Civil War: Battle of Antietam (Battle of Sharpsburg) – National Park Service Research & Histories

Description

Antietam: America’s Bloodiest Day

• September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam (also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg) takes place.
• Union General George B. McClellan’s Army engages Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.
• The battle occurs around the Potomac River near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek.
• This day is considered the “bloodiest day in American history” due to the high casualties.
• The battle results in 22,717 killed, wounded, or missing soldiers.
• Post-September 17, 1862: Many historians consider the Confederate loss at Antietam to be a turning point against the Confederacy in the Civil War.

Cast of Characters

• General George B. McClellan:Bio: A Union General who commanded the Union Army (referred to as “McClellan’s Army”) during the Battle of Antietam. He led the Union forces against Robert E. Lee’s Confederates.
• General Robert E. Lee:Bio: A Confederate General who commanded the Army of Northern Virginia during the Battle of Antietam. He led the Confederate forces against George B. McClellan’s Union Army.

Civil War: Battle of Antietam (Battle of Sharpsburg) – National Park Service Research & Histories

3,360 pages of histories and reports related to the Battle of Antietam often called the bloodiest day in American history, produced by the National Parks Service. Composed of studies, research reports, guides, handbooks, various histories covering the battle and the region where it took place, designs and plans, historical structure reports, lesson plans and other material.

The Battle of Antietam, also commonly referred to as the Battle of Sharpsburg particularly in the South, occurred on September 17, 1862.  The battle saw 22,717 killed, wounded, or missing. Union General George B. McClellan’s Army fought against Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia around the Potomac near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek. Many historians consider the loss to be a turning point against the Confederacy in Civil War.