December 27, 2013

**Antietam Friday**

I’ve always had a fascination with old houses. Not only did I make it a point to visit as many historic homes as possible while visiting places like Gettysburg and Antietam, but I also snapped photos of those I couldn’t step inside. One of the most famous farms on the Antietam National Battlefield is without a doubt the Joseph Poffenberger farm. When I visited in 2009 and again in 2013, I saw some distinct changes:

Poffenberger farmhouse in 2009

Looking good in 2013

Those timeless, dedicated folks who devote many of their days to the restoration of our nation’s historic treasures had been busy at the farm. They’ve provided today’s visitors with an even clearer view of how the house would have appeared to soldiers in both blue and gray, and to those who lived there during the battle of Antietam (or Sharpsburg, if you’re of the Southern persuasion). Tradition says that Clara Barton cared for wounded men on the property. Whether or not that can ever be proven, it was certainly used as a field hospital, as nearly all structures were at both Antietam and later at Gettysburg.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JOHN OWEN ADKINS

Co. E, 38^TH Virginia Infantry

Born 1832--- Died July (or August 29) 1863 at age 31

When Pvt. Adkins enlisted in the Confederate army in June of 1861, he had three small children, Mary, Nancy, and John Sidney. It is almost certain that thoughts of his wife and little ones gave him great comfort as he lay wounded after the battle of Gettysburg. Soon Mary became fatherless at the age of eleven, while Nancy and John Sidney were nine and three. Pvt. Adkins’ wife’s name was given as “Teanesha”, and I haven’t been able to determine the correct spelling. He was buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray