It's so odd, to listen beyond the talking and hear the gentle chirping of crickets in a field that was once covered in blood. I wonder if the people that live on this land ever just walk out there at sunset, and just contemplate the terrible destruction that would have surrounded them so many years ago. Truly, this land has such a story to tell, but silent it remains, only the soft warble of crickets and the gentle swish of corn plants in the breeze. Without these folks telling the story, noone would ever know what happened here. Thanks for keeping history alive.
So many of my September 17s have started at sunrise in the cornfield with Brian Baracz and the rest of the ranger crew as they evoke the terrifying start of that fearsome day. Not an option in person this year sadly, so thanks for a virtual taste of the Antietam experience.
I actually had two great great uncles that squared off with each other in The Cornfield. One was in the 19th Indiana of the Iron Brigade and the other was in the 1st Virginia (Irish) Battalion. My Union ancestor survived this but would later be killed in action at Gettysburg. My Confederate ancestor was listed as missing in action after Antietam and presumed dead. Now my great great grandfather was ALSO at Antietam with the 7th (West) Virginia and was killed during the attack on Bloody Lane.
Started watching "The Civil War" again..(for the upteenth time) in honor of Ed and Shelby Foote. I watched the Antietam section twice since I've been to the battlefield twice. (ABT member since 2004)
My ancestor, William Witherspoon and his brother John, were in the 28th Pennsylvania, Greene’s Division, 12th Corps and fought in the cornfield. John was later killed at New Hope Church in Georgia, and Will later moved to Illinois.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I've read everything I could get my hands on for the last 30 years. Miller's cornfield is so horrific that it is still hard for me to believe the casualties rates are off the charts even by civil War standards
If you ever think to visit the Battlefield at Glorieta Pass in New Mexico, the cemetery was desecrated and the battlefield doesn't have so much as a commemorative plaque.
I am actually interested in the after battle stuff too. For example, Lee's retreat from Gettysburg is really interesting. Wish you all could do a thing where you show us how they went back south.
I love these Battlefield Trust episodes however, is there any way you could boost the volume level in the field or post production? I Can always turn it down if necessary. Thanks
Union Army General Joseph Hooker was the commander of the Army of the Potomac at the time of The Battle of Antietam. After the battle, he wrote : " Each stalk of corn was cut as closely as could have been done with a knife, and the slain lay in rows precisely where they had stood in their ranks only moments before. " I visited the Antietam National Battlefield on my way to Virginia, and I saw the cornfield that General Hooker was referring to. I was told that the government plants corn there. I also saw the Dunker Church, where the bodies of dead Confederate soldiers were laid after the battle. Antietam was the single deadliest day in American history with over 17, 000 casualties, both Union and Confederate. More Americans died during The Civil War than died in any other war in U.S. history. Robert E. Lee lost hundreds of his finest soldiers during that one day of fighting, and after that, there was no longer any hope that the Confederacy would gain foreign recognition from England or France. 😢
Edwin Cole Bearss (/ˈbɑːrs/; June 26, 1923 - September 15, 2020), a United States Marine Corps veteran of World War II, was a military historian and author known for his work on the American Civil War and World War II eras. He was a tour guide of historic battlefields for The Smithsonian Associates and served as Chief Historian of the National Park Service from 1981 to 1994, before succeeding to Chief Historian Emeritus.
Ironically, on 3 May 1863, after Union troops retreated from the Chancellorsville house crossroads, E. Porter Alexander wrote that arrived and that he saw a dead Newfoundland dog near wounded Federal officers close to the house. The dog may have belonged to a Union officer.
Even Stonewall had to say the Texan attacke was the bravest thing he ever saw up to that point. Mead was scared the Texans were about to break his line that day. If the Texans would have not had ammunition problems no one can say where they might have ended up. Hoods Texas Brigade died on the field that day.
you forgot D R Jones brigade of 250 men who crouched down in a column file between the first two union brigades flanks and punished them severely with three vollies, making those flank units to shoot into eachother.
The static maps are perhaps primary source (?) but a timeline would add clarity if movements on the maps were over lays relative to the time line. Just a thought since you're already using static maps.
