23,000 Candles Will Light Up Antietam Battlefield

SHARSPBURG, Md. (AP) -- Volunteers are preparing to light up the Antietam National Battlefield near Sharpsburg with more than 23,000 candles.

The annual illumination Saturday night honors the more than 23,000 soldiers who were killed, wounded or declared missing during the bloodiest one-day battle of the Civil War on Sept. 17, 1862.

The event encourages visitors to reflect on the sacrifices made at Antietam as they drive slowly through the park.

This is the last illumination supervised by park Superintendent John Howard. He's retiring Dec. 31 after 15 years at Antietam.

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