Battle Of Antietam Essay

Introduction

The Battle of Antietam was one the first Civil War battles that took place. The Battle of Antietam, also known as The Battle of Sharpsburg, resulted in not only the bloodiest day of the American Civil War, but the bloodiest single day in all of American history. It pitted Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia against Union General George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac and was the culmination of Lee’s attempt to invade the north. The Battle of Antietam to a great extent had a profound impact on the Civil War. The Battle of Antietam had a significant positive impact on the outcome of the civil war giving the north the upper hand. The resulting of Emancipation Proclamation further divided the north and

Gen. George McClellan, mounted a series of powerful assaults against General Robert E.In early September, Robert E. Lee chosen to capitalize on his unused force. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia about 55,000 men entered the state of Maryland over the Potomac Waterway on September 3, 1862, following their victory at Second Bull Run on August 30. Encouraged by victory, the Accomplice authority planning to take the war into enemy territory. Lee's invasion of Maryland was expecting to run at the same time with an attack of Kentucky by the armed forces of Braxton Bragg and Edmund Kirby Smith.His objective was to overcome Union powers on their possess arrive, which would bring an conclusion to the war and fixing Accomplice freedom.another objective the south had was to make maryland a

Lee original plan was to attack the Union army at Sharpsburg, Maryland.Lee hoped to gain assistance and full control of Maryland since it was border state.In order to do this, Lee sent about 45,000 men to fight and the Union had about 87,000 men. Lee's forces and the Confederacy were outnumbered. Union general George B. McClellan was defending the small town of Sharpsburg, Maryland. He did not anticipate that the Confederate would attack. The two sides Met at Antietam Creek Early in the morning of September 17th, 1862, Lee's troops invaded Maryland. The battle started on the morning of September 17, 1862 when the Union army, under General Joseph Hooker, attacked the Confederate army.First the Union would attack, then the Confederates would counterattack.Throughout the day the battle would continue, it was back fourth battles. The fighting was savage and the day would be remember as one of the bloodiest in American history. In spite being outnumbered, the Confederate army kept of fighting and held their ground throughout the day. The Union commander, Major General George B. McClellan failed to fully develop a coordinated plan of attack with his corps commanders. As a result, the Battle of Antietam was fought in three, uncoordinated phases throughout the day on September 17,