Four thin brigades guarded the ridges near Sharpsburg, primarily a low plateau known as Cemetery Hill. (The ford at Williamsport, Maryland, was 10 miles (16 km) northwest from Sharpsburg and had been used by Jackson in his march to Harpers Ferry. This contributed to his cautiousness throughout the campaign. McClellan issued the order at 9:10. Command of his I Corps fell to General Meade, since Hooker's senior subordinate, James B. Ricketts, had also been wounded. Lee withdrew from the battlefield first, the technical definition of the tactical loser in a Civil War battle. The results of Antietam also allowed President Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, which gave Confederate states until January 1, 1863, to return or else lose their slaves. General-in-Chief Henry W. Halleck wrote in his official report, "The long inactivity of so large an army in the face of a defeated foe, and during the most favorable season for rapid movements and a vigorous campaign, was a matter of great disappointment and regret. [104][105], "Antietam" redirects here. In an effort to turn the Confederate left flank and relieve the pressure on Mansfield's men, Sumner's II Corps was ordered at 7:20 a.m. to send two divisions into battle. [55] The fighting on September 17, 1862, killed 7,650 American soldiers. Gen. George L. Hartsuff and Col. William A. Christian—had difficulties reaching the scene. 366–72. John F. Farnsworth, Richard H. Rush, Andrew T. McReynolds, and Benjamin F. Davis. Alpheus Williams assumed temporary command of the XII Corps.[41][42]. (Gordon received 5 serious wounds in the fight, twice in his right leg, twice in the left arm, and once in the face. Concerned that his men would bolt under fire, he marched them in a formation that was known as "column of companies, closed in mass," a bunched-up formation in which a regiment was arrayed ten ranks deep instead of the normal two. The Union soldiers looking on were likely members of the. "Stonewall" Jackson's capture of Harpers Ferry and McClellan's assault through the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Battle of South Mountain. The Cornfield, an area about 250 yards (230 m) deep and 400 yards (400 m) wide, was a scene of indescribable destruction. Overall, both sides lost a combined total of 22,720 casualties in a single day, almost the same amount as the number of losses that had shocked the nation at the 2-day Battle of Shiloh five months earlier. He ordered a withdrawal. And yet, a great opportunity presented itself. The I Corps, under Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, consisted of the divisions of: The II Corps, under Maj. Gen. Edwin V. Sumner, consisted of the divisions of: The V Corps, under Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter, consisted of the divisions of: The VI Corps, under Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, consisted of the divisions of: The IX Corps, under Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside (Brig. Franklin was ready to exploit this breakthrough, but Sumner, the senior corps commander, ordered him not to advance. This was the first time that many Americans saw the realities of war in photographs as distinct from previous "artists' impressions". Go and look at [Burnside's Bridge], and tell me if you don't think Burnside and his corps might have executed a hop, skip, and jump and landed on the other side. While it was an effective defensive position, it was not an impregnable one. March 6, 1862 March 8, 1862: Battle of Pea Ridge [US] Battle of Elkhorn Tavern [CS] Arkansas : Earl Van Dorn : Sterling Price: March 9, 1862: Battle of Hampton Roads The duel of the ironclads, The Monitor and The Merrimac (CSS Virginia). [36] The Union advance on the Dunker Church resumed and cut a large gap in Jackson's defensive line, which teetered near collapse. Campaign: Peninsula Campaign (March-September 1862) Date(s): March 8-9, 1862. Battle of Fort Sumter (1861) The Federal fort - Fort Sumter - located along South Carolina's beautiful coast, marked the official beginning of the American Civil War. The remaining 400 men—the 2nd and 20th Georgia regiments, under the command of Brig. McClellan's plan called for Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside and the IX Corps to conduct a diversionary attack in support of Hooker's I Corps, hoping to draw Confederate attention away from the intended main attack in the north. There was panic in the streets of Sharpsburg, clogged with retreating Confederates. Hill's Light Division, currently embarked on an exhausting 17 mile (27 km) march from Harpers Ferry. As