New York – Antietam Institute

Picture and Poetry at the Bloody Lane: 61st/64th New York Infantry – Jim Smith

“It was a picture—it was poetry.” So observed an Irish Brigade lieutenant who witnessed the advance of the 61st and 64th New York against the Bloody Lane on September 17, 1862. The combined regiments fought up and down the lane under the command of two Civil War luminaries—Harvard valedictorian Francis Channing Barlow and future lieutenant general Nelson Appleton Miles. Flanking the enemy out of the lane, repulsing counterattacks on the Federal right, and pushing into the Confederate center, the pair of Massachusetts colonels and their New Yorkers had a heroic day at Antietam. On April 4, Institute historian Jim Smith will lead this excursion following the action of the 61/64 NY from the Roulette farm to the lane and into the Piper cornfield, paying tribute to their part in ending the Confederate invasion of Maryland.

A native of Miami, Florida, and lifelong student of the Civil War, J.O. Smith began volunteering at Antietam in 2017 and became a certified battlefield guide in 2018. He currently serves as Vice President and a member of the Antietam Institute’s board. Jim is a co-author of Armies of Antietam, contributed chapters to Brigades of Antietam and Commanders of Antietam, and has written for the Antietam Journal. He has an MA in history from the University of Georgia and undergraduate and law degrees from Duke University. A lawyer for more than 25 years in the Washington, DC area, Jim and his family live in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

This two-hour hike covers approximately 1 ½ miles, across moderate terrain and park trails. All excursions will run from 9:30 to 11:30 am and start at the Visitor Center overflow parking area. The “Following in the Footsteps” hikes are for current members only, and advance registration is required (login before registering), but there is no fee to attend. Members are required to purchase the park entrance pass at the Visitor Center.

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14th New York State Militia in the Maryland Campaign – Jim McLean

We will be kicking off our 2026 Civil War Lecture Series on Monday, June 1st, with historian James L. McLean, Jr., telling the unique story of the 14th New York State Militia (14th Brooklyn) and the regiment’s actions in the 1862 Maryland Campaign.

The 14th New York State Militia, nicknamed the “14th Brooklyn,” “Brooklyn Chasseurs,” or “Red-legged Devils,” was a prominent Brooklyn volunteer regiment famous for its distinctive red-pants Zouave-style uniform and service in the Civil War as the 84th New York Infantry. Formed in 1847, it saw major action at First & Second Manassas and Gettysburg, earning high praise for bravery, and remained in service through later conflicts.

Jim McLean’s interest in the Civil War, sparked at an early age on a bus trip to Gettysburg. In November 1863 (on the eve of JFK’s assassination), Jim attended his first meeting of the Baltimore Civil War Round Table at the age of 12. His interest in the Civil War has never waned. In September 1978, Jim gave a talk to the Round Table about Lysander Cutler’s brigade at Gettysburg. He had collected material on that brigade, which included the 14th New York State Militia/14th Brooklyn, ever since. Cutler’s Brigade at Gettysburg was published in 1987, revised and enlarged in 1994, and recently republished in 2023 by Savas Beatie. Jim has also published several articles in Civil War magazines. In October 2025, Savas Beatie released The 14th New York State Militia Volume I: “Baptized by Fire”—from Bull Run to Bull Run, April 1861–August 1862, of Jim’s proposed trilogy about the 14th NYSM. The book is full color throughout. It includes: 36 color maps; more than 100 photos/illustrations (many in color); over 500 pages; several appendices, one of which provides a detailed list of casualties, discharges, and desertions; footnotes at the bottom of the pages; high-quality, glossy paper; and an attractive dust jacket.

For thirty years, Jim taught high school mathematics. Much of the time, Jim also ran Butternut and Blue, a Civil War book business.

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 our 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, we hold a drawing in which the proceeds support the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Be sure to check our Facebook page for updates and changes to the schedule.