Leading the Preservation Charge

Andrew Druart.

If you think that all of the boy heros of the Civil War were at the Battle of New Market, you haven't met Andrew Druart.

Andrew visited the park today and came along on my tour.  He's a leading light in the battlefield preservation movement raising nearly seven thousand dollars on the website that he started for other kids interested in the Civil War.  He's a great kid and a delight to talk with.

After an afternoon with Andrew, I think that the future of our battlefields is in very good hands.

Ranger Mannie

A new face on the Battlefield

Today I met Eve.

Eve's rider, Mark, is one of the Park Rangers up at South Mountain State Battlefield Park.  I'm happy to say that we'll be seeing them both from time to time this season at Antietam.

Always making new friends, just north of Sharpsburg.

Ranger Mannie

New Lincoln stereoscopic view found

Spotted on the battlefield:

Night Fire video

Here's a little video of last night's action:

Night Firing!

Wow!

Artillery weekend this year included something new to Antietam National Battlefield, a night firing of a section of guns.

As the photos demonstrate, it was very dramatic.

You've simply got to stop missing this stuff!

Still blinking,  just north of Sharpsburg.

Ranger Mannie

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Artillery Weekend!

The guns arrived today:

Three demonstrations tomorrow (Saturday) during visiting hours, plus a campfire program and night firing starting at 8:30 p.m.

I hope to see you there.

Scrambling for my earplugs,
just north of Sharpsburg.

Ranger Mannie

Smoke on the Battlefield

This past Saturday afternoon I saw the most incongruous thing; a flaming hay wagon driving down Dunker Church Road.  By the time it got halfway down Smoketown Road the driver knew that something was amiss.


Perhaps this can be the new derivation of the name "Smoketown Road".

No one was hurt.

Keeping a nose out for smoke,

Ranger Mannie

The History Channel's "Gettysburg": one last thing

Ridley Scott, call your office.

(context here)