How fortunate are we to live in an area where two towns like Sharpsburg and Harpers Ferry are so preserved as to return us to the days when in mid-1800 normal rural life was interrupted by the struggle for freedom. Dennis Frye is a legend in Washington County, and again he does a great job escorting us through the living history of these towns.
I have been to Antietam 10 times since my first visit in 1984! I am obsessed with Antietam as I am with Gettysburg and they are my favorite historic battlefields! I had a GGG Grandfather and other relatives in the 3rd Indiana Cavalry who provided security for the artillery near the Newcomer Farm ; A couple in the19th Indiana of the Iron Brigade and a relative in the 89th New York who was KIA on September 17,1862. I never get enough of visiting Sharpsburg and the Antietam Battlefield!
Dennis kind of grows on you. The more I watch his tours, the more I appreciate him as a guide. I was at Antietam Battlefield yesterday, had viewed this video a few weeks ago, but didn’t have time to visit the town. Ya can’t do everything. But I did find General Burnside’s headquarters, which had been visited by Abraham Lincoln.
Sharpsburg is indeed an interesting place. I have a home there on Main Street bearing one of the plaques Dennis mentions. It is easy to imagine the chaos in the streets on battle day with batteries rushing through town to rearm, ambulances in the street, Union artillery rounds crashing into structures and the screams of horses and wounded.
I also have an ancestor who was in the 4th Pa. Calvary, Captain C. Benton White! And Dennis is the best, met him at Civil War Roundtable of Harpers Ferry.
@@billstanton9446 Cool! My great great grandfather was George Washington Conrad. His grandfather was a Hessian soldier who defected to the American side the night before George Washington crossed the Delaware. His father admired George Washington so much he named him after him.. George Conrad was taken prisoner at the battle of Jeffersonton in October of 1863. He ended up in Andersonville and barely survived.. Thanks for the shout out, Brother🙋
I am sharing this with my 8th-grade students today during our Zoom class meeting. We are almost at the end of our Civil War unit. They are really seeming to enjoy it! Thank you for sharing and helping me bring history alive to my remote learning classroom!
It was a pleasure meeting you, by chance, today at Harpers Ferry, Mr. Dennis Frye! I am now forever a superfan of Harpers Ferry + ALL Civil War history!
I visited Antietam and Gettysburg maybe 10 years ago and hope to get back there. Walking the battlefields is a very sobering experience; beautiful countryside. Maybe I can get to Harper's Ferry too.
My great-grandmother Lila Virginia Smith (married name was Rohr) was a little child who sheltered with her parents in a basement of a home in Sharpsburg during the battle. My ancestors are buried in Mountain View Cemetery. Sharpsburg will always be special to me. Thank you for the wonderful walking tour you provided for us. Very enjoyable!
I really want to visit Antietam again, first and last visit was back in the 70s when we went to Gettysburg for the second time. Went to Gettysburg any times and participated in the reenactments a few times, but my best visit was 2 years ago when I was finally able to go by myself, did a lot of reading and research before. Gonna do the same for Sharpsburg/Antietam maybe this year. These videos are a wonderful resource.
THANK YOU, gents!! I was returning to NY after a whirlwind 6000-mile motorcycle trip.. was there one day AFTER this video was made! I rode through the battlefield and town (all too quickly, sadly), so this is wonderful stuff for me. PS- My Gr Gr Grandfather was in the 6th Wisconsin Vols./Iron Brigade, who fought early in the day.
I've been watching a few of these videos in a row and Dennis really makes me want to visit the battlefields in that area. I'm from Tennessee and I've visited many battlefields around here, but a tour of the battlefields in Western Maryland and West Virginia needs to be in my future.
Thank the Lord for you guys! Your so great! I'm 53 year old civil war nut, all my life. Originally from Knoxville, tn lived in Chattanooga the past 13 years an have had the time of my life relic hunting private land, chickamauga, pevine creeks. But visiting the battlefields here have been so special. Not a week has gone by without walking or driving through chickamauga battlefield while all along living on missionary ridge, looking straight out to lookout and signal mountains. Keep up the great work. This countries history, its stories, need you guys so much! Thank you.
