The Battle of Antietam

Paper Summary:

The paper describes the Battle of Antietam as the bloodiest single-day battle of the Civil War. The paper portrays the destruction and subsequent truce and reveals that this battle sealed the fate for whoever prevailed and is considered the turning point of the Civil War.

From the Paper:

"After coming out of the Second Battle of Bull Run with a massive victory over the Union, General Robert E. Lee and his Confederate Army moved north with every intention of achieving another victory. Due to a few disruptions in Lee's plan, the Union gained a great advantage over the Confederates. With the Union General George McClellan in position on the east bank of the Antietam Creek, and Lee scrambling to organize his troops, the pieces of the puzzle were fit together for the bloodiest single day battle of the Civil War. McClellan stated, "One battle lost, and almost all would have been lost. Lee's army might then have marched as it pleased on Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, or New York." This battle sealed the fate for whoever prevailed, and is considered the turning point of the Civil War. Later viewed as a "victory" for the Union, the battle was actually ended as a truce between a general from each side after the Confederates demolished what was left of the Union."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Lee, General R. E., Chilton R. H. Special Orders, No. 191. Sept. 9, 1862. <http://www.nps.gov/archive/anti/order_191.htm>
• McPherrson, James M. Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam. Oxford University Press. 2002. Pages 108-109.
• Sears, Stephen W. Landscapes Turned Red The Battle of Antietam. First Mariner Books. 2003. Pages 153-246.
• United States Department of the Interior. Antietam National Park. Plaque No. 315.
• United States Department of the Interior. Antietam National Park.

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• Analytical Essay # 6924 : "Impact of the Battle of Antietam"
• Essay # 4579 : "Overview of the Battle of Antietam"

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