What!?! I thought Ed passed away years ago. I mean I know Foote did, maybe I just thought both were gone for some reason. Thats sad, I really liked his talks and 'style' of how he did.
I'm a Aussie, now I've got know idea who's who are they blue or gray . I reckon it would be better if you say push the blue boys back or the gray guys back. Otherwise all I see is a big field and some trees oh and two cars . But I did see a fella underneath a hat quite a lot.
What they never tell you on these tours ! 8 women fought at Antietam , 2 as young as 15 years old. The cornfield was the place where a Massachusetts Burial team found the body of a Confederate woman ,dressed as a soldier! 7 other women fought for the Union! If you are going to talk about Civil War history ,you need to include all the history or should I say HER STORY?????????????🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Greetz fron Germany ! Thanks for our fine eduaction bout Antietam / Sharpburg Battle . Greetings to Brian Garry and Dennis. Salute the brave.
Sorry to hear of Ed's passing. He was a national treasure. I will never forget talking with him at a round table event decades ago.
It's so odd, to listen beyond the talking and hear the gentle chirping of crickets in a field that was once covered in blood. I wonder if the people that live on this land ever just walk out there at sunset, and just contemplate the terrible destruction that would have surrounded them so many years ago. Truly, this land has such a story to tell, but silent it remains, only the soft warble of crickets and the gentle swish of corn plants in the breeze. Without these folks telling the story, noone would ever know what happened here. Thanks for keeping history alive.
Ranger Brian Baracz's delivery gave me chills.
I was 5 when Civil war PBS special came out and I seen Ed for the first time. We lost a legend. Him and Shelby Foote, miss both of them......
The image in front of the church of the Soldiers @4:22 takes my breath away! I can't even describe the feeling I get when I see that picture.
So many of my September 17s have started at sunrise in the cornfield with Brian Baracz and the rest of the ranger crew as they evoke the terrifying start of that fearsome day. Not an option in person this year sadly, so thanks for a virtual taste of the Antietam experience.
Loved visiting this battlefield
I actually had two great great uncles that squared off with each other in The Cornfield. One was in the 19th Indiana of the Iron Brigade and the other was in the 1st Virginia (Irish) Battalion. My Union ancestor survived this but would later be killed in action at Gettysburg. My Confederate ancestor was listed as missing in action after Antietam and presumed dead. Now my great great grandfather was ALSO at Antietam with the 7th (West) Virginia and was killed during the attack on Bloody Lane.
Started watching "The Civil War" again..(for the upteenth time) in honor of Ed and Shelby Foote. I watched the Antietam section twice since I've been to the battlefield twice. (ABT member since 2004)
Two of my great great grandfathers fought in the bloody lane in the 4th NC and the 30th NC Infantry. Wiley H Robbins and Elisha Felton
thank you for doing this!
My ancestor, William Witherspoon and his brother John, were in the 28th Pennsylvania, Greene’s Division, 12th Corps and fought in the cornfield. John was later killed at New Hope Church in Georgia, and Will later moved to Illinois.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I've read everything I could get my hands on for the last 30 years. Miller's cornfield is so horrific that it is still hard for me to believe the casualties rates are off the charts even by civil War standards
I always enjoyed Ed Bears on film he was full of knowledge and an enjoyable character.
Great gaining new information in this famous battle
If you ever think to visit the Battlefield at Glorieta Pass in New Mexico, the cemetery was desecrated and the battlefield doesn't have so much as a commemorative plaque.
Thank you for the information. There is so much I never knew
I am actually interested in the after battle stuff too. For example, Lee's retreat from Gettysburg is really interesting. Wish you all could do a thing where you show us how they went back south.
Corn from this field used in Whiskey products gives great credence to the term "spirits"
My g great Grandfather was wounded in the cornfield Company C 90th Pa Infantry
I would love to hear Gary do the explanation of the fighting. His story telling would be great!
I love these Battlefield Trust episodes however, is there any way you could boost the volume level in the field or post production? I Can always turn it down if necessary. Thanks
I agree, some of the dialogue is barely audible. I really hate to miss any of the narrative.
