Heart of the Civil War

Juneteenth
2026-06-19 11:00 (America/New_York) | Mullinix Park, 16 S Bentz St, Frederick, MD, 21701
The City of Frederick is proud to host its first-ever Juneteenth Community Celebration on Friday, June 19 at Mullinix Park. Join from 11 AM – 3 PM for food trucks, local vendors, entertainment, family-friendly activities, and a celebration of Black history, culture, and community.
This free event welcomes all residents to come together in recognition of freedom, resilience, and the contributions of Frederick’s Black community

Juneteenth Celebration at Tolson's Chapel
2026-06-19 11:00 | Tolson’s Chapel, 111 E. High St., Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
Come celebrate Juneteenth at Tolson’s Chapel and Cemetery. Their living museum embodies the original motivation of emancipation through it’s birth and continued existence. With the chapel location in close proximity to the Antietam Battlefield, it is a fitting memorial testament to battles past and present.

Fighting for Freedom: African American Service in the United States Military
2026-06-19 14:00 | Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
African Americans have served in every United States conflict since the country began. This legacy of service however has been fraught with both struggle and triumph. Visit the Monocacy National Battlefield visitor center to learn about the trials of African American military service from the Revolutionary period up through the modern era.

Juneteenth at Historic Catoctin Furnace
2026-06-19 15:00 | Catoctin Furnace, 12610 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, Maryland, 21788
June 19th at 3 pm: Join a park ranger at Catoctin Mountain Park’s Hog Rock Trail parking lot at 2:45 pm for a guided tour, exploring the regional history of slavery and emancipation on this 161st anniversary of Juneteenth.
Events continue at 6:00 pm at the Museum of the Ironworker (12610 Catoctin Furnace Road). This includes greetings by Elizabeth Comer, CFHS President, and Crystal Claggett, Descendant Friends Group President, wreath laying and remembrance of enslaved in the Museum of the Ironworker, and procession to cemetery overlook. Wreath laying, bell ringing, and reading of the names of Catoctin Furnace enslaved skilled ironworkers.

“Ancestral Light: A Juneteenth Celebration of Legacy”
2026-06-19 19:00 | Carroll Creek Outdoor Amphitheater, Carroll Creek Park, between Market & Carroll Streets, Frederick, MD, 21701
Join the AARCH Society for an unforgettable celebration of heritage, resilience, and remembrance. Pay tribute to the generations whose strength, wisdom, and stories continue to guide us through music, a libations ritual and candle lighting ceremony in memory of ancestors. Free for the entire family. For a donation of $5, you will be able to light a candle in memory of an ancestor or loved one during the candle lighting ceremony as their names are spoken. Submit names to be spoken and remembered at: https://aarchsociety.app.neoncrm.com/forms/clc-donation

2026 Country Roads & Gardens Tour
2026-06-20 10:00 | Myersville Town Hall – Myersville-Wolfsville Area Historical Society, 301 Main St, Myersville, MD, 21773
Enjoy a delightful day exploring historic charming country roads and beautiful gardens throughout the picturesque Maryland mountains and valleys of Middletown, Myersville, Wolfsville, and Boonsboro! This self-guided driving tour will take you to ten lovely garden spots to take in the natural beauty of history rich farmlands, extensive landscapes, woodlands, private outdoor residences, and school educational gardens. In addition to the inspiring gardens, various locations will also feature “en plein air” artists, musicians, specific garden activities and other garden and craft products from local vendors available for purchase. So get your tickets that are good for either day, mark your calendars and get ready for a scenic day of natural creativity and beauty at the following gardens:
• Tovornik Gardens on Monument Rd, Myersville
• Homeplace Gardens on San Mar Rd, Boonsboro
• Edgewood Gardens on Balt Nat Pike, Myersville
• Wolfsville Elementary School in Wolfsville
• Highland Manor on Church Hill Rd, Myersville
• Treasured Roots Farm on Balt Nat Pike, Middletown
• Surreybrooke Gardens on Balt Nat Pike, Middletown
• Dahlia Den & Gardens on Stone Rd near Braddock
• Sazilly Farm on Burkittsville Rd, Middletown
• New Bremen on Myersville Rd, Myersville
Country Roads & Gardens Tour tickets are valid for both Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21 and the tour will be a rain or shine event. You can start the tour at any of the garden locations by showing your online Eventbrite purchase confirmation to receive a tour brochure with a map and garden ticket list (each garden can only be visited once over the course of the tour weekend). Advance Eventbrite On-line tickets can be ordered at $25 (plus processing fee) and Tour Day Tickets will be $30 (only available at Myersville Town Hall). Purchase online tickets here: https://2026countryroadsandgardenstour.eventbrite.com/
You can plan to visit the gardens all in one day or spread them out to cover each during the two days. Food options will be notated near specific gardens or you can pick-up a lunch along the tour to enjoy a garden picnic. Participate in garden scavenger hunts and search for painted rocks to take and rehide at other gardens or locations to pass a smile on to the next finder. Tour proceeds will benefit local non-profit organizations like the Myersville-Wolfsville Area Historical Society (MWAHS), community programs and further beautification enhancements of participating gardens. The MWAHS will provide a local display at the Myersville Town Hall on Main Street, Myersville and will be the exclusive location to purchase tour tickets during the tour weekend in-person.

