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U. S. CIVIL WAR
PHOTOGRAPHS
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SHARPSBURG (ANTIETAM)
(PAGE 1 OF 13)
OUR VISIT TO SHARPSBURG
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Antietam - September 17, 1862 26
Federal Artillery on the day of the battle.
Note the observer in the foreground.
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OVERVIEW
September 16-18, 1862
Estimated Casualties: 23,100 total
On September 16, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan confronted Lee's Army of Northern
Virginia at Sharpsburg,
Maryland. At dawn September 17, Hooker's corps mounted a powerful assault on
Lee's left flank that began the single bloodiest day in
American military history. Attacks and counterattacks swept across Miller's cornfield and fighting
swirled around the Dunker Church. Union assaults against the Sunken Road
eventually pierced the Confederate center, but the Federal advantage was not
followed up. Late in the day, Burnside's corps finally got into action, crossing the stone bridge over Antietam
Creek and rolling up the Confederate right. At a crucial moment, A.P. Hill's
division arrived from Harpers Ferry and
counterattacked, driving back Burnside and saving the day. 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 the 18th, while removing his wounded south of the river.
McClellan did not renew the assaults. After dark, Lee ordered the battered Army
of Northern Virginia to withdraw across the Potomac into the Shenandoah Valley.
(Text Source: U.S. Gov't, National Park Service)
Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg)--Army of the Potomac, Sept. 17, 1862
Gen. Geo. B. McClellan, comm. Lithograph, hand colored [1888].
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Notes
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