The Battle of Antietam is recognized as one of the primary turning points and perhaps the bloodiest single day in the Civil War. Just ten weeks after Robert E. Lee had lifted the siege of Richmond, his Army of Northern Virginia surged into Maryland to a point north of Washington. Abraham Lincoln turned in desperation to the discredited George B. McClellan to rally the Federal armies. A Confederate force under “Stonewall” Jackson captured more than 12,000 Federals at Harpers Ferry. Then a famous lost order and bitter fighting at the South Mountain gaps set the stage for a monumental struggle on the banks of Antietam Creek on September 17, 1862.   Our tour will offer an intensive walking review of the Antietam battlefield, without attempting to add Harpers Ferry and South Mountain to the agenda.  We will visit every sector of the field, including some areas inaccessible to the general public.   On Friday, we will begin with McClellan’s headquarters at the Pry House, and the room where General Richardson died; the federal artillery ridge below Pry; the Upper Bridge; the North Woods; a hike through the middle of the Cornfield; the Pasture; Nicodemus Heights (with its incomparable, rarely seen view of the whole north end of the field; the East Woods; the West Woods (including a walk through the thickets to the 15th Massachusetts line) and Dunkard Church.   On Saturday, we will hike through the fields from the Mumma Farm to Roulette Lane and the Bloody Lane, discussing the fighting in that famous spot in great detail, and climb the tower at the eastern extremity of Bloody Lane. We will walk up Piper Lane to the historic house and barn and the ridge above them, cross Rohrback (Burnside) Bridge and review the fight there from both sides of Antietam Creek, walk on private property cross country to the Otto Lane and Branch Avenue, and conclude where A. P. Hill struck when he came storming up the Harpers Ferry Road.   At the end of the tour, every participant should have an intimate understanding of the terrain at Antietam and renewed respect for the men who fought in America’s costliest single day of battle.   This tour will involve MUCH WALKING so wear comfortable walking shoes. Our support vehicle will always be close by with plenty of water, soda and snacks, and will be available if you’d like to take a break and hitch a ride. We hope you’ll join us in September in the beautiful mountains of western Maryland!   ABOUT OUR TOUR LEADER   Robert K. Krick recently retired as Chief Historian at Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Military Park after a long career with the National Park Service. For four years after his retirement, Bob worked for the USMC, writing the exhibit texts for the new National Museum of the Marine Corps. He is widely regarded as the leading authority on the Army of Northern Virginia and is the author of many books including Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain, Conquering the Valley: Stonewall Jackson at Port Republic; The Smoothbore Volley That Doomed the Confederacy: The Death of Stonewall Jackson and Other Chapters on the Army of Northern Virginia and, most recently, Civil War Weather in Virginia.   Program Schedule:   Friday, September 5 8:15 AM on           Assemble at Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center 8:45 AM               Begin Orientation where the artillery pieces are grouped at the front-left of the Visitor Center 9:00 AM                Begin Tour 1:00 PM                Picnic Lunch 5:00 PM                Arrive Back at Antietam Visitor Center   Saturday, September 6 8:30 AM                Tour Departs from Antietam Visitor Center 12:00 N                 Picnic Lunch 4:30 PM                Arrive Back at Antietam Visitor Center   Registration Fees (Lodging not Included):    $ 325         Under Age 23:  $ 95 You can reserve a space on this tour by making a $50 Deposit per Person.   If You Must Cancel we will refund 100% of your fees paid. However, to receive a 100% refund, you must allow 30 days from the date of our receipt of your notice of cancellation   What is Included in your Registration: ·        the services of an expert historian chosen for his knowledge and experience        ·        transportation to all sites visited ·        Friday and Saturday lunches ·        refreshments and snacks during the tour   ·         map package                                        Lodging: We have arranged a block of sleeping rooms at the Holiday Inn Fort Detrick, 999 W. Patrick Street (Route 15 & Route 40), Frederick, MD 21702 at the special nightly rate of $79.00 + tax.  To reserve as room under our block, call 301-662-5141 and identify yourself as a registrant of the Civil War Education Association group. Or reserve a room online – go to www.holidayinnfrederick.com – and on left side click “Reservations” on left side under “Check Availability” fill in the Check-In Date and Check-out Date just below, at “Group Code”, enter CWE. Other Lodging: In Hagerstown: Four Points Sheraton, 1910 Dual Highway – 301-790-3010 Hampton Inn, 1716 Dual Highway  - 301-739-6100 Comfort Inn, 1801 Dual Highway – 301-791-8100 In Harpers Ferry: Quality Inn, U.S. Route 340 – 304-535-6302