Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland

Antietam is the bloodiest one day battle in American history. On September 17, 1862, there was a mere 12 hours of combat leaving 23,000 soldiers killed, wounded or missing. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Each December the fields of Antietam are lined with small paper bags with one candle each. Come nightfall, the candles are lit with each representing one soldier killed. It is very stunning to see all the lights over the fields. I was able to attend many years ago with Colton's scout troop. Owen and Milton have family heritage with both the Union and Confederate Armies so there are times I am unsure who to root for. Owen's favorite part is all of the cannons or as he says "BOOM".