Witness Tree Falls

Sometime during the past couple of weeks, one of the West Woods witness trees fell to the severe storms that have blown through the hills of Maryland. This one, an American Elm, is 178 years old. Behind it are three more witness trees, one dead, the other two apparently healthy. There are more in the West Woods, especially in the original stand west of Route 65. Still, losing one is one too many.

I have not posted here for some time--work and travel get in the way. I am, however, going to pick up the contributions in the coming weeks and months.

First up will be a multi-part post on James Dinkins and the 18th Mississippi (Barksdale's Brigade) in the West Woods. Then a series on the work of Dwight Stinson who worked at the field in the 60s and left an interesting study titled "Operations of Sedgwick's Division" in the field's library / archives.

As we draw in on the 150th, everyone working in the Park is noticing the increase in the number of visitors. We see it in the West Woods. This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of chatting with visitors nearly the entire day. Aside from increased numbers, many visitors have a very good working knowledge about the Maryland Campaign--more so than most of those who have come before them.

What will September bring?

West Woods Witness Trees

Those who have visited the Burnside Bridge know that at the far end of the bridge on the left side is a "witness tree." A witness tree is a tree that was alive on September 17, 1862.

There are at least five other witness trees in the park besides this one--three are in the West Woods on recently acquired property.

Of these three, one is dead but still standing, the other two, which are White Oaks, appear to be healthy.

These pictures were taken last weekend at around 9:30 a.m. and look southwest.

It is hard to tell in this picture just how large this tree is.

I estimate it to be about 175 feet tall and about four to five feet around.


To the left of the dead tree are the two other witness trees.

On September 17, 1862 these trees would have stood just to the left of the 59th New York Regiment. Jubal Early's brigade rushed past these trees on its way to engage the New Yorkers.
















In the Cope/Carmen map (left), the dead tree is marked in gray and the two live trees in green.

The blue lines indicate the camera field of view (click to enlarge the map).




















If you are ever in the West Woods, be sure to visit these magnificent trees--living witnesses to history.