ANTIETAM NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD - THE CORNFIELD TRAIL
Note To Seekers - Be equiped with a bladed tool to open this cache!
This cache is NOT at the posted coordinates. The posted coordinates ARE at an interpretive area along Maryland Route # 34, just east of the battlefield, which will figure later in completing this adventure.
This is a virtual tour of The Cornfield Trail at Antietam National Battlefield. A desktop adventure, the marvels of birds-eye navigation, use of zoom and virtual travel at street level lend themselves nicely to the geocaching experience. There are a “g**gle” of internet tools to assist with what I like to call ‘vicarious celestial navigation’. There are also elements of letterbox here.
Unlike the usual roadway-street-level experience, this one is on grass, alongside and through farm fields. Be assured, however, that a trip away from the desk will be required to log the final.
“Through a shower of bullets and shells, it was only the thoughts of home that brought me from that place. – Pvt. James Dougherty, 128th Pennsylvania Infantry.
On September 17, 1862, 23,000 men were killed, wounded or missing in action after the Union and Confederate armies collided on rolling farm fields near the sleepy village of Sharpsburg, Maryland. While over 5000 casualties occurred at Bloody Lane, the vast majority occurred in the long seesaw battle to possess David Miller’s cornfield. While the landscape was piled with those casualties and turned red with blood, Miller’s harvest ripe corn was riddled and shelled (no pun this) beyond use.
Along the way, complete the following coordinate equation –
N 39 29. A B C, W 077 4 D. E F Z
Stage # 1 – The Cornfield Trail ( N 39 28.879 W 077 44.804 )
Let’s get started. Mark the above coordinates on the map. Arrive over the cornfield and transition to street view at the posted coordinates. Notice you are not on a road. You can see one, but you will not be traveling on asphalt. Neat huh! This adventure commences in The Cornfield near, ok, Cornfield Avenue. There is a brown trail post nearby. Maneuver, toggle, zoom to clearly see the post. Solve for “A”. The number (x) on that marker minus two = A. ( x – 2 ) = A
Stage # 2 - Indiana State Monument ( N 39 28.867 W 077 44.903 )
Move along the split-rail fence in a westerly direction (following the virtual arrows). On the horizon, please observe a large imposing obelisk atop a granite base. Maneuver as close to the road a possible and look back at the monument. There are large bollard-like granite objects at the corners of this memorial. They are oversized replicas of the mini ball ammunition used by both sides in this conflict. Solve for “B.” Determine the total number of these bollards (x) and subtract six. ( x – 6 ) = B.
Stage # 3 – Gordon’s Brigade and Ransom’s Battery ( N 39 28.883 W 077 44.912 )
The Trail turns to the north here, parallel to the asphalt road. Be alert for signage, particularly the third on the right. It is black and predates the modern flat angled interpretive signs. This one points to a position, held by the above-named units. Solve for “C.” Note the three-digit number that gives a distance in yards. The first digit (x) minus 2. ( x - 2 ) = C.
Stage # 4 – Trail Post ( N 39 29.221 W 077 44.969 )
Follow the path along the country road, well past the D.R. Miller farm, until you find a brown post with a direction indicator. Should you need to double check, the coordinates for the direction post are - ( N 39 29.175, W 077 45.020 ). Hike in the direction indicated, meandering along the grassy trail until you come to another brown trail post. Nudge just past it and look back. There is one word on that post. Solve for “D.” The number of letters (x) in that word minus four. ( x – 4 ) = D
Stage # 5 – Clarissa Harlowe Barton ( N 39 29.325 W 077 44.833 )
Continue wending your way along the grassy Trail until you arrive at a picket fence, a road and a memorial. The program allows you to walk onto the road. Neato! Better look both ways!
"In my feeble estimation, General McClellan, with all his laurels, sinks into insignificance beside the true heroine of the age, the angel of the battlefield." - Dr. James Dunn, Surgeon at the Battle of Antietam
It is common knowledge, this woman towers in American history as the founder of the American Red Cross. A humble woman, she was so much more. Take the time to read about her superhuman service at Antietam and elsewhere - https://www.nps.gov/anti/learn/historyculture/clarabarton.htm .
Adjust your line of sight to see Clarissa’s silhouette on the signage. The granite marker to the left is her memorial. It is special, very special. Research this monument and Solve for “E.” The number of brick pieces (x) inlaid in the granite base plus three = E. ( x + 3 ) = E. Uh, pan and zoom will not reveal the number of pieces!
Stage # 6 – There & Back Again ( N 39 29.013 W 077 44.818 )
We’re almost finished. Let’s skip ahead to the Stage # 6 coordinates above, to a spot further south and west. On approach to the final dogleg left, find a trail post and look at the rooftops on the horizon. Find the rooftop furthest north Use your zoom. Solve for “F.” The number of cupolas (x) on that barn minus one = F. ( x - 1 ) = F.
Stage # 7 – Md. Route # 34 ( N 39 28.135 W 077 42.972 )
Picking up the earlier theme of battlefield casualties and in the aftermath of the battle, the entire Town of Keedysville just to the east was converted into a sprawling hospital - homes, barns, businesses, sheds, cellars, leantos and shacks. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., future Supreme Justice of The Supreme Court, convalesced in Keedysville in the battle's aftermath.
Travel and alight to street view at the above coordinates. Yep, these are the posted coordinates for this exercise. Solve for “Z.” Find the number (x) of angled interpretive signs on the north side of road = Z. Note: View signs virtually from slightly uproad or down.
You should now have coordinates for the physical cache, and Stage # 7 started you in the right direction. Please replace the geocache precisely as you find it. Thank You for tagging along!
Using only the numbers input into the coordinates, your checksum is 26.