A recently discovered 1864 map suggests the Cornfield's human cost was even greater than previously understood, among other new insights it reveals about the men who fought in and around David Miller’s deadly Cornfield.
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Descending Into The Bloody Cornfield With Civil War Historian, David A. Welker: PreserveCast Episode No. 126, May 18, 2020
Click here to open PreserveCast Few names are as synonymous with Civil War battlefields as The Bloody Cornfield. It conjures up visions of harrowing bloodshed and the tragedy of fratricidal combat… Yet, for over 150 years, the story of this struggle has been difficult to track – the sway of battle back and forth over … Continue reading Descending Into The Bloody Cornfield With Civil War Historian, David A. Welker: PreserveCast Episode No. 126, May 18, 2020
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Tigers in the Cornfield: Hays’ Louisiana Brigade at Antietam
D. R. Miller’s Cornfield was a long way from New Orleans’ docks and marshes, but for many "Louisiana Tigers" in Hays’ Brigade this deadly spot would become their final resting place…
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The Cornfield – Inside the Action at Antietam’s Bloody Turning Point
By David A. Welker With my book on Antietam's Cornfield finally published, click here for a brief taste of some of the big themes it discusses: "The Cornfield – Inside the Action at Antietam’s Bloody Turning Point" And if you'd like a preview to read a few pages, here's another link you can click on … Continue reading The Cornfield – Inside the Action at Antietam’s Bloody Turning Point
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The 105th New York in Antietam’s Cornfield: The High Price of Achievement
Those men of the 105th New York Infantry retreating back into the corn had no way to know that their dead and wounded comrades lying just beyond the deadly Cornfield’s southern fence represented the high-water mark of the Union I Corps’ effort to reach the Dunker Church...
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The 6th Georgia in the Cornfield: Squeezed by a Deadly Vice
Reaching the fence, the 6th Georgia had restored the South’s hold on the vital Cornfield only to find itself in a dire position. Facing threats in front and right, as the enemy advanced the Georgians suddenly realized they were in a tremendous Union vise that was about to literally squeeze the regiment to death.
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The 19th Indiana in Antietam’s Cornfield: “The command is no longer forward, but now it is follow me!”
An original regiment in the storied “Iron Brigade,” the 19th Indiana is perhaps best known for its role during the opening hours of the Battle of Gettysburg, which has for too long overshadowed its actions in Antietam’s deadly Cornfield…
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The Cornfield Casualty Top Ten
Nearing the end of 2018, we’ll be bombarded by the annual parade of “top ten” lists counting down everything from the year’s news events to songs and online fads. For those of us interested in understanding and preserving the events of the Civil War and Antietam’s Cornfield, here’s our own such list – the Cornfield casualty top ten.
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Abner Doubleday in Antietam’s Cornfield: No Day in the (Baseball) Park
Abner Doubleday may not have invented baseball, but his actions amidst Antietam’s deadly Cornfield rightly cement his place in American history. This is that story... By David A. Welker Born on 26 June 1819 in Ballston Spa, New York to Ulysses F. and Hester (Donnelly) Doubleday, Abner joined a respected family with deep ties to … Continue reading Abner Doubleday in Antietam’s Cornfield: No Day in the (Baseball) Park
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The 1st Georgia Regulars and 1st Minnesota Infantry at Antietam: A Kindness in the Cornfield
The 1st Georgia Regulars’ Sergeant William Andrews and the 1st Minnesota’s Sergeant Sam Bloomer traveled from very different worlds, and over many miles, to share a moment of grace and humanity amidst the terror of Antietam’s bloody Cornfield. This is that story…
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The 2nd Massachusetts in the Cornfield: Robert Gould Shaw’s Command Baptism by Fire
Viewers of the 1989 film “Glory” know it tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts African American regiment and its commander, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who share a fate at the 1863 assault on Fort Wagner. Fewer know about the film’s opening scenes, which take Captain Shaw and the 2nd Massachusetts into the horror of the Cornfield. This is that story …
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New Old Views of the Miller Farm and Antietam’s Cornfield
Travel back in time to see Antietam's battlefield as it looked 134 years ago. Our first stop is D. R. Miller's farm, around which swirled fighting in the bloody Cornfield...
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The 5th Virginia’s Private Ezra Stickley: Irony in the Cornfield
The 5th Virginia's Ezra Stickley awakened and realized the firing had picked up considerably. Gathering up his gear...Ezra discovered he’d misplaced the right glove of his newly-purchased pair, a loss that troubled him considerably. Within the hour Ezra would be troubled by a much greater loss...and discover the ultimate irony of Antietam's bloody Cornfield.
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John Cook: An Ohio boy comes of age in Antietam’s Cornfield
John Cook swung his bugle over his shoulder and wrested from the dead man his leather pouch, bearing the undelivered shell without which the cannon was useless. From that moment on, John Cook worked a gun alongside the trained artillerymen to face down the onslaught of Wofford’s attacking Texas Brigade. It was an act that earned John Cook—who had turned fifteen years old barely a month before—the Medal of Honor.
