⭐ 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.
JD each and every video you share is deserving of praise. Your neutrality in each presentation is what is so remarkable. You bring history through an unbiased eye. Thank you.
That tower gives a full picture for sure wow that's a huge battlefield I couldn't imagine what it must have been like to live it the lane was sort of like a perfect natural trench
@@James-po6ib it was hot as hell in those thick wool uniforms is one thing to remember as well as the heavy rifle you carried. This is from my reenactment experience.
@@charlesfritz7131 wow it's unreal I've always wanted to go to a reenactment, but yea that battlefield is insane and then factor the heat I could not imagine being new in the army and being thrown into that sort of combat the ones that survived that were well seasoned after the fact im sure. I would love to see that act out on that feild I bet it's fun to watch I could almost imagine when he showed the view from the tower and then I watched the other video and saw the map of how the federals marched in, that was an insane flank couldn't imagine it looks a lot like a D day type battle
I got to visit Antietam a few years ago. Midweek, no one around. A crisp fall morning, with some fog wafting gently, everything damp and soft. I walked the fields and trails with interest, and then I found myself upon Bloody Lane. I'd seen the images of that day, and they came to me, true and immediately. I was astounded by the overwhelming feeling of sadness, horror, and loss in that ditch. It was like I could feel every soul lost on that field within myself. It was all I could do to not weep openly. I could not stay longer.
I remember my visit there in 1993, especially looking up at the field to the east. Do you really march your brigade blindly until they can be slaughtered?
You're not alone .... In 'The Making Of Gettysburg' (the movie) the actor, Warren Burton, who portrayed Major General Henry Heath of the Confederacy confided that many of the re-enactors in the Pickett's Charge scene were openly weeping as they marched toward the Union lines. That story affected me more than all of the other stories I have ever heard about this movie.
I've read from various people that the hair on their neck stands up when they visit Bloody Lane at Antietam. It's charged with terrific energy from the unspeakable slaughter that happened there.
@Unbroken Yeah, I saw his interview on the DVD extras box set when he talked about his 2 adjutants openly weeping to his rear, sir. He just passed away within the last few weeks😕 R.I.P. Andrew Prine😇
@@sanchezbaggett4375 I'm not familiar with that one, but if it has any history with the Gordons I'm sure my sister in law knows of it. She's made a career out of studying our genealogy for nearly 40 years now.
@@sanchezbaggett4375 .. Which Beechwood Plantation are you referring? Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia or Florida? And what is your point here asking Mr. Gordon if he knows of Beechwood Plantation? He gave you a very kind and sincere response, to which you've yet to acknowledge
@get off my lawn, I don't get on here often, and when I do, it is because of intermittent notifications...Like the one from someone who believes he should inject his unwarranted opinion into a personal inquiry. My ancestors, the Amersons, and Tuckers were well acquainted with the General and I'm sure your sister has that history, as they were all from the Upson County/Taylor County area of West Central Georgia. I hope that your day has been as pleasant as mine!
My great great grandpa served in the 7th West Virginia of French's Division at Antietam. He was one of three ancestors that participated in the battle, two Union and one Confederate. He was initially reported as KIA at Bloody Lane but was actually alive and well and served with the regiment all the way to Appomattox.
I had five Great Great Uncles that also served in Company B of the 7th West Virginia of French’s Division at Antietam. They were the five Mallow Brothers. Abraham,Isaac,Jacob,and Moses were killed at Bloody Lane. One of the five,Isaac,is buried in the National Cemetery. I’m not sure where the others are buried, my guess is in a mass grave. Daniel Mallow survived and went on to serve at Gettysburg. He died of his wounds at The Battle Of The Wilderness. I have his medal.
I hope you understood what you do for people with these videos. Not only are they super educational but you take us to places a lot of us don’t have time/money to go to. I can totally relax and allow you to take me back in time and for that I can’t thank you enough . Thank you
I couldn’t agree more SaberWagon, and these videos from JD and Erik also get to those of use who are outside the United States 🇺🇸 and couldn’t travel even with the money to do it, people like myself who are disabled and not allowed fly, yup, I can really relate to your feelings. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸🇺🇦
Well Bobby Lee sure was fond of it. If he wasn't he could have let his slaves go and not rebelled agnist his oath to the United States. He was in large measure responsible for this horrable slaughter.
Completely crazy about John B Gordon getting hit that many times and still survives the war. I love how they still put up those old-style rail fence lines along the sunken road. Really gives an authentic feel
I’ve read about the sunken road in many soldier memoir’s ….really cool to see it! And the story of General Gordon? WOW! Hopefully he was thanking God for the rest of his life!
I remember in high school history was my absolutely favorite class to take. The thing I love about your videos is you explain very well and it's more in depth than what you would get in a book. You actually go to the sites where history was made.
I can't believe someone in that day and age could survive that many wounds. Not just because of the volume of injuries, but because of how dirty the tools and everything used to treat the wounded. There weren't any sterile hospitals on the battlefields. Im just amazed. Thanks for keeping history alive on this channel. I'm from Pennsylvania, and Ive only been to Gettysburg. I'm definitely hoping to visit Antietam some day.
I am always humbled to learn something new about the Civil War. I had ancestors who fought on both sides, and I inherited some of their letters to family, which describe their day lives and some of their experiences on the battlefield. Thank you for your in-depth videos.
After finding one of your videos a few months ago, I jumped in and have just caught up on all 250 of them( as well as all the American Artifacts) I want to thank you deeply and sincerely for what you are doing, JD. These videos have taught me so much that I never learned in school. Walking around the actual spots where history happened brings a whole new level of, well, realness to it all and gets me emotional. It’s so important we don’t forget history or the immense sacrifices so many have made. I love your level of humbleness, excitement and reverence for these places and the history that still lives there, not to mention the humor you add when appropriate. Once again, thank you so much, can’t wait for more! 🙏🏻
I visited Antietam years ago. Of all the Civil War battlefields I have seen, it was the most beautiful. A relatively small area that can be toured in a day if you are familiar with the history. The rangers were very helpful in explaining the battle. The heavy casualties for this day, approximately 25,000, were the result of the large number of men in a compact battleground with a large amount of artillery firing continuously from both sides. A real hellscape.
we visited there in 2002 while I was finishing the US Army War College. I had parked the car and began walking down into the sunken road when I realized I was alone. My wife was standing next to the road refusing to move. I walked back and asked what was wrong. "What happened here" she asked. I pulled out my history book and showed her pictures of the carnage of this battle site. She said "I smell blood and death. Blood and death." So we got in the car and drove back to the visitors center. Antietam was a massive battle, and the Bloody Lane is arguably the hardest part of it. Thank you for this video.
