Battle of Antietam

Battle of Antietam Part of the American Civil War Battle of Antietam by Kurz and Allison. Date September 17, 1862 Location Near Sharpsburg, Maryland Result Tactically inconclusive; strategic Union victory Fighting parties United States (Union) CSA (Confederacy) Commanders George B. McClellan Robert E. Lee Strength 87,000 45,000 Casualties and losses 12,401 (2,108 killed, 9,540 wounded, 753 captured/missing) 10,316 (1,546 killed, 7,752 wounded, 1,018 captured/missing)

The Battle of Antietam (also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg, particularly in the South) was a battle fought on September 17, 1862. It happened near Sharpsburg, Maryland. It was the first major battle in the American Civil War to happen in the northern states. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. Around 23,000 soldiers were killed or wounded in this battle.

History

After pursuing Confederate General Robert E. Lee into Maryland, Union Army Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan launched attacks against Lee's army, in defensive positions behind Antietam Creek. At dawn on September 17, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker's corps mounted a powerful assault on Lee's left flank. Attacks and counterattacks swept across Miller's cornfield and fighting swirled around the Dunker Church. Union assaults against the Sunken Road eventually pierced the Confederate center, but the Federal advantage was not followed up. In the afternoon, Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside's corps entered the action, capturing a stone bridge over Antietam Creek and advancing against the Confederate right. At a crucial moment, Maj. Gen. A.P. Hill's division arrived from Harpers Ferry and launched a surprise counterattack, driving back Burnside and ending the battle. Although outnumbered two-to-one, Lee committed his entire force, while McClellan sent in less than three-quarters of his army, enabling Lee to fight the Federals to a standstill. During the night, both armies consolidated their lines. In spite of crippling casualties, Lee continued to skirmish with McClellan throughout September 18, while removing his battered army south of the river.

Despite having superiority of numbers, McClellan's attacks failed to achieve concentration of mass, allowing Lee to counter by shifting forces along interior lines to meet each challenge. Despite ample reserve forces that could have been deployed to exploit localized successes, McClellan failed to destroy Lee's army. Nevertheless, Lee's invasion of Maryland was ended, and he was able to withdraw his army back to Virginia without interference from the cautious McClellan. There is now an Antietam Memorial Illumination sponsored by volunteers. It is a project where they light a candle for every casualty. The union had a strategic win over the Confederates.

Other websites

• Battle of Antietam Staff ride guide, Center of Military History, United States Army.
• Animated History of The Battle of Antietam
• Lincoln and Lee at Antietam
• Antietam National Battlefield Park
• Antietam on the Web
• USS Antietam
• History of Antietam National Cemetery :including a descriptive list of all the loyal soldiers buried therein {published 1869}
• Brotherswar.com The Battle of Antietam
• Battle of Antietam: Two Great American Armies Engage in Combat article by Ted Alexander