After reading the IBR CWRT pages the other nite, I noticed its mention of where Gen'l Richardson passed away as the "Fry" house: Roundtable. Curious, I went to my Trailhead Graphics map to find the "Fry" house. There ain't one. It's the "Pry" house. Not only that, but the "Pry" house is a place that deserves a visit next time.
According to the Park Service website, the house is now not just the site of McClellan's HQ but also a battlefield hospital museum: NPS . It is, indeed, up on the second floor where Gen'l R succumbed to his wounds several months after the battle: Civil War News. The museum is connected to the national museum of Civil War Medicine: NMCWM. There appear to be many events associated with the house during the remainder of '08 and into '09: calendar
Not sure how much I would really want to investigate this aspect of those times, but one observor calls it a must-see: CW Journey. I guess my next visit to Antietam will just have to include...
...the "Pry" house.
Jack,
It's definitely worth a visit. Unfortunately, though, I don't think that they allow people to visit the room where Greasy Dick died, although I have been up there. Also, in the past, you could go up to the attic and open the hatch and look at the battlefield, just as Little Mac did. You can also see the plateau next to the house where Union artillery unlimbered and deployed. The medical museum is also worth a visit.
All in all, definitely worth the investment of time.
Eric
Posted by: Eric Wittenberg | October 23, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Jack:
I came across your blog while looking for Michigan Civil War resources and contacts.
I have an interest in a particular Michigan CW soldier - Private Frank M. Howe of the 20th MI Infantry. I found an album of family snapshots taken in the early 1900's and was able to determine that they included photos of Frank and his family. Through web research and archive copies of his service and pension records, I have been able to build up a fairly detailed profile of Frank that includes a few contemporary photos of him during and immediately after the war.
Frank was detailed as an orderly to another Michigan native - MGEN Orlando B. Willcox, who was a division commander with the IX Corps. Frank lost a leg as a result of enemy fire at the Battle of the Weldon Railroad (Aug 1864) while serving with Gen Willcox...
I'm always on the hunt for more information about Frank and his family, but have also developed a real interest in Gen Willcox as well - he was quite a figure beforem during and after the war, and was awarded a Medal of Honor for his bravery at First Bull Run, leading the 1st MI.
I've bookmarked your blog site and will be visiting again soon...
Pete Young
San Diego, CA
Posted by: Peter A Young | March 07, 2009 at 02:44 PM