As a youngster I had the pleasure of metal detecting the farm of Mr. Miller the owner of the Roulette farm. My Father was a very good friend of Mr.Miller and we were given exclusive permission to detect the farm. In the mid to late 1970's we detected there. I know every inch of that farm. I was about 12 when we started. Mr Miller told us about a area in front of the tower, that when he would plow a certain section he could feel a hollow section in the field. He told my father and older brothers while I was standing right there about his thoughts of soldiers being buried there. We all decided not to detect that area, we didn't want to disturb any graves. It was a conscious and ethical decision not to dig or disturb any soldiers remains if there. In later years after we stopped detecting as much because I was pursuing a baseball career, my brother was diagnosed with brain cancer and my father had a heart attack and double bypass surgery. A person from Ohio detected that area and dug up those graves. There are articles describing the find from that person and the park service. Mr Miller and my family knew there were graves there but we had morals and standards not to disturb a man or men's gravesites. I also know some facts about the barn that Mr Miller told and showed us. To this day I really don't know if these facts are known about by anyone else. These facts are real and amazing and i hold them dear to my heart and can be proven. I have every artifact that we found documented, I can remember by heart where most of these artifacts were found. We spent countless hours and hard work doing what we loved. I took special pride in the collection and I was in charge of cleaning and documenting each find from each hunt at the age of 12 till we stopped detecting. There are many great memories of those times with my father and brothers in those fields of the Roulette farm. My oldest brother took many photographs of the farm and of us detecting and of some of our finds. We have some amazing photographs from the 70's. There are lots more facts I could tell but not enough time to do so on here. From one history lover to another. God Bless and Take Care!
@@carlbruhn1772 Yes, sir. I cherish those days with my father and brothers, learning history and to be able experience facts that aren't in the history books and could only be experienced first hand. I remember them like it was yesterday and I hold those artifacts we found dear to my heart. We also detected a private farm near Burnside Bridge and have many cool experiences there also, South Mountain was also a place my Dad to us. My Father was a great Dad, he took us on many excursions. We did pretty much everything you could do outdoors that you can do. Plus my brothers and I were exceptional athletes, we all played college football or baseball. Three of us out of 4 played professional sports also. We were lucky to have such great parents. Believe me my parents instilled a great work ethic in all of us. Thank you and Take care!!
AMAZING FRIEND! My Dad and I used to hunt and find arrow heads together and cherish those memories! He passed when I was 14 and those days and times together are some of my favorite memories so I can only imagine how much you hold this experience close to your heart. Thanks for sharing your story!
Hey.... You are my favorite facilitator of civil war places and battles. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to telling the story. Yours truly, John Shackelford. Columbia Tn. south of Franklin Tn. Sons of the Confederacy !!!
Your thoughts and perspectives and info are very informative. You get close, and go to the spots and speak about what happened there specifically. Thank you. Even having been to the Antietam battlefield, you showed me places I didn’t go. I now know things I didn’t. That’s huge. Shows me I’ve got some more learning to do. Places again I need to go. As you’ve shown me, and others certainly. I will show someone else. My children. That’s the important thing. Informing correctly for generations coming to know the truth. To not forget. Even the music hits home. I appreciate you and what you do bud. Thanks again. Joshua Boykin member SCV David O. Dodd camp #619 Deo Vindice
Going to the battlefields on the dates they happened for me is another way of relating and getting closer to maybe how it was then. Wilson’s creek is a cool one to go to. I hadn’t been there yet. I didn’t get to see it all either. But was there in the dates it was fought. Idk. Just makes it more interesting.
Thank you for your efforts. Despite the abject insanity of the war, the courage and determination of the individuals involved is very stirring and well worth remembering.
Thank you for this series. I have been to other battlefields many times but I found Antietam to be an exceptionally beautiful battlefield in terms of terrain and foliage when I was there. A fitting place to remember the sacrifices made by all of our forefathers.
Nice presentation. I visited this site a few years ago. My wife and I were the only ones there. I climbed the tower and walked the lane imagining what it’d be like fighting hand to hand. Truly amazing part of our history.
A spectacular presentation. I can see why the US Army would bring us to these battle parks for training. I have to get back there to walk it again. The bloody lane was a classic reverse slope defense.
Loving the Civil War Series! I love learning even more and you bringing History Alive! Partnering up with Vlogging through History, priceless, shows you both care about History and a great way to present it! Thank you for introducing me to VTH! Enjoy his presentations of History as well! Thank you JD for all you do! Appreciate you!
As always thank you for not only giving a history lesson of where you're at but for posting yet one more excellent video of the Civil War. It's been years since I've been to Antietam and watching your video I got a whole new perspective of this battle and the feeling like I could actually see the fighting which took place and the carnage which took place afterwards. Keep up your excellent work of keeping Civil War history alive for all to see and learn.
Thanks for this Antietam series! Great stuff and very informative. Just this past year I started reading more about General Gordon. What a life he led. Started in law school, went in the mining business. Elected captain of the raccoon roughs with no military experience. He has to be one of the most over looked generals of the war. I think(?)he went to PA before Gettysburg and was instrumental in capturing the city of York and on to Wrightsville where the Union burned down the bridge over the Susquehanna. I’m making my way through his memoirs now. Great read
Thanks for the info. Antietam a great place to visit and close to Gettysburg. Wild flowers on the battlefield of Antietam were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Beauty and carnage, all mixed into one. God Bless our soldiers.
