Battle Of Antietam Essay

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The battle of Antietam took place on the 17 September 1862 at Antietam creek near Sharpsburg Maryland. This battle Is known to be of the bloodiest single day battle. The battle was fought between confederate army of Northern Virginia that was led by General Robert Lee, and the United States army of the Potomac that was led by General George B. McClellan. The battle of Antietam was a very crucial battle because it would shape America’s future. The battle was considered a draw and the North claimed victory. President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22 1862 freeing slaves.

The battle of Antietam was the first battle that was fought on northern territory. This battle is one of the bloodiest single day battles in American …show more content…

Both sides of the battle experienced very heavy casualties 23,000 all together. The union army suffered 12,400 and the confederates suffered 10,300. After this gruesome battle there so many wounded and dead it took several days to care for these soldiers. Around 100 homes and farms stepped up and cared for anywhere from 100 men to 1,000 men. Lots of studies showed that at least thousands of confederates were left behind for union doctors and hospitals to care of . A majority of the bodies were just buried exactly where they had been killed. Lee decided to retreat to Virginia by nightfall of September 18th. McClellan failed to pressure Lee, Lee was very vulnerable all around but the significance of the battle of Antietam would be the fact that he didn’t go after Lee. McClellan said that his soldiers were just way too tired and it would be difficult for them to attack again. The war had lasted another two years after the decision that McClellan had made about letting Lee escape. McClellan ware fired not long after the victory at Antietam, but President Lincoln was not very pleased. President Lincoln did not like that McClellan let Lee walk away and did not peruse him. President Lincoln was convinced that McClellan could not get the job done against General Lee and defeat him. He had enough and so later he had promoted General Burnside to commander of army of the Potomac. The north winning on norther soil proved a point to everyone. It was to be seen as a powerful army and can withstand brutal attacks. This war also brought light to Americans, a photographer Alexander Gardner took pictures of the wounded and dead at the battlefield. This made Americans realize the reality of war and that it was very serious. The battle of Antietam was one of the most important turning points in the Civil War. The battle itself led to President Lincoln issuing the Emancipation proclamation on