150 years ago today, despite still nursing their wounds from setbacks suffered during the Peninsula Campaign and the crushing defeat at 2nd Manassas, lead elements of the newly re-organized Army of the Potomac, under the command of Gen. George B. McClellan, began to move out from the protection of Washington’s strong fortifications, in pursuit of Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia.  By Sept. 7, McClellan would officially move his headquarters out of Washington to Rockville, MD.

to learn more about Washington’s Civil War forts, click here

Fort Totten, one of the many forts that protected Washington

150 years today, Gen. Robert E. Lee began to cross the Army of Northern Virginia over the Potomac River, and into Maryland.  Crossing at a point near Leesburg, VA, and just south of Frederick, MD, this action marks the begining of the Maryland Campaign.  The Campaign would culminate two weeks later with the bloody Battle of Antietam.

The Army of Northern Virginia crossing the Potomac into Maryland – Harper’s Weekly Sept. 27, 1862

The following is a re-post from Antietam Battlefield Guides on August 7, 2012.

Save Historic Antietam Foundation Inc. is pleased to announce a special lecture series in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the battle of Antietam.  The lectures will take place in the Mumma Farm barn at Antietam National Battlefield on Saturday September 8, starting at 9:00.  This event will also feature presentations from the recipients of two special scholarships funded by SHAF.  Daniel Vermilya has received the first Joseph L.  Harsh Scholar Award and will share his research on the Union Army at Antietam.  Susan Rosenvold was awarded the special Sesquicentennial Award and she will share her research about the role and actions of Clara Barton at Sharpsburg.  Other speakers will include Dennis Frye Chief Historian of Harpers Ferry National Park, Dr. Mark Snell, director of the George Tyler Moore Center for Study of the Civil War, and local columnist and writer Tim Rowland.  The event is free and open to the public, and no reservations will be required.   Donations to SHAF will be accepted and there will be a book signing by the authors, as well as other items for sale.  For more information call Tom Clemens 301-331-3877 or visit http://shaf.org/

Schedule:

• 9:00-9:30 – Coffee and Danish
• 9:30-9:45 – Opening Remarks, Tom Clemens, President, SHAF
• 9:45-10:30 – Session I, Dr. Mark Snell, “Causes of the Civil War”
• 10:30-10:45 – Break
• 10:45-11:30 – Session II, Dan Vermilya, Harsh Scholar recipient, “Perceptions, Not Realities: The Strength, Experience, and Condition of the Army of the Potomac at Antietam”
• 11:30-12:00 – Awards
• 12:00-1:00 – Lunch, Box Lunch available, by pre-order only $10.00 each*
• 1:00-1:45 – Session III, Susan Rosenwald, Sesquicentennial Award recipient, “Clara Barton at Antietam”
• 1:45-2:00 – Break
• 2:00-2:45 – Session IV, Dennis Frye, “September Suspense: Lincoln’s Union in Peril”
• 2:45-3:00 – Break “Behind the Battles: Strange and Obscure Stories of the Civil War
• 3:00-3:45 – Session V, Tim Rowland, “Odd Incidents of Maryland Campaign”
• 3:45 – Closing Remarks