My great grandfather ×3 served with the 27th North Carolina and saw action in the Seven Days Battles and was wounded at Sharpsburg, he survived the war and passed away from complications from his wounds in 1879, was originally from Fayetteville NC but was recruited from Guilford County where he was working in 1861, originally the 9th regiment later became the 27th. Have some of his personal belongings that were left by my late mother have always been fascinated with the civil war for this fact and the history in my home state of NC. Thank you for this presentation.
Dennis is a great tour guide!! When we filmed God's and General's, he gave us reenactors a great tour of the battlefield. Trying to get back out there. My Favorite battlefield and town
When Dennis moved to the first alley, and mentioned soldiers always knew where to find ... , I thought maybe it was a row of taverns! Instead of the spring, I fancied the area with dram shops (or maybe even where soldiers could find the company of a "friendly" woman; not to disparage Sharpsburg, but aren't soldiers always searching for some "basics"? Have visited the battlefield twice (1998 and 2002), but never got such insights as through this presentation. Many thanks, ABT & Presenters!
Sharpsburg Battlefield, Historically Maintained close to day of Battle, Very Clean, Nutter's Ice Cream at the end of the Visit! Thank ya'll for this great video, Dennis, thank you for your hard work,historical knowledge, and given with such Great Passion!
My 6th great grandmother was Elizabeth Flick died 1818, daughter of my 7th great grandfather Wilhelm Heinrich Flick first off the boat on my dad's side from Germany who ended up a Colonel in command of one of the 5 German speaking militia Battalions during the Rev War. she married Jacob Piper 1725-1813} and to my knowledge owned the farm down from the Antietam Battlefield and Confederate Generals Longstreet & D. H. Hill had dinner there the night before the battle. The Elizabeth that you mention as living in town I believe was a granddaughter
Fantastic! I have been to Sharpsburg many times and I still learned some things from this piece. Really appreciate the Trust's mission and producing these videos. They're always very well done.
Frye just went up another notch with the "sister the rafters " comment... lmao wasnt this guy on Civil war journal with a mustache? These are some good dudes 👏 keep up the good work guys and thx.. sincerly, 47 yr old framer :)
Great video! I just moved to Sharpsburg and am enjoying learning about the town. The people are super friendly. Looking forward to digging into the battle.
A very well-done video. I live in Brisbane, Australia and have been interested in the American Civil War for many years. I have, among the 3,500-4000 books of my personal library (mostly general history & military history), possibly 300 books on the Civil War. I like to think it is among the largest Civil War collections in Australia. My favourite CW authors are Douglas Southall Freeman, Bruce Catton & Stephen Sears. I have a particular liking for large-format books of CW photos. Many such books feature a CW-era photo of a long dirt road in Sharpsburg, with the wrecked church on the left-hand side: the same church shown in this video. In the distance are clouds of smoke, or dust. For some reason I keep returning to that photo. It has always given me the feeling that I know that place: that i've seen that view in person, long before I ever saw that photo for the first time. I don't believe in reincarnation or anything like that, so please don't respond to this as though you think i'm a 'nut-case'.
Thanks for this video. Have visited Sharpsburg many times and have passed through this intersection, but never really thought to dig into the "in-town" history. Well done.
While a student of Dr Joseph Harsh I visited Sharpsburg many times. I don't know the name of the store but every time we went Dr Harsh would buy green licorice. He loved green licorice.
Fantastic video and so much information to delve more into, the camp sickness, the way the town stays preserved surrounded by hallowed ground. the way the infrastructure of roads made these famous towns so important during battle... love it! Thank you!
I am a little ashamed, when I first saw Dennis, it was while watching an older lecture on MacClellan, and I couldn't get past what seemed like yelling at the time, but seeing him in these videos has shown him in a whole new light for me, and given me an appreciation for his passion and enthusiasm toward the subject
The one time I did make it to the Antietam Battlefield I didn't have time to tour Sharpsburg, so thank you for this video. Also, kudos for discussing the disease that travelled with the armies.
