Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam:
Date: September 16-18, 1862
Important People: Confederate Commanders - Robert E. Lee Union Commanders - George B. McClellan
Place(s) Occurred: Sharpsburg Washington County, Maryland Victory: Inconclusive (The Confederate retreat gave Abraham Lincoln the “victory” he desired before issuing the Emancipation Proclamation)
Casualties: There were 22,717 estimated casualties. North: 2,108 killed, 9,540 wounded, 753 missing/captured, and 12,401 total casualties. South: 1,546 killed, 7,752 wounded, 1,018 missing/captured,, and 10,316 total casualties.
Total Number of Soldiers: There were a total of 131,000 soldiers. There were 87,000 Union Soldiers and 45,000 Confederate Soldiers.
Known as: This war was the bloodiest single day in American military history that ended in a draw.
Cause & Effect: The Army of Potomac, led by George McClellan, mounted assaults against Robert E. Lee’s army near Sharpsburg, Maryland on September 17, 1862. The assault and Confederate counterattacks kept going from Miller’s cornfield to West Woods. Later, towards the middle of the battlefield Union assaults pierced the Confederate center. The major assault pushed the Confederate army over the bridge to Antietam Creek. Just as the Federal army began to collapse, the arrival of A.P. Hill helped draw back the Union’s army.
Why is it important: The most important thing about this battle was that the North was able to stop Lee's first invasion of the North. Robert E. Lee, outnumbered nearly three to one, held his lines after the battle, and then returned to Virginia. When the Confederates lost in the battle it meant that there was no quick way to end the war, and it also meant that the Confederates had no one else to help them including the government..they were all on their own. This battle was also considered as a temporary setback for the confederates because it killed there last hope for foreign intervention on the rebels.
Effect on Slavery & War: This battle affected the Civil War because it was the first major victory for the Union and it gave Lincoln the courage to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Also England and France pulled out of helping the South in the Civil War because this battle made them realize that the war would not be over soon. This war also showed England that one of the causes for the war was about slavery and England did not use slavery, so it kind of made them want to be more on the North’s side.
Advantages & Disadvantages of the North: Advantages - Had more people than the South, More Industrialized, Better fighting gear Disadvantages - Not very good generals, not familiar with the land
Advantages & Disadvantages of the South: Advantages - Better Generals, Familiar with the Land, England & France were on their Side Disadvantages - Not very good fighting gear, Smaller Army
How It Was Fought: The Battle of Antietam was fought along the “Antietam” River, that's where it got its name.
Date: September 16-18, 1862
Important People: Confederate Commanders - Robert E. Lee Union Commanders - George B. McClellan
Place(s) Occurred: Sharpsburg Washington County, Maryland Victory: Inconclusive (The Confederate retreat gave Abraham Lincoln the “victory” he desired before issuing the Emancipation Proclamation)
Casualties: There were 22,717 estimated casualties. North: 2,108 killed, 9,540 wounded, 753 missing/captured, and 12,401 total casualties. South: 1,546 killed, 7,752 wounded, 1,018 missing/captured,, and 10,316 total casualties.
Total Number of Soldiers: There were a total of 131,000 soldiers. There were 87,000 Union Soldiers and 45,000 Confederate Soldiers.
Known as: This war was the bloodiest single day in American military history that ended in a draw.
Cause & Effect: The Army of Potomac, led by George McClellan, mounted assaults against Robert E. Lee’s army near Sharpsburg, Maryland on September 17, 1862. The assault and Confederate counterattacks kept going from Miller’s cornfield to West Woods. Later, towards the middle of the battlefield Union assaults pierced the Confederate center. The major assault pushed the Confederate army over the bridge to Antietam Creek. Just as the Federal army began to collapse, the arrival of A.P. Hill helped draw back the Union’s army.
Why is it important: The most important thing about this battle was that the North was able to stop Lee's first invasion of the North. Robert E. Lee, outnumbered nearly three to one, held his lines after the battle, and then returned to Virginia. When the Confederates lost in the battle it meant that there was no quick way to end the war, and it also meant that the Confederates had no one else to help them including the government..they were all on their own. This battle was also considered as a temporary setback for the confederates because it killed there last hope for foreign intervention on the rebels.
Effect on Slavery & War: This battle affected the Civil War because it was the first major victory for the Union and it gave Lincoln the courage to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Also England and France pulled out of helping the South in the Civil War because this battle made them realize that the war would not be over soon. This war also showed England that one of the causes for the war was about slavery and England did not use slavery, so it kind of made them want to be more on the North’s side.
Advantages & Disadvantages of the North: Advantages - Had more people than the South, More Industrialized, Better fighting gear Disadvantages - Not very good generals, not familiar with the land
Advantages & Disadvantages of the South: Advantages - Better Generals, Familiar with the Land, England & France were on their Side Disadvantages - Not very good fighting gear, Smaller Army
How It Was Fought: The Battle of Antietam was fought along the “Antietam” River, that's where it got its name.