Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-09-22
CONNECTICUT At ANTIETAM.
The Scene of the Great Battle by Which
the COnfederates Had Hoped to Capture
Washington.
WASHINGTON Santen, hor % 1901
I've wandered DER Antietam. John,
And stood where foe met foe.
Upon the fields of MARYLAND

SO many years ago.
1t was about o'clock on the after
noon of the 10th when the 18th Con
necticut veterans, with their many
friends arrived at Antietam. sitnated IN
the beautiful Antietam valley. Let us |
pass over hastily description of the |
found at the station, which |
is mile from the town of Sharpsburp.
for If our Waterbury friends could have
photographed us on this occasion, fear
there would be a scramble for the
proofs. In one of these, fearing the
horse might give out on the way and
thus lose our destination, the driver was
informed, if such should occur, he
would have to carry us on to Washing
ton. All this only added to the pleasure
of the trip.
1t IS well to remember at the starting
that at Antietam was the first actual
battle in which the 18th Connecticut
was engaged, many of the soldiers being
young men who had left all the com
forts of a pleasant home, but who here
for the first time were to face the
enemy and learn and know all the hor-
rors of war. AS Chaplain Stevens said:
''There on the field did they find that
men were actually shooting at them and
shooting with intent to kill"
After supper we were invited to at
tend a camp tire-a real camp fire. This
was not like seeing it on the stage of the
City hall. Rails, etc, were piled up near
the point at which the 18th Connecticut
was stationed, and as the flames shot
toward heaven and you heard Tent
ing Tonight slowly, solemnly sung by
those same voices that twenty-nine
years ago, had every reason to weep
over wishing for the war to cease
emotion thrilled your whole body. There
was the moon, ma eStic in its serene
ness for | doubt if night was ever more
beautifully; the calm, peaceful fields,
overcapped by the surrounding hills; the
woods through which the troops emerged
on their march and those voices swelling
in one grand chorus until the gradeur Of
the scene was indiscribable. Another
such camp fire; another such moonlight,
will doubtless never be seen by the same
parties.
When Judge Seward advanced to adj
dress the assembly, silent eloquence
gained the mastery. There he stood in
the light of the fire, one coat sleeve
hanging loosely down, while with his
single arm extended toward his COM
rades, he nobly asserted that willingly
would he lose that one also, rather than
forego the pleasure of helping to make
lone and inseparable''ou glorious union.
Several speeches were made by many
IhSIIs llC1uuIslS COuSICSS-
man Russell During the course of
the evening Maj j. G. Broatch of Middle
town, who largely assisted in making
| the reunion a success, Informed the visit
Ors that they would endeavor on the fol-
lowing day, Sept II, the anniversary Of
| the battle, to explain the scenes of action
between both armies.
Accordingly on the following day,
after the business meeting, parties
branched off to roam at leisure over the
| fields. One of the most interesting
| points is what is known as, "Bloody
Lane" Here the COnfederates were hem
med in and suffered from such heavy
| fire, that they lay five feet deep in the
ravine. 1t has been said Though do
| not vouch for it)the blood in one or more
places was one foot deep. And we are
actually travelling over the same ground
| and drink from the same springs as did
such men. Then the famous bunker
church, with the surrounding fields,
where charge after charge was made this
point MAJ king the most territice fighting
and near which fell the brave Gen Mans
field, was visited. Burnside bridge is a
great point of interest, for it seemed i'm
possible that the Unionists could have
| taken it, Imagine, if you will, the Con-
federateS stationed on the hospital
| grounds in Waterbury and cur Federal
soldiers rushing along to gain control of
the West Main street or iron bridge and
you have a fair picture.
The National cemetery is Il gem. In
| the center stands a massive monument
surmounted by an American soldier
keeping guard over the dead. And
| royalty well is the work done. The sta
tue alone weighs Twenty-Five tons, the
whole monument weighing about $50
tons. If many are unknown it'll matters
not, their country'S reverence is theirs,
and no grander epitaph is needed for
| them, than that they lay a sacrifice on
the altar of that country. The view
| from the tower at the entrance to the
| cemetery is unsurpassed. Mcclellan s
headquarters: and running through u
long line of trees Antietam creek, too
| many points might tire the reader; the
silent dead sleeping peacefully beneath
you amid the most maGnificently kept
grounds; and again it was the writer S
| happy fortune to hear the band Just
toward sunset execute one of those Sc
| lections especially intended for such a
spot. Can you describe it Yes, as
| easily as the shiDwrecked sailor can de
scribe his feelings. when, his trials DER,
kind friends surround him in the port of
safety.
thought of Burnside, Hooker Meade,
of Sedgwick, old and brave;
OF Stonewall jackson, tried and true.
That strOve the day to save;
| l barred my head, they rest in peace,
Each one has passed away,
Death musters those who wore the blue.
With those who wore the gray.
| Peace to the honored dead; the eterna
heaven of rest is theirs, and our country
need never fear, while Gettysburg and
Antietam cemeteries preach so eloquent
| Iy to the rising generations.
! During the battle of Antietam many
of the inhabitants fled, while others re-
NAMED in cellars, hearing the terrible
shot and shell buzzing around them, but
on this lovely September day, all is
out as it were, as the rainbow of hope, to
tell its 500 inhabitants, that freedoms
| glorious banner shall ever wave under
the free air of Gods chosen spot-the
United States of America.
| EMMA j. MCCARTHY.