Lincoln & Lee at Antietam: The Cost of Freedom | Full Movie (Feature Civil War Documentary) 

Watching this some 26yrs later, I come across a 'familiar' face. Mr. Dennis E Frye, I believe I met you late one afternoon as you 'manned' the entrance of the Antietam Battlefield National Park July or August of 1995. I'd come rather late on a lengthy road trip from the National Archives in DC. Prior to arriving late in the afternoon to Antietam, I'd just left Harper's Ferry, where I'd spent the most of that day. This whole 'adventure was to be dual purposed. One to satisfy my Civil War curiosity as to those places where I'd understood my Great Grandfather had served with the 22d Massachusetts 'Regular Infantry Volunteers'. The second to do some 'genealogy' on my family name: KIVLER. As it was late and I really hadn't made an 'appointment' to be earlier, you let me do a 'drive thru'. Before granting me permission to enter, you asked me about why/who I'd been curious about; where upon I stated my Great Grandfather: Arthur Walter Johnson. Upon exiting you stopped me and gave me contact information with another branch of the National Archives, located in Waltham, MA; on Trapello Rd. This information would come in 'handy' on my way back home to NH. Some two months later, I received a package in the mail. It had come from YOU! You'd done some research yourself on my Great Grandfather's unit! I was shocked and was most 'gratified' that you would go to those lengths to provided me answers! My younger brother has 'Arthur Johnson's wedding picture to my Great Grandmother; he wearing his 'Grand Army of the Republic ribbons and in his SGT uniform. My Grandmother, born in 1903 was his 13th child, the 12th to survive. She 'passed' in 1996. As 'delinquent' as this may be, life has 'intervened' as it does for most, I wish to give you my grateful regards and respect for a lengthy career serving in the 'US Park Service'. I had retired from the US Army in 1993 and that trip to DC, Harper's Ferry, Antietam were followed up on my way home, to Gettysburg. The 'Kivler'/'KIBLER' (German phonix) name has worn the US uniform since 1776, as the sons of two brothers in Hampton Co, PA served with the 21st Rifles 'Afoot'. Commanded by an English speaking 'Colonel' they served the George Washington's Continental Army's 'German Battalion'. The name has served in every American battle, foreign and domestic since then. I believe that I'm the last of this tradition, as I have no son. Best regards on your contributions and support to this excellent documentary!

Hard to imagine the ocean of tears after Antietam...The sacrifice is beyond measure. God Bless America ❤

The history of the Civil war has always fascinated and horrified. Antietam was one of the worst battles and the slaughter at the cornfield and the sunken road still unsurpassed. This documentary ranks among the best...thank you.

Such a tragic time in our history. We MUST learn from our history.

Beyond words. I have watch hundreds of documentaries on the Civil War and still cannot comprehend the magnitude of the loss of life nor the immensity of bravery shown by those that died during this great conflict. Rest In Peace brothers.

shows like this are way better than mainstream television

Every American should be aware of this historic and world changing event. Especially all those new Americans must know and realize that their America will fight for justice for all. Thank you for this Video!!

i dont think people realize how hard it must have been to march so long and hard in the heat and dust and go into battle incredible strength and determination.

WOW, absolutely moved to tears when shown the Lumineers. Thank you so much for telling the truth. I have a drive to find out what really happened since school didn't teach THIS!!!!!

God Bless Our Freedoms, Thank You.

We need to take a candlelight tour of Antietam.

I really enjoyed this documentary: letters from Generals, President Lincoln as well as simple officers or privates, a general narration of the battleplans both from Northern & from Southern perspective, illutrated by reenacment scenes. And the end is so heartbreaking.. may they all rest in peace.

Antietam was by all accounts the single most horrendous day of military losses anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. The atrociousness during and afterward the fighting was something never seen before with the coming of what's now labeled modern warfare

The buzz at the beginning is so nostalgic

Growing pains of a nation can be so devastating as with this war between the states. We are so fragile as a nation and so eager to go to war. This was the result. Will we ever learn from our mistakes.our soldiers sacrifice so much for our freedom. God bless America.

Very well put together documentary thank you I've always been facinated with the civil war as I'm from North Carolina my great grandfather × 3 served and fought several battles with the 27th North Carolina and was eventually wounded and Sharpsburg (Anteitum) and survived the war only to die from complications in 1881 at 42 yrs old, I live walking distance from the families old property that his home and my mother's childhood home once stood and was left some of his personal belongings and his sword by my dear mother after she passed.

General Lee lived only 5 years after the war and that he had a minor heart attack at Gettysburg, I would think battles such as Sharpsburg must have been very stressful.

Love Dennis Frye!

Many forget that Clara Barton had just went through the Hell of the Crimean War also.What a Woman.

The american civil war is indeed the mother of all contemporary wars

My great, great grandfather Francis Schinkel of the 12th Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry fought at Antietam.

Dennis Frye - one of the best historians ever !

