I am Marydon & I will share with you the most highly recommended national tourism event of the year.For 23 years from incept we have been illuminating Antietam Battlefield.
Every year I prepare enough food for 100 people. They may be one of the thousands of volunteers who come from all over the world that make this event possible, or merely a passer-by. We do 100 hot dogs, a gigantic pot of homemade chicken noodle soup, fresh homemade cookies, cocoa, hot tea, coffee, sodas, snacks, etc.
We have been situated in our location since day one. Everyone knows where to find us yearly. Many request only to work with us.
Our 'troops' & 'vets' gather to share moments of history ...
Our flags are proudly displayed representing different units ...
This scenic farm is part of the property that we adorn with our candles ...This year I missed the deer romping
across the fields, durnnit!
Our men taking a food break ...
Every year we have many Boys Scouts from various dens join us ... I so love their spirit & enthusiasm in this project.
Another farm just down round the bend on our other section ...
Many of the candles resting gently, representing over 23,000 men who valiantly fought for their beliefs ...
The tourist cars line up starting around noon for the drive thru at 6PM that night ... sometimes they are backed up for 8 to 10 miles. No headlights are allowed as you
drive the 5 mile path through the
lighted fields.
This is an awesome mural on the wall of a home. Every year I go by it, I have to stop
to enjoy the beauty ...
It is as tho they await to welcome us ...
Visit our LOVE IS... ladies
Anne
Sherry
Tete is on break
Antietam is the bloodiest battle in American history. It is also known as Sharpsburg, depending if you are a northerner or southerner.After pursuing General Robert E Lee into Maryland, Union Army Maj. Gen. George B. McClelland launched attacks against Lee's army, in defensive positions behind Antietam Creek. At dawn on September 17, Maj. Gen. joseph Hooker's corps mounted a powerful assault on Lee's left flank. Attacks and counterattacks swept across Miller's cornfield and fighting swirled around the Dunker Church. Union assaults against the Sunken Road eventually pierced the Confederate center, but the Federal advantage was not followed up. In the afternoon, Union Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside's corps entered the action, capturing a stone bridge over Antietam Creek and advancing against the Confederate right. At a crucial moment, Confederate Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill's division arrived from Harpers Ferry and launched a surprise counterattack, driving back Burnside and ending the battle. Although outnumbered two-to-one, Lee committed his entire force, while McClellan sent in less than three-quarters of his army, enabling Lee to fight the Federals to a standstill. During the night, both armies consolidated their lines. In spite of crippling casualties, Lee continued to skirmish with McClellan throughout September 18, while removing his battered army south of the Potomac River.
Despite having superiority of numbers, McClellan's attacks failed to achieve force concentration, allowing Lee to counter by shifting forces and moving interior lines to meet each challenge. Despite ample reserve forces that could have been deployed to exploit localized successes, McClellan failed to destroy Lee's army. Nevertheless, Lee's invasion of Maryland was ended, and he was able to withdraw his army back to Virginia without interference from the cautious McClellan. Although the battle was tatically inconclusive, it had significance as enough of a victory to give President Abraham Lincoln confidence to announce his Emancipation Proclamation, which discouraged the British and French governments from potential plans for recognition of the Confederacy. (copied from internet history)
Across these fields the bodies laid nearly side by side ... the candles are laid in a
6' grid ...
You can see the wisps of clouds, the day was clear ...
The billowing cloud looks as if smoke from the cannon ...
Slowly dusk gently kisses the sky ...
Ashley & our Joshua. Ashley took some of these pictures for I took little Miss M home to play. TY dd, I so appreciate yourdoing this for me. This is Ashley's first
year .
The gentle hush covers the earth ...
As the soft glow rises in the silence ...
Covering the earth with a soft hue ...
Silhouettes ...
Dusk ...
Gently caressed in night ... the bugler
plays Taps.
Each candle ...
Representing a valiant soldier's body ...
These ladies are in mourning ...
As they walk to the memorial ...
They gave their all for their cause.
Oops! My assistant, little Miss M, sleeping on the job!Joshua attended from birth all but 7 of our events. It is important to start them out right ...