JD..... yet another fantastic vlog. The Civil War is my favorite historic event to research. I have researched the battle at Shiloh. At that site is a Sunken Road mentioned also. Thank you for taking your viewers on this historic trek
I have been to Shiloh and highly recommend you visit. What struck me was how close cannons were to the poor souls being fired upon. Bloody pond is also quite small and the bluffs of the Tennessee River are steep and high. Grant was literally driven to the brink by Johnston.
I think she nailed it. The horror of human slavery, including the systematic rape of girls and women to produce babies to raise and sell for profit, was bound to cause a drastic moral awakening. The hateful divisiveness that #45 has pumped up, shows me that the Civil War never really ended. The need of some whites to cling to a resentful belief in their inborn supremacy, remains. Which says that the suffering of soldiers on both sides is still in vain, to some degree. That's a great part of this tragedy, to my mind.
I almost missed this one. I'm glad I clicked save right away when I saw it posted for the first time. Iv been I'll the last few days and I was smart, I automatically gave it a thumbs up in support of your channel and I saved it to watch later. And then I was I'll again all yesterday. I'm glad I did a Smart, I always enjoy your uploads
JD after watching you Civil War vid's I really want to go to Gettysburg again, and also Antietam now thanks to you. My first stop will be the Gettysburg Museum.....
I’ll listen to most people who understand that a ball cap is not a fashion statement and the bill to be worn forward, as it was designed to be used as a sun shade (unless you’re a catcher). Excellent content as always. Perspectives from both sides.
Haha. I grew up in the 70s and 80s when people rarely wore ball caps in public, other than during baseball games. In college in the 80s and early 90s, guys rarely wore ball caps. And if you did, people assumed you were on the way to play in a ballgame. I don’t get the fascination with wearing them, and the comment is very far afield, but I get your sentiment!
@@historyandhorseplaying7374 What part of the country did you live in? The only parts I can think of where "guys rarely wore ball caps" would be New England or the Pacific Northwest, and that's only an impression since I've never lived in either one. Living in the South and the West in the 70s, 80s and 90s (and the 2000s), I can tell you guys and girls did and still do wear ball caps everywhere, all the time. No "fascination with wearing them", they are very practical headgear, although admittedly they are widely used to advertise one's interests or loyalties.
I've often wondered where and why this wearing of ball caps backwards started and why it became such a thing. I doubt it's because millions of people are obsessed with catchers, so WTF is it? And while I will admit I've seen people who I know are intelligent doing it, I still can't help but attribute the same level of foolishness to this that I do to the idiots who wear their pants hanging half way down their ass.
@@amain325 I grew up in South America, Europe, and the Washington DC area. Baseball caps were not nearly so prevalent in the 70s and 80s as today. Men mostly still wore fedoras in the 60s and 70s, less so in the 80s. Take a look at photos, candid films or movies from the 60s, 70s and early 80s, and you won’t see many gentleman (adults) wearing ball caps, that was considered low class, childish, or you were actually playing baseball. Partly because people dressed up more, wearing T-shirts out was not as ubiquitous, and you wouldn’t wear a ball cap with a nice shirt and pants. I don’t remember seeing many wearing them until I went to college in the late 80s, and even then it was just other college kids, not middle aged men. Even today I am hesitant to wear them because I feel like a kid wearing it, not a grown man in my 50s. I certainly never saw my father wear them, and he grew up in the 1930s and 40s. Maybe it’s a generational thing.
I was in the movie about the Battle of Antietam that's shown in the visitors center. I'm the Confederate soldier who is shooting the Union soldier on the cover of the movie. It's narrated by James Earl Jones. We filmed on the actual battlefield park.
Having visited lots of historical sites, the feeling of standing in a place & only being separated from the event by time, can be profoundly moving & surreal. A place just exists for all of these years afterwards, peaceful & unchanging. Without historical knowledge & the memorials, you wouldn't realise such terrible events happened there. Just another country lane...
I've read quite a bit about Gordon, and the fact that he was grievously wounded over and over in combat, yet survived the war and lived on for nearly 40 years after the war. He wasn't just unlucky, he was aggressive and audacious in command, leading from the front. Modern historians tend to pan the famous stories about Gordon's interactions with Francis Barlow and Joshua Chamberlain, but none of the three ever refuted them. All 3 men were wounded severely in different battles and lived to tell of it.
It's sad that my birthday is on such an historical sight. I'll be 70 on September 17th 2023. I also share my birthday with the ratification/signing of Our Constitution. I'm always amazed when I find historical events that have happened on the same day as my birthday. Guess that should have been a warning of my love of history & Democrate & Democracy mind set & Patriotisum. Thank you JD for this video.
My wife's great, great grandfather fought with company H, 132nd PA. They were part of French's Brigade of 2nd corp. Their monument is the one you see in front of the "clump of trees" seen from the observation tower. (The soldier cradling the stars and stripes as along the sunken road). He survived Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and the siege of Petersburg, and is buried here in the little town of Catawissa, PA.
JD you’re so lucky! To travel to all these places, the battle grounds of the WWI and WWII, this has been one of my biggest dreams, to see places from the war, where the men and women put their lives on the line for us. Another great video! I can’t wait for the new video today!
Thank you, these are among the most enjoyable and informative narratives that I have seen regarding the American Civil War. I'm looking forward to watching more of them.
I'd never heard of John B. Gordon until I happened to go to the college he established in Barnesville, GA in the late '70s. He's been my "favorite" CSA general ever since. Only he and Dan Sickles rose to corps command without having a West Point education.
I was at Sharpsburg in the early summer of 1994. My grandmother took me to quite a few battlefields that summer. I walked the sunken road. It dawns on my less young mind now that the excitement and "action" is much outweighed by how much respect I have for both sides (having traced my family's roots) & the eye for the ground has grown. Heavy place.
