Antietam National Cemetery

Antietam National Cemetery
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Name	Antietam National Cemetery
Location	Sharpsburg, Maryland
Coordinates	39.4578, -77.7481
Established	1867
Type	National cemetery

Antietam National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in Sharpsburg, Maryland, near the site of the Battle of Antietam, which was fought on September 17, 1862, during the American Civil War. The cemetery was established in 1867 to honor the Union soldiers who died during the battle, and it is the final resting place for over 4,776 Union Army soldiers, including 1,836 unknown soldiers. The cemetery is managed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and is a part of the National Park Service's Antietam National Battlefield.

● History

The history of Antietam National Cemetery is closely tied to the Battle of Antietam, which was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with over 23,000 casualties, including 3,653 killed, 17,303 wounded, and 1,546 missing or captured. The battle was fought between the Union Army of the Potomac, led by General George McClellan, and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, led by General Robert E. Lee. After the battle, the United States Sanitary Commission and the Christian Commission worked to identify and bury the dead, and in 1867, the United States Congress established Antietam National Cemetery to provide a final resting place for the Union soldiers who died during the battle. The cemetery was designed by William Saunders, a Landscape architect who also designed Arlington National Cemetery and Gettysburg National Cemetery. The cemetery was dedicated on September 17, 1867, with a ceremony attended by President Andrew Johnson, General Ulysses S. Grant, and other notable figures, including Frederick Douglass and Clara Barton.

● Geography and Layout

Antietam National Cemetery is located in Sharpsburg, Maryland, near the site of the Battle of Antietam, and it covers an area of approximately 11.5 acres. The cemetery is situated near the Antietam Creek and is surrounded by the Antietam National Battlefield, which is managed by the National Park Service. The cemetery is designed in a landscape style, with winding paths, trees, and gardens, and it features a variety of Monuments and Memorials, including the Private Soldier Monument, the New York State Monument, and the Massachusetts State Monument. The cemetery is also home to a Mortuary house, a Lodge, and a Rostrum, which were built in the late 19th century.

● Notable Interments

Antietam National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 4,776 Union Army soldiers, including 1,836 unknown soldiers. Some of the notable interments include General Israel Richardson, who was killed during the Battle of Antietam, and Colonel Edward Fowler, who was a Medal of Honor recipient. The cemetery also contains the remains of soldiers from the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment, the 14th Brooklyn Regiment, and the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment, among others. Other notable figures buried in the cemetery include John Brown, the Abolitionist leader, and Francis B. Carpenter, a Painter who was a friend of President Abraham Lincoln. The cemetery is also the final resting place for soldiers who fought in other battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg, the Battle of Chancellorsville, and the Battle of Fredericksburg.

● Administration and Operations

Antietam National Cemetery is managed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and is a part of the National Park Service's Antietam National Battlefield. The cemetery is open daily from 9am to 5pm, and it is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The cemetery offers a variety of services, including Guided tours, Special events, and Memorial services. The cemetery is also home to a Visitor center, which provides information about the cemetery and the Battle of Antietam. The cemetery is maintained by a team of Groundskeepers and Historians who work to preserve the cemetery and its history. The cemetery is also supported by the Antietam National Cemetery Advisory Commission, which was established by Congress to provide advice and guidance on the management of the cemetery.

● Visitor Information

Visitors to Antietam National Cemetery can access the cemetery from Maryland Route 34 or Maryland Route 65. The cemetery is located near the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center, which provides information about the Battle of Antietam and the cemetery. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the cemetery, which includes a variety of Monuments and Memorials, or they can participate in a Guided tour led by a Park ranger. The cemetery also offers a variety of Special events and Memorial services throughout the year, including Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. Visitors can also explore the surrounding Antietam National Battlefield, which includes the Pry House, the Sherrick Farm, and the Burnside Bridge. The cemetery is a part of the National Park Service's Antietam National Battlefield and is also near the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and the Gettysburg National Military Park. Category:United States National Cemeteries