The men who witnessed this horror were haunted relentless for the rest of their lives. They never got a good night's sleep.

Wow. I've watched many documentaries on Antietam, but none were as powerful as this one was. fantastic.

One of the best docs I’ve ever seen about this battle.

I enjoyed this video. It was refreshing that it mention Frederick, Sharpsburg & Shepherdstown. I grew up in Frederick & served on police department in Shepherdstown. So many documentaries only refer to Antietam Creek. Southern historians usually refer to the town nearest the battle while Northern historian pick a landmark. Battle of Manassas becomes Battle of Bull Run.

I am of Mexican heritage and I can't help unsee that I sorta resemble General Robert E. Lee

The title should be Lee vs McClellan. Lincoln tough president didn't commanded troops on the battlefield himself

160 years later, we now know who was right.

I have an ancestor from each side of this war, both somehow lived through it. One was a Captain in the CSA, the other just a private in the Union. This war was unlike any this country has ever fought, families and neighbors killing each other with crude firearms and artillery. Even cruder medical knowledge meant if you WERE hit, you were just beginning your nightmare. Its impossible for us to imagine just how bad it really was.

My great grandfather, Dennis McNamara, private in the 51st NY Volunteer Infantry Regiment was there and crossed the Burnside Bridge.

Watching this wondering if history will repeat itself...

I have an ancestor who fought in this battle as a Union Soldier. He was shot in the right arm. He was given a disability discharge from the US Army. He died within a year after that battle, from his injuries. He was born in Germany and emigrated to America as a young man, living in Philadelphia.

In both England and France there was resistance to helping the Confederacy due to strong anti-slavery feelings among not only the common people but clear to the top of society. When Lincoln freed the slaves he made it nearly impossible for any of the politicians to recognize the Confederacy as a legal Nation.

Alvin Oolcott 23rd NY Regiment from Painted Post, NY killed near the Dunker Church probably around 930 am whe. His unit was driven back in the West Woods. Alvin’s grace is an obelisk. It rests on at the four corners of two dirt roads in Steuben County, Rodger road & Eest Hill Road. On it ate the words “killed at the battle of Antietam”. On othe other side of the obelisk are the words “killed at the battle of the wilderness”. His older brother.

Happy to have such important history take place in my state!

It has been said that the American soldier is the best fighter of all. Imagine the fury when two opposing armies, of these great fighters, meet on a battlefield? We've witnessed what transpired at Antietam, may it never happen to ours, or any nation again. RIP, brave soldiers.

He wasn't a failure. They were all heroes in my opinion. Took brass balls to do what they did.

The Civil War was a great conflict fought between Americans North vs. South. Antietam was the bloodiest single day battle. Five days after the battle Lincoln issued the first draft of the Emancapation Proclamation.

This is an excellent documentary.

Generals Israel Richardson and Francis Barlow actually nearly splintered Lee's line in the center. They were both ferocious fighters and were rallying their men for the final fatal blow when BOTH went down nearly at the same time. Barlow recovered, Richardson took a cut to the leg from shrapnel, lingered for a month and was even visited by Lincoln before the cut turned septic and killed him. Both much more competent than Burnside that seemed to attract disaster wherever he went. ("I'll funnel my men into a kill box by forcing them to cross the bridge even though they can ford the creek!") It didn't help McClellan gave fuzzy orders and no one really quite knew what they were supposed to do. McClellan simply loved his creation too much to the things necessary for a crippling, sledgehammer blow that was required.) Oh and it wasn't Antietam where the 'Iron Brigade' received it's name-it was a smaller battle at South Mountain right before this bloodbath. They were tough Westerners coupled with General John Gibbon's stern discipline coupled with reward (perhaps the progenitor of the 'carrot/stick' way of training.) "Them black hat fellers."

Extremely good documentary on the Civil war! very well Written and Directed!!

lovely place to visit matt from canada

Brilliant Well put together and very moving. One of the best I've seen . Thank you. From England.

Mr. James McPherson that is a mighty fine rug or wig or lamp shade you're sporting there sir....:)

Only the dead have seen the end of war.

Dreams died on that fateful day!

This is a great civil war documentary one best I’ve seen

The South never learned from the war and still holds its arms ready in tv news and politics

"We are not going to war against an Invading Army. Rather we are going to war with a HOSTILE PEOPLE." Gen. William TEHCUMSEH Sherman

"No man lives on in his grave. Do not look for him there." Saidsome Wiseman

"This Republic of Suffering" by Drew Gilpin Faust worth looking at.

Just seen the working of a miniet bullet on a beefbone. Utter destruction. Poor lads

Exceptionally well made.

I had a dream some years ago and was a union soldier fighting going to the bridge and got shot and everything turn dark. Later, I had days going over this dream I saw a picture frame in a store and it was the same bridge in my dream. Researching found information about the Antietam. I fought and died there. God. I believe in past lifes.