1776
2026-06-20 10:00 - 2026-06-21 16:00 | The Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD, 21158, United States
It’s 1776! Join the Union Mills Homestead on June 20-21 to experience the difficult days preceding our nation’s independence to explore the many challenges facing our country’s founding generation.
This living history weekend at the Union Mill Homestead is modeled on a 1776 recruiting event and will feature reenactors portraying civilians and soldiers. Visitors will be asked questions Americans were forced to confront at the dawn of the Revolutionary War and independence. Loyalty or rebellion? Violence or pacifism? Where do you fall, and who would you support?
This event is $10 for single occupant vehicle and $20 for multiple occupant vehicle.

One Vast Hospital - Downtown Frederick Walking Tour
2026-06-20 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-06-21 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-06-27 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-06-28 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-04 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-07-05 12:00 - 13:30 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Explore the incredible Civil War history in Downtown Frederick with expert guides from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.
Every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday at 12:00 p.m. from April until September, docents from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine will explain how Frederick became “One Vast Hospital.” Arguably the most trying moment in city’s history came after the Battle of Antietam in the fall of 1862. The town’s population doubled when 8,000 wounded soldiers were delivered by ambulance to make-shift hospitals throughout Frederick. Walking tours last for an hour to an hour and a half.
Tickets are $15 and include admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in addition to the walking tour. Tickets are free for Museum members, but you must still reserve your spot. Reservations will be accepted on a first come first served basis.
Contact Chris Reed at chris.reed@civilwarmed.org for more information.

19th Century Wet Plate Photography at Historic Newcomer House
2026-06-20 11:00 - 2026-06-21 11:00 | Newcomer House, 8422 Shepherdstown Pike, Keedysville, Maryland, 21756
Step back into the 19th century on Saturday and Sunday, June 20th and 21st, at the historic Newcomer House in Sharpsburg, Maryland. In partnership with John Milleker Photography, visitors will have the opportunity to see demonstrations on both days at 11 am and 2 pm. Additionally, visitors can visit the Cyanotype “Make and Take” station to craft their own beautiful blue photographic print, using the exact chemical recipe developed in the 1840s to create a piece of history to take home. This opportunity will be available from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, and from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday. This program is FREE to the public.
For a truly archival keepsake, visitors can pre-book a private sitting with John Milleker Photography for an authentic wet plate collodion tintype (a fee is required for this activity). They will sit before the camera and watch as their portrait develops using the exact historic processes practiced during the Civil War. To book a session, visit: https://johnmilleker.com/booking-calendar/newcomer-house-tintype-sessions-saturday-sunday-june-20th-21st/.

Wounded for Life: Union Veterans of the Civil War
2026-06-20 14:00 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Join the National Museum of Civil War Medicine for their Saturday Speaker Series as Dr. Robert Hicks examines how wounded warriors survived after the war. By exploring how two Union veterans, an African American private who contracted malaria and a white colonel whose arm was amputated, survived to work, marry, and rear children, we see how they constructed new identities to cope with how the war changed their bodies. This talk is based on his book, “Wounded for Life: Seven Union Veterans of the Civil War.”
Robert D. Hicks, PhD is an independent scholar of the history of science and medicine. Formerly, he served as director of the Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library and William Maul Measey Chair for the History of Medicine at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. He has worked with museum-based education and exhibits for four decades, primarily as a consultant to historic sites and museums. His most recent book “Civil War Medicine: A Surgeon’s Experience,” appeared in 2019 by Indiana University Press.

Classic Car Battlefield Cruise
2026-06-21 10:00 | South Mountain Battlefield State Park at Turner’s Gap, 6132 Old National Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713
Join for a unique journey through Civil War history as classic automobiles and historic landscapes come together in the Monocacy National Battlefield Classic Car Cruise. This special event celebrates automotive heritage while honoring one of the most significant Civil War sites in the region.
The cruise begins at South Mountain Battlefield, where participants will gather amid the scenic mountain passes that witnessed pivotal moments of the 1864 Valley Campaign. Following a brief welcome and orientation, drivers will depart on a carefully planned scenic route, offering sweeping views of the countryside and an enjoyable drive well-suited for classic and vintage vehicles.
The caravan will proceed eastward toward Monocacy National Battlefield, tracing roads that echo the movements of armies more than 160 years ago. Upon arrival, participants will enjoy a guided tour of Monocacy Battlefield, known as the “Battle That Saved Washington.” The tour will highlight key locations, interpretive stops, and stories that illuminate the July 1864 battle and its lasting impact on the Civil War.
This event offers a relaxed and memorable way to experience regional history—combining the elegance of classic cars, the beauty of Maryland’s landscape, and the rich stories preserved at our national battlefields. Whether you are an automotive enthusiast, a history buff, or both, the Monocacy Battlefield Classic Car Cruise promises a rewarding and unforgettable experience.
To register please contact Ranger Brian at Brian_J_Robinson@nps.gov with your name and number of participants.

“A Brain the Size of a Hickory Nut”: Joe Hooker’s views about Ambrose Burnside – Darin Wipperman
2026-06-22 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
Join the Antietam Institute on June 22 for returning speaker and author, Darin Wipperman. In addition to his Confederate opponents, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker’s nickname of “Fighting Joe” applied to his relationships with many of his fellow Northern generals. Perhaps no Union officer felt the scorn of Hooker more than Ambrose Burnside. This presentation focuses on their schisms during the Maryland campaign, as illustrated in multiple battle reports. The notes Hooker left on his unfinished Antietam report – in his papers at the Huntington Library in California – offer especially negative thoughts of Burnside, sometimes at the expense of the truth. Fredericksburg and Burnside’s final weeks of army command in early 1863 brought his relationship with Fighting Joe to its lowest ebb. Late in life, Hooker declared Burnside had “a brain the size of the hickory nut.”
Darin Wipperman’s first two books on the Civil War discussed the histories of the First and Ninth Corps. His most recent book, Thunderbolt to the Rebels: The United States Sharpshooters in the Civil War, was released in February 2025. Darin completed nearly 17 years of service in the federal government, then moved to northern New Hampshire, where he was a reporter and editor for weekly newspapers. This 2026 presentation will be Darin’s seventh for the Summer Lecture Series in Sharpsburg. Darin’s biography of Joseph Hooker, the first new book to cover the general’s entire life published in more than eighty years, will be released later in 2026. He lives with his wife on a large forested parcel in northern New Hampshire.
Come join leading historians and scholars as they discuss intriguing topics about their latest works and research on the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War during the Antietam Institute’s Civil War Summer Lecture Series. See the complete 2026 schedule. These indoor programs are held in McKinley Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 209W Main Street with a small parking area off the alley.

Carroll 250 Event: Living History 250th Celebration
2026-06-24 14:00 | Taneytown Branch of Carroll County Public Library, 10 Grand Drive, Taneytown, MD, 21787
What was it like to live at the time of our country’s bicentennial in 1976? What is it like to live now as we celebrate 250 years as the USA? How do you think we will live as the country celebrates its tricentennial in 2076? Come to chat with a new friend from a different generation as we learn about our past and ponder our future with residents of Lorien Assisted Living. Registration is required. Please register here.

