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
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
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
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
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…
“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”
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”
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
This is the excerpt for your very first post.
Antietam's Cornfield 