I haven't made it to Antietam yet. I've been to Shiloh quite a few times, Appomattox Courthouse once, Gettysburg once, and a few different sites in Louisiana and Texas. Shiloh seemed to be the most reverent to me. I'm looking forward to watching this video
Another great Video. Great how you split up the Battle of Antietam. The Confederates got wiped out in two places to give the North a needed major victory. Thanks.
Great video I was there this past July and walked the bloddy lane it is a most intriguing place to visit and think of what took place there.I will be going back next spring they should have the visitors center open and the grounds around it finished by then.Thank you for making these videos.
Visited Antietam many times. On my first visit to Bloody Lane, I walked down and into the western center of the Lane. I could sense men dying in the Lane, and reaching up and touching my feet and legs as I was walking East toward the tower. Never experienced that again despite the times I've visited there. So powerful it was almost real.
great job you can tell you have done your job on getting great information I really like the way you let the information speak for itself and you don't choose sides this was father against son and brother against brother Semper Fi USMC retired
I just started reading Scott Hartwig's new book about Antietam and your videos will be a reliable reference to go to after reading a few chapters....your vids are such a great resource and I thank you for all you do.
First off thank you for your fascinating videos. I really enjoy this channel as I love history. You know the thing that grieves me is first Americans fighting Americans and secondly the outdated and awful tactics. The shoulder to shoulder formations guaranteeing high casualties fills me with utter disgust. Terrible! I have visited Antietam and Gettysburg at least 3 times. I like the fact that Antietam is not developed the way Gettysburg is you can picture things easier. Love your content. Please keep it coming.
Another great video and thank you for your channel that’s gives us the opportunity to see these battlefields and the stories that go along with them. Your Gettysburg series is what inspired me to finally go to visit Gettysburg and I have the feeling this series will have me heading to Antietam in the near future !!! 🇺🇸
You guys are the perfect pair man. Keep it up. Thanks so much for what you do. I stumbled on this place few yrs back, took a picture wearing an Irish t shirt, at the Irish brigades monument. Lol happenstance. . Keep on keeping on. 🤙
Antietam is absolutely a magical place. The area around the Bloody Lane just screams "Civil War." All of my preconceptions of what I thought of that battlefield matched reality. I can't wait to return.
Of all the battlefields I had the opportunity to walk, this lane is the most illuminating as to why certain choices were made and also in imparting a 'feeling'. For real, walking the sunken road you can feel how oppressive it must have been once that flank was turned, a real sensation of being trapped with no good fallback location. But as to why there and not the crest of the hill, that is also clear as if you walk up to where the union line of advance crests you would be in direct fire from the entire union line of artillery and by this point most union forces had better equipment than the CSA in general, so a reverse slope defense protects you from artillery and puts the enemy right at closer range.
Great detailed video of the battle. I would love to go there again. The last time I was there was in 1997 for the 135th anniversary of the battle reenactment.
I just love your videos. They are always very informative, extremely interesting, and at times funny. Please continue your awesome work. So glad I subscribed to your videos. 😊
⭐ 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.
JD each and every video you share is deserving of praise. Your neutrality in each presentation is what is so remarkable. You bring history through an unbiased eye. Thank you.
That tower gives a full picture for sure wow that's a huge battlefield I couldn't imagine what it must have been like to live it the lane was sort of like a perfect natural trench
@@James-po6ib it was hot as hell in those thick wool uniforms is one thing to remember as well as the heavy rifle you carried. This is from my reenactment experience.
@@charlesfritz7131 wow it's unreal I've always wanted to go to a reenactment, but yea that battlefield is insane and then factor the heat I could not imagine being new in the army and being thrown into that sort of combat the ones that survived that were well seasoned after the fact im sure. I would love to see that act out on that feild I bet it's fun to watch I could almost imagine when he showed the view from the tower and then I watched the other video and saw the map of how the federals marched in, that was an insane flank couldn't imagine it looks a lot like a D day type battle
@@James-po6ib also figure in that they actually stood shoulder to shoulder when marching into battle.
I got to visit Antietam a few years ago. Midweek, no one around. A crisp fall morning, with some fog wafting gently, everything damp and soft. I walked the fields and trails with interest, and then I found myself upon Bloody Lane. I'd seen the images of that day, and they came to me, true and immediately. I was astounded by the overwhelming feeling of sadness, horror, and loss in that ditch. It was like I could feel every soul lost on that field within myself. It was all I could do to not weep openly. I could not stay longer.
I remember my visit there in 1993, especially looking up at the field to the east. Do you really march your brigade blindly until they can be slaughtered?
You're not alone .... In 'The Making Of Gettysburg' (the movie) the actor, Warren Burton, who portrayed Major General Henry Heath of the Confederacy confided that many of the re-enactors in the Pickett's Charge scene were openly weeping as they marched toward the Union lines. That story affected me more than all of the other stories I have ever heard about this movie.
@@DATo_DATonian Thank You.
I've read from various people that the hair on their neck stands up when they visit Bloody Lane at Antietam. It's charged with terrific energy from the unspeakable slaughter that happened there.
@Unbroken Yeah, I saw his interview on the DVD extras box set when he talked about his 2 adjutants openly weeping to his rear, sir. He just passed away within the last few weeks😕 R.I.P. Andrew Prine😇
I'm a direct descendant of John B. Gordon, and share the last name. Loved this video. Thanks for giving my ancestor the respect he deserves!
Do you know of Beechwood plantation?
@@sanchezbaggett4375 I'm not familiar with that one, but if it has any history with the Gordons I'm sure my sister in law knows of it. She's made a career out of studying our genealogy for nearly 40 years now.
@@sanchezbaggett4375 .. Which Beechwood Plantation are you referring? Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia or Florida? And what is your point here asking Mr. Gordon if he knows of Beechwood Plantation? He gave you a very kind and sincere response, to which you've yet to acknowledge
@@getoffmylawn8986 .. Gen. John Brown Gordon was a great and honorable man who will never be forgotten. Thank you for posting here
@get off my lawn, I don't get on here often, and when I do, it is because of intermittent notifications...Like the one from someone who believes he should inject his unwarranted opinion into a personal inquiry. My ancestors, the Amersons, and Tuckers were well acquainted with the General and I'm sure your sister has that history, as they were all from the Upson County/Taylor County area of West Central Georgia. I hope that your day has been as pleasant as mine!
