The Bloody Battle of Antietam
Synopsis
The Battle of Antietam in 1862 was the bloodiest battle of the bloodiest war in American history. General McClellan, commander of the Union army, pursued Gen. Lee into Maryland, first launching attacks against the Confederate army, then taking a defensive position behind Antietam Creek. Lee managed to counter McClellan's attacks, despite being outnumbered 2 to 1. The Union eventually managed to pierce the center of the Confederate army, but McClellan, cautious as ever, failed to follow up on his advantage, allowing the South to successfully counterattack and end the battle in a draw. The Confederates lost 10,000 men and the Union lost approximately 12,000, resulting in the most casualties in one battle in American history. The Union, however, claimed a victory on the grounds that the Confederate army left the battlefield first.
The Battle of Antietam had far-reaching implications, both militarily and politically. This was the last battle in which victory was within the grasp of the Confederates. Abraham Lincoln, deciding that a Union victory was enough, released his Emancipation Proclamation, changing the course of the nation forever. With a Union "victory" and the Emancipation Proclamation, any hope for foreign intervention on behalf of the South was irreversibly lost. The Battle of Antietam thus ranks as one of the most decisive battles of the Civil War.
The Battle of Antietam in 1862 was the bloodiest battle of the bloodiest war in American history. General McClellan, commander of the Union army, pursued Gen. Lee into Maryland, first launching attacks against the Confederate army, then taking a defensive position behind Antietam Creek. Lee managed to counter McClellan's attacks, despite being outnumbered 2 to 1. The Union eventually managed to pierce the center of the Confederate army, but McClellan, cautious as ever, failed to follow up on his advantage, allowing the South to successfully counterattack and end the battle in a draw. The Confederates lost 10,000 men and the Union lost approximately 12,000, resulting in the most casualties in one battle in American history. The Union, however, claimed a victory on the grounds that the Confederate army left the battlefield first.
The Battle of Antietam had far-reaching implications, both militarily and politically. This was the last battle in which victory was within the grasp of the Confederates. Abraham Lincoln, deciding that a Union victory was enough, released his Emancipation Proclamation, changing the course of the nation forever. With a Union "victory" and the Emancipation Proclamation, any hope for foreign intervention on behalf of the South was irreversibly lost. The Battle of Antietam thus ranks as one of the most decisive battles of the Civil War.
Sources:
1. Brady, Mathew. Battle of Antietam 1863. Digital image. Our World My Eye. N.p., n.d. Web.
2. Carpenter, Francis B. First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln. N.d. Painting. Wikipedia. Web
3. Burnside Holding the Hill. 1862. Newspaper. N.p
4. That Draft. 1862. Newspaper. N.p.
5. Not Up to Time. 1862. Newspaper. London.
1. Brady, Mathew. Battle of Antietam 1863. Digital image. Our World My Eye. N.p., n.d. Web.
2. Carpenter, Francis B. First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln. N.d. Painting. Wikipedia. Web
3. Burnside Holding the Hill. 1862. Newspaper. N.p
4. That Draft. 1862. Newspaper. N.p.
5. Not Up to Time. 1862. Newspaper. London.