ANTIETAM: In the footsteps of Irish Brigade, near Bloody Lane

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ANTIETAM: Confederates' view of Irish Brigade attack at Bloody Lane

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ANTIETAM: Where James Longstreet helped man the guns

BATTLEFIELD BACKSTORY: After the Confederates were finally forced from the Sunken Road at Antietam on Sept. 17, 1862, a wave of Yankees threatened the Rebels' thinly held center on Henry Piper's farm. A battery of Miller's artillery had been positioned near the Sunken Road at about 10:30 a.m. to support the infantry in the lane. Later, one of the battery's caissons was hit by a Union artillery shell, and Confederate artillerymen were killed or injured, leaving the gun crews short during a critical juncture in the battle for the Rebels. Among the soldiers to come to the rescue was General James Longstreet himself, wearing carpet slippers instead of boots because of a sore heel. He held the bridles of horses of some of his staff, who went into action as artillerymen in Piper's apple orchard.
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ANTIETAM: William Roulette farm field near infamous Sunken Road

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ANTIETAM: Dew, fog and solitude at Bloody Lane

BATTLEFIELD BACKSTORY: The dew on the grass and the fog above the cornfield were thick the fall day I shot this image near Bloody Lane, seen at the far right. No one else was on the battlefield here during my early-morning visit to the 14th Connecticut monument, out of view in the middle distance. On the return to my car, I walked a portion of the lane, the gravel crunch, crunch, crunching beneath my feet. No matter the day or time, this is always a special place. (Click on image to enlarge and click here for all posts on this blog.)

ANTIETAM: Early morning at the 14th Connecticut monument

BATTLEFIELD BACKSTORY: The best time to visit Bloody Lane at Antietam is early morning, when fog hovers over the landscape. During a fall visit, I shot this image of the 14th Connecticut monument, 50 yards or so from the Lane, and the rolling terrain over which that rookie regiment fought on Sept. 17, 1862. Be careful to avoid the groundhog holes that pockmark this ground. Step in one and you could snap your ankle. (Click at upper right to enlarge and click here for all posts on this blog.)

ANTIETAM: An afternoon at Bloody Lane

BATTLEFIELD BACKSTORY: No visit to Antietam, of course, is complete without a stop at Bloody Lane. The best time to shoot photos here is early in the morning, especially in the fall. The 132nd Pennsylvania monument in the lane, barely visible to the extreme right, is great subject matter at sunrise. (Click on image to enlarge.)(Click at upper right to enlarge and click here for all posts on this blog.)

ANTIETAM: Walking in Bloody Lane

BATTLEFIELD BACKSTORY: I was the only one in the old sunken lane when I shot this image on a late-September afternoon. My favorite time to walk this part of the field is early in the morning, especially when fog lingers. (Click at upper right to enlarge and click here for all posts on this blog.)