The Piper farmhouse in 1999.

 

Again I find myself apologizing for the lack of postings on, "The Gallant 7th Maine Regiment", blog.  Life gets in the way sometimes and for me that has been the case.  I have been doing a great deal of research for my 7th Maine book and discovering some great material.  So with the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam fast approaching I have been reflecting on my men from the 7th Maine, who were there that day.  I say my men because the more I learn about them the more like old friends that become to me.  It's almost like I knew them personally and that is why I feel it important to keep there memories alive for others to learn about the sacrifices they made for the greater good.

 

I had the great pleasure of spending the night at Antietam back in November of 1999.  The Piper farmhouse was still a bed and breakfast at the time and I had the unique opportunity of spending the night in the second story bedroom that overlooked the battle field where the 7th Maine had made their gallant charge late the afternoon of September 17th 1862.   I looked out the window the next morning and imagined what it must have been like for Major Thomas Hyde to lead his men into a crossfire of rebel musketry.  I could see him on  his horse leading his men into hell's fire.  The greatest tribute to memorialize this heroic and tragic event for the 7th Maine was the painting done by Captain James Hope of the 2nd Vermont Regiment.