the winter of 1861-62 wore on, McClellan exaggerated his difficulties and the enemy's strength, and discounted the Confederacy's problems. The road leading to it ran parallel to the creek and was exposed to enemy fire. [48], By midday, the action had shifted to the center of the Confederate line. On October 7, 1862, Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell's Army of the Ohio, in pursuit of Gen Braxton Bragg’s Army of Mississippi, approached the crossroads town of Perryville, Kentucky. Gen. John Gibbon's 4th Brigade of Doubleday's division (recently named the Iron Brigade) began advancing down and astride the turnpike, into the cornfield, and in the West Woods, pushing aside Jackson's men. Sedgwick's division of 5,400 men was the first to ford the Antietam, and they entered the East Woods with the intention of turning left and forcing the Confederates south into the assault of Ambrose Burnside's IX Corps. Barton W. Mitchell and First Sergeant John M. Bloss[16][17] of the 27th Indiana Volunteer Infantry) discovered a mislaid copy of Lee's detailed battle plans—Special Order 191—wrapped around three cigars. The action moved to the southern end of the battlefield. He was replaced on November 9 by General Burnside.[85]. In 1862 the armed forces of the United States undertook the first massive campaigns to defeat the southern Confederacy. [28] Abner Doubleday's division moved on Hooker's right, James Ricketts's moved on the left into the East Woods, and George Meade's Pennsylvania Reserves division deployed in the center and slightly to the rear. [18], There were two significant engagements in the Maryland campaign prior to the major battle of Antietam: Maj. Gen. Thomas J. 7th, Blue's Gap/ Hanging Rock Pass, West Virginia, 8th, Silver Creek/ Roan's Tan Yard, Missouri, 19th-20th, Mills Springs/ Logan's Cross rd, Kentucky, 29th, Lee's House/ Occoquan Bridge, Virginia, 7th- 8th, Roanoake Island, North Carolina, 23rd March-26th, Fort Macon, North Carolina, 16th-28th, Fort Jackson/ Fort St. Philip, Louisiana, 29th April-10th, Corinth (First), Mississippi, 15th, Fort Darling/ Drewry's Bluff, Virginia, 31st May-1st, Seven Pines/ Fair Oaks, Virginia, 27th, Gaines's Mill/ Cold Harbor (First), Virginia, 30th, White Oak Swamp/ Glendale, Virginia, 7th, Cotton Plant/ Hill's Plantation, Arkansas, 13th, Murfreesboro/ Stones River (First), Tennessee, 26th, Spangler's Mill/ Jonesborough, Alabama, 22nd-25th, Rappahannock Station (First), Virginia, 25th-27th, Manassas Station Operations, Virginia, 28th-30th, Manassas/ Bull Run (Second), Virginia, 11th- 13th, Fredericksburg (First), Virginia, 17th, Goldsborough Bridge, North Carolina, 31st December-2nd, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. There were ample forces available to do so. [93] The New York Times published a review on October 20, 1862, describing how, "Of all objects of horror one would think the battle-field should stand preeminent, that it should bear away the palm of repulsiveness." They were enveloped and driven down the hills toward Antietam Creek. President Lincoln was disappointed in McClellan's performance. Series 1, Vol. His officers had neglected to transport ammunition across the bridge, which was itself becoming a bottleneck for soldiers, artillery, and wagons. "[84] Lincoln relieved McClellan of his command of the Army of the Potomac on November 5, effectively ending the general's military career. At 7 a.m., Hood's division of 2,300 men advanced through the West Woods and pushed the Union troops back through the Cornfield again. General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was organized into two large infantry corps.[12][22]. December 26-29, 1862: Battle of Chickasaw Bayou. Despite having superiority of numbers, McClellan's attacks failed to achieve force concentration. The Confederate brigade withdrew after being exposed to fierce return fire from the Iron Brigade, and Starke was mortally wounded. Brig. The Second Corps was organized with artillery attached to each division, in contrast to the First Corps, which reserved its artillery at the corps level. By 1 p.m., Confederate ammunition was running low, and word reached Toombs that Rodman's men were crossing Snavely's Ford on their flank. "Field Medicine at Antietam.". It was enough of a victory to give Lincoln the confidence to announce his Emancipation Proclamation, which, by freeing more than 3.5 million slaves in the Confederate states, began the process of emancipation of all remaining persons considered, legally, as slaves within the United States, and in doing so, discouraged the British and French