On December 4, 1999 some of the 7th MD along with my buddy Sylvia and her friend Inus, volunteered at the 1999 Antietam Illumination. The illumination is in its 11th year. Hundreds of volunteers place over 23,000 candles to represent the casualties of the battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day in American History. This is the webmaster's fourth year doing it. Its beyond description and is a moving experience. It gives me the chance to honor not only my southern ancestors who fought in Lee's army but all men, both blue and gray. From our cub reporter, 11 year old Lisa, click here to see her afteraction report.
The above photos are from the 1998 Antietam Illumination by my pard Dan Paterson who knows how to yield a camera and use special speed film. Beyond my dummy proof camera's abilities! As you can see the luminaries are beautiful.
The following pictures were taken by my 11 year old niece Lisa on December 4, 1999. It was from one of those travel cameras purchased at the gift shop. We were blessed by mother nature, the weather was wonderful.
The littlest reenactor there, 6 year old Rachel taken around 11 a.m.. With corn cob as ammo for the kids battle going on while we adults spaced the candles.
Lisa gets a "flattering" shot of me bossing her around. I was probably telling the kids to watch out and not throw corn cobs on the candles!
Corporal Andy Breeden and his "tumors", Matt and Derrick Piston near the Bloody Lane.
Members of the 7th in the tower at Bloody Lane. Back row, Matt Piston, Heidi Shertzer, Corp. Andy Breeden, Susan Spray, Vivandierre Ann Collins (yours truly). Front row, (kneeling) Corp. Tom Piston, "Sgt" Derrick Piston of Co. B (the kids Co.), and Rachel.
Bloody Lane view from the Tower
Lisa takes a shot of us Adults admiring the Irish Brigade Monument at Bloody Lane
Present For Duty
Military:
Corporals
Tom Piston
Andy Breeden
Privates
Matt Piston
"Sgt" Derrick Piston, Co. B
Vivandierre Ann Collins
Civilians:
Susan Spray
Heidi Shertzer
Lisa Gauna
Rachel Gauna
Sylvia Frye and her friend Inus
Afteraction Report by our "cub reporter", Lisa, age 11
Kid's ReportBy:Lisa Gauna
Antietam (or however you spell that!)
Antietam was a great success! The illumination has 23,000 candles to represent the men who got killed or wounded at the battle of Antietam. In the morning, we met at the visitors center parking lot. After a little while, Matt Derek, Rachel,& I walked to bloody lane, and the tower. When Ann, Heidi, Susan, Tom,& Andy caught up with us, Ann took her first trip up to the top of the tower! She's scared of heights, last time she brought us here, only I went up. We then went to our field and started placing candles. This started boring us kids, so we had a corn fight with two teenagers. We fought over a box of corn kernels and thanks to yours truly, the box ripped. We then broke for lunch, and had a picnic on Ann's ground cover thing. Tom, Andy, Heidi,& Susan went to the store, while we waited until it was time to meet Ann's friend Sylvia. While we waited we went to the Maryland monument where a special ceremony would be later that day. While we were there, there was some little person's version of the star spangled banner (Rachel!). People thought she was cute, she got some of the words wrong. We then went and waited at the visitors center some more. Rachel and I went and saw the movie at the theater for the second time. Then everybody returned from the store. Ann's friend Sylvia and her friend Inus showed up and we then went to field to start lighting. Not to mention some bags blowing up, and some cricket frying. He hopped into one of the bags! After this we went to the ceremony. We were also given a puzzle piece. These puzzle pieces meant that we were like a big puzzle and when you put the pieces together it made one big picture. Sylvia's husband Dennis spoke about the soldiers and the flame of pain. After ending the ceremony with some great singing by a choir, we retreated to Tom Piston's house and ordered pizza. While eating, we watched a pok'emon match played by Matt and Derrick. After eating the adults talked while us kids played computer. Rachel and Derrick went upstairs and played on his computer while Matt and I played Civil War Generals with speakers that made my chair shake. A little after 9:00 pm we left. We got to where we live so late that we had to spend the night at Ann's. To sum this up, I think that this was the best illumination that I've been to.
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