Antietam National Battlefield

A cow looks out at Shepherdstown Pike through the fence along Antietam National Battlefield on Monday at sunset.

Members of the Adventure Cycling Association traveled Monday through Antietam National Battlefield near Sharpsburg.

It's not every day you see a groundhog sleeping on a cannon. This photo was taken recently at Antietam National Battlefield by Stephanie J. Beane.

Sue Hodge of Roanoke, Va., reads a tablet Tuesday at Antietam National Battlefield that describes the fighting in Bloody Lane on Sept. 17, 1862. Hodge and family members are visiting numerous Civil War sites this week in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

Despite the cold weather, Antietam National Battlefield hosted the 17th annual Memorial Illumination on Saturday night. More than 23,000 luminarias dotted the battlefield, with each one representing the life of a soldier who was killed, wounded or missing in the Battle of Antietam in 1862. See Sunday's Herald-Mail for the full story.

Battle of Sharpsburg Camp 1582, Sons of Confederate Veterans, elected new officers for the 2012-14 term at its meeting at the Mumma Farmhouse at Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg on Jan. 4.

The Hagerstown Civil War Roundtable has two events planned in September. · On Monday, at the visitors center at Antietam National Battlefield, Kent Masterson Brown, author of "Retreat From Gettysburg," will discuss the topic of his book. A good deal of Washington County's role is included since the retreat took both armies through the region. The event begins at 7 p.m. and is free. · On Thursday, Sept. 28, at Mumma Farm at Antietam National Battlefield, historian Ted Alexander will discuss the farm before, during and after the war. The event begins with a dinner at 6:45 p.m. The discussion will begin about an hour later and is free, although reservations are required for the dinner.

The National MS Society, Maryland Chapter's annual 5K is at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 16, at Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg Pike, Sharpsburg. To register as a walker or volunteer for Walk MS 2011, call Aubrey Canale at 443-641-1209 or visit the website, www.walkmsmaryland.org .

 The 33rd annual Antietam Run Through History is Sunday, June 3, at Antietam National Battlefield. Events will include a 10K road race, and a new 5K race. Awards are given in categories according to age of the runner and distance of the race. Full details and registration information can be found at www.runthroughhistory.org or by calling Dick Snyder at 301-797-6464.

Tyler Trot 5K will be at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at Antietam National Battlefield, 5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg. Participants may walk, run or push a stroller. Proceeds will benefit CHARGE Syndrome Foundation. For more information, go to www.chargesyndrome.org . For more information about the 5K, email Kristen Matthew at matthew_12067@msn.com .