Battle Analysis

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The battle of Antietam is known as the bloodiest single day in American history during the Civil war. The battle took place near Sharpsburg, Maryland on September 17, 1862 between the Union Army of the Potomac under the command of General George McClellan and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia led by General Robert E Lee. The battle of Antietam is known as the bloodiest day in American history because there was one casualty every 2 seconds for the 12 hours the battle lasted totaling 23,000 men killed or wounded in the fields, woods and dirt roads, and it changed the course of the Civil War. (Bowman, 2012) This was Robert E. Lee’s first invasion of the north. Following his recent victories over the Union during the Seven Days battles and Second Manassas, Lee wanted to continue his good fortunes with an attack into Maryland. (Antietam, 2013) General Lee planned to take his troops to pressure northern politicians to liberate Maryland so that he could add another state to the Confederate’s cause, with hopes of defeating the union on Northern soil and forcing European countries to support the Confederacy. However he was intercepted by General McClellan who marched 87,000 union soldiers from Washington. On the dawn of 17 September the battle of Antietam began after General Robert E Lee marched 45,000 soldiers from northern Virginia to invade the North with the hopes of defeating the union. General Lee with half the Soldiers of General McClellan decided to split his forces sending half of his soldiers south to capture Harpers Ferry under the command of General Stonewall Jackson and the other half to take Hagerstown. Once General Jackson captured Harpers Ferry he was to meet back up with General Lee in Hager... ... middle of paper ... ...l war academy.com: http://www.civilwaracademy.com/Antietam.html Battle of Antietam. (2009). Retrieved from History.com: http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-antietam Bowman, T. (2012, September 17). Antietam: A Savage Day In American History. Retrieved from NPR: http://www.npr.org/2012/09/17/161248814/antietam-a-savage-day-in-american-history Heisey, C. (n.d.). Antietam. Retrieved from civil war trust: http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/antietam.html?tab=facts Mitchell, B. (2007, September 06). antietam battlefield still holds valuable lessons. Retrieved from Sound off: http://www.ftmeadesoundoff.com/news/4665/antietam-battlefield-still-holds-valuable-lessons/ Union troops discover Rebels' Antietam battle plan. (2014). Retrieved from The History Channel website.: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-union-discovers-lost-order.

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