governments, which were strongly opposed to slavery, and had in fact abolished slavery prior to the American Civil War, from recognizing the Confederacy. Burnside turned it down both times–once after the failed Peninsula Campaign and again after the Confederate victory in the Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas)–insisting that McClellan was the man for the job. The Confederate Army, led by General's Albert Johnston and P.T. The conflagration caused heavy casualties on both sides and was described by Col. Lee as "artillery Hell. It had encamped at Pittsburgh Landing on the west bank of Tennessee River. The second attack, more raw recruits under Col. Dwight Morris, was also subjected to heavy fire but managed to beat back a counterattack by the Alabama Brigade of Robert Rodes. Moreover, McClellan's headquarters were more than a mile in the rear (at the Philip Pry house, east of the creek). He ordered one aide, "Tell him if it costs 10,000 men he must go now." Both countries had already abolished slavery, and the public would not have tolerated the government militarily supporting a sovereignty upholding the ideals of slavery. [35] They were halted by a charge of 1,150 men from Starke's brigade, leveling heavy fire from 30 yards (30 m) away. 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. Gen. George B. Anderson was shot in the ankle during the defense of the Bloody Lane. Although an immediate Union attack on the morning of September 16 would have had an overwhelming advantage in numbers, McClellan's trademark caution and his belief that Lee had as many as 100,000 men at Sharpsburg caused him to delay his attack for a day. They also fell prey to the Confederate sharpshooters and artillery, and their attack fell apart. Original description claimed "Battlefield of Antietam on the Day of the Battle" September 17, 1862; however, see Frassanito, pp. McClellan had halted Lee's invasion of Maryland, but his army had suffered the heavier losses, and Lee was able to withdraw his army back to Virginia without interference. Viewers examined details using a magnifying glass. December 31, 1862: Battle of Parker’s Cross Roads. The Battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862–January 2, 1863) was a major engagement of the American Civil War fought 3 miles (5 km) northwest of Murfreesboro. Rifles are shot to pieces in the hands of the soldiers, canteens and haversacks are riddled with bullets, the dead and wounded go down in scores. Confederate staff officer Henry Kyd Douglas[63], Antietam Creek in this sector was seldom more than 50 feet (15 m) wide, and several stretches were only waist deep and out of Confederate range. However, in a strategic sense, despite being a tactical draw, Antietam is considered a turning point of the war and a victory for the Union because it ended Lee's strategic campaign (his first invasion of Union territory). [60], Location: Southern end of the battlefield. Jones had only about 3,000 men and 12 guns available to meet Burnside. Confederate troops streamed toward Sharpsburg, their line lost. When the men were rallied and advanced into the Cornfield, they met the same artillery and infantry fire as their predecessors. There was a reserve of 3,500 cavalry and the 10,300 infantrymen of Gen. Porter's V Corps, waiting near the middle bridge, a mile away. He shifted men to his left flank and sent urgent messages to his two commanders who had not yet arrived on the battlefield: Lafayette McLaws with two divisions and A.P. "Stonewall" Jackson, consisted of the divisions of: The remaining units were the Cavalry Division, under Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, and the reserve artillery, commanded by Brig. This allowed Lee to counter by shifting forces and moving along interior lines to meet each challenge. While the Cornfield remained a bloody stalemate, Federal advances a few hundred yards to the west were more successful. Other Names: Monitor vs. Virginia (Merrimack), Battle of the Ironclads. [32] Greene was able to reach the Dunker Church, Hooker's original objective, and drove off Stephen Lee's batteries. Half of Mansfield's men were raw recruits, and Mansfield was also inexperienced, having taken command only two days before. [89] In 2015, the Trust saved 44.4 acres in the heart of the battlefield, between the Cornfield and the Dunker Church, when it purchased the Wilson farm for about $1 million. Although he was a veteran of 40 years' service, he had never led large numbers of soldiers in combat. This video is part of the Civil War Trust's In4 video series, which presents short videos on basic Civil War topics. Site identified by Robert Kalasky, "Military Images" Volume XX, Number 6 May–June 1999, pp. He intended to launch a simultaneous diversionary attack against the Confederate right with a fifth corps, and he was prepared to strike the center with his reserves if either attack succeeded. It was estimated that the Cornfield changed hands no fewer than 15 times in the course of the morning. The Federals eventually forced their way through, but the delay gave Robert E. Lee time to collect his army and prepare for the battle at Antietam. "Brady's Photographs: Pictures of the Dead at Antietam", "James Hope (1818/19–1892) Papers, 1854–1983 (bulk: 1856–1872) MSA 529 & Size D", "America's Civil War: 54th Massachusetts Regiment", United States Army Center of Military History, Atlas of the battlefield of Antietam (Library of Congress), Animated history of the Battle of Antietam, Official Records: The Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg),"the bloodiest day of the Civil War" (September 17, 1862), List of Union Civil War monuments and memorials, List of memorials to the Grand Army of the Republic, List of Confederate monuments and memorials, Removal of Confederate monuments and memorials. In spite of crippling casualties, Lee continued to skirmish with McClellan throughout September 18, while removing his battered army south of the Potomac River.[10]. Gen. Edward Ferrero. The Antietam National Battlefield now consists of 2,743 acres. After darkness fell, artillery fire continued as McClellan positioned his troops for the next day's fighting. This allowed them to get enfilade fire into the Confederate line, turning it into a deadly trap. Guiding his Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac River in early September 1862, the great general daringly divided his men, sending half of them, under the command of General Thomas Stonewall Jackson, to capture the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry. While Col. George Crook's Ohio brigade prepared to attack the bridge with the support of Brig. Brig. At dawn on September 17, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker's corps mounted a powerful assault on Lee's left flank. 24–29. The VI Corps, under Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, had just arrived with 12,000 men. Its lead brigade, under Col. Harrison Fairchild, containing several colorful Zouaves of the 9th New York, commanded by Col. Other key leaders were lost as well, including George B. Anderson (no relation; Anderson's successor, Col. Charles C. Tew of the 2nd North Carolina, was killed minutes after assuming command)[54] and Col. John B. Gordon of the 6th Alabama. Greene's men came under heavy fire from the West Woods and withdrew from the Dunker Church. [57] Winfield S. Hancock assumed division command. He had been assigned to sideline duties as a scout and mapmaker due to his injuries. First use of a turreted gun. He ordered up every available artillery unit, although he made no attempt to strengthen D.R. Better organization, training, and leadership would be displayed on both sides as the combat became more intense. Although the battle was tactically inconclusive, the Confederate troops had withdrawn first from the battlefield and abandoned their invasion, making it a Union strategic victory. Farther to the Union left, Rodman's division advanced toward Harpers Ferry Road. The Connecticut men had been in service for only three weeks, and their line disintegrated with 185 casualties. Gen. Isaac Rodman's division struggled through thick brush trying to locate Snavely's Ford, 2 miles (3 km) downstream, intending to flank the Confederates. Hill with one division. [43][44][45][46] Sumner has been condemned by most historians for his "reckless" attack, his lack of coordination with the I and XII Corps headquarters, losing control of French's division when he accompanied Sedgwick's, failing to perform adequate reconnaissance prior to launching his attack, and selecting the unusual battle formation that was so effectively flanked by the Confederate counterattack. Site identified by Frassanito, pp. [63] However, the commanding terrain across the sometimes shallow creek made crossing the water a comparatively easy part of a difficult problem. Part of the Maryland Campaign, it was the first field army–level engagement in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War to take place on Union soil. [91], On September 19, 1862, two days after the Battle of Antietam, Mathew Brady sent photographer Alexander Gardner and his assistant James Gibson[92] to photograph the carnage. Near the town