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Garland’s Brigade at the Cornfield: The Death of a Reputation…and Much More
The 5th North Carolina’s Captain Thompson “came up to me in a very excited manner and tone cried out to me “They are flanking us! See, yonder’s a whole brigade!” I ordered him to keep silent and return to his place…but, when this act of indiscretion occurred, they began to break and run…” By … Continue reading Garland’s Brigade at the Cornfield: The Death of a Reputation…and Much More
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The 88th Pennsylvania at Antietam: A Cornfield Invalid Saves Washington
Now was the moment of truth for Major George Gile and his new command, the 88th Pennsylvania. Instantly Gile’s “stentorian” voice “rang out, “88th. On first division, deploy column, march. Forward, guide centre, halt. Commence, firing!” And with that the 88th Pennsylvania entered the fight for Antietam’s Cornfield... By David A. Welker The 88th Pennsylvania … Continue reading The 88th Pennsylvania at Antietam: A Cornfield Invalid Saves Washington
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Farming the Cornfield: D. R. Miller’s 1862 Harvest of Death
With the sun glistening off rainwater on the tall, waving cornstalks this clear September morning, David Miller could have no way of knowing that soon his cornfield would become the most dangerous place to be on earth. By David A. Welker Tuesday, September 2nd, 1862 dawned bright and clear on the rolling hills of western … Continue reading Farming the Cornfield: D. R. Miller’s 1862 Harvest of Death
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Buffalo in the Cornfield: The 21st New York at Antietam
By David A. Welker The 21st New York Infantry Regiment was born in Buffalo, New York’s old Court House on the evening of April 13, 1861. War fever was high that night—the day before Confederate forces had fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor—and some 102 men volunteered their services to New York State for … Continue reading Buffalo in the Cornfield: The 21st New York at Antietam
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Claimed by the Cornfield: Georgia’s Colonel Marcellus Douglass
With his brigade locked in a nearly point-blank fight on the southern end of Antietam’s Cornfield, Colonel Douglass had already been wounded seven times but remained in command. Then an eighth Union Minie ball suddenly found him… By David A. Welker Marcellus Douglass was born in Thomaston, Georgia on October 5th, 1820. Little is known … Continue reading Claimed by the Cornfield: Georgia’s Colonel Marcellus Douglass
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Cowards in the Cornfield? (Part Two): The Complicated Story of Virginia’s General John R. Jones
When General J. R. Jones quickly relinquished command at the prospect of marching his division into Antietam’s Cornfield, his fellow Southern officers began whispering the word “coward” behind his back. But even this firestorm of controversy couldn’t prepare Jones for what awaited him when his postwar “indiscretions” became known. By David A. Welker John … Continue reading Cowards in the Cornfield? (Part Two): The Complicated Story of Virginia’s General John R. Jones
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Cowards in the Cornfield?: The Sorry Story of Colonel William Christian
Amidst a firestorm of Confederate shells, just as his brigade was heading into the hell of Antietam’s Cornfield, Colonel William Christian suddenly muttered “I’ve always had a great fear of shelling.” And with that, he simply vanished… By David A. Welker William Henry Christian was born on April 9th 1825 in Utica, New York. Although … Continue reading Cowards in the Cornfield?: The Sorry Story of Colonel William Christian
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The 21st Georgia: An Unexpected Mission in Antietam’s East Woods
As the 21st Georgia’s battle-tested fighters settled into positions behind the rocks and trees in the southern end of the East Woods, they knew that another Yankee advance would soon enough seek to drive them from their new position. What they didn’t understand was just how important holding this place was for a Confederate victory at Antietam…
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The 90th Pennsylvania Infantry in the Cornfield: “Solitary and alone, we gave and took our medicine”
“For God’s sake, come and help us out…!” begged the new head of Hartsuff’s Brigade and without a pause, Colonel Lyle had the 90th Pennsylvania marching forward into the swirling inferno of Antietam’s Cornfield. By David A. Welker The 90th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was recruited exclusively within the city of Philadelphia. Originally designated the 2nd … Continue reading The 90th Pennsylvania Infantry in the Cornfield: “Solitary and alone, we gave and took our medicine”
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The 1st Texas Infantry in the Cornfield: “Slipping the Bridle”
Barely two dozen yards ahead lay the northern end of the Cornfield. At that moment it must have entered the minds of the men of the 1st Texas that it might just be possible to break the Yankees’ hold on this spot, if only they could reach it in time… By David A. Welker The … Continue reading The 1st Texas Infantry in the Cornfield: “Slipping the Bridle”
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Captain Von Bachelle and his canine friend sacrifice all in the Cornfield
You may have heard the story of Werner Von Bachelle and his beloved dog, who shared their lives and met their respective fates in Antietam’s Cornfield. But do you know their experiences in the month and hours before marching together into the Cornfield? Here is their shared story… By David A. Welker Werner Von Bachelle … Continue reading Captain Von Bachelle and his canine friend sacrifice all in the Cornfield
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The 97th New York Infantry in the Cornfield
This is the excerpt for your very first post.
Antietam's Cornfield 