December 20, 2013

**Antietam Friday**

A few Septembers ago, I plunged in, so to speak, and made the trek to Burnside Bridge. There are two ways to visit the bridge: Take the path from the parking lot, which is pretty much a continual downhill march, or walk a path from the bottom of the hill. We close the latter. When we first started out, it was cold, and I’m not a person who appreciates cold. But I pressed forward valiantly. (Okay, not too valiantly. We’d already been dropped off and I didn’t feel like walking back up to the car either).

By the time we got close to the bridge, I felt a thrill of excitement. This was history I was going to be walking on. Trekking across Burnside’s Bridge was one of those things you just did if you were a Civil War buff and didn’t live a bajillion miles away. I was hepped up for it now. Just as we reached the edge of the bridge, I was happy to see only one other person in sight. That meant peace, quiet, reflection time, and some great photos. I paused to take in Antietam Creek. Having always loved rivers, streams, creeks, and whatnot, this was one of my favorite parts of the visit. After I’d spent enough time appreciating the creek, I continued over to the other side, still cold, but more taken up with wonder than temperature now.

There was a path on the other side, it turned out. And this path led to a whole lot of monuments, including the 51^ST New York Infantry shown here. The two visible markers to the left of the monument detail the actions of the Union 9^TH Corps. After enjoying the views, we started back over the bridge and headed back to the car. The breeze was still chilly but somehow it didn’t matter as much. It was an accomplishment I hope to repeat in the near future.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. HUGH ALEXANDER TATE

Co. D, 11^TH North Carolina Infantry

Born June 26, 1841--- Died August 25, 1863 at age 22

In the space of less than half a year, Pvt. Tate and his family experienced great joy and insurmountable sorrow. He’d married his sweetheart Eliza in February 1863 four months before his 22^ND birthday, and less than five months later his regiment reached Gettysburg. His wounded leg was amputated on the third of July. Pvt. Tate was then brought to the general hospital at Camp Letterman, where he died at the end of August. His burial place has never been verified.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray