Antietam Battlefield Living History

September 16-17 near the Dunkard Church  

     On the anniversary weekend of the Battle of Antietam, members of the 78^th PVI, Co. F participated in a living history on the battlefield with our comrades of the 3^rd USV.  Everyone represented the 8^th Connecticut for the weekend.  On Saturday evening, we participated in a hospital scene in the Dunkard Church during the park’s annual candlelight tour.  On Sunday morning, Lt. Perlotto led a tour that retraced the steps of the 8^th Connecticut from Burnside’s Bridge to the 8^th’s monument. 

          When we awoke Sunday morning, we all realized in some way or another that we were standing on the actual battlefield on the anniversary of the battle.  And, we realized that we were standing literally feet away from the famous Smoketown Road at the same time the Texas Brigade was forming on it just moments before its attack 144 years earlier.  Perhaps it was the heavy fog that cast an eerie feeling on field, but we all probably tried imaging what it would have looked or sounded like.  

Members of the 78^th PA pose for a photo after arriving.

Our camp as it appeared on Saturday with the Dunkard Church in the background.

The company assembles for drill in the afternoon on Saturday.

Chris, Eddie, and Keith relax for a while along the Smoketown Road .

The thick fog begins to fade as blankets are hung to dry on Sunday morning.

The company retraces the attack route of the 8^th Connecticut on Sunday morning.

The company poses for a photo at the 8^th Connecticut monument.

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