advance of the Union's apparently blind thrust to the west. The whole scene looks like a trap to me. But in order for a trap to be sprung, there has to be a reason for the prey to enter it. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this matter.
1:53 The 90th PA monument was originally 3 actual rifles and a kettle suspended from them. It was placed there by the veterans of the regiment. After years of exposure to the elements the guns became ruined with rust and was replaced by the monument that is there now. It is my favorite monument on any battlefield.
The beginning of your video took me back to when I was in the Army, 67-71. In a non combat situation you NEVER EVER set your weapon on the ground. The bolt or barrel could easily get fouled with dirt. It was a common practice to "stack" arms, that is, interlock the flash suppressors at the end of the barrels of three rifles to form a triangle so you could do other tasks not requiring your weapon without setting your weapon on the ground. Flash back time LOL
Well done! As fluid depiction of a battle as we fought during WWII. On my bucket list to revisit when we travel to Hagerstown for family. One of the biggest take always I had from my previous visit was from the visitors center where they had a graphic telling how over 8 million rounds were expelled that day in making it the most violent day in the history of the United States.
Always enjoy the information and presentation of your videos. Just discovered my great, great, great grandfather Ruben Walters was a member if the 21st South Carolina and was killed during the battle of Old Men and Young Boys in Petersburg, VA, He is most likely buried in a mass grave.
Command and control in these massive battles always confounds me. The commanders didn’t have detailed maps with grid squares, aerial reconnaissance photos, radios, telephones etc. A guy like Barksdale with his aggressive nature does well in this action but his tactics result in disaster at Gettysburg. I marvel at times at how Robert E Lee or Ulysses Grant somehow instigated troop movements during battles that altered the outcomes. Hancock at Gettysburg is one of my favourites. It must have required a combination of intelligence, intuition, aggression and luck to be successful.
I hope you are impartial in your story telling, tell the story on both sides, cause the south had some of the finest officers serving the csa, plz show some of the monuments on the southern side too, Thanks and keep up the good work!!
This is so good! Very well done JD! I love the way you tell us what happened and show us on the map~hearing it/seeing it helps me understand so much better! Love your style!
McClellan elected NOT to issue written orders to his Corps Commanders for this battle and threw his units piecemeal into the fight for three phases: West Woods, Sunken Road and Burnside's Bridge. He tried his best to lose and in process slaughtered his own troops while prolonging the war needlessly. He had Lee with hi back to the Potomac and failed to mount a coordinated attack.
J. D wish you had been my history teacher in school. I’d have learned a lot more as a pupil in my day. Too late for me now unfortunately, until your series has taught me more about sights in Europe. And now the United States Of America, and it’s own hell on earth! Thank you if I hadn’t in earlier postings. A groundhog hole may have saved a few men at the time from death from a bullet of cannon? Again first class work sir 👏🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I appreciate your channel and what you do so much.I wish you could have been my History Teacher You make it even more interesting Again thank you so much.❤️👍🇺🇸
I can’t imagine the blood and dead on those fields let alone having to walk over them knowing you could be next. Both sides suffered that day. That whole battle was a slaughter on both sides. No one won that day and it would go on for 3 more years.😢 Thank you for another great video and woodchuck holes are a way of life for framers back then just as the are now. I have a lot of them on my farm as well.😁👍
I'm not sure which would be worse. Being the first guys in or being the 2nd and 3rd assault waves and seeing the carnage that you're about to walk into.
When I lived in Cheyenne, it was prairie dog holes and rattlers. Now here in PA, it's groundhogs and copperheads. Fortunately, I never stepped/fell in any of them, although some very close calls!
I’d like to see a video about William Barksdale, who was later killed at Gettysburg I believe in the Peach Orchard. He was a player in the Sumner caning that helped precipitate the war. He was very active and evidently quite a leader.
Confederates to the front of us....Union to the rear of us...Stuck in the middle with you....That had to be so scary for those involved. No place to go...Geat video of how terrible things werer...cant wait for the next part....
4:10 - Those are also an issue at Shiloh. In my case, an ankle breaker slipping into one crossing between the Hornet's Nest and Ruggles' Batteries (IIRC) as a kid on a Boy Scout hike. Six weeks on crutches with a cast, not fun :(
⭐ If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out.
Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com.
You've more than earned it.
Where are the Confederate monuments?
In September of 1992 I walked this entire battlefield. It's the only Civil War battlefield I've ever visited. It was downright chilling and spooky to walk where so many fought (at close distances) were wounded and killed. I was alone. I never saw another person on any part of the battlefield all day, but often felt I was being accompanied and followed.
I love how well preserved the battlefield is. Amazing place.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Yes it is. I will confess ... I caused a little damage that day. I tried to take a short cut through a split rail fence to the Visitors Center. I think it was the fence in Mumma's Lane. Well, when I stepped on the bottom rail, it broke. Like I said, no one else was around and I hoped no one saw the fence break from the Visitors Center. By that time, I was exhausted so I just headed straight to the parking lot. The rangers are probably still looking for me. To this day I can hear the snap of that rail.
I love being in a place with no one else, thinking about the important events that took place there, honoring the memory of the event, and even saying a prayer of thanks for the freedom I enjoy that came at such a cost.
You should check out Gettysburg at night. Sureal.
I’ve been to many of battlefields, it’s the same at all of them for me.
I've said it before and I will say it again. Antietam is the prime example of a well preserved Civil War battlefield. It is somewhat remote, there's very little development in the area, there are no businesses encroaching on the battlefield (Genersl Picket's Buffet, for example), and it is very well marked. You also had a beautiful day for your tour. Excellent video and series.
100%
It would be cool to make an exact model replica of what the church looked like right after the battle. Complete with blood stains holes sniper holes etc.
I agree 100%
That’s my definition of a well preserved battlefield too.
Shouldn’t be $20 to get in though…we pay taxes for those things
Just found your channel. Well done. The Civil War began and ended on my great uncles property. Wilmer McLean..where the Battle of Bull Run began..and then the surrender in Mcleans parlor at Appomattox. You've done a respectable job here.
Your great uncle was destined for history for sure. He slipped out to avoid having himself and his family slaughtered by war. But then to have his property used in the closing ceremony of the war. All I can say is WOW 🤩
You guys absolutely are phenomenal with this stuff. Presentation, perspectives, visuals, everything, just outstanding. Well done. Bar none, the best history channel ANYWHERE.
Hear Hear 👍
Wow, thank you. That means a lot.
@@DaveSCameron I couldn’t agree more! 👍
Absolutely THE Best!
Agree. Definitely the best!!
My great great grandfather fought there he was a Hoosier out of Indiana he thought in 12 engagements throughout the war God Rest his soul
Had the privilege of doing living history as an infantry soldier with the Medich Battalion at Antietam Battlefield back in early 2000's. Camped for two nights next to Dunkard Church which was unbelievable in itself. At night... I walked a distance away from the campfires to just sit and wonder what was going thru the minds of those that were entangled in the chaos of their day and was overwhelmed with my own emotions from so much loss. Thanks to the National Park Service and Col. Medich's leadership, it was one of my most favorite times in my reenacting years. Thank you so much for this video. From a Vietnam Era Marine Corps veteran.
I was just there for what will likely be my last visit, with a friend I first visited Gettysburg with in 1964! Ten years ago we walked the entire Union advance through the cornfield to the Dunker Church. This year, the old bones couldn't handle as much walking, so I am especially grateful that you walked to where we could not.
Glad that I could share the experience. Thanks.
The irony of war is that some of the most horrendous battles were fought on some of the most beautiful and peaceful geography. This is certainly true of Antietam, and Gettysburg. Thanks for bringing our history to life on its actual location.
My first thought on arriving on the Antietam battlefield years ago was how beautiful the area was. Took my breath away.
all of america use to be beautiful
@@whereisthebalance5732 I don't think Newark was ever beautiful nor exit 13A off the NJ turnpike.
@@chrisrichard2526 haha it was before the turnpike back
Once again GREAT episode JD!
While visiting Antietam for the first time in 2018, one of the park rangers mentioned that in the late 1970s(?) one of the ground hogs had actually pushed some bone fragments of a fallen soldier out of it's den in Miller's Cornfield. Apparently a guest, who also happened to be a physician, was out walking the empty field after harvest and recognized the remains as human and promptly alerted the park staff!
