The Battle of Antietam & the Two Commanders

1. The Battle of Antietam September 17, 1862 The Battle of Antietam September 17, 1862

2. Robert E. Lee (CSA) George B. McClellan (USA) The Two Commanders The Two Commanders

3. General Robert E. Lees reasons for invading Maryland General Robert E. Lees reasons for invading Maryland To gather supplies and troops from the slave-holding border state of Maryland. To give the farmers in Virginia time to bring in their crops for the winter. To get military or political support from France and Great Britain. To damage Northern morale before the November elections. To bring the war north and threaten Washington, DC and other Northern cities. Defeat the Union army once and for all.

4. Battle Map Battle Map

5. The Cornfield and Dunker Church area saw some of U.S. Historys most horrific fighting. For nearly three hours Union and Confederate forces battled each other and were cut to pieces. Death in the Cornfield Death in the Cornfield

6. Outnumbered Confederates in the Sunken Road were able to withstand a Union frontal attack, but their line collapsed when flanked, resulting in tremendous casualties on both sides. Bloody Lane Bloody Lane

7. About 500 Confederates held this area overlooking the bridge for three hours until General Burnsides men finally captured it and crossed Antietam Creek. The Burnside Bridge The Burnside Bridge

8. Results of the Battle Results of the Battle The Battle of Antietam ended Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginias first invasion into the North The Confederate Army Retreats Back to Virginia

9. Results of the Battle Results of the Battle The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest single day battle in American History. 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing in a twelve-hour period. Dead soldiers in front of Dunker Church.

10. Results of the Battle Results of the Battle This battle also resulted in President Lincoln issuing the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation

11. Afterwards, the battlefield became a vast hospital and burial ground. Local residents returned to a scene of devastation. The Aftermath in Sharpsburg The Aftermath in Sharpsburg

12. The Mumma family farm was destroyed Surgeons try to care for the 19,000 wounded

13. Clara Barton helped the doctors take care of the wounded Clara Barton helped the doctors take care of the wounded

14. Soldiers were buried in mass graves where they fell until they were reburied in area cemeteries several years later. Soldiers were buried in mass graves where they fell until they were reburied in area cemeteries several years later.

15. Antietam Battlefield Today Antietam Battlefield Today Dunker Church

16. Antietam Battlefield Today Antietam Battlefield Today Bloody Lane

17. Antietam Battlefield Today Antietam Battlefield Today Burnside Bridge

18. Antietam Battlefield Today- National Cemetery Antietam Battlefield Today- National Cemetery