Battle of Antietam: Difference between revisions

 

After pursuing [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] Gen. [[Robert E. Lee]] into [[Maryland]], [[Major general (United States)|Maj. Gen.]] [[George B. McClellan]] of the [[Union Army]] launched attacks against Lee's army who were in defensive positions behind Antietam Creek. At dawn on September 17, Maj. Gen. [[Joseph Hooker]]'s corps mounted a powerful assault on Lee's left flank. Attacks and counterattacks swept across Miller's Cornfield, and fighting swirled around the [[Schwarzenau Brethren|Dunker Church]]. Union assaults against the Sunken Road eventually pierced the Confederate center, but the Federal advantage was not followed up. In the afternoon, Union Maj. Gen. [[Ambrose Burnside]]'s corps entered the action, capturing a stone bridge over Antietam Creek and advancing against the Confederate right. At a crucial moment, Confederate Maj. Gen. [[A. P. Hill]]'s division arrived from [[Harpers Ferry]] and launched a surprise counterattack, driving back Burnside and ending the battle. Although outnumbered two-to-one, Lee committed his entire force, while McClellan sent in less than three-quarters of his army, enabling Lee to fight the Federals to a standstill. During the night, both armies consolidated their lines. In spite of crippling casualties, Lee continued to skirmish with McClellan throughout September 18, while removing his battered army south of the [[Potomac River]].<ref>[http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/md003.htm NPS].</ref>

 

McClellan had halted Lee's invasion of Maryland, but his army had suffered heavier losses and Lee was able to withdraw his army back to [[Virginia]] without interference. McClellan's refusal to pursue Lee's army led to his removal from command by President [[Abraham Lincoln]] in November. Although the battle was [[Tactical victory|tactically]] inconclusive, the Confederate troops had withdrawn first from the battlefield and abandoned their invasion, making it a Union strategic victory. It was enough of a victory to give Lincoln the confidence to announce his [[Emancipation Proclamation]], which by freeing more than 3.5 million [[slaves]] in the Confederate states, began the process of [[emancipation]] of all remaining persons legally considered slaves within the [[United States]] and in doing so, discouraged the British and French governments, which were strongly opposed to slavery and had in fact abolished slavery prior to the [[American Civil War]], from recognizing the Confederacy.