Battle of Antietam
Robert E. Lee was coming off a victory at the battle of second Manassas and he believed that he had enough momentum necessary to possibly deliver a war-winning blow to the union army. Robert E. Lees Primary objective was to meet and defeat George McClellan’s army the Potomac. Lee had 40,000 men and McClellan 80,000 men. Antietam was a battle with international implications. At the start of Lee's campaign, England and France were major European powers, were on the verge of recognizing the confederacy as an independent nation. These European powers would give diplomatic and financial support to the confederacy and legitimacy of the eyes of the world. The battle of Antietam was a needed war to the Confederacy because it could prove the worthiness to the European powers. Because of the way the battle of Antietam went the South lost recognition from the European countries. At this time, Abraham Lincoln, poised to issue the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves. His cabinet advised that this act would look like desperation. The victory of the battle of Antietam would be enough to conclude the Emancipation Proclaimation. September 19th, 1862, Robert E. Lee, the confederate commander decided he would split his forces and issued special orders 191. September 13th, 1862, Union soldiers came across these orders named Lost Orders of Maryland Campaign. These orders gave McClellan info about how the forces were divided in two and the info he needs to attack Confederate forces on South Mountain September 14th, 1862. On that day, Union forces had taken control of three mountain passes. September 15th is the conclusion of Harper's Ferry Surrender. Early morning on September 17th, 1862, on the cornfield and east woods, on the northern half of the battlefield, Union forces took fire against Confederate forces but briefly retreated. They next advanced through the field and reached Dunkers church. As they arrived, the Confederate forces counter attacked. This made the Union forces retreat through the cornfield. But again attacked, crossing the cornfield to be helped by other Union soldiers. This concluded the North battle. This central battle happened on the sunken road when Union troops advanced on the Confederate's defensive position. The sunken road became a mass grave site when Confederate troupes were trapped by open fire. The third battle was when Burnsides advanced to the other side of the creek. Union troupes advanced to Sharpsburg and at the last moment, the AP Hills division arrived from Harpers Ferry to break the attack with a counter. Without a definitive win, the battle became a draw.in a 13-hour battle there had been over 23,190 casualties.
Following the battle, civilians watched the utter decimation of farms and barns, destroyed fences, and loose livestock. Homes turned into field hospitals for the wounded and dying. It took the city of Sharpsburg five years to fully recover.
Following the battle, civilians watched the utter decimation of farms and barns, destroyed fences, and loose livestock. Homes turned into field hospitals for the wounded and dying. It took the city of Sharpsburg five years to fully recover.