Analysis Of The Battle Of Antietam

The Battle of Antietam is the bloodiest battle in American history. On September 17, 1862, approximately 22,720 soldiers were either killed, wounded, or missing after the gruesome fight. This battle halted the Confederate general’s drive through Maryland and caused General Lee to withdraw into Virginia. Although contributed as a Union victory, since the Confederates withdrew south of the Potomac River, McClellan loss his chance at dismantling Lee’s Army. General McClellan’s usual hesitation allowed General Lee to withdraw uninterrupted. In the three months before the Battle of Antietam, the Confederate Army had gained momentum throughout the war in the East. With excellent moral throughout his unit, Lee crossed the Potomac River with his …show more content…
Unprecedented victories throughout Maryland at Frederick, Boonsboro, Hagerstown, and many others cites made the Union nervous and caused McClellan to bolster the Federal Army. General McClellan pursued Confederate forces after discover that Lee had split his Army. Two Union corps fought D. H. Hill’s troops for control over South Mountain. Confederate troops withdrew in order to find a more suitable battleground. Lee focused his troops a Sharpsburg, just west of Antietam Creek. McClellan brought his troops east of Antietam and arranged his units in the following order of battle: Major General Joseph Hooker on the Union right flank, Maj General Amborse Burnside on the far left, Major General Sumner and Major General Porter in the middle, with Major General Mansfield in reserve. Hooker had three division under him: First Division commanded by Brigadier General Abner Doubleday, Second Division commanded by Brigadier General James B. Ricketts, and Third Division commanded by Brigadier General George G. Meade. The focus of this narrative will be on First Division’s Fourth Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General John Gibbon. Through tactics, motivation, and courage, Gibbon’s Iron Brigade greatly shaped the outcome of the Battle of …show more content…
Fourth United States Artillery commanded by Captain Joseph Campbell supported Gibbon with artillery fire. General Gibbon was “ordered to advance into a piece of wood on the right of the Hagerstown turnpike, toward the village of Sharpsburg.” Gibbons advanced in division columns to the left of the turnpike when they finally reached an open field. Around 6:00 am, Gibbons deployed Sixth Wisconsin into Miller’s Cornfield, Second Wisconsin formed on its left. While the Sixth and Second pressured forward, the Seventh Wisconsin with Ninetieth Indiana at their right followed ready to support at a moment’s notice. Sixth Wisconsin reported that as soon as the column began moving, the enemy opened fire on their unit. The immediate blast disabled 13 men. Nevertheless, the regiment began continued momentum forward towards the enemy. When Sixth Wisconsin passed the cornfield and reached the wood, Company I was deployed to the left and Company C deployed to the right. Sixth and Second Wisconsin were receiving fire from Jones’ and Lawton’s Confederate units. Brigadier General John Jones reported that the battle opened fiercely as Campbell’s artillery shelled them. One of the shells explode above Jones and caused him to retire from the field.