AntietamAntietam / / SharpsburgSharpsburgSeptember 17,1862September 17,1862

Bloodiest single day in American HistoryBloodiest single day in American History

AntietamAntietamSeptember 17, 1862September 17, 1862

Maryland

The Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg, was fought on

September 16–18, 1862. It was a confrontation between Union and

Confederate forces under Generals George McClellan and Robert E. Lee. Federal armies brutalized the Confederacy; the combined casualties were more than

twenty-three thousand. The Union pushed Lee and his troops back to Antietam Creek, but the stubborn Confederate

general counterattacked with all his troops. The two sides fought to a standstill, and

both armies withdrew.

Ft. Sumter April 12, 1861

A. B.

1862 ->

D. E.

C.

April, 12, 1861

July, 21, 1861

Spring / Summer 1862

Sept, 17 1862

Aug 29-30, 1862

Eastern Theatre

Western Theatre

Antietam LocationAntietam Location

Sharpsburg, MD

Antietam, MDSeptember 17, 1862Lee – 50,000McClellan – 75,000•After Lee moved North, he and his army were caught by the far superior Union forces at Sharpsburg.

•From start to finish the Union had many chances to turn the tide of battle.

•The battle was fought from 6:00 am until mid evening, and rolled south through the battle field (three stages)

•Over and Over McClellan failed to push Lee to the brink of collapse.

* At the end of the day, over 22,000 lie dead and wounded in the fields of Md.

* Considered a Union Tactical Victory since Lee had to return to VA.

But all who were there know differently!

CommandersCommanders

McClellan Lee75,000 Less than 50,000

Why Lee moved NorthWhy Lee moved NorthShoesShoesSupplies Supplies MenMenFoodFood

Special Orders 191Special Orders 191 Somebody dropped Somebody dropped

LeeLee’’s orders!s orders! It told McClellan every It told McClellan every

where Leewhere Lee’’s forces s forces were, how spread out were, how spread out they were, etc.!they were, etc.!

McClellan doesn’t move!! Until 18 hours later!

3 Phase Battle3 Phase Battle

Phase 1: Corn Field

HookerJackson

FightinFightin’’ Joe Hooker Joe Hooker6:00 AM Confederates march through 6:00 AM Confederates march through

cornfield with bayonets fixedcornfield with bayonets fixed

Battle surges 15 times back and forth.Battle surges 15 times back and forth.In minutes 234 of 334 men wounded.In minutes 234 of 334 men wounded.Hooker wounded in foot.Hooker wounded in foot.-Jackson sends reserves (Hood) angry bc of -Jackson sends reserves (Hood) angry bc of

missing breakfast, early success but missing breakfast, early success but forced to retreat. forced to retreat.

Phase 2: Sunken Road- Phase 2: Sunken Road- Bloody LaneBloody Lane

Lee Orders to hold the road at Lee Orders to hold the road at all costs.all costs.

Union attacks- get within yards and are Union attacks- get within yards and are fired upon- lines break and soldiers fired upon- lines break and soldiers retreat. 5 counter attacks.retreat. 5 counter attacks.

John Brown GordonJohn Brown Gordon

Confederate Commander John B Gordon- Shot 4 times (twice in right leg, once in left arm, left shoulder) REFUSED AID, and continued to command troops….hit in the face!

Burnside BridgeBurnside Bridge

BurnsideBurnside’’s Bridges BridgeMcClellan promises to support BurnsideMcClellan promises to support Burnside’’s s

bridge crossing attack. bridge crossing attack. Union Forces: 10k-12,500 menUnion Forces: 10k-12,500 menConfederates: 400 SNIPERS Confederates: 400 SNIPERS

High Ground, small area.High Ground, small area. (The movie, 300 scenario)(The movie, 300 scenario)5 Charges and 3 hours to cross the bridge5 Charges and 3 hours to cross the bridgeUnion takes the bridge…but not for long.Union takes the bridge…but not for long.

A.P. HillA.P. Hill Forces his men 17 miles on marchForces his men 17 miles on march Only to hit Burnside as he crosses the Only to hit Burnside as he crosses the

bridgebridge Stops Union ArmyStops Union Army

McClellan does not provideMcClellan does not provideSupport promised to BurnsideSupport promised to Burnside-Forced to retreat. -Forced to retreat.

McClellan doesnMcClellan doesn’’t push hardt push hard

Many historians agree that, despite Many historians agree that, despite many opportunities, McClellan, for many opportunities, McClellan, for whatever reason, never threw his full whatever reason, never threw his full force at Lee and may have lost an force at Lee and may have lost an opportunity to destroy The Army of opportunity to destroy The Army of Northern Virginia.Northern Virginia.

Final FactsFinal Facts Battle ends in a drawBattle ends in a draw Since lee must return to Virginia…Union Tactical Since lee must return to Virginia…Union Tactical

VictoryVictory Bloodiest single Day in American HistoryBloodiest single Day in American History Union may have been able to wipe Lee outUnion may have been able to wipe Lee out 22,500 casualties22,500 casualties (12,000 union)(12,000 union) (10,500 CSA) (10,500 CSA) This is nearly a quarter of LeeThis is nearly a quarter of Lee’’s army.s army. WAR BECOMES REAL- WAR BECOMES REAL- The Dead of Antietam The Dead of Antietam Mathew BradyMathew Brady

Emancipation Emancipation ProclamationProclamation

After AntietamAfter AntietamLincoln needed a Lincoln needed a

Union victoryUnion victorySeptember 21,1862 September 21,1862

Lincoln Orders a Lincoln Orders a draft of the EPdraft of the EP

The Emancipation ProclamationThe Emancipation ProclamationJanuary 1, 1863January 1, 1863

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It was part

of a two-part plan that guaranteed freedom to slaves in the Union and some

Confederate states. The Confederate government claimed Lincoln could not

issue laws over states in which he had no political control. The first plan, enacted on September 22, 1862, freed slaves in

Confederate states that had not yet rejoined the Union. The second part took

effect on January 1, 1863, applying to specific states, but not to the border states

such as Maryland and West Virginia.

What did the Emancipation What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?Proclamation do?

Freed the Freed the slaves in slaves in rebelling rebelling states.states.

Why?Why?

                                                                      

Famous Meeting between Lincoln and McClellan, after Antietam….

…It did not end well!

Game Over McClellan