08/17/2022
THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM: 160TH ANNIVERSARY
On this day in 1862 at 7 A.M., my ancestor, George Horton was part of the Union attack through the famous cornfield. He was killed carrying our nation’s flag. By 9 AM there were nearly 10,000 casualties.
Another of his regiment, Frank Holzinger wrote about him in his diary:
"The influence of a courageous man is most helpful in battle. Horton, a tall, thin young soldier, very boyish in manner, but cool as a cucumber swung his cap in the air: "Rally, boys, rally! Die like men; don't run like dogs!" "Instantly all fear vanished."
And from the book, Antietam, the Soldiers’ Battle:
“The flag was down but not out. Corporal George W Horton jabbed the staff into the ground and clung to it as he crashed to his knees. One foot was shot away. When one of his comrades rushed over to relieve him of his flag, he lashed out. No one would take those colors from him – no one. Moments later, he was killed – shot through the body.”
I frequently make the trip to Antietam and plant a flag in his grave in the national soldiers’ cemetery there. Today I honor all of the men who lost young and promising lives fighting on what is known as ‘America’s bloodiest day.’