Oh dang!
Ok
Gotta admire the heart of the soldiers on both sides fighting for their respective causes. Good video
Thanks!
You could spend all day everyday learning about the civil war and still never learn it all. There’s too much to know. I still want to try! It never gets old for me. It all enthralls me unendingly. Thank you for your perspective. Love the info.
250 Episodes! Congratulations JD. Each one is more impressive than the last. Thank you for taking us with you on your journeys through history!
Thanks 🙏🏼
Excellent video, thank you for not allowing part of this country's history to die,like so many are trying so hard too do!
Glad to hear your latest report. Ha, ha, much better than the history classes I had back in the day. Sorry I am not able to help you financially, but please know you have my full support and prayers for your work. I am trusting youths will find you and learn what they are not taught in school. You never know who you may help. Thanks. Keep traveling.
Appreciated more than you know. Thanks!
Correct. He do a wonderful & great job. Shame these idiots are tearing down our history. War was over state rights more than anything else. My family was honestly very close to 50/50 on both sides, many family stories of cousins running into each other on opposite sides & helping each other out. Even 1 story of 1 helping the other escape as POW & they was his guard. Our area was so divided a county vote in 61 it was 49.5% ? Yankees or very close to that amount & 50.5% Confederate. They just shut courthouse down right then for rest of the war. 2 area elderly local men was killed in cold blood by Yankees trying plead not take all of there livestock & there fall harvest about 3 miles below my home in 63. Family got land grants for kin folk services in Rev War.
I agree, JD could read a phone book and I’d be intrigued 🤣🇺🇸❤️🙏
I agree! @TheHistoryUnderground presents well, interesting and stirs emotion….I learn more in one series than I did in an entire semester in school!
JD....... thank you for another fantastic vlog. Antietam must have been hell on earth. Thank you for your effort to make this event come alive.
Thanks for watching and for the kind words!
Thanks, JD! Your on-site location, maps and descriptions bring the battle to life. Unfortunately all too real for those brave soldiers!
Thanks. So glad that the videos are proving useful.
Fantastic coverage of this section of the Antietam/Sharpsburg.
I thoroughly enjoy every episode. I also have to give you credit of telling this history and remaining respectful to the Union as well as the Confederacy. 160 years later and the discussion of the American Civil War is still touchy to so many. The union fought to save the Union while the south fought for a way of life they always knew. The vast majority of southerners never owned slaves , so their fight was not about that. Without living in that moment , Im not sure what the the average confederate soldier was fighting for. I would summize that many of them were just fighting for their individual state and or property. We all should take a minute and remember the men in blue as well as the men in gray were all Americans. Both sides comitted war time attrocities on their opponents military as well the civilians that had the misfortune to be in the way. The North can point to Andersonville whilst the south could point towards Sherman's march to the sea. Slavery was a horrid portion of our history , that is an understatement at best. Individual men died with individual thoughts on both sides of the mason dixon line. Once again , not sure you get the recognition for respecting this touchy subject, but I believe it is due. In one of your videos you gave a reason why monuments shouldnt be taken down, I couldnt have said it better. Every soldier that fell in the early 1860's had a mother, father, siblings and children.. No matter their points of view they were human and Americans.
Sherman's March to the sea was necessary: It's purpose was to cut through some of the remaining parts of Confederacy, And "Make the South howl," to wear down the Confederacy's will and capacity to fight. Sherman knew it would have and needed to have this "Bringing the war' home" effect. Sherman himself though was quite ready to get quickly to a better postwar, for as soon as the Confederate leaders gave up. Sherman actually got in political trouble for proposing too lenient, too generous terms when Confederate generals surrendered in the closing stages of the war.
Nope sorry revisionist history isn't working. The Southern rebels broke away from the Union to keep people enslaved. Look at every article of Confederacy from every rebel state, number one reason is to keep slavery. I'm glad my ancestors fought to destroy that institution.
@@carlcushmanhybels8159 strategically yes it may have been necessary, but the burning of civilian homes, theft and reports of rape were indeed not. I doubt Sherman himself would have stood for this but he did not have 100% control of his men. I mentioned Sherman's march to the sea and Andersonville in reference to war time attrocities.
