“Never forget”: Remembering Antietam on 9/11
It has become my custom on 9/11 to think back to a different day during a different September when America suffered an even more catastrophic loss of life. As I explained two years ago, the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 17, 1862, have become inextricably linked in my mind. In recognition of both events—and as a continuing cautionary tale against forgetting either of them—I offer a repost of a reflection I put up during ECW’s first year, Remembering 9/11 and the Lesson of Antietam.
A reader privately messaged me with an excellent point: “The casualty comparison is a little skewed as written, as there were 23,000 k/w/c at Antietam, with 3,650 killed; and 2,996 were killed on 9-11, with possibly another 6,500 wounded. The 23,000 vs. 3,000 is not quite apples to apples.” I appreciate the clarification!