HMDB and Google Earth
Over on Eric Wittenberg’s site the question was asked regarding compatibility between HMDB and Google Earth. Here are the steps involved:
- Navigate to one of the “map” pages of HMDB: Sharpsburg Map.
- From the top of the page, select “Download GPX File.” File saves as HMDB.gpx. You may wish to rename it after the download if pulling several sets down.
- Save it to a location of preference (Desktop, My Documents, etc.)
- Open Google Earth, and from the file menu select “Open”.
- In the Open File dialog box, for Files of Type use the drop down menu to select “GPS (*.gpx, *.loc).
- Double click the hmdb.gpx (or renamed file).
- Google Earth should now import the marker locations into your temporary locations. From there you can save them as a favorite or output to a .kmz file.
- The interface in Google Earth provides a placemark with a tag linking the HMDB entry URL. You do get some chaff – looks like marker names that include quotes, special characters, or special formats will carry the HTML format tag into the marker name.
Final Attack Trail – Antietam
Just a short note today. After completing the all the Antietam War Department Tablets for the “Regulars” along Boonsboro Pike (will get the linked set published shortly), I shifted back to complete the afternoon section of the battle. Three monuments had been missed in earlier rounds. After a proper round of on site documentation two weeks back, I finally had a chance to upload those last night:
These three are situated along the Final Attack Trail that runs the valley between the Burnside Bridge and Branch Avenue. Most park visitors, if they notice them at all, see these monuments from a distance. Sad, as the 16th Connecticut in particular has a relief on the front side worth noting. Nothing very fancy in terms of art work, but if my guess is correct, this depicts General Rodman’s mortal wounding.
The 11th Ohio stands on a retaining wall which looks out of place. My guess, speculating again, is the wall was part of the older trail path dating to the time the park was established. If I read the Battlefield Board maps right, that should be part of the Otto Farm lane. Still I mark this as tentative for now.
In other notes, the fine folks at the Virginia Department of Historical Resources unveiled a new marker in downtown Fairfax this weekend: Birthplace of the Confederate Battle Flag.
More fun…..