Well said - respect to all who fought in this terrible war
"I'm not sure what the average Confederate soldier was fighting for.." yes, they may not have been slave owners but Slavery was The Issue. I was equally confused on this very important issue. I read , among many other books, the Time-Life multi-volume series on U.S. Civil War. The authors mentioned "States Rights" as the cause but the only states right important to the South was the ability to maintain slavery. Regarding the common CSA soldier one can read their letters wherein they reveal their intent to fight to maintain slavery.
Thanks, JD. Great work. I spent a couple of days at Antietam on two visits and it thankfully looks the same. The NPS, local community, ABT, et al are to be applauded.
Thanks! Amazing place.
Absolutely outstanding. The history Underground’s Civil War content is top notch.
Appreciate it!
The noise, the glare, the confusion of battle & lack of communication really took its toll. God rest their souls.
Another amazing video. Really enjoy how you walk the battlefield and show the viewer just what the men saw and went through. It helps put things into perspective and provides just a better all around overview of the battles. Thank you and keep ‘em coming !!!
Thanks 👍
Seriously one of the best episodes you’ve produced so far! Love it
Thanks!
I'm from Missouri and have visited a few Civil war related sites, mostly sites that were related to Bushwacker activities throughout the war. The first time I visited the field where the Centralia massacre took place was an experience I'll never forget. As I walked from the parking lot out onto the field and started reading a few names on a monument of those killed by bushwackers I looked around and realized I was the only one there, even though there were a couple cars in the parking lot..Pretty odd.. I guess I expected to see someone else out there messing around but it was just me. That late October morning while looking around, a front came through. The winds picked up and began swirling the tall grasses growing in the field on which I was standing and the temperature dropped around 30 degrees or so before I could get back to the truck. Probably means nothing but something I'll always remember. it... Great video.
When I was at Antietam we saw a groundhog in one of the fields. My great grandfather was a First Sergeant in the 26th Georgia which was in the West Woods. He survived but had four brothers who did not survive the war.
As always thank you for posting yet another excellent video on the Civil War and for keeping this history alive for all generations.
Appreciate that more than you know.
Great episode, I am really enjoying your Antietam series! Keep up the great work!
👊🏻
Thank you for showing the troop movements. It gives such a better understanding as to what happened at the battle. Plus, you have provided some new info that I did not get from watching the American Battle Field Trust video on Antietam.
Glad that it was helpful!
Thanks for your presentation...its makes the history more real to see the land they were on and so forth. This battle was especially violent..
👊🏻
That entire area is dripping with history. I've never been but have read a lot and of course your programs. Plus, maybe you didn't know the C&O Bike Trail is there. Harper's Ferry and all. Thank you for your programs. I've loved every one of them
Thanks 🙏🏼
Excellent as always! As a Brit who may never visit these battlefields, you bring to life the books I've read. Unusually, I got a little confused with the geography of this one with the different woods and the N, S, E, W aspect. For me, a small map up in the corner of the screen with an arrow illustrating the particular movement you're describing, would have helped. But that's probably just me. Thanks and keep 'em coming!
Thanks! I would recommend checking out the maps from the American Battlefield Trust. They really help with that part of understanding the battle.
@@TheHistoryUnderground The same thought (@Simon Phillips) went through my mind. I know it would take much more time to put together and edit, but it may be worth it. Short of that, an early verbal reference to ABT maps with a link displayed may be helpful. As someone familiar with the battle and the battlefield, your video worked perfectly. The view from the tower at the end of the Sunken Road might be a good orienting scene to start with?
Amazing how Quiet,and Peaceful it is now,and how Hellish it was on September 17th 1862...GREAT WORK as ALWAYS!!!
Outstanding! I love the way you do your videos and talk us through. Makes me hate to see the video end.
Thanks! Appreciate that!
I love every episode that you put out. Completely!
As a young boy, I was always drawn to The American Civil War.. no idea why? So, obviously, my favorite episodes are just og that. You are well-spoken and on-point with everything. You've taught me a lot as far as angles and positions. What a hell of a teacher!