Sometimes it's due to the wind, but as another fan of these vids I absolutely agree. Love love love the content!
How tall was the corn at the time of the battle & what is planted there now?
I heard the corn didn't grow as tall as it does today. No higher than a man's head back then
@@mr.breeze8796 Thank you. So it was at full height at the time of the battle?
@ides of march Thank you.
@@mr.breeze8796 no corn could protect a man in that field from a bullet or from a bee sting.
@@MayoFilms83 Really? I don't think corn could protect a man anywhere
Union Army General Joseph Hooker was the commander of the Army of the Potomac at the time of The Battle of Antietam. After the battle, he wrote : " Each stalk of corn was cut as closely as could have been done with a knife, and the slain lay in rows precisely where they had stood in their ranks only moments before. " I visited the Antietam National Battlefield on my way to Virginia, and I saw the cornfield that General Hooker was referring to. I was told that the government plants corn there. I also saw the Dunker Church, where the bodies of dead Confederate soldiers were laid after the battle. Antietam was the single deadliest day in American history with over 17, 000 casualties, both Union and Confederate. More Americans died during The Civil War than died in any other war in U.S. history. Robert E. Lee lost hundreds of his finest soldiers during that one day of fighting, and after that, there was no longer any hope that the Confederacy would gain foreign recognition from England or France. 😢
Rest in peace, Ed
Edwin Cole Bearss (/ˈbɑːrs/; June 26, 1923 - September 15, 2020), a United States Marine Corps veteran of World War II, was a military historian and author known for his work on the American Civil War and World War II eras. He was a tour guide of historic battlefields for The Smithsonian Associates and served as Chief Historian of the National Park Service from 1981 to 1994, before succeeding to Chief Historian Emeritus.
Gen. Mansfield is buried next to Wesleyan University in Middletown, Ct. I think it's called Indian Hill Cemetery.
You almost never hear about the withdrawal from sharpsburg and the hellish retreat from Gettysburg.
Ironically, on 3 May 1863, after Union troops retreated from the Chancellorsville house crossroads, E. Porter Alexander wrote that arrived and that he saw a dead Newfoundland dog near wounded Federal officers close to the house. The dog may have belonged to a Union officer.
Even Stonewall had to say the Texan attacke was the bravest thing he ever saw up to that point. Mead was scared the Texans were about to break his line that day. If the Texans would have not had ammunition problems no one can say where they might have ended up. Hoods Texas Brigade died on the field that day.
you forgot D R Jones brigade of 250 men who crouched down in a column file between the first two union brigades flanks and punished them severely with three vollies, making those flank units to shoot into eachother.
The static maps are perhaps primary source (?) but a timeline would add clarity if movements on the maps were over lays relative to the time line. Just a thought since you're already using static maps.
What!?! I thought Ed passed away years ago. I mean I know Foote did, maybe I just thought both were gone for some reason. Thats sad, I really liked his talks and 'style' of how he did.
Profound tragedy.
Hood’s hangry hornets!
Calm DOWN there, Garry... take a BREATH (-:
Why did he not mention the First Iron Brigade at all? They lost almost twenty-five percent of the four hundred men that went into battle.
Volume too low
I'm a Aussie, now I've got know idea who's who are they blue or gray . I reckon it would be better if you say push the blue boys back or the gray guys back. Otherwise all I see is a big field and some trees oh and two cars . But I did see a fella underneath a hat quite a lot.
When they talk of Union troops, they're the ones in blue on the map. The Confederates are the red/gray ones.
Texas Georgia Mississippi units and the Hampton Legion were grey. Pennsylvania Indiana Ohio New York were blue. That covers most of them for this vid.
I can't stand to watch that arm waving Hyper Active Goofball.
What they never tell you on these tours ! 8 women fought at Antietam , 2 as young as 15 years old. The cornfield was the place where a Massachusetts Burial team found the body of a Confederate woman ,dressed as a soldier! 7 other women fought for the Union! If you are going to talk about Civil War history ,you need to include all the history or should I say HER STORY?????????????🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