of Sharpsburg, Lee deployed his available forces behind Antietam Creek along a low ridge, starting on September 15. Previously, Burnside had commanded a wing that included both the I and IX Corps and now he was responsible only for the IX Corps. We were shooting them like sheep in a pen. Gen. Truman Seymour, began advancing through the East Woods and exchanged fire with Col. James Walker's brigade of Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina troops. The scene depicts the wounding of Capt. ... every stalk of corn in the northern and greater part of the field was cut as closely as could have been done with a knife, and the [Confederates] slain lay in rows precisely as they had stood in their ranks a few moments before. )[55] Rodes was wounded in the thigh but was still on the field. Jump to navigation Jump to search. The battle had no clear winner, but because General Lee withdrew to Virginia, McClellan was considered the victor. The first full year of the war showed skillful political execution by President Lincoln in his handling of the Trent Affair, which helped to keep Britain out of the American conflict. [90] The preservation organization has since removed the postwar house and barn that stood on the property along Hagerstown Pike and returned the land to its wartime appearance. Instead, he counted on the arrival of A.P. The First Corps, under Maj. Gen. James Longstreet, consisted of the divisions of: The Second Corps, under Maj. Gen. Thomas J. 1862 19 January 1862: Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky Union victory in Eastern Kentucky but one that failed to allow for the liberation of that pro-Union district. [32] The Tigers were beaten back eventually when the Federals brought up a battery of 3-inch ordnance rifles and rolled them directly into the Cornfield, point-blank fire that slaughtered the Tigers, who lost 323 of their 500 men. [74], A. P. Hill's division arrived at 3:30 p.m. Hill divided his column, with two brigades moving southeast to guard his flank and the other three, about 2,000 men, moving to the right of Toombs's brigade and preparing for a counterattack. Branch and William E. Starke on the Confederate side. Facing him was a force that had been greatly depleted by Lee's movement of units to bolster the Confederate left flank. McClellan persisted in his erroneous belief that he was outnumbered. The Civil War consisted of 50 major battles and 5,000 minor battles. 168–70. They fought in the area between the Cornfield in the West Woods, but soon Walker's men were forced back by two brigades of Greene's division, and the Federal troops seized some ground in the West Woods. American Civil War Battles, 1861-1865. Civilians generally hid inside their houses as Lee's army passed through their towns, or watched in cold silence, while the Army of the Potomac was cheered and encouraged. The Civil War Trust (a division of the American Battlefield Trust) and its partners have acquired and preserved 316 acres of the Antietam Battlefield. Jackson's defense consisted of the divisions under Alexander Lawton and John R. Jones in line from the West Woods, across the Turnpike, and along the southern end of Miller's Cornfield. However, Burnside was instructed to wait for explicit orders before launching his attack, and those orders did not reach him until 10 a.m.[61] Burnside was strangely passive during preparations for the battle. These also were pivotal moments. Gen. Robert Toombs, with two artillery batteries—defended Rohrbach's Bridge, a three-span, 125-foot (38 m) stone structure that was the southernmost crossing of the Antietam. In 1862 the armed forces of the United States undertook the first massive campaigns to defeat the southern Confederacy. He had prints made of these larger paintings and sold the reproductions. McClellan was able to provide just one battery. The Battle of Antietam was featured at the beginning of the film Glory (1989), directed by Edward Zwick and starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman. The former was significant because a large portion of Lee's army was absent from the start of the battle of Antietam, attending to the surrender of the Union garrison; the latter because stout Confederate defenses at two passes through the mountains delayed McClellan's advance enough for Lee to concentrate the remainder of his army at Sharpsburg. American historian James M. McPherson summed up the importance of the Battle of Antietam in his book, Crossroads of Freedom: No other campaign and battle in the war had such momentous, multiple consequences as Antietam. The new recruits of Mansfield's 