Great video with nice info. From South Africa and stayed over in Dec and boy was it cold at minus 17 centigrade loved the town and walked it as much as I could bearing in mind how cold it was. Always thought the battlefield was so much larger but was totally enthralled with it. Thanks for being added to this site. Well done guys and am a serious student of the civil since 1964
This guy is great. I've been watching his videos on this historical area. If it wasn't for covid 19, id fly up there right now to see the sites. What a shame.
Love the tour, been there a few times and look forward to getting back. One thing though, it seems the locals pronounce the town almost as 'Sharksburg'. At least that's how it sounds from Dennis:) Keep up the great work guys!
So glad I came across your video last night!! I was planning to visit Antietam today and made an intentional stop in Sharpsburg because of your video. Checked out several of the buildings you mentioned as well as the spring. Took a swig of the water from the spring to commemorate the visit. delicious! Too bad Nutter's was closed when I was in the area though.
13:45 That metal panel on the ally way. That panel is where they tried to dig for a sewer line. The backhoe poked a hole that was huge. They put a 60 ft rod down that hole and the current ripped the rod out of their hands. Underground river. I was in scouts. I rode my bike a lot then. The construction workers told me this in the 90s.
You won't be disappointed. I am from Ohio and love visiting the Battlefield! I found Nutters my first visit. So upset when it was closed my last visit. Also moved.
Great vid. Makes me really, really sad to think that with the current social discourse, in 20 years from now probably very few people like these amazing guys will have remained in this once great country...
Another simple yet profoundly moving video! Thank you! Question: can you give an example of one of the artillery locations that may have caused damage to the church, and how far away was it?
My favorite Battlefield trust Duo.... Dennis and Gary.....
You can truly feel Dennis' passion for his hometown area and his love. Thanks for the wonderful videos!
He is a wonderful presenter and brings the history to life, I am on my third viewing of this video.
Hello from Canada. Totally agree and am fascinated by the history. Also love his accent.
This is all rt
I fear the future from what we hear they don't want the truth known
How fortunate are we to live in an area where two towns like Sharpsburg and Harpers Ferry are so preserved as to return us to the days when in mid-1800 normal rural life was interrupted by the struggle for freedom. Dennis Frye is a legend in Washington County, and again he does a great job escorting us through the living history of these towns.
I have been to Antietam 10 times since my first visit in 1984! I am obsessed with Antietam as I am with Gettysburg and they are my favorite historic battlefields! I had a GGG Grandfather and other relatives in the 3rd Indiana Cavalry who provided security for the artillery near the Newcomer Farm ; A couple in the19th Indiana of the Iron Brigade and a relative in the 89th New York who was KIA on September 17,1862. I never get enough of visiting Sharpsburg and the Antietam Battlefield!
Dennis kind of grows on you. The more I watch his tours, the more I appreciate him as a guide. I was at Antietam Battlefield yesterday, had viewed this video a few weeks ago, but didn’t have time to visit the town. Ya can’t do everything. But I did find General Burnside’s headquarters, which had been visited by Abraham Lincoln.
Sharpsburg is indeed an interesting place. I have a home there on Main Street bearing one of the plaques Dennis mentions.
It is easy to imagine the chaos in the streets on battle day with batteries rushing through town to rearm, ambulances in the street, Union artillery rounds crashing into structures and the screams of horses and wounded.
Dennis is a great historian to explain this. Specially about the sickness very interesting.
One of the best tour guides ever, I enjoyed it very much. ... my great great grandfather was in that battle. The 4th Pennsylvania Calvary.
I also have an ancestor who was in the 4th Pa. Calvary, Captain C. Benton White! And Dennis is the best, met him at Civil War Roundtable of Harpers Ferry.
@@billstanton9446 Cool! My great great grandfather was George Washington Conrad. His grandfather was a Hessian soldier who defected to the American side the night before George Washington crossed the Delaware. His father admired George Washington so much he named him after him.. George Conrad was taken prisoner at the battle of Jeffersonton in October of 1863. He ended up in Andersonville and barely survived.. Thanks for the shout out, Brother🙋
I am sharing this with my 8th-grade students today during our Zoom class meeting. We are almost at the end of our Civil War unit. They are really seeming to enjoy it! Thank you for sharing and helping me bring history alive to my remote learning classroom!
