Civil War Museum
Special Events

Antietam’s Dunker Church is one of the most iconic structures of the Civil War, but it is also one of the most ironic. In the middle of the worst part of the worst one-day battle our country has ever seen stood a humble church dedicated to peace! This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the church, beginning with the background of those who worshipped there. Then we will take a look at the church’s role in the Battle of Antietam and its aftermath, and the many lasting impacts on the area. Finally we’ll see the many ups and downs (figurative and literal ups and downs!) the church went through in the years since the Civil War. Along the way we’ll point out many little-known facts about the Dunker Church – like the role it played in the memorialization of the battle and development of Antietam National Battlefield, the many years the church was actually missing, and even a connection to Mark Twain. Come on out and see a whole different side to the story of Antietam.

Alann Schmidt is the co-author (along with Terry Barkley) of September Mourn: The Dunker Church of Antietam Battlefield. Alann spent 15 years as a park ranger at Antietam National Battlefield, and has presented many programs on the Dunker Church to park visitors, Civil War seminars, community groups, churches, and Brethren Heritage tours. He earned degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, Shippensburg University, Shepherd University, and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. While illness unfortunately forced him into early retirement, he now serves as a pastor for the Churches of God, General Conference. He and his wife of 30 years Tracy live on their family farm near Fort Littleton, PA.

 Longtime journalist John Banks will tell the stories of soldiers who fought on the southern end of the battlefield, including Henry Adams of the 16th Connecticut. Suffering from two bullet wounds to his right leg, the 22-year-old private lay incapacitated in no-man’s land for more than 40 hours before comrades rescued him Sept. 19, 1862. Decades later, he wrote about his experience: “Why did I not die?” 

John Banks is author of A Civil War Road Trip of a Lifetime and two other Civil War books.  A longtime journalist (The Dallas Morning News, ESPN, The History Channel), he is secretary-treasurer of The Center for Civil War Photography. A father of two adult daughters, he lives in Nashville with his wife, Carol (Mrs. B).

Joseph Bailey started the Civil War as the Captain of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Bailey was appointed acting Engineer at New Orleans after Major General Benjamin Butler occupied that city. The real break for Joseph Bailey was when he accompanied General Nathaniel Banks on the 1864 Red River Campaign. The Red River Campaign was not successful and General Bank’s army was in serious trouble and needed the 10 river gunboats of Commander David Dixion Porter. However, the gun boats were stranded by low water at Alexandria and it appeared that the boats might be captured and the army surrendered. Bailey suggested a wing dam be built to raise the water level of the river enough to allow the gunboats to pass Alexandria. General Banks was skeptical but Commander Porter convinced him to listen to the plan. Bailey had done this in Wisconsin to get logs down rivers and was sure it would work. General Banks accepted the plan and put soldiers to work to construct the dam. The Bailey Dam worked as predicted and General Banks’ army and the gunboats were saved. 

Despite the important role played by the cannoneers at Antietam, there has never been a detailed study of their actions in the fields and woodlots around Sharpsburg. Our talk will bring the role of the artillery to light.  We will introduce the four components of light artillery – men and organization, guns, ammunition, and artillery horses, address some of the advantages and disadvantages of both the Federal and Confederate artillery commands at Antietam, and discuss the effects that terrain, tactics, and leadership had on the outcome of America’s bloodiest day.

Jim Rosebrock was born in Buffalo, New York and received his undergraduate history degree in Russian history from Niagara University in 1976.  He has served as a National Park Service volunteer at Antietam National Battlefield since 2007. Jim is a certified battlefield guide there and led the guide service from 2011-2018.  He is a co-founder of the Antietam Institute where he currently serves as the Institute’s vice president. 

Jim served in the United States Army (both active and reserve) for 28 years retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel.  He retired in 2021 after a 30 year Federal government career. Jim completed his first book The Artillery of Antietam in 2023 and is currently working on an artillery atlas of the Maryland Campaign tentatively scheduled for release in 2025. He lives with his family in Jefferson, Maryland.

The Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) fought on September 17, 1862 goes down as the bloodiest day in American history as both armies suffered 23,000 casualties in a 12 hour period. 

Did you know that medical injuries played a large role in the Battle? Four Generals – 2 Union and 2 Confederate, suffered wounds or injuries that played a large role in deciding  the outcome of the battle. An injury to Robert E. Lee’s wrists and hands on August 28, 1862 hampered his ability to command. The death of General Jesse Reno on September 14, 1862 greatly affected the Union’s ability to fight. The wounding  of Confederate General John B Gordon during the action at  the Sunken Road proved significant  in the defense of this vital stronghold. On the Union side, the mortal wounding of General Israel Richardson greatly altered the momentum of an attack on the same Sunken Road.  This presentation will examine these four men and how their wounds and injuries affected the outcome of the Battle of Antietam.

Dr. Gordon Dammann is the author of multiple books on Civil War Medicine, a certified Antietam National Battlefield guide,  and the founder of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland.

3:00 – 6:00pm  |  Check In at TownPlace Suites, Colonial Heights, VA

6:00 – 7:00pm  | Welcome Dinner at the Comfort Suites Southpark

7:00 – 8:00pm  |  Dinner Program at Comfort Suites

Breakfast at Hotel

8:00am  |  Load Bus

8:30  – 11:30am  |  Tour City Point, Fort Stedman, The Crater

12:00 – 1:00pm  |  Lunch in Petersburg

1:00 – 5:00pm  |  Tour Globe Tavern, Reams Station, Five Forks

5:30pm  |  Dinner at Saucey’s BBQ

7:30pm  |  Return to Hotel

Breakfast at Hotel

8:00am  |  Load Bus

8:30 – 11:30am  |  Tour: National Museum of the Civil War Soldier

12:00 – 12:30pm  |   Lunch at National Museum of the Civil War Soldier

12:30 – 5:00pm  |   Tour Sutherland Station, Amelia Courthouse

5:30 – 7:30pm  |  Dinner at Joe’s Steak and Seafood House

Breakfast at Hotel

8:30am  |  Load Bus

8:30 – 11:30am  |  Tour Sailors Creek and High Bridge Sites

12:00 – 1:00pm  |  Lunch Farmville, Virginia

1:00 – 3:00pm  |  Tour Appomattox Court House Sites

4:30pm  |  Return to Hotel, End of Tour