The Battle of Antietam Creek

September 16-18, 1862, outside of the town of Sharpsburg, Maryland, between the Potomac River and Antietam Creek, was the location of the bloodiest battle in American history. Confederate Colonel Stephen D. Lee described it as “Artillery Hell” because of the frightful toll on his gunners and horses from Federal counter battery and infantry fire. (AotW, 2014) The battle of Antietam, or the Battle of Sharpsburg, would collect an estimated 23,100 total casualties (Luvaas and Nelson, 1987). The body count far exceeded any of the other three battles waged in the Maryland Campaign (Harpers Ferry, South Mountain, and Shepherdstown). This battle was a contributing factor in the outcome of our country and the rest of the world. The Union Army

The Civil war cut our nation in two, Americans fighting Americans, brother against brother. A key battle fought westward was the turning point in the war: the Battle of Vicksburg.

No other war seems to hold our focus like the Civil War. Scholars have chosen to make it their life's work, authors have written reams about it, and we all feel some kind of connection to the Civil War. This paper was created to highlight some of the major battles that took place during that conflict. Major battles usually marked a drastic change in the momentum from one side to the other or led to massive losses of troops. These battles and their results all played a huge part in the outcome of the war.

After Shiloh the South would never smile again. Known originally as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, The Battle of Shiloh was the bloodiest battle fought in North America up to that time. Pittsburg Landing was an area from where the Yankees planned to attack the Confederates who had moved from Fort Donelson to Corinth, Mississippi. The North was commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant and the South by General Albert Sydney Johnston.

As the bloodiest single-day in American history, the battle of Antietam shifted Union confidence sufficiently enough to serve as an early turning point in the Civil War while simultaneously discouraging international support towards the Confederacy. On September 17, 1862, Major General George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac met General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia at Antietam Creek in what would become one of the most significant early battles of the Civil War.

The people fighting in this war included the Confederates and the Union, like most battles during the U.S. Civil War. The battle took place around 10 miles northeast of Richmond, Virginia. Richmond is the Confederates capital so this area was somewhat familiar to them, which is a benefit.

The battle of Gettysburg and Vicksburg in 1863 were the most significant battles of the civil war. These battles changed the tide of the war greatly by crippling the Confederate forces while providing hope for the Union. While both battles were won by completely different strategies both contributed greatly to the end result of the “Terms of Military Convention” which was the souths defeat agreement. These battles defended the north, reduced the fighting power of the south and pushed the remaining confederate’s forces back.

The battle of Antietam was the most important battle in the Civil War because of many various reasons. There were three reasons why the battle of Antietam was important. The reasons were because of the Emancipation Proclamation; it was turning point for North, and it strengthened the North.

Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard and Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. Each were in charge of their respective armies, while Johnston was commander for the battle. Also, there was Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson who contributed significantly to the Confederates victory. This contribution would earn him the nickname “Stonewall”.

The book Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam, was written by James M. McPherson to argue why the Battle of Antietam was the battle that changed the cause of the Civil War. While McPherson argued this he also argues that the Civil War had many other turning points and was not settled by just one battle. McPherson’s targeted audience would have to be those interested in the Civil War and the events that led to it. McPherson wrote this great book which came to be an important contribution to our collective historical knowledge and understanding because this book explains the important arguments that took place and made the Civil War happen and stop.

The Battle of Antietam took place on 17 September 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland. The battle was fought between General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia and General McClellan’s Army of the Potomac. Although the battle lasted only 12 hours, it was a significant point of the American Civil War, as well as the deadliest day in history. Tactically the battle was considered a draw, but the North claimed strategic victory and President Lincoln published the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing hundreds of thousands of slaves.

The civil war was a conflict about the expansion of slavery into western territories. The compromise of 1820 and 1850 tried to maintain an unbalanced government between free and union state. The southern states seceded from the union because they feared Abraham Lincoln in 1860 when he got elected. The war started 1861 through 4 long 4 bloody years later. The Northern Union states fought against the southern Confederate states. The northern Union won the civil war. Their was 620,000 death toll. The battle of Antietam took place in Sharpsburg, Maryland. The battle of Antietam was the first battle in the civil war to be fought on northern soil. The impact of Antietam was that it turned out to be the bloodiest day in American History.

The Confederate invasion of the North in September of 1862 was an attempt by Robert E. Lee to swing the war in favor of the South. The main reason for the Confederate invasion was that the British were on the verge of recognizing the Confederacy if they could show it could hold its own, and Lee was anxious to provide a cornerstone for the Confederacy to build upon. The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest day in American history and was a major blow to the Army of Northern Virginia and the morale of the south. This is the tableau against which our story unfolds.

This complicated war full of bloodshed and death started merely by an assault of a Confederate left flank. Deemed the single most deadly day in American military history, the Union (who had more men) swept many attacks towards the Confederate army. Even though the South had more spirit and useful tactics the sheer numbers of the Union made this battle one to remember. They fought for many hours in Miller's cornfield to then make a last stand at Antietam Creek. With the only sign of cover being trees and the stone bridge which was worn by bullets and bodies you could tell this fight was going to be bad. The Union captured the bridge and with a final push and counter attack from another Union division the Union were victorious and were another

Hooker (at the time) served under General George B. McClellan, he did not get the promotion or the opportunity to command the soldiers of the Union also known as the Army of the Potomac. The position was instead given to Major General Ambrose Burnside by President Abraham Lincoln. Major General Ambrose Burnside initially rejected the offer because of his loyalty to his friend Major General George B. McClellan and because he did not feel confident in commanding such a large force.3 Despite his spoken concern of inability to lead, he assumed command of the Army of the Potomac because he dislike Col. Hooker, who was next to take command. Only month later, Major General Ambrose Burnside was removed from his command of the Army of the Potomac due to his poor decision making during the battle of Fredericksburg. After these events, Col. Hooker was then promoted to General Joseph Hooker and placed in command of the Army of the Potomac.