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Battle Of Antietam Essay

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Up to this point the Battle of Antietam is the bloodiest single day not only in the American Civil War but also in American history. The Civil War is remembered for some of the most horrific tragedies and have echoed through time. Antietam was particularly tragic due to the staggering human cost as well as the mistakes made by the North. The Union Army could have shaped the course of the war with a decisive victory, instead, the lack of adherence to the principles of command and bad leadership led the Union to waste these opportunities. Introduction The events leading up to September 17, 1862 shaped many of the problems encountered that day. Months before the Battle of Antietam the Union and Confederate Armies had started offensive campaigns …show more content…

Due to these successes he became largely popular and increased morale in the North and the Union soldiers. Although, he created many enemies in the political realm by often making politically charged statements differing from national policy, which in turn created tension between himself and Lincoln. Despite the strained relationship between McClellan and Lincoln and likely due to his past successes, the President recalled and granted him the command over the Army of the Potomac, which created defensive measures for the North. While in command, McClellan continued to frustrate Lincoln time and time again by delaying offensive action against the Confederacy. On March 17, 1862 McClellan finally initiated the Peninsula Campaign by conducting an amphibious turning movement southeast and invading Virginia from Fort …show more content…

General Lee’s offensive proved successful despite some initial errors and forced Major General McClellan to withdraw from the peninsula. Even though General Lee was unable to destroy the Army of the Potomac in the defeat of the Peninsula Campaign he still managed to make a valuable blow to Major General McClellan’s reputation and gain something even more valuable, experience with his tactics. After the Peninsula Campaign had ended and due to the Union defeat at Bull Run, Lincoln ordered Major General McClellan to reform the Army of the Potomac and defend the

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Generals Robert E. Lee and George B. McClellan were the major commanders in the spotlight of the combat. These two men were completely different and the battle effected them in a weird way. While McClellan officially won the the battle and Lee lost it, his lack actions before, during and after the battle caused him his job and a Chief Commander, as opposed to Lee who´d always been respected gained even more respect by his campaign in Maryland and battle tactics at Sharpsburg. Despite removing McClellan from his position, President Lincoln achieved something that altered the course of American History once and for all, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The bloody battle of Antietam, was one of the most significant and most peculiar battles fought in the history of the USA; not only were the battle plans revealed before the battle even started, but the question is whether the Union took a full advantage of the leaked out document, evidence of which is not really straightforward in the course of the battle itself.

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Over the summer and fall George B. McClellan built up his army. McClellan was appointed commander of the Military Division of the Potomac the force that was responsible with protecting Washington. , McClellan Combined 20 of the military units in Virginia that were a part of his department to form the Army of the Potomac with him has it's head. McClellan greatly improved this army, he brought great organization to this army and also greatly improved the morale of his men. To defend Washington he organized/built a almost impregnable defense consisting of 48 forts and strong points, with 480 guns manned by 7,200 artillerists.

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He was afraid to risk failure so he never would risk doing anything. On the other hand, the Confederates leaders had General Robert E. Lee, who commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. He was considered a big risk taker. McClellan was not too worried about Lee or his army thinking that Lee was weak and too cautious but Lee was anything but that. General Lee gathered as many men as was available and attacked General McClellan on June 26, 1862 repeatedly for seven days.

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This defeat caused Lincoln to strip McClellan of his command and placed others in charge, who not knowing how to command, held their troops back giving Generals of the Confederacy the upper hand. This upper hand proved useful for the Confederates, as they pushed the idling troops back through Bull Run again. This upset Lincoln to the point he re-installed McClellan of his leadership role, in hopes that he would lead the Union army to a

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The Battle technically lasted 3 days, September 16-18 1862, although, the main fighting was only on the 17th. George McClellan was the Union General of the troops in that Battle, and Robert. E. Lee was the confederate General. Lee was at a disadvantage because his army was half the size of McClellan’s army. Both sides suffered about 10,000 casualties and the Battle was generally considered a tie, it was thought that the Union army could have shattered Lee’s army if they had pursued him back south.

