Overview of the Battle of Antietam

Paper Summary:

September 17, 1862, was the turning point in the Civil War. On that day, the Battle of Antietam was fought near Antietam Creek in Sharpsburg, Maryland, and it resulted in the bloodiest day of warfare in American history. Knowing as we do that the Union army was victorious, the events surrounding the Battle of Antietam may seem insignificant to some, as it was just one in a lengthy serious of battles. Antietam, however, was in fact the turning point that the North so desperately needed to secure an overall victory in the Civil War.

From the Paper:

"In the days leading up to the Battle of Antietam, the Confederate forces had failed to advance to the north and had no way of escaping enemy fire. Their only way of escape was the Potomac River and the Confederate army refused to retreat. The Confederate stronghold on Harper s Ferry was weakening with the advance of Union troops and a loss could turn the war at any time. Although badly outnumbered, General Robert E. Lee of the south went against his better judgment and held his troops near Antietam Creek. The Confederate soldiers were running low on morale and were in desperate need of a victory. The Union general, George B. McClellan, decided to advance his troops to Sharpsburg and attack Lee s army by dawn of the seventeenth."

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