Anyone remotely familiar with the American Civil War is
aware that it pitted Americans versus Americans, and in some cases friends
versus friends and relatives versus relatives. This cache will lead you to a
series of monuments at which you will need to record various information.
You'll probably quickly pick up on the theme of the cache, which should
particularly strike a chord with a certain specific population. Imagine
yourself living back in those days, being forced to make the same big decision
that the fellows commemorated by these monuments needed to make. Think about
what it was like to hear about a friend or acquaintance being killed in the
war, no matter which side. Think about the survivors and what it may have been
like once they went home and saw their compatriots and opponents!
To claim this cache you’ll need to visit the nine monuments
listed below in order to solve a puzzle that gives the coordinates of the final
cache (all caches are virtual). It’s also quite possible (and easy) to bypass
the nine “preliminary” caches and skip to the final one using past experience
or available resources, but that would take the challenge out of it and cheapen
the cache! PLEASE visit #’s one through nine even if you do know what the final
destination will be!
The following coordinates are listed in no logical order. Do
them in whatever order you wish! Please excuse the use of asterisks in place of
the degrees symbol.
39*28.516N , 77*44.884W
39*28.456N , 77*44.758W
39*27.051N , 77*43.895W
39*28.316N , 77*44.394W
39*28.868N , 77*44.645W
39*28.286N , 77*44.442W
39*28.718N , 77*44.624W
39*26.924N , 77*44.785W
39*28.679N , 77*45.012W
While at the above sites you’ll need to scan the information
listed on each monument to figure out the coordinates for the tenth and final
stage. Here’s how you do so. . .
NORTH COORDINATES FOR THE FINAL VIRTUAL
The first two digits of the final virtual’s North coordinate
are 39 degrees (of course!).
The third digit is the same as the third north digit at the monument that
commemorates the men who served under Captain Wm. F. Dement.
The fourth digit is the same as the fourth north digit at the monument that was
“erected by the survivors.”
The fifth digit is the same as the fifth north digit for the monument for the
brigade that had 23 wounded.
The sixth digit is the same as the sixth north digit for the monument that
“occupied a position on the edge of the east woods.”
The seventh and last digit is the same as the last north digit of the monument
for the troops that advanced at 9:30AM and were engaged until 1:30PM.
WEST COORDINATES FOR THE FINAL VIRTUAL
The first three digits of the final virtual’s West
coordinates are 77 degrees and 4.
The fourth digit is the same as the fourth west digit at the monument that
“advanced to the knoll above the bloody lane.”
The fifth digit is the same as the SIXTH NORTH digit for the monument honoring
the soldiers who “opened the battle on the confederate side.”
The sixth digit is the same as the sixth west digit at the monument for the men
who “advanced to the corner of Dunkard Church.”
The seventh and last digit is the same as the last NORTH digit for the monument
to the troops commanded by Capt. John W. Wolcott.
FINALLY, to
claim this cache find “simply” go to the coordinates revealed by completing the
above process and record the text situated within the four “relief plaques” on
the exterior of the monument. Once you are home e-mail that information to us
(please DO NOT post it on this cache page!). ALSO, you will need to tell us which one of the first NINE monuments was the most unique in design compared with the others. Your e-mail should also
provide a short interpretation of what you feel the “theme” of this cache is
all about.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Antietam!