Carroll 250 Event: The Maryland Constitution - An Historical View of Carroll County Presented by Joe Getty
2026-06-25 18:30 | Exploration Commons, Westminster Branch of Carroll County Public Library, 50 East Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Join the Carroll Voices 250 on Thursday, June 25 to hear the Honorable Joseph Getty give this informative talk about the Maryland Constitution at Exploration Commons in Westminster.
After the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, Maryland was one of the first states to adopt a state constitution. The Maryland Constitutional Convention (the Ninth Provincial Convention) met in Annapolis during the summer and fall of 1776 and completed its work on Nov. 11, 1776. The Maryland Constitution served as a model for other states and, eleven years later, for the delegates to the Constitutional Convention for the United States during the summer of 1787. Subsequent constitution conventions were held in 1851, 1864, 1867 and 1967, although the proposed constitution in 1967 was rejected by the voters. In this presentation, historian Joe Getty will discuss Carroll County leaders – David Shriver, John E. Smith, William Pickney Maulsby, Mary B. Shellman, Mary Bryson and Richard Dixon – who have served in roles significant to the development and amendment of the Maryland Constitution.
If you plan to attend, please register here.

Carroll 250 Event: TownMall of Westminster Community Event
2026-06-26 14:00 | TownMall of Westminster, 400 North Center Street, Westminster, MD, 21157
TownMall of Westminster will be hosting a community event in celebration of our nation’s 250 birthday on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 2 pm in Center Court.
The event will include live music, pledge of allegiance, refreshments and remarks from our community leaders. Guests may also view our 250 American, State and US Military Flags on display throughout the mall.
Please contact Mark Seaman, General Manager, TownMall of Westminster if you need additional information at (410) 857-0300 x 111 or mseaman@woodmont.com.

Carroll 250 Event: "Just South of Gettysburg" The 163rd Anniversary Commemoration of Corbit's Charge
2026-06-27 11:00 | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
On June 27, 2026, The Pipe Creek Civil War Round Table in partnership with the Historical Society of Carroll County will commemorate the tragedy of war that took place on Westminster’s streets as well as the surrounding Carroll County, Maryland area. This year’s event will feature a Memorial Service at the Corbit’s Charge Monument, a Graveside Service in the historic Ascension Churchyard, a guided tour of the historic sites around Westminster relating to Corbit’s Charge, a guided tour of the historic Shellman House, and a presentation on the Battle of Westminster, aka “Corbit’s Charge.” This event provides a great educational experience for visitors of all ages.
So, please join the Pipe Creek Civil War Roundtable and the Historical Society of Carroll County at the 2026 Corbit’s Charge event to honor and commemorate the Civil War history in Carroll County, MD. For additional information, please visit our website at http://pipecreekroundtable.org.

Carroll 250 Event: From Farmland to Festivals: How Community Gatherings Shaped Us
2026-06-27 13:00 | Sunday Morning at Savannah’s, 111 South Springdale Avenue, New Windsor, MD, 21776
Long before modern festivals and community events, our region gathered in simpler ways — at harvest fairs, church picnics, town celebrations, and shared meals. These gatherings did more than entertain. They strengthened bonds, supported neighbors, and built the culture of Carroll County.
Join Sunday Morning at Savannah’s for a storytelling afternoon exploring how community celebrations evolved in New Windsor and Westminster — and how they continue to shape who we are today.
Questions? Please contact Sunday Morning at Savannah’s at 240.550.2312.

Grant and Meade: An Uneasy Alliance – Dr. Brad Gottfried
2026-06-29 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
On June 29, Dr. Brad Gottfried will discuss his latest book, “Grant and Meade: An Uneasy Alliance.” The Meade-Grant relationship was a complex one. In this presentation, you will be asked to step into General Meade’s boots as he attempts to navigate the minefield of Washington’s politics, the sometimes vicious press, and forge a working relationship with a new General-in-Chief, who sometimes seems like he wishes to command Meade’s Army of the Potomac.
Dr. Brad Gottfried received his Ph.D. in Zoology and worked at seven colleges over a span of 40 years. He retired in 2017 as the President of the College of Southern Maryland. Brad became an Antietam Certified Battlefield Guide in 2019. He is the author of over 20 books, including The Maps of Antietam.
Come join leading historians and scholars as they discuss intriguing topics about their latest works and research on the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War during the Antietam Institute’s Civil War Summer Lecture Series. See the complete 2026 schedule.
These indoor programs are held in McKinley Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 209W Main Street with a small parking area off the alley. More parking is available on Main and Hall Streets. These lectures are free and open to the public. Each week, the Antietam Institute holds a drawing in which the proceeds support the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and changes to the schedule.

