Battle of Antietam

By avery.murray

  • Before Antietam

    Before Antietam
    The Battle of Antietam took place towards the middle of the Civil War. General George McClellan of the Union readied up his troops containing more than 87,000 soldiers. At the same time, General Robert E. Lee had his army of 45,000 prepared.

  • 6:00-7:00 am

    6:00-7:00 am
    Early in the morning on September 17, 1862, the confederate army, led by Robert E. Lee, was confronted by George McClellan and his army from the Union. This took place near Sharpsburg, Virginia.

  • Fight for the Cornfield

    Fight for the Cornfield
    The "fight for the cornfield" took place in the late morning. This took place north of Sharpsburg in Miller's cornfield. For four straight hours, the two sides fought as they made their way towards the Sunken Road. General William French led the Union troops while Confederate General Daniel Harvey Hill led his army into the battle at Sunken Road which quickly gained the nickname Bloody Lane.

  • Antietam Creek

    Antietam Creek
    In the afternoon, the troops had met up at a bridge that crossed the Antietam Creek. This bridge would become Burnside's Bridge because of the Union General Ambrose Burnside. Burnside is saved when General A.P. Hill and his troops arrive at the scene from Harper's Ferry.

  • Evening Phase

    Evening Phase
    Even with all the casualties, the groups continued to fight. After it started to get dark, General Robert E. Lee sent his troops to retreat across the Potomac River and into the Shenandoah Valley.

  • The Results

    The Results
    The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War resulting in 22,717 casualties. The Union had lost 12,401 soldiers due to being captured, lost, or killed. The South lost 10,316. The battle was inconclusive but President Abraham Lincoln claimed victory soon after.

  • References

    "American Civil War Battle of Antietam." Ducksters, www.ducksters.com/history/civil_war/battle_of_antietam.php.
    "Antietam Sharpsburg." American Battlefield Trust, www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/antietam. Accessed 11 Dec. 2019.
    Sandhu, Simrun. " The Battle of Antietam: A Two Fold Turning Point." The Battle of Antietam: A Two Fold Turning Point, 57283302.weebly.com/antietam.html#:~:targetText=The%20Morning%20Phase%3A%20The%20battle,hours%2C%20Union%20General%20William%20H.