Battle of Antietam and the Emancipation Proclamation

It was 146 years ago on this date at Antietam Creek in Sharpsburg MD that the Union Army of the Potomac halted the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s invasion into the North. After 12 hours of savage brutal combat over 23,000 American soldiers were either killed, wounded or missing making September 17th 1862 the bloodiest one day battle in American history.

The battle of Antietam also led to Abraham Lincoln’s issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation consists of two executive orders issued by United States President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. The first one, issued September 22, 1862, declared the freedom of all slaves in any state of the Confederate States of America that did not return to Union control by January 1, 1863. The second order, issued January 1, 1863, named the specific states where it applied.

Join us at noon Monday September 22th and hear renowned re enactor Jim Getty portray President Lincoln and deliver his “Emancipation Proclamation”. Rain or shine the event is being held on the lawn of the Lawrence County Courthouse in Ironton Oh.

Mr. Getty’s presentation is part of a weekend Freedom Festival that celebrates the Underground Railroad and Southern Ohio role in the Civil War. All events are open to the public and are free of charge.

The Antietam/Sharpsburg battlefield is preserved by the National Park Service and is about a 6 to 7 hour drive from the Tri-State. Gettysburg National Military Park the most visited of all national parks is only about 90 minutes from Antietam. These two venues make a great getaway for a wonderful long weekend of American history.

Happy travels! Got questions? Email TheTravelProfessor@gmail.com.