Tolson's Chapel Open House
2026-07-04 10:00 | Tolson’s Chapel, 111 E. High St., Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
Open House 10am – 2pm.
Tolson’s Chapel is open the first Saturday of every month between April and October. Onsite docents will explain the historical significance of Tolson’s Chapel from its inception in 1866 as the spiritual and educational center of a vibrant and newly freed community of African American families in Sharpsburg, MD.

Carroll 250 Event: Sykesville’s Let Freedom Ring Parade
2026-07-04 10:00 | Sykesville Main Street, Main Street, Sykesville, MD, 21784
Bring the whole family and celebrate America’s birthday, Sykesville-style! Parade floats will be judged, and awards for floats will be announced after the parade. The parade should be over just in time for lunch and ice cream downtown Sykesville. The Let Freedom Ring parade will start at 10 AM that day, beginning at Sykesville Middle School and proceeding down Springfield Avenue and the length of Historic Main Street, with floats and vehicles accompanying the approximately 35 participants marching in units and organized groups.

"Ancestors at Antietam" - Henry Vincent and the 132nd PA Vol Inf
2026-07-04 14:00 | Antietam Institute Education Center, 101 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
My interest in the American Civil War and the Battle of Antietam in particular occurred many years ago when I was told the story of a young man named Henry. In August of 1862, Henry, who was from Montour County, Pennsylvania answered President Abraham Lincoln’s call for 300,000 nine-month militia. Henry enlisted in the ‘Danville Fencibles’ which was comprised of men mostly from the Danville Iron Works. Before the end of the month they were mustered into service as Company A, 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment and in defensive works outside Washington.
With General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate invasion into Maryland, they were quickly assigned to Brigadier General Nathan Kimball’s First Brigade, 3rd Division, Second Army Corps, alongside three veteran regiments. In just over a week’s time Henry and the 132nd Pennsylvania would receive their ‘baptism of fire’ fighting for a Sunken Road among the fields and farmsteads that reminded them so much of home.
Henry survived the battle at Antietam as well as the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville unscathed. After being mustered out, he returned home to Danville to become a successful businessman, farmer, and family man. This story was passed down to me through the generations, as Henry Vincent was my great-great-grandfather.
Join the Antietam Institute on July 4, as Antietam Institute founder and battlefield guide, Chris Vincent, shares the story of his “Ancestor at Antietam” in his presentation – Henry Vincent and the Danville Fencibles: the 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry at Antietam.
Christopher Vincent retired after a 24-year career in the U.S. Army as a senior non-commissioned officer with light infantry units, including combat tours during Operation Desert Storm and Kosovo with the 10th Mountain Division. He earned a master’s degree in military history from the American Military University. Chris was drawn to Sharpsburg because his great-great-grandfather served during the Maryland Campaign with the 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He and his wife, Amy, also own two businesses in Sharpsburg, the Jacob Rohrbach Inn and the Antietam Mercantile Company. Chris serves as the chair of the Washington County Antietam Battlefield Advisory Board. His research is primarily focused on the farmsteads of Antietam and the impact the campaign had on the civilians of Sharpsburg. Chris was certified as an Antietam National Battlefield Guide in 2015 and has served as the Chief Guide since 2019. He was recognized as the Guide of the Year, receiving the 2017 O.T. Reilly Award, and is the recipient of the National Park Service’s 2022 Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Chris was the founder of the Antietam Institute and president from 2021-2025 and is currently the Executive Director of the Institute.
These monthly “Ancestors at Antietam” talks are free and open to the public – anyone may attend – and you do not need to register. The talks will be held at the Institute’s Education Center at 101W Main Street, Sharpsburg, beginning at 2 pm.