Love you Miss M.
Such a beautiful tribute to those who died for their cause. My grandfather was under McClleland. He was from the Illinois Co.K and was a prisoner of war caught at the Sabine Pass at age 15. Your tireless work to make this event come to life each year is awesome. Very moving.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Ginger
I remember this event and would LOVE to be there in person some day! Gives me goosebumps when I see ALL of those candles!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day my friend, HUGS!
What a wonderful post. This is something we would be interested in seeing.
ReplyDeleteWe have visited battlefields many times. They all evoke emotions for me. The one that really resonated with me was Cowpens (NC), from the Revolution. My ancestor fought there. It is not a large field. It is set in a wooded area. Just walking the pathways was amazing and especially so as I sort of channeled my Edwards ancestor. The Battle of Cowpens was depicted in the movie The Patriot. We were at the battlefield before we saw the movie.
Thanks so much for this post!
What a great post. i have enjoyed visiting this battlefield. I loved the photos, especially the shots of the candles at night. I hope you are having a lovely weekend. Take Care!
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing post Marydon! I loveeeeeeeeeee the photos and the story behind it all! :):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteMarydon, What a beautiful tribute. The photos are great. The candles at night gave me chills. Thanks for sharing history with us. Hugs, Linda
ReplyDeletePS the baby is adorable
What a beautiful tribute and tradition. You are blessed to be part of it. How humbling to see all those lights representing men that went down in battle. Hugs-Diana
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the photos. I hope some day to see it in person. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAwesome---I bet it is beautiful in person but the pics are great!
ReplyDeleteHats off to you and the crew!!
Melinda
That is a beautiful tribute. Thank you so much for sharing such a sacred piece of history. It is so wonderful that people still take the time to honor those.
ReplyDeleteThe luminaries are beautiful.
Good Morning Sweet Sis...
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute you have shared today. I loved riding through the fields as we did during the day, and listening to your stories as we drove, but Sis what a dramatic difference seeing all the lights across the fields. In my mind, I can hear the bugler as he plays. Thank you for taking me along to the Antietam Battlefield Illumination this morning, I so enjoyed my piece of history.
Just look at you there cooking away and enjoying yourself. I just reached out and gave you a hug. Did you feel it? You look beautiful as always.
Can taste the wonderful soup as well, and I believe a hot dog was in store for me. Loved the cookies most of all, you know me the little cookie monster.
Hope you and Harold have a glorious day today. You have made my morning with this gorgeous share. I love you sweet sis, and miss you horribly. All my love, your lil Sis, Sherry
What an amazing celebration. I was so impressed with all the lights.Wonderful Marydon. V
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible occasion, with gorgeous photos! Thanks for visiting.
ReplyDeleteYour post is such an honor to all those who lost their lives fighting for their beliefs.....I loved reading the history and I would love visiting the site....
ReplyDeleteThank you....
Hi Marydon, Thank you for the photos and for being involved in remembering a piece of our history.
ReplyDeleteMy 4th great grandfathers son Alexander Gemmill fought and died in that battle. He was under McClelland.
I don't know if he is buried there.
Is there a person I can talk to that is a caretaker of the cemetery? I do family genealogy work. If it is no trouble to find out, I would appreciate it. :) My email is throughthewoods2@yahoo.com
if you'd like to send a name and phone number. :)
Take care my new blogging friend. Have a lovely Sunday and a great week. Janet W
Hi Marydon,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and poignant post. Your efforts to keep this tradition going year after year is so special and the candle lighting of the battlefields is amazingly beautiful.
Love that little bundle of sweetness too.
hugs
Sissie
What a beautiful tribute! I am so amazed at you and all you do for your community! I like knowing you so much and your Love is...fits perfectly with this post! I will have my son Jeremy read it after the football game!
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing lady! Your love of our history is beautiful too
.
My hat is off to all our military. Our sweet friend Dan is still in Virginia with the USN. I have such respect for all of our military everywhere.
Hugs to you today and sweet helped Miss M! She is precious!
