Antietam Itinerary & Roles
Welcome to Antietam! The numbers before each stop correspond to locations on these two maps of the 1862 Maryland Campaign and the Antietam Battlefield. The times after each stop approximate the dates and time of day that the events we are discussing occurred. Each stop is also linked to maps and photos showing the places and events we are discussing. The "Role" for each character is the only preparatory material you need for participating in the staff ride, and the official report shows how the person involved described the battle in their own words.
AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 9, 1862
1.Harpers Ferry
Welcome and Orientation: Why are we here? Why were they here? How did new technology and evolving tactics affect the conduct of the Civil War?
Robert E. Lee (I):Why did you choose to invade the North? What is your plan of campaign? Role and Official Report
General George McClellan (I): What are your thoughts as you reassume command of the Army of the Potomac? How do you view Lee's invasion of the North? Role and Official Report
SEPTEMBER 10 - 15, 1862
2.Bolivar Heights, 2:00p.m. September 14 - 9:00a.m. September 15
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson I: What is your plan to seize Harper's Ferry? Why are you successful? Role and Official Report
Dixon Stanbury Miles: You are responsible for the largest surrender of Federal troops during the entire war. How have you come to command the garrison at Harper's Ferry, what was your plan of defense, and why did it fail? Role (no Official Report)
SEPTEMBER 14, 1862
3. South Mountain Inn, 9:00a.m. - 9:00p.m.
Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill: How do you hold the South Mountain passes against the entire Army of the Potomac? Role and Official Report
4. Washington Monument
Robert E. Lee (II):What is the condition of your army leading into and immediately after the battle of South Mountain? Having learned of McClellan's reaction to your invasion of the North, to what extent will you revise your plan of campaign? Role and Official Report
SEPTEMBER 15-16, 1862
5.Pry House
General George McClellan (II): Are you satisfied with your conduct of the campaign thus far? What are the opportunities and perils that lie before you, and how do you plan to conduct this battle? Role and Official Report
SEPTEMBER 17, 1862
6.North Woods, 7:00a.m. - 9:00a.m.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker: What is your understanding of how the battle will be fought? What prevents your corps from achieving success? Role and Official Report
7.West Woods, 9:00a.m. - 11:00a.m.
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson II: How did you defend against Union attacks on this portion of the battlefield? Role and Official Report
8.Bloody Lane, 11:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.
Maj. Gen. Israel Richardson: How did you come to attack this part of the Confederate position? Was greater success possible? Role and Official Report
Maj. Gen James Longstreet: Discuss the Confederate defense. What prevented a collapse of the Confederate Center? Role and Official Report
9.Burnside's Bridge, 11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.
Brig. Gen. Robert Toombs: How did your three Georgia regiments hold off an entire Union corps? Role and Official Report
Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside: Explain your assault on this position. Why did your corps focus its attack on the Stone Bridge? Role and Official Report
10. Branch Avenue, 3:00p.m.-4:30p.m.
Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill: What was your contribution to the final repulse of Union forces? What was the source of friction between you and your superiors? Role and Official Report
SEPTEMBER 15 - NOVEMBER 5, 1862
11. Antietam National Cemetary
President Abraham Lincoln: What does the battle mean for the Union? What does it tell you about the Army of the Potomac and its leadership? Role12. Bavarian Inn
Dinner and Harper's Ferry Military Commission Re-enactmentAll participants: Review your testimony and be prepared to reproduce its substance when examined by the Judge Advocate. Who is responsible, in your view, for the fall of Harper's Ferry?
Major General John Wool
Brigadier General Julius White
Colonel Thomas Ford
Lieutenant Henry Binney