November 29, 2013

** Antietam Friday **
 

A few years ago, I made the trek from the Antietam National Battlefield to Keedysville on a whim. There was supposed to be a historic house that was having some kind of living history event in the barn, and it sounded interesting. Of course, as soon as we arrived, we discovered there was only one vehicle parked at the barn and you couldn’t get inside (I only recently learned that parking for events is on the other side of the barn :-P) So, since we’d driven all the way to the Pry House Museum, we decided to go in. 

It’s a beautiful house, used as Gen. McClellan’s base of operations and as a hospital for Antietam wounded, and you can tour the interior. A small donation is appreciated. No photos allowed, unfortunately. There’s a nice bookshop but selection of other items is rather small. I did enjoy the upper level, where a few rooms were dedicated to various wartime activities such as sewing and Civil War surgery. I liked the fact that the house’s age could be felt, that the steps creaked and the rooms “felt” historic.

Now, for the elusive barn. Except for the vehicle and some small signs at right, this could be a Civil War photograph (in sepia tone, of course). It seemed huge up close and I could definitely see why it would have been used as a field hospital. Two things I remember in particular about this trip were (1) having to climb a steep hill (you can’t enter the Pry House from the front; the museum entrance is at the right side of the house), and (2) the farmland vistas from every direction. Oh, and a bonus #3, nobody else visiting except a man at the desk and a lady dressed in costume. Definitely the way I like it. No need to rush!

 

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. BENJAMIN N. WRIGHT

Co. I, 13^TH Vermont Infantry

Died July 03, 1863

Pvt. Wright was a man who valued friendship. He was remembered for his impressive stature, generosity, and courage, and even after being wounded while repulsing the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge, he greeted each comrade who passed him, offering his hand in farewell. He was laid to rest in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. A photo can be found here.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray