165th Antietam Campaign
Homespun Historical Ventures Inc. invites you to step into the Maryland Campaign of 1862 for an immersive Civil War reenactment experience following the armies from the rugged passes of South Mountain to the fields surrounding Antietam Creek.
This event will focus on recreating portions of the campaign through historically grounded military scenarios, authentic camps, command structures, and coordinated regimental portrayals.
THE BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN
The campaign begins in the mountains of western Maryland as Federal forces attempt to force their way through the gaps of South Mountain.
Participants will recreate actions associated with:
• Turner’s Gap
• Fox’s Gap
• Frosttown Plateau
Federal troops will advance against Confederate forces defending the mountain passes, recreating the confused and hard-fought actions of September 14, 1862.
THE NIGHT BEFORE ANTIETAM — EAST WOODS
Following South Mountain, the armies move toward Sharpsburg.
The experience continues with the tense evening of September 16, 1862, as Federal troops move into the East Woods and establish their positions only a short distance from Confederate forces.
Rather than simply beginning with a morning battle, participants will experience the uncertainty of the night before Antietam—pickets, preparations for battle, and the knowledge that a major engagement is coming with daylight.
MILLER’S CORNFIELD — SEPTEMBER 17, 1862
At first light, the campaign culminates with the opening struggle of the Battle of Antietam.
Federal and Confederate troops will recreate the desperate fighting surrounding Miller’s Cornfield, where some of the most intense combat of the entire Civil War occurred.
UNITED STATES FORCES
Overall Commander: Chad Johnson
Regimental Portrayals
New York Regiment
George Cavallone, Commanding
Click HERE for the New York Page
Pennsylvania Reserves
Ted Brennan, Commanding
Bucktails
Chase Petro, Commanding
Click HERE for the PA Reserves Page
6th Wisconsin Infantry
Will Eichler, Commanding
Click HERE for the 6th Wisconsin Page
CONFEDERATE STATES FORCES
Overall Commander: Hunter Poythress
Regimental Portrayals
Georgia Regiment
Army of the Deep South
Click HERE for the Georgia Page
Alabama Regiment
Army of the Deep South
Click HERE for the Alabama
North Carolina Regiment
Josh Stalls, Commanding
Click HERE for the North Carolina Page
Virginia Regiment
Greg Van Way, Commanding
Click HERE for the Virginia Page
1st Texas Infantry
Cameron Wilcox, Commanding
Click HERE for the 1st Texas Page
Each participating regiment will operate within the larger Federal or Confederate command while maintaining the identity, organization, and authenticity standards of its individual portrayal.
Our goal is to create an environment where participants aren't simply attending another reenactment—they are stepping into the Maryland Campaign of September 1862.
From the mountain passes of South Mountain...
To the darkness of the East Woods...
To the opening volleys in Miller's Cornfield...
Three days. Two armies. One campaign.
September 3–5, 2027
Citizens of Sharpsburg
Civilians at 165th Antietam
The civilian contingent of the 165th Anniversary Antietam Campaign will portray the citizens of Sharpsburg and the surrounding community during the Battle of Antietam.
Hosted by Homespun Historical Ventures, this immersive living history experience will place civilians alongside the military events unfolding around them during the Maryland Campaign of September 1862.
Participants will have opportunities to interact with both Federal and Confederate soldiers as the armies move through the countryside and converge around Sharpsburg.
But the civilian experience is about much more than interacting with the armies.
It is about experiencing the uncertainty of a community caught between them.
As musketry erupts in the distance and artillery begins thundering across the countryside, civilians will experience the growing realization that the battle may be coming directly to their homes, farms, businesses, churches, and families.
Through first-person impressions, historically accurate civilian clothing, period activities, and stories drawn from diaries and contemporary accounts, we will portray the extraordinary resilience of ordinary people caught in the storm of war.
The objective is not simply to have civilians present at a military reenactment.
The objective is to recreate a living community experiencing the Maryland Campaign.
Juried Civilian Contingent
The civilian contingent for this event will be juried.
Participants should submit an impression appropriate to the people who lived in Sharpsburg and the surrounding region during September 1862. Submissions will go via Facebook messenger to Amy Debord or Michele Shuman
Impressions should represent believable individuals rather than generic "Civil War civilians."
For More Information about the Citizens of Sharpsburg, please click HERE