My great great grandpa served in the 7th West Virginia of French's Division at Antietam. He was one of three ancestors that participated in the battle, two Union and one Confederate. He was initially reported as KIA at Bloody Lane but was actually alive and well and served with the regiment all the way to Appomattox.
👍🏻
I had five Great Great Uncles that also served in Company B of the 7th West Virginia of French’s Division at Antietam. They were the five Mallow Brothers. Abraham,Isaac,Jacob,and Moses were killed at Bloody Lane. One of the five,Isaac,is buried in the National Cemetery. I’m not sure where the others are buried, my guess is in a mass grave. Daniel Mallow survived and went on to serve at Gettysburg. He died of his wounds at The Battle Of The Wilderness. I have his medal.
Those are awesome stories. Especially the last one.
@@rodmcdonald5662 I just voted for someone named Mallow in the WV election last night. Probly a descendant.
Were any of your 7th WV ancestors involved in fighting during the Jones-Imboden Raid?
I hope you understood what you do for people with these videos. Not only are they super educational but you take us to places a lot of us don’t have time/money to go to. I can totally relax and allow you to take me back in time and for that I can’t thank you enough . Thank you
I couldn’t agree more SaberWagon, and these videos from JD and Erik also get to those of use who are outside the United States 🇺🇸 and couldn’t travel even with the money to do it, people like myself who are disabled and not allowed fly, yup, I can really relate to your feelings. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸🇺🇦
“It is well that war is so terrible-we would grow too fond of it!” Robert E. Lee
Well Bobby Lee sure was fond of it. If he wasn't he could have let his slaves go and not rebelled agnist his oath to the United States. He was in large measure responsible for this horrable slaughter.
@@keithrelyea7997 you know nothing about Robert E. Lee.
@@keithrelyea7997
Your public school education has failed you. Again.
@@peggyscott66 exactly
@@keithrelyea7997 Such a simpleton.
Watching your videos is like being immersed in a good book, it took me a second to emerge into present day. Fascinating work, thank you
General John B Gordon was absolutely tough as a titanium plate. Horribly wounded at bloody lane but survived .What a great general..
The History Underground channel is top notch.
Likewise 👊🏻
Completely crazy about John B Gordon getting hit that many times and still survives the war. I love how they still put up those old-style rail fence lines along the sunken road. Really gives an authentic feel
Very much so.
and they actually stacked it properly...I was in colonial Williamsburg a few years ago and some of the split rail was stacked wrong.
I’ve read about the sunken road in many soldier memoir’s ….really cool to see it! And the story of General Gordon? WOW! Hopefully he was thanking God for the rest of his life!
I remember in high school history was my absolutely favorite class to take. The thing I love about your videos is you explain very well and it's more in depth than what you would get in a book. You actually go to the sites where history was made.
Mine too, and you are correct. This is a whole new perspective for sure.
I can't believe someone in that day and age could survive that many wounds. Not just because of the volume of injuries, but because of how dirty the tools and everything used to treat the wounded. There weren't any sterile hospitals on the battlefields. Im just amazed. Thanks for keeping history alive on this channel. I'm from Pennsylvania, and Ive only been to Gettysburg. I'm definitely hoping to visit Antietam some day.
I am always humbled to learn something new about the Civil War. I had ancestors who fought on both sides, and I inherited some of their letters to family, which describe their day lives and some of their experiences on the battlefield. Thank you for your in-depth videos.
After finding one of your videos a few months ago, I jumped in and have just caught up on all 250 of them( as well as all the American Artifacts)
I want to thank you deeply and sincerely for what you are doing, JD.
These videos have taught me so much that I never learned in school. Walking around the actual spots where history happened brings a whole new level of, well, realness to it all and gets me emotional. It’s so important we don’t forget history or the immense sacrifices so many have made. I love your level of humbleness, excitement and reverence for these places and the history that still lives there, not to mention the humor you add when appropriate.
Once again, thank you so much, can’t wait for more! 🙏🏻
Oh wow! Thank you. I really do appreciate that.
Thought the same rmallez5 but you said it perfectly. Keep on historying JD sir.
Y'all are really, really good at presenting complex events in an understandable and empathetic way.
I visited Antietam years ago. Of all the Civil War battlefields I have seen, it was the most beautiful. A relatively small area that can be toured in a day if you are familiar with the history. The rangers were very helpful in explaining the battle. The heavy casualties for this day, approximately 25,000, were the result of the large number of men in a compact battleground with a large amount of artillery firing continuously from both sides. A real hellscape.
we visited there in 2002 while I was finishing the US Army War College. I had parked the car and began walking down into the sunken road when I realized I was alone. My wife was standing next to the road refusing to move. I walked back and asked what was wrong. "What happened here" she asked. I pulled out my history book and showed her pictures of the carnage of this battle site. She said "I smell blood and death. Blood and death." So we got in the car and drove back to the visitors center. Antietam was a massive battle, and the Bloody Lane is arguably the hardest part of it. Thank you for this video.
As a youngster I had the pleasure of metal detecting the farm of Mr. Miller the owner of the Roulette farm. My Father was a very good friend of Mr.Miller and we were given exclusive permission to detect the farm. In the mid to late 1970's we detected there. I know every inch of that farm. I was about 12 when we started. Mr Miller told us about a area in front of the tower, that when he would plow a certain section he could feel a hollow section in the field. He told my father and older brothers while I was standing right there about his thoughts of soldiers being buried there. We all decided not to detect that area, we didn't want to disturb any graves. It was a conscious and ethical decision not to dig or disturb any soldiers remains if there. In later years after we stopped detecting as much because I was pursuing a baseball career, my brother was diagnosed with brain cancer and my father had a heart attack and double bypass surgery. A person from Ohio detected that area and dug up those graves. There are articles describing the find from that person and the park service. Mr Miller and my family knew there were graves there but we had morals and standards not to disturb a man or men's gravesites. I also know some facts about the barn that Mr Miller told and showed us. To this day I really don't know if these facts are known about by anyone else. These facts are real and amazing and i hold them dear to my heart and can be proven. I have every artifact that we found documented, I can remember by heart where most of these artifacts were found. We spent countless hours and hard work doing what we loved. I took special pride in the collection and I was in charge of cleaning and documenting each find from each hunt at the age of 12 till we stopped detecting. There are many great memories of those times with my father and brothers in those fields of the Roulette farm. My oldest brother took many photographs of the farm and of us detecting and of some of our finds. We have some amazing photographs from the 70's. There are lots more facts I could tell but not enough time to do so on here. From one history lover to another. God Bless and Take Care!
