Antietam National Battlefield

A year and a half into the Civil War, Union victory was far from assured.  Confederate forces were fighting successfully in the Eastern Theater, mainly in Virginia.  After his victory at the Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run), Gen Robert E Lee decided to move his army out of war torn Virginia.  On Sept 4, 1862, he led his over 40,000 confederates across the Potomas River and through the Maryland countryside to Frederick. 
The battle of Antietam, in Sharpsburg, MD broke out Sept 17, 1862, a battle that lasted 12 hours, involved 100,000 soldiers and left 23,000 dead, wounded or missing.
What struck us as we drove the battlefield, and its quite large, what was the purpose?  Unlike Gettysburg, there was no town, no high ground, just woods and cornfields and by all historical accounts neither side won.

Gettysburg

This is our second stop here.  We took the bus tour this time and with a guide on board (from Maine) we learned a lot more than the last time where we drove ourselves round the battleground.  The National Parks Service is in the long process of restoring the battleground to reflect what the 2 armies would have seen on the 3 day battle.  We were told that they have pictures and maps and will be able to re-create the park to within an "inch" of what is was those 3 days.  This is the 150th anniversary of the battle that took place July 1,2,3 1863.
Today we visited the home of Jenny Wade, the only civilian killed during the battle.  She was 20yrs old and was in her mother's home which was literally between the Union and Confederate soldiers that were firing at each other.  She had been making bread for the Union soldiers and providing water for them and was standing in the kitchen when a musket ball came through the front door, through a 2nd door, struck her just under the left rib cage and exited through her heart.  The holes are still in the doors. Many of the buildings in Gettysburg still have pot marks from rounds striking them.
Tomorrow we are going over to the Antietam Battlefield which was considered the worst battle from loss of life and wounded.
We will be out of here friday morning headed for Max Meadows, VA for a one night stay then onto Lexington, SC for a 2nd night and then back into Jekyll on Sunday.

Amish Country

We spent the day in Amish Country (Lancaster).  We took in the "Amish Experience" which included a van tour of the farm country, visiting a farm and hearing the history mostly about the Lancaster Amish.  There are 29 states and the providence of Quebec, Canada that have an Amish presence, and it seems that the traditions may vary some in each place, but they all do without electricty, motor vehicles, TV, computers, etc  etc.  The kids go to school until they are 16 then they have to make a decision as to joining the church or not. The Amish population doubled from the last census and 90% of the kids do join the church when it comes time to decide.  A second part of the tour was a typical Amish house and the final part was a short film on a young man making a decision on joining or not joining the church.  It was topped off with a typical Amish meal where you sat down with other patrons whom you may or may not know and pass the food around.  All in all a very interesting day.  We are going back to the same area tomorrow so that NJ can get some photos in.
Some interesting facts about Pennsylvania....
It is home to more than 58,105 farms.
It has 2,164 Christmas Tree farms, more than any other state.
Produces more than 465 million pounds of mushrooms per year, more than any other sate.
Produces 82 million pounds of pumpkins & 442 million pounds of apples.
Produces 1.2 billion gallons of milk & 71  million pounds of peaches.
Produces 7 billion eggs a year.
Each farmer in the state provides enough food and fiber to feed 144 people for a year.