Postponed – Antietam Battlefield Guide: Command Decisions at Burnside’s Bridge

Learn about the fighting at one of the most well known Antietam landmarks – Burnside’s Bridge

This event has been postponed, and will be rescheduled at a later date to be determined.

At the Pry House Field Hospital Museum on a date to be determined, Antietam Battlefield Guide Brad Gottfried will discuss the tactics and command decisions employed by Union and Confederate commanders during the fight for Lower (Burnside) Bridge.

During the Battle of Antietam, the Union Ninth corps, under the command of Major General Ambrose Burnside faced the daunting task of capturing the Lower Bridge from the Confederates. Despite dramatically outnumbering the Southern defenders, it took Burnside’s men three hours to capture the bridge. Dr. Gottfried will analyze how the difficult terrain, fierce Confederate defense, and command decisions all led to the battle’s result.

The presentation begins in the Pry Barn at 2:00 PM and is a pay-what-you-please event. There is a $3.00 suggested donation to tour the Pry House Field Hospital Museum. Members access events and tours for FREE. The Pry House is open from 11 AM to 5 PM Friday through Sunday.

After receiving his doctorate in 1976, Brad Gottfried worked in higher education for over 40 years, retiring as the President of the College of Southern Maryland in 2017. He has written 13 books on the Civil War, including the Maps of Antietam. Brad became an Antietam Battlefield Guide in 2019 and also serves as a Gettysburg Town Guide. He is married and has four children and six grandchildren.