The Battle of Antietam September 17, 1862

Oncoming Battle General Robert E. Lee, as commanding officer, marched his troops north to initiate an attack on the Union Army. His strategic plan was to lower their morale by defeating them on their own soil. Near the city of Sharpsburg, the Battle of Antietam, or the Battle of Sharpsburg, took place on September 17, This day was the single bloodiest day in American history.

Confederacy General Robert E. Lee The Confederate Army marched north to Maryland hoping to make a blow on Union terrain; stone fences were used for cover while engaged in battle. Prepared, the Confederate Army had appropriately set defenses, and as needed, new supplies and recruits were sought from neighboring states. 41,000 troops 1,550 killed; 7,750 wounded; 1,020 missing or captured; 10,320 total casualties

The Union Major General George B. McClellan Informed of the Confederate Army’s approach through a discovered battle plan at a Confederate campsite, the Union Army made way to Antietam to attack General Lee’s main force. Waiting a few days, the Union attacked. Though armed with enemy secrets, the Union’s weak strategy of holding headquarters too far away from the battle gave them less control. 87,000 troops 2,100 killed; 9,550 wounded; 750 missing or captured; 12,400 total casualties

Post Battle There was no true victorious side, though the Union was able to claim victory, as the Confederacy withdrew into Virginia. The Union had more than one opportunity to make their victory complete. McClellan was given Lee’s special orders for how his troops were to operate. McClellan had not acted. For months before the battle, President Abraham Lincoln had been gathering together a proclamation to free slaves from people who rebelled against the Union in the seceded states from the Union. After the battle, the proclamation finally came forth as the Emancipation Proclamation…because of the occurrences during the battle. The bloodiest day in American history for a war within a country itself isn’t great. The Emancipation Proclamation changed the war by putting slavery at the forefront.

The Battle of Antietam Cory and Jessica Social Studies 04/16/08