Largely overshadowed by the exploits of Lieutenant Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes at South Mountain and Commissary Sergeant William McKinley’s coffee break at the Lower Bridge, the 23rd Ohio’s action in the Final Attack at Antietam largely remains unnoticed in the popular histories of the battle. But the 23rd Ohio, along with the 12th and 30th Ohio Regiments in Colonel Hugh Ewing’s Brigade, was instrumental in blunting the unexpected attack of Confederate General A.P. Hill’s troops. The action of the Ohioans prevented the collapse and rout of Burnside’s left flank. Join us on September 5, as Institute historian and author, Steve Stotelmyer, explores this crucial aspect of the Final Attack as we follow in the footsteps of the 23rd Ohio and Ewing’s Brigade.
Steven R. Stotelmyer is a native of Hagerstown, Maryland. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Frostburg State College and a Master of Arts from Hood College in Frederick, MD. Stotelmyer was a founding member of the Central Maryland Heritage League in 1989 which helped preserve some of the South Mountain Battlefield. He is also the author of The Bivouacs of the Dead: The Story of Those Who Died at Antietam and South Mountain (Toomey Press, 1992), and Too Useful To Sacrifice, Reconsidering George B. McClellan’s Generalship in the Maryland Campaign from South Mountain to Antietam. (Savas Beatie, 2019). Steve is a National Park Service Volunteer as well as a Certified Antietam Battlefield and South Mountain Battlefield Tour Guide.
This two-hour hike covers approximately 1 ½ miles, across moderate terrain and park trails. All excursions will run from 9:30 to 11:30 am and start at the Visitor Center overflow parking area. The “Following in the Footsteps” hikes are for current members only, and advance registration is required (login before registering), but there is no fee to attend. Members are required to purchase the park entrance pass at the Visitor Center.
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