I am a re-enactor and was there for the 135th filming of Bloody Lane, A.P. Hill's Counterattack and the Cornfield for God's and Generals. Aside from the movie cameras and crews.. what a sight!! Re-enactors by the thousands!! Smoke! Rebel yell! And, so many musket and cannon shots that it literally sounded as though someone has dozens of full-auto machine guns with large explosives (cannons) in-between.
My grandparents took me to participate. But, I was too young to be on the battlefield alone (they didn't re-enact). But, I did get to be in some marching (ended up not being in the film.. only some footage used in the bonus of the film)..
Anyway, it's crazy how you describe these things so much in detail. And, it's another thing to see it strategically put together right Infront of you. Goosebumps! And, seeing all of those union charging the sunken road.. I remember having a large sense of being scared (picturing myself in the sunken road).. you'd either freeze still or die trying. You couldn't run from that many enemy.
There's still a video (they mailed to all of the participants including dog tags) someone has uploaded on UA-cam. You should check it out (135th Anniversary of Antietam 1997).
It was amazing! Thank You so much for what you do to preserve a subject that is no longer taught in our crazy school systems!!
Learn from history so to be better. Learn from history so as to not repeat!
Wow! That would have been something to see. And thanks for the kind words. That means a lot.
Best Civil war history channel bar none, keep up the good work. I absolutely love your channel. Greetings from the UK
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This is excellent. During my one visit to Antietam some years ago I spent some time making my way through the West Woods, so this adds to my knowledge of what happened in that area. Thank you, and well done.
Thanks!
Antietam is the most beautiful battlefield. It’s perfect for bicycles but turn around at the sunken road tower if you can’t climb steep hills.
One of my favorites.
Excellent presentation, JD. I am really learning quite a lot from this series. I’m ready for the next one! 👍
Thanks! More to come.
Hard to believe that over one hundred years ago Americans were fighting Americans on this battlefield that was drenched in blood but now it looks so peaceful and serene that it seems to do honor to the brave men, both Union and Confederate who fell during the battle.
Can't even imagine what it must have looked like there.
I've been watching your channel for over a year now and I absolutely love it especially the content on the civil war. Not sure in a past life I lived through that time or was in battle but my soul thirst for the history of this period and is very familiar maybe I just like history or maybe the latter has some truth.
Another great video JD. You do an excellent job of describing these battles which isn’t an easy thing to do.
The 15th Massachusetts monument is well worth the walk to see . That poor regiment took horrendous casualties.
Thank you. Glad to share the experiences. Hope that the channel is doing some good for some people.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Your channel is doing a great service for history. You are probably creating new Civil War buffs with your vids.
Your World War2 videos are great. Pacific War series was awesome.
This is LaDonna's partner Bob. I have always been fascinated with the civil war, with a heavy leaning tword the south. Not the slavery, but just in general. I have a good friend that reminded me that most southern folks were not slave owners, mainly the rich folks. Folks in the north had slaves too, sooo. Anyway, I really like your content, and I've subscribed. Thank you for all the work you do to make these presentations.
What a horror that Union soldiers were caught in the middle and getting hit front and back! Thanks for the video, appreciate your skill with the camera and your eye for what is interesting!
Awful ordeal, for sure.
Great coverage of a hard battle for the Union. Well done 👏
Thanks a lot!
@@TheHistoryUnderground I have a concern that perhaps you can answer. I have not seen your Antietam documentary in its entirety - and that might give me the perspective that I seek - but there seems (at least with this episode) to be a lack of perspective or context as to why the Confederate forces were situated in the manner they were aligned in prior to the Union attack. Secondly, why does Sedgewick even cross the Hagerstown Pike to begin with in front of (or in the face of) other Union forces who (apparently) are simultaneously moving southwards down that same Pike? Are these Union forces halting for Sedgewick's troops so they can make their crossing first before moving south down the pike? That takes a certain amount of advance coordination. Was this planned? Wouldn't the Union armies situated to the north of Sedgewick and flanking both sides of the Pike be the ones who should engage with any opposition on their own right flank? Why does Sedgewick move first across their path? It doesn't make sense to me. Why was the Confederate line already positioned in such a way as to create such havoc for Sedgewick's forces? I mean, even the rebel's cannon were properly set in place in advance of the Union's apparently blind thrust to the west. The whole scene looks like a trap to me. But in order for a trap to be sprung, there has to be a reason for the prey to enter it. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this matter.
