Historic Cemetery, Antietam National Battlefield

Posted on by Misty
Historic Cemetery, Antietam National Battlefield Historical Marker, Maryland

The cemetery, along with the farmstead, belonged to Samuel and Elizabeth Mumma during the American Civil War. The structures on the farm were burned in 1862 by the Confederate soldiers, but were rebuilt in 1863.

The cemetery on the property dates back to the 1700s. The Orndorff family were the original owners of the farm. The Orndorffs are also buried in the cemetery, but the locations of their graves are unknown.

The Orndorff family sold the property to Jacob Mumma, father of Samuel, in 1810. However, when Elizabeth Hoffman Orndorff, wife of Christian II, died in 1829, she was allowed to be buried next to her husband in the graveyard.

The Mummas were German Baptist Brethren. People who were members of this congregation were called Dunkers. Samual Mumma donated a portion of his land to the Dunkers in 1852. In 1873, he enlarged the cemetery and allowed members of the congregation to be buried here.

Historical Marker Inscription

Historic Cemetery

Although now part of the Mumma Farm, and known as Mumma Cemetery. This site was first established as a burial ground by the Orndorff Family. Living on this farm at the time of his death, Major Christian Orndorff II was buried here in December 1797.

Orndorff came to the Sharpsburg area in 1762 from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and settled on the banks of Antietam Creek where he established a milling operation. A known patriot, he became an active organizer and leader during the Revolutionary War. He was commissioned a major in the American Army in 1776. In September of 1781, at the request of General Washington, he returned home and operated his flour mill to furnish supplies for the Continental Army. Christian acquired large tracts of land and settled on this property after retiring from milling in 1790.

The Orndorff heirs sold this farm to the Mumma Family in 1811. When Elizabeth Hoffman Orndorff, wife of Christian II, died in 1829, it is believed that she was also buried here. The exact location of these early Orndorff graves has unfortunately been lost to time and the elements.

In 1873, the cemetery was enlarged, the stone wall was constructed and the Mumma family deeded to specific members of the Dunker Church the right to be buried here.

Location

39° 28’ 42.330” N, 77° 44’ 30.468” W
Antietam National Battlefield, 5919–5923 Mummas Ln, Keedysville, MD  21756, United States

The Opelousas Post Militia of 1779, Opelousas, Louisiana

Posted on by Misty
The Opelousas Post Militia of 1779 Historical Marker

This marker recognizes the contribution of the volunteer Opelousas citizen militia. During 1779, the militia took action in Baton Rouge against the British. The Opelousas militia marched across swamps and marshes to eventually join the Spanish Governor, General Bernardo de Galvez. The goal was to defend Baton Rouge and to keep the British from controlling the lower Mississippi River, especially the area between Natchez and New Orleans.

The militia left Fort Hamilton in the east of Opelousas in groups, heading towards Baton Rouge. They had to content with everything from snakes to alligators to the marshy areas.

Many of the last names of the members would be familiar with anyone from Louisiana, especially St. Landry Parish. These include Bertrand, Brignac, Dupre, Lafleur, Prudhomme, Richard, Trahan and more.

Historical Marker Inscription

In late August of 1779, men of the Opelousas Post Militia left from this place to join other militia units to attack British forces in the lower Mississippi Valley. They crossed the Atchafalaya swamp to join Brig. General Bernardo de Gálvez, the Governor of the Spanish province of Louisiana. The O.P.M. met him at Fort San Gabriel a few miles below present-day Baton Rouge. Total forces under Gálvez numbered 175 Spanish army veterans, 330 Spanish recruits, 80 free men of color, 160 Choctaws, plus about 600 men from various militias along the Mississippi River and from throughout the far-flung posts of civilization in Louisiana. On September 22, 1779, Gálvez’s effective forces, numbering less than 900, laid siege to and captured Ft. New Richmond at Baton Rouge. This victory forced the surrender of Ft. Panmure at Natchez, British headquarters in the lower Mississippi Valley. This generally unknown military action in American history in which the Opelousas Post Militia took part greatly aided in the winning of the American Revolution of 1775-1783.

Location

Le Vieux Village, 828 East Landry Highway, Opelousas LA 70570, United States

30° 31.906′ N, 92° 4.432′ W