Thank you for sharing. What an incredible experience.
@@carlbruhn1772 Yes, sir. I cherish those days with my father and brothers, learning history and to be able experience facts that aren't in the history books and could only be experienced first hand. I remember them like it was yesterday and I hold those artifacts we found dear to my heart. We also detected a private farm near Burnside Bridge and have many cool experiences there also, South Mountain was also a place my Dad to us. My Father was a great Dad, he took us on many excursions. We did pretty much everything you could do outdoors that you can do. Plus my brothers and I were exceptional athletes, we all played college football or baseball. Three of us out of 4 played professional sports also. We were lucky to have such great parents. Believe me my parents instilled a great work ethic in all of us. Thank you and Take care!!
Sorry to hear about your father's and brother's misfortunes, sir. I hope they both made it thru👍😇
AMAZING FRIEND! My Dad and I used to hunt and find arrow heads together and cherish those memories! He passed when I was 14 and those days and times together are some of my favorite memories so I can only imagine how much you hold this experience close to your heart. Thanks for sharing your story!
Wow, I love listening/reading stories from older generations. Back when most people worked hard, knew right from wrong, and as you say…had morales.
Hey....
You are my favorite facilitator of civil war places and battles.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to telling the story.
Yours truly, John Shackelford.
Columbia Tn. south of Franklin Tn.
Sons of the Confederacy !!!
Do you mean SCV (Sons of Confederate Veterans)?
Thanks! I am enjoying all your videos.
Awesome, thank you!
Unbelievable what the men on both sides put themselves through. Such heros.
Awful ordeal.
Your thoughts and perspectives and info are very informative. You get close, and go to the spots and speak about what happened there specifically. Thank you.
Even having been to the Antietam battlefield, you showed me places I didn’t go. I now know things I didn’t. That’s huge. Shows me I’ve got some more learning to do. Places again I need to go. As you’ve shown me, and others certainly. I will show someone else. My children. That’s the important thing. Informing correctly for generations coming to know the truth. To not forget. Even the music hits home. I appreciate you and what you do bud. Thanks again.
Joshua Boykin member SCV David O. Dodd camp #619
Deo Vindice
Going to the battlefields on the dates they happened for me is another way of relating and getting closer to maybe how it was then. Wilson’s creek is a cool one to go to. I hadn’t been there yet. I didn’t get to see it all either. But was there in the dates it was fought. Idk. Just makes it more interesting.
Being a history and civil war nut I think the research you do is amazing. I am learning a lot about the Civil War.
Thanks! Appreciate that!
Thank you for your efforts. Despite the abject insanity of the war, the courage and determination of the individuals involved is very stirring and well worth remembering.
Thank you for this series. I have been to other battlefields many times but I found Antietam to be an exceptionally beautiful battlefield in terms of terrain and foliage when I was there. A fitting place to remember the sacrifices made by all of our forefathers.
Glad you enjoy it!
Nice presentation. I visited this site a few years ago. My wife and I were the only ones there. I climbed the tower and walked the lane imagining what it’d be like fighting hand to hand. Truly amazing part of our history.
A spectacular presentation. I can see why the US Army would bring us to these battle parks for training. I have to get back there to walk it again. The bloody lane was a classic reverse slope defense.
Absolutely. There was a battle walk going on one of the days that I was there.
That’s awesome!
Absolutely love these Civil War videos, you present such a tragic period of American history so well.
Good reporting. I'm glad you show maps they really help. Thank you
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Loving the Civil War Series! I love learning even more and you bringing History Alive! Partnering up with Vlogging through History, priceless, shows you both care about History and a great way to present it! Thank you for introducing me to VTH! Enjoy his presentations of History as well! Thank you JD for all you do! Appreciate you!
I loved this. Antietam is my home, I grew up in Dargan, just 15 minutes away. I’ve been waiting to see you do Antietam. Thank you
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Thanks!
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As always thank you for not only giving a history lesson of where you're at but for posting yet one more excellent video of the Civil War. It's been years since I've been to Antietam and watching your video I got a whole new perspective of this battle and the feeling like I could actually see the fighting which took place and the carnage which took place afterwards. Keep up your excellent work of keeping Civil War history alive for all to see and learn.
Thanks for this Antietam series! Great stuff and very informative. Just this past year I started reading more about General Gordon. What a life he led. Started in law school, went in the mining business. Elected captain of the raccoon roughs with no military experience. He has to be one of the most over looked generals of the war. I think(?)he went to PA before Gettysburg and was instrumental in capturing the city of York and on to Wrightsville where the Union burned down the bridge over the Susquehanna. I’m making my way through his memoirs now. Great read
Excellent video. Antietam was one of my favorite battlefield visits.
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Thanks for the info. Antietam a great place to visit and close to Gettysburg. Wild flowers on the battlefield of Antietam were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Beauty and carnage, all mixed into one. God Bless our soldiers.
Can’t get enough of your presentation. Outstanding work…. Always. Thank you.
Thanks again!
John Gordon was a stone cold badass!....love your fantastic videos....👍
Thanks!
That story is awesome. What a tough man. Gordon is really one to rember.
Thank you for this narrated tour. This is a place I'd like to go visit someday.
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Man, that's insane Never a disappointment.
