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The Irish Brigade at Antietam


Bike Tour and Photography by Ed Murphy

The Irish Brigade under General Thomas Edward Meagher played an important part in the Civil War battle of Antietam (17 September 1862).  Antietam was the bloodiest single day engagement. (Gettysburg was bloodier, but lasted three days.)  The outcome was enough of a Union victory that president Lincoln was emboldened to issue the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation --- making the Civil War an effort not only to preserve the Union, but also to end slavery.


Site of Major Engagement of the Brigade

Below Top Photo. The Brigade came across this field to attack the Confederate forces behind the snake fence.  Bottom Photo: The Roulette farm used by the Brigade as a staging area for the attack.







Sunken Road




Bottom Photo:  Sunken Road from the Tower 





Burnside's Bridge and Ed Murphy


Burnside's Bridge - Close Up



Monuments

Below:  Irish Brigade Graves.  Unknown casualties.  Remains found during construction of the Irish Brigade monument around 1996.







The Irish Brigade Monument is built on blocks of granite from County Wicklow (Meagher's home county).   Most of the Park's other memorials were erected over 80 years ago.  The Monument, dedicated on 25 October 1997, will be the last monument allowed in the Park.  Current National Park Service regulations prohibit the erection of any further memorials at Antietam.









Old Simon monument in cemetery






References and Recommended Reading: