The Works of O.T. Reilly
Over the past few years I have been making a study of O.T. Reilly, a young man who witnessed the Battle of Antietam and then spent his life interpreting it. I quickly discovered that Reilly was involved in every aspect of the battle's aftermath. He gave battlefield tours to the heroes that fought there. He collected, displayed, and sold relics in an unprecedented volume. He published postcards and guide books that include many valuable images and tales. He graded land for monuments. He was everywhere, with everyone, doing everything.
Battle of Gettysburg
The Gettysburg Times is publishing some very interesting articles on the battle of Gettysburg. Some of our citizens who like to read war history, should subscribe for the Times.
Owen Examines Road
W.H. Owen, a civil engineer in the employ of the U.S. Government, was here last week to examine the road that leads from the National Cemetery to Antietam station. Mr. Owen’s object was to find out the width of the road, the facilities for macadamizing it, etc. Representative McComas is endeavoring to get Congress to make an appropriation for the purpose of putting the road in first-class condition. The distance is about one mile.
Samuel Mumma Accident
Mr. Samuel Mumma, residing on the farm of Mrs. S.P. Grove, met with what might have been a very serious accident one day last week. While working near the barn, the wind blew the large barn door, which was open, against him and threw him against a horse that was standing nearby. He was kicked by the horse and rendered unconscious for several minutes: one of his ribs was broken, and he also sustained other injuries.
Relief Corps Festival
The Relief Corps of the G.A.R. of this place will hold a festival beginning next Friday December 23 and continuing through the holidays.
George W. Reilly Ad
Advertisement - George W. Reilly Dealer in Foreign and Domestic Fruits. Oranges, Lemons, Cocoanuts, Bananas – George W. Reilly’s Keedysville, Md.
This is O.T.'s brother. George was in the Potomac Home Brigade and was on furlough at the time of the battle.
R.M. Hays & Bros. Ad
Advertisement – R.M. Hays & Bros. Successors to W.L. Hays & Son, Dealers in Books, Wall Paper, Window Shades & c., Hagerstown, Md.
This company would soon become a postcard publisher and competitor of O.T Reilly.
51st PA Monument Unveiled
On Saturday Oct. 8th the 51st Regt. Pa. Vols. unveiled a very fine Granite Tablet to the memory of their comrades who fell in the charge when Burnside Bridge was captured.
Abraham Lincoln Funeral Car
The car in which Abraham Lincoln made the journey from Buffalo to Albany, on his way to Washington for his first inauguration, is still in good condition, and running on the Auburn Branch of the New York Central Railroad. The portraits of Lincoln and Washington, and the national flag with which the interior was decorated for the occasion, remain as permanent fixtures.
20th NY Monument Dedicated
The New York veterans having arrived on Saturday morning were formed in line at the railroad and marched to Antietam National Cemetery headed by the Harper’s Ferry and Sharpsburg bands and the G.A.R. post of this place. Here they unveiled a statue, which they have created to the memory of their fallen comrades. The ceremonies consisted of speeches in both English and German and music furnished by the bands.
The 20th New York Monument was the first to be dedicated at Antietam.




