For 150th anniverary of Battle of Antietam, authors reveal osbcure Civil War history in new book

Aug. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- September 17, 2012, is the 150th anniversary of the bloodiest day in American history: the Battle of Antietam. The battle left 23,000 casualties in its wake, 3,600 of whom died. It was also a near-draw. The Union claimed a tenuous victory, making the battle a significant turning point in the Civil War, as it allowed President Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

Following the success of their popular So You Think You Know Gettysburg?—Bronze winner of the 2010 Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Award—James and Suzanne Gindlesperger wanted to honor the men who served at Antietam as they had those who fought at Gettysburg. Drawing on their numerous visits to Antietam National Battlefield and extensive research in conjunction with the National Park Service, the Gindlespergers wrote So You Think You Know Antietam? The Stories Behind America’s Bloodiest Battle.

The book reveals the stories behind Antietam’s 96 monuments and discusses in detail the people, places, and events that defined the battle. Ten color-coded chapters display nearly 300 color photos, maps, and GPS coordinates of all monument locations for readers who plan to use So You Think You Know Antietam? as a guide on a visit to Antietam National Battlefield.

But even armchair travelers will find the book engaging. Readers will find out who the “Red Legged Devils,” the “Black Devils,” and the “Jackass Battery,” were, and how each group earned its nickname. They will learn what a “witness tree” is, and where to find one. They will read the poignant story of 13-year-old drummer boy Charles King, believed to be the youngest casualty from either army. They will learn of Colonel John B. Gordon, who, wounded five times, fell forward with his face pressed into his hat, which rapidly filled with blood. A hole shot through the hat saved him from drowning, and Gordon went on to become governor of Georgia.

The Gindlespergers hope to tell the story of the men who served that day, and to do them justice. So You Think You Know Antietam? will help readers discover the unknown history behind the bloodiest battle of the Civil War.

James and Suzanne Gindlesperger are members of the Save Historic Antietam Foundation, the Friends of Gettysburg Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Civil War Preservation Trust. Suzanne is a cofounder of Pennwriters, a professional organization for published and aspiring authors. James is the author of three previous Civil War books: Escape from Libby Prison, Seed Corn of the Confederacy, and Fire on the Water. The couple lives in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.