BATTLE OF ANTIETAM

Battle of Antietam

Located on the far western edge of Maryland is the Antietam Battlefield, which can be found just outside of the small town of Sharpsburg. This former battlefield is the best preserved of all of the areas that have been turned into National Park Battlefields, looking much as it did at the time of the battle in 1862. The battle was fought on September 17 and marked the first of two attempts by Robert E. Lee to take the war onto northern soil, it became known as the bloodiest single day of the entire war with combined casualties of 23,100 wounded, missing and dead.

Union troops had encountered Confederates under General D.H. Hill posted along an old sunken road which separated the Roulette and Piper farms. For nearly four hours, fierce fighting occurred along this road and it would later become known as "Bloody Lane". The slaughter at the Bloody Lane became one of the most memorable and tragic events of the battle, and perhaps even of the entire war.

Some of the most heroic participants were the 69th of New York, recalled today by their nickname, "The Irish Brigade". The Brigade had been reformed in New York after the fighting at Manassas cost the lives of many of their men and many others had been captured. They formed again under the command of Thomas Meagher, an Irish immigrant and a campaigner for Irish freedom. The Brigade were amongst the most colorful of the Union troops fighting was common, as was heavy drinking. They brought along their own priest to war and he conducted mass for them on the Sabbath and on the eve of battles.

The Irish announced their arrival at the battlefield with the sounds of drums and volleys of fire as they attacked the Confederate position. They launched their assault, cheering loudly, while their priest, Father Corby, rode among the men offering prayers and absolution. As they charged, the Brigade screamed loudly and shouted a battle cry Faugh a Balaugh, "Fah-ah-bah-lah", which is Gaelic for "Clear the Way!"

The Brigade fought fiercely and fell in large numbers; the Irish Brigade lost more than 60 percent of their men that day.

Bloody Lane has become known as one of the most haunted locations on the battlefield. Strange things have happened here, which lead many to believe that events of the past are still being replayed today. There are numerous reports of paranormal activity from visitors; the most common are hearing the sounds of gunfire, and the smell of gunpowder.

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