Agnostik
National Battlefield · MD

Antietam National Battlefield

23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led Abraham Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

nps.gov ↗

Photos

luminaries placed by Maryland Monument with dramatic orange red clouds
The Memorial Illumination, held in December, features 23,000 candles placed by volunteers, over the north end of the battlefield. Each represents a causality from the battle.
stone building with black fence in foreground
The National Cemetery Lodge Building sits just inside the gates of the cemetery.
wood fence rails with green corn stalks behind fence
Looking east along the south edge of The Cornfield.
A line Civil War cannons and a stone wall at Antietam National Battlefield
Placing more than 500 cannons on high ground, both armies were able to effectively strike enemy troop positions at great distances.
three arch stone bridge over Antietam Creek
Burnside Bridge in the snow from the Union side of Antietam Creek.
small white building with cannon in the foreground
Spring at the Battlefield.
one room house covered in snow
The Dunker Church covered in snow.
a monument of a soldier at sunset
130th Pennsylvania Monument at Bloody Lane
artillery piece sitting on a rock break
Artillery played a key role at Antietam. Over 500 cannon were involved in the fighting.
fog filling in the low areas of the field at sunset
View from the visitor center looking toward Bloody Lane at sunset
dark clouds with tree and obelisk monument
14th Connecticut Monument, just north of the Sunken Road.
a monument of a soldier in the background with graves in front of the monument
Private Soldier Monument at the cemetery

Activities

  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Camping
  • Group Camping
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Self-Guided Tours - Auto
  • Hiking
  • Living History
  • Historic Weapons Demonstration
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store