Little Mac should have been given a training command, that seem to be his strength.

Nicely done and thank you!

“ if I could end the war in the south without freeing a single slave I will.” - Abraham Lincoln Also read his views on the black man and what he said during the Lincoln Douglas debates. Very good reading in the insights of this man.

Good job done by Robert Child. Kudos !!

Thanks!

my other favorite commanding general was also present at this battle as well and his name is stonewall jackson yes he is one of the greatest generals of all time

Janson Media This was a epic documentary of the battle of Antietam but as a Marylander myself I just wish they would talk about and showed the Maryland infantry and how it got involved into the Civil war but other then that it was awesome

What a incredible opening reading!!

On March 1861, Lincoln at the start of his presidency, signed the Morrill Tariff into law. This tax was far more onerous than the one forced on the American colonies by Britain in the 18th century.

We need to step back from the brink before further lives are lost forever!

My great Grandfather, Abner Weatherly, was there with Company K, South Carolina 8th Infantry. He had been wounded at Malvern Hill on June 30th, 1862 and mustered out after Petersburg.

Light a candle. Let it slowly burn down

Interesting how they was three soldiers chilling out and come across that orders letter with three cigars.

Great video!! Glad to see it before society deems it CANCELLED!! I've always loved history, the good and the bad. TY for the vid!

If you have never walked a Civil War battlefield you must walk this one. It is so much now like it was then, even parts of Sharpsburg if you can remove the wires you see and the paved streets. You’ll change your opinions of Wars and Mathew Brady’s photography of Antietam will emphasize it.

I can’t believe there hasn’t been a movie about Antietam

Brilliant documentary 👏 👍

This is mentioned in the book: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

This was a war where battle tactics were never modified enough to deal with the weaponry that had evolved to be so much more deadly. You see tactics similar to the revolutionary war. It was just a mass slaughter of men on both sides. Frontal assaults were pure stupidity, but still very common.

This is such a great video. Thanks for upload!

That was really good.

If you haven't been to Sharpsburg Battlefield, one of the first things to strike a visitor is how small of an area it covers. Speaking mainly of the area from The North Woods south to the edge of town The intensity of the battle in that small area must have shook the nerves of even hardened veterans of the war up to that point. When I first walked the field I was overcome with emotion thinking of how thick the dead and wounded must have lay on this field of honor. The young men on both sides should be remembered for their extreme bravery and courage

Can't help thinking that there must be a better way to resolve our differences .

The good ol' Irish brigade, brave lads all.

I'll never forget learning about when Lincoln stormed the beaches at Normandy.

When trying to understand history, one must maintain an open and clear mind to understand the facts and the reasons both sides fought for. This is true for any war. We do ourselves a disservice and furthermore dishonor the dead by letting uneducated opinions be the corner stone for debate. A lie unchallenged becomes truth, hence changing history.

Great lesson, well done. Stephen Sears writes the history of this battle like no other but the spectacle of the luminaries sounds powerful. I hope I can participate in it’s setup or see it some day Perhaps the most

Great show and narration!

Very good score

I believe Thomas Francis Magher was commander here and the brigade was ordered to repeadily attack till They were nearly wiped out. After the war, He become the territory of Montana's first active governor. There remains a county in Mt. bearing His last name.

All men are born with the same equal rights.

Wow, very touching

I often think of the civil war as the war that should have ended all wars. Humanity never seems to learn. This war should have shown for all , the world over of the futility , the simple fact that war always ends up around a table, and that is where it should stay

They had a tri pointed bayonet, designed to cause the wounded to die in lengthy, agonizing, pain. Bless their bastardly, butchering souls.

Both sides are welcome to share the history of their families that were killed or wounded during this war.

Very telling.

Out numbered but kept on fighting to the very end

In addition, Lincoln instructed Seward to get through Congress a law that would make the various 'personal liberty laws' that existed in some Northern states illegal. (Such state laws nullified the Federal Fugitive Slave Act, which required Northerners to apprehend runaway slaves)

we will never stop paying for slavery...

Excellent presentation.

very good documentary

Ending was very moving. favorite part of this dry, yet informative, documentary.

You don't stand in front of a bullet that kind of war hundreds will die on both side .is like last man standing will win . Acting like a human shield ?? 🛡 🙄 lots of lost souls on both sides . Oh boy on a open field ?? With no cover from hundreds of bullets oh yes a waste of thousands of poor souls .Last men of union soldiers on the back line wins🏆 Generals was using human shields 🛡 and they got the Honor 🎖 using there soldiers like human shields 🛡 the real soldiers are the heroes and the warriors. They gave there life for our freedom.

Pretty good job with this

It is well known that Lincoln made skillful use of his lifelong protectionist credentials to win the support of the Pennsylvania delegation at the Republican convention of 1860, and he did sign ten tariff-increasing bills while in office. When he announced a naval blockade of the Southern ports during the first months of the war, he gave only one reason for the blockade: tariff collection.