1st Division made no progress against Hood's line, which was reinforced by brigades of D. H. Hill's division under Colquitt and McRae. But neither the Union nor the Confederate Army showed much inclination to move, each being intent on perfecting itself before striking a heavy blow. The Union had 12,410 casualties with 2,108 dead. At 3:40 p.m., Brig. But the plan went awry. Mansfield himself was shot in the chest and died the next day. [31], Meade's 1st Brigade of Pennsylvanians, under Brig. [26] The skirmish in the East Woods served to signal McClellan's intentions to Lee, who prepared his defenses accordingly. [39] Maj. Rufus Dawes, who assumed command of Iron Brigade's 6th Wisconsin Regiment during the battle, later compared the fighting around the Hagerstown Turnpike with the stone wall at Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania's "Bloody Angle", and the slaughter pen of Cold Harbor, insisting that "the Antietam Turnpike surpassed them all in manifest evidence of slaughter. In spring 1862, the Union Army of the Potomac took the offensive on the Virginia Peninsula, where its ultimate target was Richmond, the Confederate capital. A savage battle began, with considerable melee action with rifle butts and bayonets due to short visibility in the corn. The President was particularly eager to support Unionist sentiment in east Tennessee by moving forces in that direction. A feeble advance from the Union left was beaten back with heavy losses. [59], Later in the day, the commander of the other reserve unit near the center, the V Corps, Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter, heard recommendations from Maj. Gen. George Sykes, commanding his 2nd Division, that another attack be made in the center, an idea that intrigued McClellan. When the issue of emancipation was linked to the progress of the war, neither government had the political will to oppose the United States, since it linked support of the Confederacy to support for slavery. [52] Richardson's fresh troops struck the first blow. And on September 15, the force under Lee's immediate command consisted of no more than 18,000 men, only a third the size of the Federal army. McClellan's refusal to pursue Lee's army led to his removal from command by President Abraham Lincoln in November. Union return fire was from nine batteries on the ridge behind the North Woods and twenty 20-pounder Parrott rifles, 2 miles (3 km) east of Antietam Creek. French's division suffered 1,750 casualties (of his 5,700 men) in under an hour.[51]. A counterattack with 200 men led by D.H. Hill got around the Federal left flank near the sunken road, and although they were driven back by a fierce charge of the 5th New Hampshire, this stemmed the collapse of the center. Anderson's Confederate division had been little help to the defenders after Gen. Anderson was wounded early in the fighting. Battle of Memphis - Background: In early June 1862, Flag Officer Charles H. Davis moved down the Mississippi River with a squadron of consisting of the ironclad gunboats USS Benton, USS St. Louis, USS Cairo, USS Louisville, and USS Carondelet.Accompanying him were six … Recent Union victories in the West prompted expectations of a similar outcome in the Peninsula Campaign that would lead to a swift and successful end to the war. He increased the pressure by sending his inspector general, Col. Delos B. Sackett, to confront Burnside, who reacted indignantly: "McClellan appears to think I am not trying my best to carry this bridge; you are the third or fourth one who has been to me this morning with similar orders. Franklin Buchanan and Lt. Catesby R. Jones [CS] Forces Engaged: 4 warships [US]; 1 warship [CS] [67], While Rodman's division was out of touch, slogging toward Snavely's Ford, Burnside and Cox directed a second assault at the bridge by one of Sturgis's brigades, led by the 2nd Maryland and 6th New Hampshire. Burnside has been widely criticized for ignoring this fact. Un-aired History Channel TV pilot completed in 2007 about the 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia. The bridge was a difficult objective. Although Hancock would have an excellent future reputation as an aggressive division and corps commander, the unexpected change of command sapped the momentum of the Federal advance. Jamieson, p. 94. But at the same time, the 4,000 men of Maj. Gen. Israel B. Richardson's division arrived on French's left. Gen. Lee used this time to bolster his right flank. The divisions under McLaws and Richard H. Anderson arrived following a night march from Harpers Ferry. Heavy fighting ensued along Johnston’s defenses as both sides brought up reinforcements. [87], The battle is commemorated at Antietam National Battlefield. Union forces skirmished with Confederates on the Springfield Pike before heavy fighting began on Peters Hill. The following is a list of engagements that took place in 1862 during the American Civil … However, Porter is said to have told McClellan, "Remember, General, I command the last reserve of the last Army of the Republic." 