Wartime History

As a native Marylander residing in California, I was very interested in the Gettysburg, Pa., portion of “The Civil War Revisited” (Oct. 1). My family and I made countless visits to the Gettysburg National Military Park, a 30-minute trip from our home in Hagerstown, Md.

I was disappointed that no mention was made of Antietam battlefield in Sharpsburg, Md., an easy drive from Gettysburg. There in Sharpsburg, the single bloodiest day of the Civil War was fought [on Sept. 17, 1862, when 23,000 were killed or wounded].

It was my custom to take baskets of flowers and place them on the graves of the unknown in the National Military Park.

All those memories were vividly recalled as I read James Yenckel’s article.

MARY E. FIELD

Alhambra

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Several years ago I visited Gettysburg and noticed the farmhouse on Cemetery Hill mentioned by James T. Yenckel in his article. I always wondered what happened to the free black man, Abraham Brian, who lived in that residence.

I just want to thank the writer for providing this information. All these details should be at the site for others who also wonder about this man.

ARCHIBALD MITCHELL

Lompoc