The Search For McClellan’s Headquarters

Discover the role that the Pry House played (or didn’t play) during the bloodiest day in American history.

For many years, scholars have called the Pry House McClellan’s Headquarters. Recent research suggests it was not. In fact, he spent no more than 16 hours there of the five days he was on the east bank of the Antietam. While the Pry House is well ingrained in local lore, the true location of his headquarters was not difficult to find, and upon reflection, makes much more sense. Dr. Thomas Clemens will focus on his the search for the real headquarters of the army, and the evidence which disproves the Pry location and proves the actual location. Please keep an open mind, and be prepared for a surprise.

The presentation will take place in the Pry Barn. The presentation is “pay-what-you-please.” Admission to tour the Pry House Field Hospital Museum is $5.

Dr. Thomas G. Clemens received his PhD in History Education from George Mason University. Tom spent most of his 34 year career at HCC teaching American History, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2012. He edited and annotated General Ezra A. Carman’s 1,800 page narrative of the Maryland Campaign of September 1862, which has received awards from the Army Heritage Foundation; the third and final volume was released in March of 2018. Tom is a founding member and current president of Save Historic Antietam Foundation Inc., a non-profit historic preservation organization.