Union cannon on the Tidball Trail aims west towards Confederate positions, Antietam National Battlefield

Length:  .4 mile, one way
Time:  30 minutes
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

The Tidball Trail at Antietam National Battlefield begins on the right side of the Newcomer House. This is short out-and-back trail that leads up to a ridge where Union captain John C. Tidball positioned Battery A of the 2nd U. S. Artillery during the Battle of Antietam. Six cannon were hauled by hand up the very same steep hill you will be climbing.

Start of the Tidball Trail at Antietam National Battlefield

The Tidball Trail is in the shape of a staple (like a staple to attach pages of paper together). It begins north for a tenth of a mile, turns abruptly to the west and runs for .2 mile, then makes a 90 degree turn south, ending in another tenth of a mile at a display of cannon that mark the position of Battery A. It is uphill for the first two segments, with an extremely steep hill coming right before reaching the top.

Steep terrain on the Tidball Trail at Antietam National Battlefield

The only confusing part of the hike is a staircase at the end of the northbound segment. If you can climb steps, take the steps, as this is the official route. If not, just take the grass path that curves around to the left. Either will get you to the top of the hill.

Staircase on the Tidball Trail at Antietam National Battlefield

The southbound segment of the trail is along even ground. It ends at a display of cannon and a few wayside exhibits. From here you have a nice view of the surrounding battlefield.

Cannon mark the placement of Battery A of the 2nd U. S. Artillery on a hill near the Newcomer House, Antietam National Battlefield

Panoramic view of the battlefield from the end of the Tidball Trail at Antietam National Battlefield (click to enlarge)

I did the hike on an extremely hot and humid day in late August. You would think that a trail only a third of a mile long would not present any problems, but I was drenched in sweat by the time I got back. No, that’s not correct. I was drenched in sweat by the time I got to the staircase. I had to change into a new shirt, socks, pants, and underwear. All the trails at Antietam National Battlefield are miserable to hike on a hot day, but this one struck me as being particularly miserable due to its short length. It’s not a bad trail otherwise, and like all trails at Antietam, it enhances your understanding of the battlefield. When done hiking the Tidball Trail, you’ll understand just how miserable the soldiers were when hauling cannon up the very same hill you just climbed. And they did it in wool uniforms.

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