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Yet another tactical error on the part of General McClellan was not renewing his attack on Lee’s forces on 18 September. Lee’s forces were still in their position and McClellan had that numerical advantage which now included 30,000 fresh troops decided not to attack. This allowed Lees the opportunity and time to retreat across the Potomac and

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The Battle of Antietam (or Sharpsburg) on September 17, 1862, climaxed the first of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's two attempts to carry the war into the North. About 40,000 Southerners were pitted against the 87,000-man Federal Army of the Potomac under Gen. George B. McClellan. And when the fighting ended, the course of the American Civil War had been greatly altered. After his great victory at Manassas in August, Lee had marched his Army of Northern Virginia into Maryland, hoping to find vitally needed men and supplies. McClellan followed, first to Frederick (where through rare good fortune a copy of the Confederate battle plan, Lee's Special Order No. 191, fell into his hands), then westward 12 miles to the passes of South Mountain.

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After the recognition of destruction and death struck General Lee, the Confederate Army retreated back to Virginia on September 18th. Reacting as a cautious leader would, McClellan hesitated attacking the vulnerable troops of the Confederate’s as they escaped back into the safety of the South. With both sides wounded and tired, Lee’s bluster to keep the fight going gave the Confederates enough time to gather their wounded and abscond the scene of battle. After Lee took his soldiers back South, McClellan wrote ‘that after a “careful survey of the situation and condition of our army, the strength and position of the enemy, I concluded that the success of an attack on the 18th was not certain”’. McClellan’s hesitation in pursuit was seen as a

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As said before McClellan was a tough candidate to go against most people thought McClellan was gonna take his spot in the presidential election, because Lincoln was having a hard time finding generals to lead us in the war. At the same time Mr.McClellan was being very successful. At one point he was Lincoln's own general and leaded the Union to the battle of Antietam. Lincoln was quoted saying “He was overly careful and slow to act, if he's not gonna use the army, I would like to borrow it.”

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The Civil War is considered to be the bloodiest episodes of warfare in American History. During this war, there were numerous well known battles. One of the most famous battles was called the Second Battle of Bull Run. The Second Battle of Bull Run was fought over August 28-30, 1862. Although this battle lasted only 3 days, there were approximately 22,000 casualties during this span.

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The Battle of Antietam was located in Sharpsburg, Maryland which was said to be one of the bloodiest days in American History due to the high number of casualties on both sides. People have also given the name of this historical battle ”Artillery Hell”. Due to the high number of deaths, the importance of rank structure during this battle was extremely important. Key personnel were directly in the mist of battle because of how fast the battle field was unfolding. The equipment used in this battle especially the artillery pieces are one of the main reasons this day was so bloody.

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Although victorious, Confederate forces were too disorganized to pursue. By July 22, the shattered Union army reached the safety of Washington. The Battle of Bull Run convinced the Lincoln administration and the North that the Civil War would be a long and costly affair. McDowell was relieved of command of the Union army and replaced by Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, who set about reorganizing and training the

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The Battle of Gettysburg was a three day fight in which an estimate of 51,000 soldiers were killed in total, but besides all of the casualties, what else makes this battle special? The Battle of Gettysburg was a huge factor in the abolishment of slavery. It is one of the most important battles because it created new war strategies and was the turning point in the Civil War, which led to the Gettysburg Address. The Confederate general, Robert E. Lee, was very confident because of his army utmost victory.

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McClellan in charge of the Union armed forces responsible for their actions defending Washington D.C., against General E. Lee’s occupation. Which McClellan’s Army of the Potomac skirmish was first with General Lee’s men around the time September 14th, also with the Confederates were forced to retreat after being blocked at the passes of the South Mountain. Although General Lee had considered them turning back toward the Virginia area, although news of Jackson’s capture of the Harper’s Ferry finally had reached him around the times of September 15th. That victory even convinced him to stay where he was, and make a stand near the Sharpsburg, Maryland area at the time.

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Lincoln called for 500,000 troops on both sides settled for a long battle. Abraham surprised a lot of people by proving to be a more than a capable wartime leader. He learned quickly about strategy and tactics in the early years of the Civil War, and choosing the best commanders. General George McClellan continually frustrated Lincoln with his unwillingness to advance, and when McClellan failed to see Robert Lee’s retreating Confederate Army in the outcome of the Union victory at Antietam in September 1862. Antietam is a creek of north Maryland emptying into the Potomac

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