Thank u Kim and we can hope that these kids all spread what u showed & taught them grt job thanks again
It was a pleasure meeting you, by chance, today at Harpers Ferry, Mr. Dennis Frye!
I am now forever a superfan of Harpers Ferry + ALL Civil War history!
I visited Antietam and Gettysburg maybe 10 years ago and hope to get back there. Walking the battlefields is a very sobering experience; beautiful countryside. Maybe I can get to Harper's Ferry too.
My great-grandmother Lila Virginia Smith (married name was Rohr) was a little child who sheltered with her parents in a basement of a home in Sharpsburg during the battle. My ancestors are buried in Mountain View Cemetery. Sharpsburg will always be special to me. Thank you for the wonderful walking tour you provided for us. Very enjoyable!
Johns art look so real I think I would have walk into the wall thinking I was walking in a real town you all did such a great job well done gentleman
I agree…I experienced the same feeling while watching on my iPad. Fantastic!
It's impossible to be bored when Gary and Dennis are talking
I visited Antiem and now I had wished I had also Sharpsburg
, your tour is just so superb. I truly appreciate your video, Sir.
I wish I knew all this when there in June. Too often on my travels I find out more details after I've left. ==sigh==
One of the best kept secrets! Have been there a few times to visit!
I really want to visit Antietam again, first and last visit was back in the 70s when we went to Gettysburg for the second time. Went to Gettysburg any times and participated in the reenactments a few times, but my best visit was 2 years ago when I was finally able to go by myself, did a lot of reading and research before. Gonna do the same for Sharpsburg/Antietam maybe this year. These videos are a wonderful resource.
Great video. I have been to Antietam twice...but never went to Sharpsburg. Thanks for the tour...even if quick.
I grew up in Sharpsburg! Love the history!
THANK YOU, gents!! I was returning to NY after a whirlwind 6000-mile motorcycle trip.. was there one day AFTER this video was made! I rode through the battlefield and town (all too quickly, sadly), so this is wonderful stuff for me. PS- My Gr Gr Grandfather was in the 6th Wisconsin Vols./Iron Brigade, who fought early in the day.
I've been watching a few of these videos in a row and Dennis really makes me want to visit the battlefields in that area. I'm from Tennessee and I've visited many battlefields around here, but a tour of the battlefields in Western Maryland and West Virginia needs to be in my future.
Thank the Lord for you guys! Your so great! I'm 53 year old civil war nut, all my life. Originally from Knoxville, tn lived in Chattanooga the past 13 years an have had the time of my life relic hunting private land, chickamauga, pevine creeks. But visiting the battlefields here have been so special. Not a week has gone by without walking or driving through chickamauga battlefield while all along living on missionary ridge, looking straight out to lookout and signal mountains. Keep up the great work. This countries history, its stories, need you guys so much! Thank you.
My great grandfather ×3 served with the 27th North Carolina and saw action in the Seven Days Battles and was wounded at Sharpsburg, he survived the war and passed away from complications from his wounds in 1879, was originally from Fayetteville NC but was recruited from Guilford County where he was working in 1861, originally the 9th regiment later became the 27th. Have some of his personal belongings that were left by my late mother have always been fascinated with the civil war for this fact and the history in my home state of NC. Thank you for this presentation.
Thanks, guys, for all you do! Thanks for helping keep history alive. Just love the passion, it makes a difference.
Dennis is a great tour guide!! When we filmed God's and General's, he gave us reenactors a great tour of the battlefield. Trying to get back out there. My Favorite battlefield and town
When Dennis moved to the first alley, and mentioned soldiers always knew where to find ... , I thought maybe it was a row of taverns! Instead of the spring, I fancied the area with dram shops (or maybe even where soldiers could find the company of a "friendly" woman; not to disparage Sharpsburg, but aren't soldiers always searching for some "basics"? Have visited the battlefield twice (1998 and 2002), but never got such insights as through this presentation. Many thanks, ABT & Presenters!