Having visited Antietam last year I appreciated the perspective you gave. It was a great aid in understanding the big picture. Keep up the good work!
1:53 The 90th PA monument was originally 3 actual rifles and a kettle suspended from them. It was placed there by the veterans of the regiment. After years of exposure to the elements the guns became ruined with rust and was replaced by the monument that is there now.
It is my favorite monument on any battlefield.
The beginning of your video took me back to when I was in the Army, 67-71. In a non combat situation you NEVER EVER set your weapon on the ground. The bolt or barrel could easily get fouled with dirt. It was a common practice to "stack" arms, that is, interlock the flash suppressors at the end of the barrels of three rifles to form a triangle so you could do other tasks not requiring your weapon without setting your weapon on the ground. Flash back time LOL
Thanks for pointing that out.
They have been stacking weapons that way since before the Roman's.
@@zachv1942 I agree 50 incarnations ago we stacked spears
Well done! As fluid depiction of a battle as we fought during WWII. On my bucket list to revisit when we travel to Hagerstown for family. One of the biggest take always I had from my previous visit was from the visitors center where they had a graphic telling how over 8 million rounds were expelled that day in making it the most violent day in the history of the United States.
Crazy.
I always look forward to new episodes. Everything you do is awesome. Keep up the great work!
Thanks!
Always enjoy the information and presentation of your videos. Just discovered my great, great, great grandfather Ruben Walters was a member if the 21st South Carolina and was killed during the battle of Old Men and Young Boys in Petersburg, VA, He is most likely buried in a mass grave.
Wow!
You have wonderful videos. Your very respectful and you explain everything so well.Very educational.
Thank you very much!
Well you do such a great job with these history lessons. These videos should be shown to kids in school so they understand the civil war
Thanks! Hope that people are sharing these videos with the younger crowd.
Command and control in these massive battles always confounds me. The commanders didn’t have detailed maps with grid squares, aerial reconnaissance photos, radios, telephones etc. A guy like Barksdale with his aggressive nature does well in this action but his tactics result in disaster at Gettysburg. I marvel at times at how Robert E Lee or Ulysses Grant somehow instigated troop movements during battles that altered the outcomes. Hancock at Gettysburg is one of my favourites. It must have required a combination of intelligence, intuition, aggression and luck to be successful.
Agreed.
Great view of what's going on . Thanks. Great work as always.
Thanks History Underground, brilliant series 👍
Glad you enjoy it!
Your channel is my favorite!
Keep it up!!!
Wow, thanks! Appreciate you watching.
@@TheHistoryUnderground No, thank YOU!!! Wishing you an even greater audience and success. Have a good Wednesday, young sir!
Love, love love your channel ~ I always learn so much from you❣️
Thanks!
I hope you are impartial in your story telling, tell the story on both sides, cause the south had some of the finest officers serving the csa, plz show some of the monuments on the southern side too, Thanks and keep up the good work!!
He's a bluebelly
Good work as always, J.D. Congrats on #250!
Thanks 👍
Like always you did an excellent job. Really enjoying this series
Fantastic video with a real twist on it the day that enfolded and what happened there, many thanks for your presentaion today .
Many thanks!
I appreciate you and respect what you do.
Wow! Thanks! 👊🏻
What a time to be a civil war aficionado!!! So much great content
Thanks! Got a lot more on the way.
@@TheHistoryUnderground that's the best possible comment I could ask for. Thank you sir. Very inspiring.
Very interesting thank you as others have said such a beautiful place but what horrors of war took place there all those years ago , great film 👍
Love the 3 rifle and bucket great video thanks for keeping history alive
Excellent content as always!
Much appreciated!
Well done! I’m looking forward to the next episode!
Thanks!
Indefectible, suh. Simply sublime.
Your bringing alive history to us in a whole new way your amazing at what u do brother keep ot up
Thanks!!!
I don’t think I’ve anticipated one of your videos like I am for the bloody lane walk through.
