Antietam National Battlefield: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome

  The tour begins at the Antietam Visitor Center.

• Dunker Church

  A reconstructed church named after the German Christians who conducted immersion baptisms. The church suffered extensive damage during the battle, with bullet marks and artillery damage.

• General McClellan

  McClellan hesitates and second-guesses Lee's lost order, losing the advantage for the Union.

• General Mansfield

  Monuments dedicated to General Joseph Mansfield mark the spot where he received his fatal wound, although there is debate about the exact location.

• Outflanking the Enemy

  The Union attempts to outflank the Confederates by sending a second wave of troops into the East Woods.

• East Woods

  The Union and Confederate forces engage in fierce fighting in the East Woods, with the Union eventually prevailing.

• The Union Breaks Through

  Union soldiers successfully advance through the cornfield and hold their position against Confederate attacks.

• Canons of Battery B

  Maryland's Battery B positions cannons to support the infantry, and their strategic placement plays a crucial role in the battle.

• Indiana State Monument

  An eye-catching obelisk that represents the contribution of Indiana soldiers in the battle.

• New Jersey's Monument

  Take a moment to step into the presence of New Jersey's Monument, a striking pillar topped by a soldier waving a sword, honoring the valor of the soldiers from New Jersey.

• Massachusetts' Monument

  Explore the Massachusetts' Monument, a magnificent structure resembling a giant altar, inviting you to step closer and pay tribute to the soldiers from Massachusetts who participated in the battle.

• West Woods

  Enter the West Woods and experience the haunting remnants of the fierce fighting that took place there, as Union soldiers charged forward and faced Confederate cannons positioned on Nicodemus Heights.

• Pennsylvania Monument

  Stand before the imposing Pennsylvania Monument, a grand tribute to the Pennsylvania soldiers who bravely fought in the Battle of Antietam.

• Maryland

  Reflect on the divided loyalties of Maryland as you step into the history of a state caught between the Union and Confederacy, grappling with conflicting ideologies on slavery.

• Mumma Farm and Cemetery

  Visit the Mumma Farm and Cemetery, where you can step onto the grounds of the burned and abandoned farmstead and pay your respects in the cemetery, which holds stories of the fallen soldiers and is rumored to have ghostly apparitions.

• Bee In Your Bonnet?

  Take a moment to appreciate the heroism of the 130th Pennsylvania Infantry as they valiantly push forward despite a bee attack during the battle.

• Sunken Road

  Also known as Bloody Lane, a trench-like depression where intense fighting took place as the Union forces tried to break through the Confederate defense. Witness the devastating aftermath of the battle as piles of dead bodies line the Sunken Road, serving as a stark reminder of the immense human cost of war.

• Piles of Dead

  Learn about the efforts to provide proper burials for the fallen soldiers and the establishment of the National Cemetery to honor their sacrifice.

• Observation Tower

  Explore the observation tower and the adjacent Irish Brigade monument, paying tribute to the Irish-American soldiers who displayed exceptional bravery and suffered heavy casualties in the battle.

• Irish Brigade

  Ascend the 60-foot observation tower to gain a panoramic view of the entire battlefield, offering a unique perspective on the historic landscape.

• Modern Weaponry

  Explore the impact of modern weaponry, such as rifles with grooved barrels and cannons loaded with canisters, which contributed to the high casualty count of the battle.

• Antietam Journalism

  Learn about the role of war correspondents, like George Smalley of the New York Tribune, who transmitted eyewitness accounts of the battle through telegraph offices.

• Otto and Sherrick Farms

  Strategic outposts for the Confederates during the battle that later served as field hospitals for the injured soldiers. Take a moment to visit and explore the grounds of either farm if desired, or continue straight and turn left at the upcoming intersection.

• Burnside Bridge

  This is where a brutal clash between Confederate and Union forces happened. General Ambrose Burnside leads nearly 13,000 Union troops, while a Confederate general with only 500 men is ordered to hold the bridge.

• McKinley Monument

  Pause at the McKinley Monument, which honors a Union sergeant, William McKinley, who later became the 25th President of the United States.

• Bottlenecked at the Bridge

  General Burnside persists in his attempts to cross the bridge, eventually flanking the Confederates and forcing their retreat.

• Burnside’s Sideburns

  Learn the fun fact that sideburns are named after General Burnside, whose distinctive facial hair is the reason behind the name.

• 9th New York Infantry Monument

  The 9th New York Infantry Monument honors Captain Adolphe Libaire, a survivor of the attack.

• Tolson Chapel

  Built in 1866 by the Sharpsburg African-American community, providing a place for worship, education, and community building.

• Piper House

  Built in 1792, it predates the Battle of Antietam by a whole 70 years!

• Mount Calvary Lutheran Cemetery

  Mount Calvary Lutheran Cemetery dates back to 1768 and was used by the Confederates as a signal station during the battle and later as a field hospital by the Union.

• Antietam National Cemetery

  Antietam National Cemetery is the final stop, where 4,776 Union soldiers are buried, along with soldiers from later conflicts.