Battle of Antietam

Battle of Antietam

The Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg, was a pivotal engagement during the American Civil War. It took place on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek. This battle is notable for being the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with a combined tally of dead, wounded, and missing at 22,717.

Background

In the summer of 1862, General Robert E. Lee led the Confederate States Army in the Maryland Campaign, aiming to shift the war's focus from the war-torn Virginia and to influence the upcoming 1862 United States elections. Lee's army crossed the Potomac River into Maryland, hoping to gain supplies, recruit support from the local population, and potentially sway European powers to recognize the Confederacy.

Prelude to Battle

The Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Major General George B. McClellan, moved to intercept Lee's forces. McClellan's troops discovered a copy of Lee's orders, known as Special Order 191, which revealed the Confederate army's positions and movements. This intelligence provided McClellan with a crucial advantage, allowing him to plan a counteroffensive.

The Battle

The battle commenced at dawn on September 17, 1862, with Union forces launching an assault on the Confederate left flank. The fighting was fierce and concentrated in three main areas: the Cornfield, the Sunken Road (later known as "Bloody Lane"), and Burnside's Bridge.

The Cornfield

The battle began in a 24-acre cornfield, where Union forces under Major General Joseph Hooker engaged Confederate troops led by Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. The fighting was intense, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.

The Sunken Road

Midday, Union forces attacked the Confederate center at the Sunken Road. The road, which provided a natural defensive position, became a scene of brutal combat. Eventually, Union forces broke through, but failed to capitalize on the breach.

Burnside's Bridge

On the southern end of the battlefield, Union forces under Major General Ambrose Burnside attempted to cross Antietam Creek via a narrow bridge. Confederate forces, positioned on high ground, delayed Burnside's advance for several hours. Eventually, Union troops crossed the bridge and threatened the Confederate right flank.

Aftermath

The battle ended in a tactical stalemate, but strategically it was a Union victory as Lee's invasion of the North was halted. The Confederate army retreated back to Virginia, and President Abraham Lincoln used the opportunity to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which declared the freedom of all slaves in Confederate-held territory.

Significance

The Battle of Antietam had significant political and military implications. It dissuaded European powers from recognizing the Confederacy and provided Lincoln with the political capital to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which shifted the war's focus to the abolition of slavery.

Legacy

The battlefield is preserved as part of the Antietam National Battlefield, a site of historical importance and a reminder of the war's human cost. The battle is studied for its tactical and strategic lessons, and it remains a symbol of the Civil War's complexity and the nation's enduring struggle for unity and freedom.

References

• James M. McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era
• Stephen W. Sears, Landscape Turned Red: The Battle of Antietam

External Links

• Antietam National Battlefield - National Park Service