The Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg happened on Sept. 17, 1862; it was mostly centered in the South. Attacks were made on Confederate General Robert Lee's troops by the troops of Major General George McClellan and Major General Joseph Hooker around Antietam Creek in Maryland. Major General Ambrose Burnside joined the fight against the confederates with Hooker and McClellan, however Confederate Major General A.P. Hill fought back Burnside, driving his forces back. Despite his small numbers, Lee sent all of his men to the line and was able to hold his own against McClellan's forces, although McClellan was able to keep Lee from invading Maryland, making this a strategic Union win. There was a total of 12,400 casualties, 2,100 being killed and 22,720 Confederate casualties, 3,650 being killed. It was a battle in the West, it being closer to the Mississippi River.
This battle was important because the Union troops were able to push back the Confederate troops to behind the Potomac River; also, McClellan was able to keep Lee from invading Maryland. It also affected the confederacy as it kept them from gaining aid from Britain or France. General McClellan's military career was also effectively ended by President Lincoln, as he was disappointed in his lack of organization. The battle however, was considered a turning point in the war, as it ended Lee's invasion of the North.
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Battle of Antietam
Abraham Lincoln and George McClellan
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This battle altered the course of the war because it stopped General Robert Lee from the Confederacy from going into the North and trying to expand his troops in which helped the Union stay strong even if there was an ample amount of casualties.
ReplyDeleteHow long did the Battle of Antietam last?
ReplyDeleteIt lasted until 5:30 pm the same day.
DeleteThe battle of Antietam is the reason Burnside was general in the Battle of Fredericksburg.
ReplyDeleteMaryland Campaign was the campaign of this battle. Other battles in this campaign were South Mountain, Shepherdstown, and Harpers Ferry.
ReplyDeleteI suppose this battle helped restrain the Confederacy from spreading North. This contained the Confederacy in their original areas.
ReplyDeleteThis battle was also key because Lincoln realized that he needed to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. The battle lasted from September 16-18, 1862.
ReplyDeleteThere was more than half a difference in the casualties between the Confederate and the Union troops.
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