Antietam - Burnside Bridge by rosiekerr

Antietam - Burnside Bridge

We visited Antietam today, noteworthy for being the site of the bloodiest one-day battle of the American Civil War.

Also, Antietam was the first battle that was photographed shortly after it occurred. Alexander Gardner, working for early photographer Matthew Brady, appeared two days after the battle and shot the battlefield to capture the fallen.

Honestly, they are worth a click, although they are tough to view.

https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?pg=2735161&id=2412F92B-1DD8-B71C-0728A9DF066D2649

Also, please notice the "Witness Tree," a sycamore standing on the right (as you cross the bridge) of the bridge entrance. The tree was just a few years old at the time of the Civil War, as seen in Gardner's photographs. Today, it still stands, a continuing witness to the events surrounding the bridge.

Antietam is located in northern Maryland. Almost 100,000 soldiers fought that day. After the battle was done, about 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing. Sadly, not much changed about the battle lines after this brutal day was done.

This bridge (at the end of the battle) was defended by about 2,000 Confederate sharpshooters from Georgia, who were perched on the hills above and to the right. Over three attacks, the Georgians held off about 14,000 Union troops throughout the day. Eventually, the sharpshooters ran out of ammunition and Burnside's troops were able to claw their way across the bridge and up the hill.

If you read this far, thank you for tolerating the nerd-fest. :)
Well, when I saw the image, I simply thought it was a beautifully composed landscape. Then, seeing the original images and reading your narrative, it is gut-punchingly beautiful for a site that has such a tragic history. Thanks for sharing the background so we can appreciate what this represents.
March 15th, 2019  
A gorgeous bridge! A wonderfully composed image!
March 15th, 2019  
A stunning composition and capture, awesome bridge and history. Fav
March 15th, 2019  
Lovely composition, what a beautiful bridge
March 15th, 2019  
A wonderful shot. Lovely light.
March 15th, 2019  
What a beautiful scene!! I thought you were in the UK seeing this lovely old bridge. LOL!!
March 15th, 2019  
lovely composition and tones - but what a history - those images are horrible
March 15th, 2019  

Lovely
March 15th, 2019  
A wonderful bridge and composition
March 15th, 2019  
I thought on our visit that there was an aura of solemnity about it. This photograph captures that well.
March 15th, 2019  
Beautiful capture. Could be a postcard.
March 15th, 2019  
Such history. I have read about Gardener, can you imagine his emotiobs that day? Your photograph is beautiful, even more so based on the site’s history.
March 15th, 2019  
Fabulous composition, textures, colors, shapes
March 15th, 2019  
Thanks for the link, as you point out some are unpleasant to look at, but it makes you realise how sheltered we are from the realities of conflict. Some would not be published if they were recent images.
March 15th, 2019  
Beautiful image, great composition and tones - fav
March 15th, 2019  
Lovely light, composition, and wonderful textures
March 15th, 2019  
A lovely composition Fav
March 15th, 2019  
Thanks for the history. I’m glad the site is so peaceful now. Love how you got detail in the shadow and the highlights.
March 16th, 2019  
Lovely wintery countryside. The bridge is picturesque. Shame about the brutal history. That time in our history was something we should continue to think about.
March 16th, 2019  
I've heard a little about Antietum, thanks for the expanded explanation. Another example of the futility and waste of violence.
March 16th, 2019  
Congratulations on the TT, Rosie! We need more peace.
March 22nd, 2019  
Great to see this on TT! Well deserved! And I saw an original of this area at the Smithsonian with Ray, so appreciate it all the more!
March 27th, 2019  
A beautiful scene and thank you for the interesting history. Congratulations on a well-deserved TT!
March 28th, 2019  
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