On September 14, 1862, the Army of Northern Virginia lost one of its rising stars at Fox’s Gap with the death of General Samuel Garland, Jr.. Garland’s brigade was now commanded by Colonel Duncan Kirkland McRae, formerly head of the 5th North Carolina. Three days later, at Antietam, McRae’s 752 demoralized Tarheels would be called on to support Alfred Colquitt’s Brigade at Antietam on the morning of September 17. As the brigade advanced toward the East Woods and a large Union force, Captain T.P. Thompson, the 5th North Carolina’s new regimental commander, called out “They are flanking us! See, yonder’s a whole brigade!” That was all it took for the men to break and run. On March 7, join us for our first “Following in the Footsteps” excursion and hear the full story of McRae’s Brigade at Antietam with Institute historian Joe Stahl.
Joseph W. Stahl grew up in St. Louis and received BS, MS, and MBA degrees from Missouri University of Science and Technology and Washington University. After retiring from the Institute for Defense Analyses, he became a volunteer and NPS Licensed Battlefield Guide at Antietam and Harpers Ferry. Joe has authored more than two dozen articles and is co-author of several books, including: Identification Discs of Union Soldiers in the Civil War, Faces of Union Soldiers at Antietam, Faces of Union Soldiers at South Mountain and Harpers Ferry and the Faces of Union Soldiers at Fredericksburg.
This two-hour hike covers approximately 1 ½ miles, across moderate terrain and park roads. 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.