Sharpsburg Battlefield, Historically
Maintained close to day of Battle,
Very Clean, Nutter's Ice Cream at the end of the Visit! Thank ya'll for this great video, Dennis, thank you for your hard work,historical knowledge,
and given with such Great Passion!
My 6th great grandmother was Elizabeth Flick died 1818, daughter of my 7th great grandfather Wilhelm Heinrich Flick first off the boat on my dad's side from Germany who ended up a Colonel in command of one of the 5 German speaking militia Battalions during the Rev War. she married Jacob Piper 1725-1813} and to my knowledge owned the farm down from the Antietam Battlefield and Confederate Generals Longstreet & D. H. Hill had dinner there the night before the battle. The Elizabeth that you mention as living in town I believe was a granddaughter
Great job.
Fantastic! I have been to Sharpsburg many times and I still learned some things from this piece. Really appreciate the Trust's mission and producing these videos. They're always very well done.
One of the best vids you guys have done!!!
Frye just went up another notch with the "sister the rafters " comment... lmao wasnt this guy on Civil war journal with a mustache? These are some good dudes 👏 keep up the good work guys and thx.. sincerly, 47 yr old framer :)
What a great video. Great History. We had ice cream at Nutters after exploring the battlefield. Highly recommend it!
Awesome information. Thanks again!
Wonderful presentation. Thank you!
I worked with Dennis yrs ago on the movie gods and generals. It was fascinating to listen to him talk for long periods of time on end about the war.
My 4 X great grandfather was Daniel Piper who owned the home in the video. He passed away before the battle and his family inherited the home.
Very interesting thankyou
Gary and Dennis. Great job. We love your enthusiasm for history. Thanks for bringing back to life the past!
No burgers, no gas stations, no hotels, and obvs no wal-mart. Can't wait to visit Sharpsburg! On my mule.
Great video! I just moved to Sharpsburg and am enjoying learning about the town. The people are super friendly. Looking forward to digging into the battle.
A very well-done video.
I live in Brisbane, Australia and have been interested in the American Civil War for many years. I have, among the 3,500-4000
books of my personal library (mostly general history & military history), possibly 300 books on the Civil War. I like to think it is among the largest Civil War collections in Australia. My favourite CW authors are Douglas Southall Freeman, Bruce Catton & Stephen Sears. I have a particular liking for large-format books of CW photos. Many such books feature a CW-era photo of a long dirt road in Sharpsburg, with the wrecked church on the left-hand side: the same church shown in this video. In the distance are clouds of smoke, or dust. For some reason I keep returning to that photo. It has always given me the feeling that I know that place: that i've seen that view in person, long before I ever saw that photo for the first time. I don't believe in reincarnation or anything like that, so please don't respond to this as though you think i'm a 'nut-case'.
Thanks for this video. Have visited Sharpsburg many times and have passed through this intersection, but never really thought to dig into the "in-town" history. Well done.
Great to hear about the preservation
Sharpsburgs is a really awesome place to know! I would love to know how great is this city! Thanks for sharing your job is great!
One of the best vids you guys have done!!!
While a student of Dr Joseph Harsh I visited Sharpsburg many times. I don't know the name of the store but every time we went Dr Harsh would buy green licorice. He loved green licorice.
Great job guys! Thank you!
All these American battle field Trust videos, are great, I love the you bring the audience into the lifes of people involved.
Nutters is worth all the hype!! I never miss a chance to go every time I'm in Sharpsburg or Harper's Ferry. Amazing ice cream, incredible portions!!
Thank you! So much of our history is lost.
Dennis is a great public speaker
Fantastic video and so much information to delve more into, the camp sickness, the way the town stays preserved surrounded by hallowed ground. the way the infrastructure of roads made these famous towns so important during battle... love it! Thank you!
Excellent tour! Amazing town. I must visit! Thank you!
Magnificent Dennis. Thank you.
Thanks for all the very interesting information! Glad I found your channel!
I am a little ashamed, when I first saw Dennis, it was while watching an older lecture on MacClellan, and I couldn't get past what seemed like yelling at the time, but seeing him in these videos has shown him in a whole new light for me, and given me an appreciation for his passion and enthusiasm toward the subject
The one time I did make it to the Antietam Battlefield I didn't have time to tour Sharpsburg, so thank you for this video. Also, kudos for discussing the disease that travelled with the armies.