Time always well spent.
Thank you much appreciated
Thank you for telling this story. I now have an idea of what my ggggrandfather went though in the 26th Alabama. What an amazing story.
They went through pure hell.
JD..... yet another fantastic vlog. The Civil War is my favorite historic event to research. I have researched the battle at Shiloh. At that site is a Sunken Road mentioned also. Thank you for taking your viewers on this historic trek
One of the greatest fields ive ever visited. Even had family fight their. Wallaces zouaves 11th indiana.
Seems like a lot of battles have a Sunken Road, a Blood Angle and a Peach Orchard. 😅
I have been to Shiloh and highly recommend you visit. What struck me was how close cannons were to the poor souls being fired upon. Bloody pond is also quite small and the bluffs of the Tennessee River are steep and high. Grant was literally driven to the brink by Johnston.
“One is left with the horrible feeling now that war settles nothing; that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one.”
― Agatha Christie
I think she nailed it. The horror of human slavery, including the systematic rape of girls and women to produce babies to raise and sell for profit, was bound to cause a drastic moral awakening. The hateful divisiveness that #45 has pumped up, shows me that the Civil War never really ended. The need of some whites to cling to a resentful belief in their inborn supremacy, remains. Which says that the suffering of soldiers on both sides is still in vain, to some degree. That's a great part of this tragedy, to my mind.
That’s a slightly different take on what Wellington said-
“Believe me, nothing except a battle lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won”
I almost missed this one. I'm glad I clicked save right away when I saw it posted for the first time. Iv been I'll the last few days and I was smart, I automatically gave it a thumbs up in support of your channel and I saved it to watch later. And then I was I'll again all yesterday. I'm glad I did a Smart, I always enjoy your uploads
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JD after watching you Civil War vid's I really want to go to Gettysburg again, and also Antietam now thanks to you. My first stop will be the Gettysburg Museum.....
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I remember climbing that tower and looking on the Battlefield. Goose bumps moment it was so cool.
Love that place.
I’ll listen to most people who understand that a ball cap is not a fashion statement and the bill to be worn forward, as it was designed to be used as a sun shade (unless you’re a catcher). Excellent content as always. Perspectives from both sides.
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Haha. I grew up in the 70s and 80s when people rarely wore ball caps in public, other than during baseball games. In college in the 80s and early 90s, guys rarely wore ball caps. And if you did, people assumed you were on the way to play in a ballgame. I don’t get the fascination with wearing them, and the comment is very far afield, but I get your sentiment!
@@historyandhorseplaying7374 What part of the country did you live in? The only parts I can think of where "guys rarely wore ball caps" would be New England or the Pacific Northwest, and that's only an impression since I've never lived in either one. Living in the South and the West in the 70s, 80s and 90s (and the 2000s), I can tell you guys and girls did and still do wear ball caps everywhere, all the time. No "fascination with wearing them", they are very practical headgear, although admittedly they are widely used to advertise one's interests or loyalties.
I've often wondered where and why this wearing of ball caps backwards started and why it became such a thing. I doubt it's because millions of people are obsessed with catchers, so WTF is it? And while I will admit I've seen people who I know are intelligent doing it, I still can't help but attribute the same level of foolishness to this that I do to the idiots who wear their pants hanging half way down their ass.
@@amain325 I grew up in South America, Europe, and the Washington DC area. Baseball caps were not nearly so prevalent in the 70s and 80s as today. Men mostly still wore fedoras in the 60s and 70s, less so in the 80s. Take a look at photos, candid films or movies from the 60s, 70s and early 80s, and you won’t see many gentleman (adults) wearing ball caps, that was considered low class, childish, or you were actually playing baseball. Partly because people dressed up more, wearing T-shirts out was not as ubiquitous, and you wouldn’t wear a ball cap with a nice shirt and pants. I don’t remember seeing many wearing them until I went to college in the late 80s, and even then it was just other college kids, not middle aged men. Even today I am hesitant to wear them because I feel like a kid wearing it, not a grown man in my 50s. I certainly never saw my father wear them, and he grew up in the 1930s and 40s. Maybe it’s a generational thing.
I was in the movie about the Battle of Antietam that's shown in the visitors center. I'm the Confederate soldier who is shooting the Union soldier on the cover of the movie. It's narrated by James Earl Jones. We filmed on the actual battlefield park.
The Antietam terminator, my gosh, and to survive that! Thanks so much for making me feel like I was there myself!👍
Having visited lots of historical sites, the feeling of standing in a place & only being separated from the event by time, can be profoundly moving & surreal.
A place just exists for all of these years afterwards, peaceful & unchanging. Without historical knowledge & the memorials, you wouldn't realise such terrible events happened there. Just another country lane...
Agreed.
Excellent as always, My great -great grandfather with the 130th PA fought at the Bloody Lane.
Man I'm so glad I found this historical channel. Love history ❤
I've read quite a bit about Gordon, and the fact that he was grievously wounded over and over in combat, yet survived the war and lived on for nearly 40 years after the war. He wasn't just unlucky, he was aggressive and audacious in command, leading from the front. Modern historians tend to pan the famous stories about Gordon's interactions with Francis Barlow and Joshua Chamberlain, but none of the three ever refuted them. All 3 men were wounded severely in different battles and lived to tell of it.
Great job. That was awesome. You bring the weight of the event every time.
I appreciate that!
Very good. I hope others will value your material and see the sacrifices that have shaped our land and people.
Thanks!
It's sad that my birthday is on such an historical sight.
I'll be 70 on September 17th 2023.
I also share my birthday with the ratification/signing of Our Constitution.
I'm always amazed when I find historical events that have happened on the same day as my birthday.
Guess that should have been a warning of my love of history & Democrate & Democracy mind set & Patriotisum.
Thank you JD for this video.
Another fascinating video, JD. I’ve learned more from these videos than I ever did in history textbooks. Thanks so much! 👍
Thanks 🙏🏼
Love your videos man! Thank you!
