Antietam / Sharpsburg September 17,1862 Bloodiest single day in American History Bloodiest single day in American History

Antietam September 17, 1862 Maryland The Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg, was fought on September 16–18, It was a confrontation between Union and Confederate forces under Generals George McClellan and Robert E. Lee. Federal armies brutalized the Confederacy; the combined casualties were more than twenty-three thousand. The Union pushed Lee and his troops back to Antietam Creek, but the stubborn Confederate general counterattacked with all his troops. The two sides fought to a standstill, and both armies withdrew.

Ft. Sumter April 12, 1861

A. B > D. E. C. April, 12, 1861 July, 21, 1861 Spring / Summer 1862 Sept, Aug 29-30, 1862 Eastern Theatre Western Theatre

Antietam Location Sharpsburg, MD

Antietam, MD September 17, 1862 Lee – 50,000 McClellan – 75,000 After Lee moved North, he and his army were caught by the far superior Union forces at Sharpsburg. From start to finish the Union had many chances to turn the tide of battle. The battle was fought from 6:00 am until mid evening, and rolled south through the battle field (three stages) Over and Over McClellan failed to push Lee to the brink of collapse. * At the end of the day, over 22,000 lie dead and wounded in the fields of Md. * Considered a Union Tactical Victory since Lee had to return to VA. But all who were there know differently!

Commanders McClellanLee 75,000Less than 50,000

Why Lee moved North Shoes Shoes Supplies Supplies Men Men Food Food

Special Orders 191 Somebody dropped Lee’s orders! Somebody dropped Lee’s orders! It told McClellan every where Lee’s forces were, how spread out they were, etc.! It told McClellan every where Lee’s forces were, how spread out they were, etc.! McClellan doesn’t move!! Until 18 hours later!

3 Phase Battle

Phase 1: Corn Field Hooker Jackson

Fightin’ Joe Hooker 6:00 AM Confederates march through cornfield with bayonets fixed 6:00 AM Confederates march through cornfield with bayonets fixed Battle surges 15 times back and forth. In minutes 234 of 334 men wounded. Hooker wounded in foot. -Jackson sends reserves (Hood) angry bc of missing breakfast, early success but forced to retreat.

Phase 2: Sunken Road- Bloody Lane

Lee Orders to hold the road at all costs. Union attacks- get within yards and are fired upon- lines break and soldiers retreat. 5 counter attacks. Union attacks- get within yards and are fired upon- lines break and soldiers retreat. 5 counter attacks.

John Brown Gordon Confederate Commander John B Gordon- Shot 4 times (twice in right leg, once in left arm, left shoulder) REFUSED AID, and continued to command troops….hit in the face!

Burnside Bridge

Burnside’s Bridge McClellan promises to support Burnside’s bridge crossing attack. McClellan promises to support Burnside’s bridge crossing attack. Union Forces: 10k-12,500 men Union Forces: 10k-12,500 men Confederates: 400 SNIPERS Confederates: 400 SNIPERS High Ground, small area. High Ground, small area. (The movie, 300 scenario) (The movie, 300 scenario) 5 Charges and 3 hours to cross the bridge 5 Charges and 3 hours to cross the bridge Union takes the bridge…but not for long. Union takes the bridge…but not for long.

A.P. Hill Forces his men 17 miles on march Forces his men 17 miles on march Only to hit Burnside as he crosses the bridge Only to hit Burnside as he crosses the bridge Stops Union Army Stops Union Army McClellan does not provide Support promised to Burnside -Forced to retreat.

McClellan doesn’t push hard Many historians agree that, despite many opportunities, McClellan, for whatever reason, never threw his full force at Lee and may have lost an opportunity to destroy The Army of Northern Virginia.

Final Facts Battle ends in a draw Battle ends in a draw Since lee must return to Virginia…Union Tactical Victory Since lee must return to Virginia…Union Tactical Victory Bloodiest single Day in American History Bloodiest single Day in American History Union may have been able to wipe Lee out Union may have been able to wipe Lee out 22,500 casualties 22,500 casualties (12,000 union) (12,000 union) (10,500 CSA) This is nearly a quarter of Lee’s army. (10,500 CSA) This is nearly a quarter of Lee’s army. WAR BECOMES REAL- The Dead of Antietam Mathew Brady WAR BECOMES REAL- The Dead of Antietam Mathew Brady

Emancipation Proclamation After Antietam After Antietam Lincoln needed a Union victory Lincoln needed a Union victory September 21,1862 Lincoln Orders a draft of the EP September 21,1862 Lincoln Orders a draft of the EP

The Emancipation Proclamation January 1, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It was part of a two-part plan that guaranteed freedom to slaves in the Union and some Confederate states. The Confederate government claimed Lincoln could not issue laws over states in which he had no political control. The first plan, enacted on September 22, 1862, freed slaves in Confederate states that had not yet rejoined the Union. The second part took effect on January 1, 1863, applying to specific states, but not to the border states such as Maryland and West Virginia.

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? Freed the slaves in rebelling states. Freed the slaves in rebelling states. Why? Why?

Famous Meeting between Lincoln and McClellan, after Antietam…. …It did not end well! Game Over McClellan