ANTIETAM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

Sharpsburg, MD

Antietam is known as the bloodiest battle/day in the Civil War and US History. It lasted a total of 12 hours with equal casualties on each side. Antietam happened near the Potomac River in Maryland, about 60 miles from DC. It started in !862, when slavery was still legal. Maryland was border state. This battle was lead by General Robert E. Lee (Confederacy) and General George B. McClellan (Union).  Robert E Lee had the support of France due to cotton trading but had a disadvantage of fewer soldiers than the Union. The main part of the battle took place on Bloody Lane, before was called Sunken Road. Within * hours thousands of soldiers from both sides have fallen. Cornfield and Dunker Church saw the bloodiest part of this war where both sides wee cut to pieces.

Clara Barton,  arrives at Antietam at The Cornfield. She would walk to where the smoke was heaviest and care for the injured men in the field. As she was caring for a man in this battle, he was shot in the chest and killed. Being in the heat of the battle, she was forced to move on. Because of heroic acts like this, she was known as "the Angel of the Battle Field".

Charlie King, a little drummer was killed during the Battle of Antietam. His commanding officer promised his father he would be in a safe place before the war took place.

Bloody Lane, the second biggest part of the battle. This battle mostly consisted of Irish soldiers, and were found in the Sunken Road. Before, the Sunken road was a short cut around the town. Was Burnside Bridge was also and important battle site which was recently restored brick, by brick.

The conclusion of this battle was a very important Union Victory. General Lee retreated after having started his first invasion on Union Soil. 23,000 soldiers were reported killed, wounded or missing after Lee's troops retreated. Due to all of these deaths and wounds, the battlefield then became and hospital and memorial/burial ground. The battle lasted for 12 hour because soldiers were falling every second. The casualties are almost even but the Confederate had less soldiers than Union so the had more casualties

In the Antietam hospital, civilians would come and help with the people in the hospital. They helped with amputations, and healing those who might've been shot. This effected many of the families nearby. One family's home was burned down during the operation of this hospital.

The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the south. Abraham hoped that European countries  will begin to help the union. Jeremiah Cornelia was enlisted into the army because the proclamation let black people into the army. His owner was mad and tracked him dow. Because he was younger than 18, his owner could take him back to Maryland.

Confederates regroups back at Virginia. England and France stand back because of the Emancipation Proclamation and switch sides to the Union.

General Lee sent out copies of his plan called the Special 101. His plans stated the position of troops and amount of ammunition. Unfortunately, the plan was dropped in Maryland where Union soldiers found it wrapped in cigars. The plan went up the chain of commands and General McClennan took it. He did not act upon it though.