Battle Of Antietam Research Paper

Among the many battles of the Civil War, the Battle of Antietam had the greatest impact on the nation’s future. The Battle of Antietam was the climactic battle which lead to the beginning of the Civil War. The battle was the bloodiest, and helped build the future outcome of Civil War battles. The single bloodiest day in American history occurred on September 17, 1862 when Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia clashed with Union Major General George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac on the banks of Antietam creek, near the town of Sharpsburg, Maryland. Even though they were outnumbered two-to-one, the Army of Northern Virginia fought its opponent to a standstill, and was able to slip back across the Potomac River unmolested. During the course of the 12-hour battle, the overcautious General McClellan had several chances to crush the main army of the Confederacy, and each time failed to take advantage of the opportunities. Even though greatly upset at McClellan for not winning a smashing victory, President Abraham Lincoln seized the opportunity to issue his Emancipation Proclamation, which declared all slaves in rebellious states to …show more content…
Lee decided to seize the initiative by launching an invasion of the North. Lee reasoned that a campaign into Maryland and Pennsylvania would bring many benefits. First, he would be transferring his army from the war-ravaged ground of Virginia into territory where he could easily forage for supplies. Second, Maryland's loyalty to the Union was questionable, and Lee was hopeful of recruiting new soldiers to fill his army. Third, he might be able to crush the Union's main army, the Army of the Potomac, north of Washington. That could lead to recognition of the Confederacy by European powers, as the American victory at Saratoga in the Revolution had secured French