Carroll 250 Event: Fourth of July Celebration presented by the Carroll County Farm Museum
2026-07-04 16:00 | Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center Street, Westminster, MD, 21157
Join the Carroll County Farm Museum on July 4th for Carroll’s largest fireworks display at their Fourth of July Celebration starting at 4pm with fireworks going off at sundown (approximately 9:30pm). Admission is $10 per car. There will be food, live entertainment, children’s activities and more.
Admission: $10 per vehicle (CASH ONLY) — exact change preferred (cuts down on waiting time to park). Admission is non-refundable. Please stay tuned for more details.
Please no pets, outside alcohol, glass containers, fireworks/sparklers, grills, skateboards/bikes/wheelies/hoverboards/scooters/etc., or popup tents/overhead shades. Overhead sunshades/tents pose a fire safety risk & obstruct the view of other guests–they are not permitted.

America's 250th Anniversary Celebration Concert
2026-07-05 15:00 | All Saints Episcopal Church, 106 West Church St., Frederick, MD, 21701
Sunday July 5th, All Saints Episcopal Church is celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the US with two musical performances. At 3:00PM a concert featuring music by Hollis Thoms, based on revolutionary era poetry. 4:00PM after the concert, all are welcome to join for a Declaration Roundtable. They will discuss our Founding Father’s original ideas and how they hold up 250 years later. At 5:30PM our Choral Evensong, experience Evening Prayer as our Founding Fathers would have! Music spanning from the Renaissance to the modern day. All events are free and family friendly! Food and refreshments will be served.

Carroll 250 Speaker Series: Midwives to the Revolution- Maryland Women in the Early American Printing Industry
2026-07-06 18:30 | Eldersburg Branch of Carroll County Public Library, 6400 Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg, MD, 21784
In an age when women’s voices were often silenced, some found power in ink and paper. Join Dr. Amy Rosenkrans as she uncovers the crucial role women played in the colonial printing industry, spotlighting Maryland trailblazers Anne Catharine Hoof Green of Annapolis and Mary Katharine Goddard of Baltimore—printers who helped shape public opinion in a revolutionary world.
Registration is required. Please register here.

Full View of the Enemy’s Lines: Reassessing Intelligence, Command, and the Federal Signal Service at Antietam – Cory M. Pfarr
2026-07-06 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
Historian, Cory Pfarr will start off our July lectures with a look at the Federal Signal Service and his forthcoming book during his talk, “Full View of the Enemy’s Lines: Reassessing Intelligence, Command, and the Federal Signal Service at Antietam.”
Civil War scholarship has long framed Antietam through a contrast: Robert E. Lee as the dynamic battlefield commander and George B. McClellan as the detached spectator at the Pry House. Primary source evidence from the Maryland Campaign presents a different picture. Under Major Albert J. Myer and operationally directed by Captain Benjamin F. Fisher, the Federal Signal Service established a network of forward, headquarters, and backbone stations that gathered and relayed intelligence throughout September 17, 1862. One forward post—the Hooker–Meade–Sumner station manned by James Byron Brooks and William H. Hill—functioned as a mobile station that moved with the I and II Corps. Others, including the fixed Michael Miller Farm Station and the backbone post on Red Hill, transmitted battlefield reports in near-real time. These operations reveal a commander acting through an organized intelligence system, not passive observation.
Cory M. Pfarr works for the Department of War (formerly Defense). He is the award-winning author of Longstreet at Gettysburg: A Critical Reassessment (2019); Righting the Longstreet Record at Gettysburg: Six Matters of Controversy and Confusion (2023); and the forthcoming The Federal Signal Service at Antietam: Stations, Officers and Battlefield Intelligence on America’s Bloodiest Day (2026), all published by McFarland Books. His essays and scholarship have appeared in Gettysburg Magazine, North & South Magazine, and The Massachusetts Historical Review, and his work has been featured on the Pennsylvania Cable Network and C-SPAN American History TV, as well as presented to audiences at the U.S. Army War College. He lives in Fallston, Maryland, with his wife and three children.
Come join leading historians and scholars as they discuss intriguing topics about their latest works and research on the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War during the Antietam Institute’s Civil War Summer Lecture Series. See the complete 2026 schedule.
These indoor programs are held in McKinley Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 209W Main Street with a small parking area off the alley. More parking is available on Main and Hall Streets. These lectures are free and open to the public. Each week, the Antietam Institute holds a drawing in which the proceeds support the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and changes to the schedule.