🙂
Thanks JD for another great series.
Great Video you do an incredible job of telling the history Thank you Sir
Much appreciated!
Honestly, I've been partial to other channels that have a similar purpose, but but you've grown on me. Isn't that good to hear! Keep up the good work.
Ha! Thanks. Appreciate that. I'm partial to other channels as well :)
@@TheHistoryUnderground 😀 Was wondering how that was going to read! Good luck and keep them coming.
This is so good! Very well done JD! I love the way you tell us what happened and show us on the map~hearing it/seeing it helps me understand so much better! Love your style!
Thanks so much!
McClellan elected NOT to issue written orders to his Corps Commanders for this battle and threw his units piecemeal into the fight for three phases: West Woods, Sunken Road and Burnside's Bridge. He tried his best to lose and in process slaughtered his own troops while prolonging the war needlessly. He had Lee with hi back to the Potomac and failed to mount a coordinated attack.
Yep. Caution almost got the best of him that day.
Extremely interesting. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks!
Thanks JD. Another great video. 👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks 👍
Keep up the great work, JD!
Appreciate that!
J. D wish you had been my history teacher in school. I’d have learned a lot more as a pupil in my day. Too late for me now unfortunately, until your series has taught me more about sights in Europe. And now the United States Of America, and it’s own hell on earth! Thank you if I hadn’t in earlier postings.
A groundhog hole may have saved a few men at the time from death from a bullet of cannon?
Again first class work sir 👏🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Learned about this in High School. You have filled so many gaps and added depth to the story. Using "Buzz Saw" was being nice.....
Glad that the video could fill in some of the gaps. Got a lot more to come!
I appreciate your channel and what you do so much.I wish you could have been my History Teacher You make it even more interesting Again thank you so much.❤️👍🇺🇸
Wow, thank you
Great video mate enjoyed it mate can't wait for the next one 👍🔥
Thanks 👍
I can’t imagine the blood and dead on those fields let alone having to walk over them knowing you could be next. Both sides suffered that day. That whole battle was a slaughter on both sides. No one won that day and it would go on for 3 more years.😢
Thank you for another great video and woodchuck holes are a way of life for framers back then just as the are now. I have a lot of them on my farm as well.😁👍
I'm not sure which would be worse. Being the first guys in or being the 2nd and 3rd assault waves and seeing the carnage that you're about to walk into.
Me neither. To have to walk over people who are friends and in some cases family members would have been the worse.
When I lived in Cheyenne, it was prairie dog holes and rattlers. Now here in PA, it's groundhogs and copperheads. Fortunately, I never stepped/fell in any of them, although some very close calls!
Watching from Thailand. I saw that movie Glory..
Great movie.
I’d like to see a video about William Barksdale, who was later killed at Gettysburg I believe in the Peach Orchard. He was a player in the Sumner caning that helped precipitate the war. He was very active and evidently quite a leader.
Barksdale overran the peach orchard and trostle farm and was shot down at plum run and later died
Another great video thank you so much for sharing them
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Confederates to the front of us....Union to the rear of us...Stuck in the middle with you....That had to be so scary for those involved. No place to go...Geat video of how terrible things werer...cant wait for the next part....
I hope to take a trip there eventually. I have visited several areas around Knoxville, Stones River, Parker's Crossroads, Shiloh and Vicksburg.
Perfect depiction! Thanks.
Thanks!
An excellent explanation beautifully photographed.
Many thanks!
You must be a quick study! Antietam is a complex battle!
Very complex. Took me a bit to wrap my head around it.
4:10 - Those are also an issue at Shiloh. In my case, an ankle breaker slipping into one crossing between the Hornet's Nest and Ruggles' Batteries (IIRC) as a kid on a Boy Scout hike. Six weeks on crutches with a cast, not fun :(
Dang!
Great over all presentation!
Thank you for sharing
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You bet! Thanks for watching.
That PA monument was super cool
Nicely done and honorable to all that gave their lives.
Appreciate it.
Great content! And very well edited
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Sir, what you are doing is wonderful, and I, as an Arab from the Gulf, love to study the civil war, by following you
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Awesome video man great job.
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