Accompanying the MIARNG at Antietam
Save the Flags was honored to be invited to accompany the Michigan Army and Air National Guard on their most recent Staff Ride to the battlefield at Antietam. The week included classroom instruction, battlefield tours of Harpers Ferry, South Mountain, and Antietam and cleaning over 200 of the Michigan and Maryland headstones at the Antietam National Battlefield Cemetery.
In honor of their comrades, Guard members carried replica flags of each of the Michigan units that fought at that these battles. Our thanks to the MIARNG, the historians and guides of the Antietam Institute (Chris Vincent, James Rosebrock and Laura Marfut), and each of the groups whose donated replica colors were used, including reenacting units of the 4th, 7th, 8th and 17th.
(left) Classroom instruction with the Antietam Institute at Bolivar, Maryland community center. (right) Michigan Guard members atop the heights overlooking the Sherrick and Otto farms where the 17th and 8th Michigan Infantry saw action late in the afternoon, September 17, 1862, at the battle of Antietam.
The Michigan Guard cleaning Michigan stones at Antietam National Cemetery.
Guard members carrying the replica colors of the 17th where they fought at Fox’s Gap, South Mountain on September 14, 1862.
Troops with the replica flags at the Washington Monument on South Mountain.
Michigan Guard members at the site of the Battle of Shepherdstown where the 4th Michigan forded the Potomac river under fire in pursuit of the retreating Army of Northern Virginia.