Amazing tour and what a fantastic mural. Exceptional💖
excellent presentation.......I have been to Sharpsburg several times and hope to be back.
Great video with nice info. From South Africa and stayed over in Dec and boy was it cold at minus 17 centigrade loved the town and walked it as much as I could bearing in mind how cold it was. Always thought the battlefield was so much larger but was totally enthralled with it. Thanks for being added to this site. Well done guys and am a serious student of the civil since 1964
Great video, historical videos are absolutely the best when made on location. Also great production and content. Thank you
Fantastic video, and what great timing to see the mural being painted!
This video is a gem. Outstanding
I could tell, even before you said Nat Geo, that this artist was extraordinary!
This guy is great. I've been watching his videos on this historical area. If it wasn't for covid 19, id fly up there right now to see the sites. What a shame.
Great video! Thank you.
I have stayed there. It is a lovely town, with great preservation, good restaurants and a sense of stepping back in time. I highly recommend it.
After the COVID I intend to go back! A great little town and an interesting battlefield.
Love the tour, been there a few times and look forward to getting back. One thing though, it seems the locals pronounce the town almost as 'Sharksburg'. At least that's how it sounds from Dennis:) Keep up the great work guys!
I was going to say the same thing
fantastic vid. when I lived near Sharpsburg many years ago, it was never ever that busy with traffic. looks like DC growth has continued unabated.
So glad I came across your video last night!! I was planning to visit Antietam today and made an intentional stop in Sharpsburg because of your video. Checked out several of the buildings you mentioned as well as the spring. Took a swig of the water from the spring to commemorate the visit. delicious! Too bad Nutter's was closed when I was in the area though.
I appreciate the personal connection information. Makes it even more interesting to me.
Very interesting and informative. I am glad I found your videos!
What a fascinating piece of work. You guys did an awesome job on this video. I feel like I just visited Sharpsburg.
13:45 That metal panel on the ally way. That panel is where they tried to dig for a sewer line. The backhoe poked a hole that was huge. They put a 60 ft rod down that hole and the current ripped the rod out of their hands. Underground river. I was in scouts. I rode my bike a lot then. The construction workers told me this in the 90s.
Amazing story teller
That was fantastic, thank you! I toured the battlefield and even ate at Nutters, but I did not tour the town.
Just an outstanding, outstanding video. Thank you so much!
“Too Afraid to Cry” is a book by Kathleen Ernst focusing on the people of Sharpsburg and how the battle affected them m
I need to visit again!
Great video. Thank you so much. Really enjoyed it.
My brother lives in Shepherdstown, WV.
I so enjoyed this,I will be sure to visit and I'm definitely going to Nutters
You won't be disappointed. I am from Ohio and love visiting the Battlefield! I found Nutters my first visit. So upset when it was closed my last visit. Also moved.
Thank you
Shared...Awesome Job here as usual!
Wonderful lecture!
Well done gentlemen. It high time I got back up there.
Awesome Content!!! Thank You!!! : )
Been battlefield twice next time definitely I must go into town
The town is like stepping back in time. We stayed in a local B&B. You are also only a 30 minute drive to Harpers Ferry which is beautiful.
Excellent video gentlemen. Greatly enjoyed it.
Dennis is one of my favorite historian to listen to. I loved his video of the battle of harpers ferry
We always go to Nutter’s Ice Cream when we go to Sharpsburg.
Great vid.
Makes me really, really sad to think that with the current social discourse, in 20 years from now probably very few people like these amazing guys will have remained in this once great country...
Good stuff! I'll try to visit there some day.
Mr G's in Gettysburg is still my favorite.
My son and I had ice cream at nutters a few years ago when we toured the battlefield.
Wish you would have posted this last year before I went to the battlefield. I would have stopped.
Agree. Very interesting and well done. Good Lord though. That traffic sucks.
Another simple yet profoundly moving video! Thank you! Question: can you give an example of one of the artillery locations that may have caused damage to the church, and how far away was it?
Fabulous!!!