2024 Annual Meeting Reminder

Reminder – SHAF Annual Membership meeting Saturday, April 20, 12:30 p.m. Boonsboro Branch of the Washington County Free Library

We will have updates on SHAF activities, financial reports, elections and a speaker, Steve Stotelmyer, who will talk about his new book, From Frederick to Sharpsburg: People, Places, and Events of the Maryland Campaign before Antietam, which will also be available for purchase.

Here is a brief discussion of Steve’s book:

The Battle of Antietam stands out as the single bloodiest day’s combat in American history. More people were killed or injured on September 17, 1862, than any other day in our nation’s entire history. With 23,000 casualties it is understandable that this single event tends to take the spotlight in the Maryland Campaign of 1862. Consequently, because of the enormous carnage around Sharpsburg, a shadow has been cast over other people and places involved in the days leading up to that momentous event. However, Robert E. Lee did not begin crossing the Potomac on September 4, 1862, just so he could fight at Sharpsburg 13 days later with his back to that same river. For those who gave that last measure of devotion, Jug Bridge was just as dangerous as Burnside Bridge. One could end up just as dead at Quebec Schoolhouse as Dunkard Church. “From Frederick to Sharpsburg” sheds light on some of the other participants and events long obscured in the shadow cast by America’s bloodiest day.

Steven R. Stotelmyer is a native of Hagerstown, Maryland. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Frostburg State College and a Master of Arts from Hood College in Frederick, MD. Stotelmyer was a founding member of the Central Maryland Heritage League in 1989 which helped preserve some of the South Mountain Battlefield. He is also the author of The Bivouacs of the Dead: The Story of Those Who Died at Antietam and South Mountain (Toomey Press, 1992), and Too Useful To Sacrifice, Reconsidering George B. McClellan’s Generalship in the Maryland Campaign from South Mountain to Antietam. (Savas Beatie, 2019). Steve is a National Park Service Volunteer as well as a Certified Antietam Battlefield and South Mountain Battlefield Tour Guide.

We hope to see you there!

SHAF 2024 Annual Meeting

SHAF is pleased to announce our 2024 Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 20. We will meet at 12:30 p.m. at the Boonsboro branch of the Washington County Free Library in the public meeting room. The library is located on MD Rt. 34, just on the west edge of Boonsboro.  We will hear a report from the SHAF board, including financials, hold our annual elections, and answer any questions from the membership. Steve Stotelmyer will provide a short talk, the topic TBA.

After our meeting, we will visit the historic Avey farm, recently acquired by the American Battlefield Trust, and the site of our recent Work Day. All SHAF members are welcome to attend, and comments, questions, and statements can also be sent to our website.  As always, our warmest thanks for your support and donations.

Space is somewhat limited but should be sufficient. It would help if you would let us know you’re attending, but not required. We hope to see you there!