The civil war, or the war between the states, was one that yielded a tremendous cost to our nation.  Brother fought against brother and the blood that was spent stained the earth of our nation forever. Everyone throughout the country had a stake in this war.  In my own family, some members fought for the south and some for the north.  A monument stands in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia where the names of all those who fought in this war are engraved.  John Frederick, my great great grandfather, who lived in what is now Morgan County,  is listed on this monument. Because of my families direct involvement in this war, I have always had a great interest in civil war history.  The one battle that has captured my interest totally was that of the battle of Sharpsburg also known as the battle of Antietam.

During my college years, when I was a student at Shepherd College, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, I lived just a mile or so from the battlefield at a little place called Taylor's Landing.  As such, I visited the battlefield often.  During my visits, I felt that I could still hear the distant sounds of war as I would gaze over the battlefield.  The many monuments that attest to what happened there in September, 1862 serve as a constant reminder of a significant and bloody chapter in American history. 

 The battle would claim over 23,000 lives which would make it one of the bloodiest single days in American history.  Four thousand rebel soldiers were killed in what became known as the "sunken lane" or "Bloody Lane".  Observing the old sunken lane and  realizing the enormous loss of lives on that September day kindled a spark in me that would, on that very day, translate into a song I wrote entitled "The Battle of Antietam".  The song was written in thirty minutes!

The song, "Battle of Antietam" was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.  Over these many years, it has been purchased by civil war historians, educators, collectors and numerous other people from various other professional groups.  Produced in a country music style, the song was received well in various markets throughout the south.  A copy of this recording was placed in the archives at the Antietam Battlefield Museum.

This song has been used as an "opener" for various civil war historians involved in seminars, lectures and other educational activities.  If you like Johnny Horton style songs, you will like this one!

For more information about this review or the song, contact me at Charlie Frederick Music Enterprises!