Hugs Anne
Oh, Marydon, this just made me get a lump in my throat! I was so moved by this loving tribute! How I would love to be a part of such an event. I know that this upcoming year is the Susquecentennial of the beginning of the War, and I think that such remembrances are so important! Beautiful photos! Thank your daugthter for her help. And Little Miss M is precious sleeping peacefully in her little seat! :-)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Marydon, and your sweetie sleeping is a beautiful finale! Hugs to you my friend and Merry Christmas! Marilou
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these wonderful photos and your description. I've always loved history and you made this very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for viewing my blog and for the lovely comment.
Nancy
Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos and your description. I've always loved history and you made this very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for viewing my blog and for the lovely comment.
Nancy
Every time I think of you and Harold doing this event I get tears in my eyes. You two amaze me with what you do for others.
ReplyDeleteSeeing these pictures and the candles lit is just breathtaking. Those women walking in their mourning clothes really brought tears to my eyes.
Still after all these years hard to believe such a horrific war was fought in our country.
I wanted to tell you that Barbara's sister canceled our trip to Iowa. I should be disappointed but I am relieved I guess because of the timing of the trip and the weather.
One day though I would like to see that part of the US.
Beautiful post from a beautiful lady
Love
Maggie
What a wonderful event to commemorate the event. You must really like to cook:)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the season sweet friend!
Leann
Outstanding presentation, Marydon!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Wow! What an event!
ReplyDeleteThose illumination photos are so beautiful.
Hi Marydon,
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing event each year that you attend and so givingly cook for and feed the many. There is a special place in heaven for a dear devoted sister to the people as you.
All your photos are amazing. The battlefield with the glow of light is beautiful!
May you always be blessed as you bless so many.
Merry Christmas my friend and love to you,
Celestina Marie
p.s.Miss M is a little darling!!
I have long had an interest in the Civil War & have been to Gettysburg & came back with Awe....
ReplyDeleteI just finished the book "Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reilly. Excellent book..... Your trip to the battlefield photos are awesome.
BTW.... TY for the lovely card!!
Happy Holidays !
Marilyn
Wow, what an incredible event. I got chills just looking at those candles. And baby M is adorable!
ReplyDeletePS. Thanks so much for the little surprise in the mail. You didn't have to do that! I hope to be getting my Christmas cards out soon!
Such an amazing tribute, Marydon...Those candles are amazing...And I saw little Mackenzie--she looks so adorable!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a special event and I am so glad that you shared it with us...I live right near The Chalmette Battleground where The Battle of New Orleans was fought, but the awful thing about that battle was (from what I understand) the war was over, but they had not gotten word of it, so all those young men died for nothing...How sad is that?
xo
Cindy
What a beautiful tribute, MArydon. Your photos say it all, thanks for sharing. Thank you for the history too....Christine
ReplyDeleteThis is so amazing...the history of it all is just awesome! The candles in the fields..awesome! :D
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating; such a desperate battle, and the candles at night have a bright glow.
ReplyDeleteThat was amazing, on all accounts. I had no idea about that battle. Thank you for telling this! and all the cooking and work you do year after year, amazing! just a beautiful somber site! thank you
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this event, but then I am on the West Coast so sometimes these kinds of things pass me by. Thank you for sharing and the pictures were awesome!
ReplyDelete~Linnea
What a wonderful tribute and I so enjoyed reading all about it. I am fascinated by our history and have been to several reenactments in Mississippi.
ReplyDeleteSam
What a wonderful even that must be. I loved the photos at night of all the candles. Merry Christmas to you and yours Marydon.
ReplyDeleteQMM
Hi Marydon,
ReplyDeleteYou have been in my thoughts, and I want you to know that you are important to me.
Take care. GOD BLESS! -Kerrie
That was really interesting and I can only imagine what it must be like to see all those flickering lights in the darkness...very special.
ReplyDeleteOh my. Such a moving tribute to the cause and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. I read each and every word, looked at each beautiful photo and was moved to tears more than once. Thank you for sharing it all with us. God Bless you and your family and all the volunteers who take part in this tribute each and every year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful....wonderful tribute! This the work of your heart and what a legacy! Thank you so much for sharing this with so many!
ReplyDeleteblessings,
karianne