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My wife's great, great grandfather fought with company H, 132nd PA. They were part of French's Brigade of 2nd corp. Their monument is the one you see in front of the "clump of trees" seen from the observation tower. (The soldier cradling the stars and stripes as along the sunken road). He survived Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and the siege of Petersburg, and is buried here in the little town of Catawissa, PA.
George Anderson is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, NC.
Great video!
JD you’re so lucky! To travel to all these places, the battle grounds of the WWI and WWII, this has been one of my biggest dreams, to see places from the war, where the men and women put their lives on the line for us. Another great video! I can’t wait for the new video today!
Thanks for sharing the Sunken Road battle. I always enjoy your perspective on your videos.
Thank You for sharing knowledge with US , you’re viewers. I along with so many others, Learn a lot from you’re videos . 🙌
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Thank you, these are among the most enjoyable and informative narratives that I have seen regarding the American Civil War.
I'm looking forward to watching more of them.
Thanks 🙏🏼
Once again another very well done video. Keep it up!!
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I'd never heard of John B. Gordon until I happened to go to the college he established in Barnesville, GA in the late '70s. He's been my "favorite" CSA general ever since. Only he and Dan Sickles rose to corps command without having a West Point education.
Both sides should have let non-West Pointers lead.
I was at Sharpsburg in the early summer of 1994. My grandmother took me to quite a few battlefields that summer. I walked the sunken road.
It dawns on my less young mind now that the excitement and "action" is much outweighed by how much respect I have for both sides (having traced my family's roots) & the eye for the ground has grown.
Heavy place.
My Great Great Great grandfather Private Richard Pierce of Co B 27th North Carolina Infantry Regiment fought at Bloody Lane at Sharpsburg
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@@TheHistoryUnderground I've enjoyed all your posts
Excellent narrative…
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I haven't made it to Antietam yet. I've been to Shiloh quite a few times, Appomattox Courthouse once, Gettysburg once, and a few different sites in Louisiana and Texas. Shiloh seemed to be the most reverent to me.
I'm looking forward to watching this video
Another great Video. Great how you split up the Battle of Antietam.
The Confederates got wiped out in two places to give the North a needed major victory. Thanks.
Thanks 🙏🏼
Great video I was there this past July and walked the bloddy lane it is a most intriguing place to visit and think of what took place there.I will be going back next spring they should have the visitors center open and the grounds around it finished by then.Thank you for making these videos.
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Visited Antietam many times. On my first visit to Bloody Lane, I walked down and into the western center of the Lane. I could sense men dying in the Lane, and reaching up and touching my feet and legs as I was walking East toward the tower. Never experienced that again despite the times I've visited there. So powerful it was almost real.
Man your videos are great almost everybody's forgotten about that war 👍👍👍
Thank you for all your videos.🙏
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JD, you make it all so interesting, so personal, indeed so human. Thanks for another good 1! I'm learning so much!
Appreciate that.
Thank you. I was there last week and now it makes so much more sense.
great job you can tell you have done your job on getting great information I really like the way you let the information speak for itself and you don't choose sides this was father against son and brother against brother Semper Fi USMC retired
I just started reading Scott Hartwig's new book about Antietam and your videos will be a reliable reference to go to after reading a few chapters....your vids are such a great resource and I thank you for all you do.
First off thank you for your fascinating videos. I really enjoy this channel as I love history. You know the thing that grieves me is first Americans fighting Americans and secondly the outdated and awful tactics. The shoulder to shoulder formations guaranteeing high casualties fills me with utter disgust. Terrible! I have visited Antietam and Gettysburg at least 3 times. I like the fact that Antietam is not developed the way Gettysburg is you can picture things easier. Love your content. Please keep it coming.
Thanks for the kind words. Love how well Antietam has been preserved.
Another great video and thank you for your channel that’s gives us the opportunity to see these battlefields and the stories that go along with them. Your Gettysburg series is what inspired me to finally go to visit Gettysburg and I have the feeling this series will have me heading to Antietam in the near future !!! 🇺🇸
Awesome collaboration. Two of my favorite channels! Keep up the great work, gentlemen.
Much appreciated!
Enjoyed yet again….a visit might be forthcoming in the spring. Thx, Andrew
Thanks!
Great view from that observation tower 👌 what a slaughter house bloody lane was.
Bravo, JD Bravo! Loving this series and looking forward to more……. heading too Vlogging through History’s channel to see Chris’s contribution
I don’t think he has it posted yet, but it shouldn’t be long.
So informative ....bringing history to life. Well done
Great story love it. I would love to visit those battle field one day especially this one. A Swede who used to live in good ol USA in Utah
It was a great tour.thank you
Thanks!
You guys are the perfect pair man. Keep it up. Thanks so much for what you do.
I stumbled on this place few yrs back, took a picture wearing an Irish t shirt, at the Irish brigades monument. Lol happenstance. . Keep on keeping on. 🤙
Thanks 🙏🏼
Yay! Chris is back! Love ya both!
On my bucket list of places that I must visit. Great video!!!!!!!
Antietam is absolutely a magical place. The area around the Bloody Lane just screams "Civil War." All of my preconceptions of what I thought of that battlefield matched reality. I can't wait to return.
Of all the battlefields I had the opportunity to walk, this lane is the most illuminating as to why certain choices were made and also in imparting a 'feeling'. For real, walking the sunken road you can feel how oppressive it must have been once that flank was turned, a real sensation of being trapped with no good fallback location. But as to why there and not the crest of the hill, that is also clear as if you walk up to where the union line of advance crests you would be in direct fire from the entire union line of artillery and by this point most union forces had better equipment than the CSA in general, so a reverse slope defense protects you from artillery and puts the enemy right at closer range.
Spent some time here as a kid. Amazing place wild story
Great detailed video of the battle. I would love to go there again. The last time I was there was in 1997 for the 135th anniversary of the battle reenactment.
Thank you for an awesome informative video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I just love your videos. They are always very informative, extremely interesting, and at times funny. Please continue your awesome work. So glad I subscribed to your videos. 😊
I love your videos. Keep doing the great work.
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