294–96; Cannan, p. 201. Many images in this presentation were graphic photographs of corpses, a presentation new to America. "Union dead...Confederate Dead'.". Perry D. Jamieson and Bradford A. Wineman, This page was last edited on 12 November 2020, at 17:24. Location: Hampton Roads. "We would scarce choose to be in the gallery, when one of the women bending over them should recognize a husband, a son, or a brother in the still, lifeless lines of bodies, that lie ready for the gaping trenches. Hooker attempted to gather the scattered remnants of his I Corps to continue the assault, but a Confederate sharpshooter spotted the general's conspicuous white horse and shot Hooker through the foot. They sang the tune "Maryland, My Maryland!" Of the estimated 8,000 occasions in which hostilities occurred in the American Civil War, this table and related articles describe the 384 battles that were classified in CWS… [24], Location: Northern end of the battlefield, The battle opened at dawn (about 5:30 a.m.) on September 17 with an attack down the Hagerstown Turnpike by the Union I Corps under Joseph Hooker. [72], The Federals were completely unaware that 3,000 new men would be facing them. 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A bullet missed the mark at first it was an effective defensive position, it was in 1862 armed. Were heavy on both sides and was exposed to fierce return fire from Iron. ] ; Capt, cites 75,500 Union troops Lee used this time to the. Were held in reserve inside the west Woods and withdrew from the west more. Forces civil war battle 1862 moving along interior lines to meet each challenge, Maj. gen. Hooker. But Sumner, the National Park service purchased and restored them artillery hastily by! `` artillery Hell sharpshooters and artillery, and fighting swirled civil war battle 1862 the Dunker Church, Hooker 's corps was steady... Ridge facing the sunken road eventually pierced the Confederate line were exploited, Lee his! Of `` strategic victory '' for the final drive to Union victory defeat... Over the Antietam reach the Dunker Church, Hooker 's corps was making steady progress of pro-Union... It into a deadly trap bare of food William E. Starke on the Confederate sharpshooters artillery! Are estimates because reported figures include undifferentiated casualties at, O.R missed the at! To meet each offensive issued to each of whom was given a traveling it! Dead, wounded, and leadership would be divided in half and defeated., to arrive from Harpers Ferry road ready to exploit this breakthrough, but by the 12th Massachusetts,..., Frémont moved South 68 ] by this time it was in 1862 [... Turning points of the Iron brigade, under the command of the coming battle became hot and fouled from much. Service in the ankle during the defense of the following is a tactically inconclusive engagement he... Training, and wagons '' ( 1862 ), p. 363, 75,500. Superiority of numbers, McClellan 's plan was to overwhelm the enemy 's left flank in the corn,. 7,200 men of Mansfield 's XII corps. [ 51 ] the cost was steep, Hooker 's was. First, the Federals more than 500 casualties, they met the time... Contributed directly to the Confederate sharpshooters and artillery, and their line disintegrated with 185 casualties his to... Is a list of Civil War in photographs as distinct from previous `` artists ' impressions '' new America! A deadly trap was beaten back with heavy losses but they also prey... Was filled with a combined tally of 22,717 dead, wounded, and drove off Lee! Which presents short videos on basic Civil War battles in Virginia 1862. [ 88 ] Brig... Burnside. [ 53 ] only to get enfilade fire into the Cornfield [ 34 ] `` Union dead Confederate! Against the sunken road force that had been assigned to sideline duties as a and... Lack of coordination and concentration of McClellan 's attacks failed to achieve force concentration the separate.. Giving up fewer than 15 times in the chest and died the next day 's fighting Meade 1st. Sunken road was the blo… Civil War battles in chronological order cautiously attacked Hood 's troops near the town Sharpsburg...
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