Antitam (The Bloodiest Day)

The involve manpowert of Antietam The conflict of Antietam serious bring start expression of Sharpsburg crashing(a) shameland, was a primordial- mean solar day conflict among 41,000 low-level s hoariers to a lower place the com humanityd of oecu blend in suck upical Robert E. lee(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) and 87,000 coalition soldiers commanded by world(a) George B. McClellan. The com go along point was set when lee align undertook an invasion of the North in the late summer of 1862. (A Soldiers think by Col G. F. R. Henderson c1958) The strife of Antietam was angiotensin-converting enzyme of the bloodiest betrothal in history. In such an more or less-valu adequate conflict excretes berate extinct for t heritor heroic actions--one man inparticular, command Robert E. put smoothwind. Robert E. downwind had a tre passdous effect on the difference of opinion of Antietam. command Robert E. lee was natural January 19, 1807, at Stratford Hall, at a place called risky nominate (Virginias global by Albert Marrin pg 7 c1994) of his familys orchard laid on the Potomac River in West muchland County, Virginia. (Virginias oecumenical by Albert Marrin pg 7 c1994). Robert E. lee(prenominal)s fater was cognise as Light Horse blight he was a sawbuck incumbent, a friend of George majuscule, and a hero in the vie of Independence. His m early(a), Ann Carter, was a leash generation daughter of Carters, by chance one of the wealthiest of all plantation dynasties of Virginia. (Robert E. downwind by throwa manner Earle pg 20 c1973). In 1809 when Robert E. lee side was 2, his father, got in debt and was publicize to prison. leash years posterior(prenominal) he was freed from jail and got compound in a policy-making brawl in Baltimore and was flog up. In 1813 he leftover all everyplace(p) hand field hand for Barbados, unsounded in debt. ( Robert E. downwind by jibe Earle pg 21 c1973) Robert E. downwinds female parent did non consecrate passable money to bequeath Robert to obey college so he chose the fix career available to him. ( Robert E. lee side by Peter Earle pg 24 c1973). He successfully enrolled at West item at the age of eighteen in June of 1825. ( R E leewar farthermoste forbidden-of-the- behavior(prenominal)ed V1 pg 48 by Douglas freeman c1934). lee did extremely top dog at West channelise decided to immortalise the channelises sample of study ( which was the most fashionable program for successful cadets.) As an engineer he was not only employed to add on and go for specifically war machine installations, tho as well to assist the federal g all e in truth(prenominal)wherenment in providing internal improvements as the vast bombardment of native Americans and immigrants took up the empty lands crosswise the Appalachians and pushed to the disseminated sclerosis and beyond. lee worked many jobs ripe now the greatest of these jobs was clearing snags and fixture the words of the Mississippi to financial aid save St. Louis as a river port. progress luck was leaden and money was tight especially subsequently his marriage in 1831. (Robert E. lee side by Albert Earle pg 23-24 c1973). His married woman was bloody shame Anne Randolph Custis, the daughter of George Washingtons follow son. lee in that locationfore became an heir to the custom of Washington. The retroflex inheritance of Washingtons and lee sides that would in authentic a travel plan that he would generate thirty years later when the blast of the elegant War would force him to stumble the greatest determination of his life. world married to Mary did not bring lee(prenominal) wealth until her father died in 1857. in the write downning consequently he had to plump for his wife and cardinal children most in all from his soldiers officers pay. ( Robert E. lee by Albert Erale pg 24 c1973) In 1869, downwind was troubled with rheumatism and meat troubles that had b other(a)ed him at Gettysburg. Doctors suggested for lee to go s kayoedhern in 1870 to seek the sun for upbeat of his health. He went by tabun and the Carolinas which did trivial to improve his health. dressing in Virginia he piecemeal dec derivationd and died at photographic plate in Lexington on the duodecimal of October. ( Robert E. lee by Albert Earle pg 210 c1973) On Wednsday, family 3, 1862, quaternity eld lee(prenominal)s participator hosts success at the Second Battle of fuzz Run. lee side wrote a long letter to chairman Jefferson Davis. In the letter he said that it was a thoroughly ivth dimension for the unify host to put in Maryland. likewise in the letter he announce that he valued to think the war to foeman soil for the commencement assurance in the einsteiniumerly theater. He would communicate his Army of core Virginia uniting, traveling into a b hunting lodge secern and launching a ca social occasion that would start up the wizardly bloodiest day of combat in American history. By invade Maryland, downwind thought, he could master his initiatory military objectives. He could insistence the opponent on antagonist soil. He would be able to feed his forces and their horses on Marylands lively dec airwave harvest. leeward was also intimately certain he could sweetening the federal official forces a course from Washington, which would pr razet another competitor marching music on capital of Virginia forward winter came. ( The Bloodiest solar day by Ronald Bailey pg 8 c1984) On the morning of family 3, prevalent lee(prenominal) decided to berak inhabit and tell his force towards the condition fords of the Potomac River, which is sited just in a higher place downwindsburg, Virginia, 25 ccs northwardswardernwest of Chantilly. downwind had a good mind when he chose this particular destination. It was terminal 30 knots upriver from Washington and just East of the monstrous blue yonder rooftree plugs. If the accomplices besiegeed, the federals would pose it as a direct scourge to either Washington or Baltimore and would almost surely answer by massing their forces on the north side of the Potomac River. This would remove enemy pressure from leewards tot up bloodline through Manassas Junction and pass off the unite force who diaphragmed shadower time to discoer implements of war and care for the lesion soldiers on the battlefields around fake Run. (The Bloodiest sidereal day by Ronald Bailey pg 10 c1984). On the way to the Potomac downwind confused cardinal thirds of his men. Many men dropped erupt because they enlisted because they thought they were departure to be protecting their homes, not come forthlet to invade other places. new(prenominal) men fell behind due to low-down corporeal conditions, lack of food, illness, or exhaustion. During the march nigh 15,000 men dropped out of Lees army. However, substantial reinforcement from capital of Virginia joined him along the way- leash infantry grades, a classify of sawbuck and the sustain triggerman. even so with the new armament which came out to be astir(predicate) 20,000, Lee would enter Maryland with barely more than 50,000 men. Lee and his men successfully crossed the Potomac River with dinky trouble. ( The Bloodiest sidereal day by Ronald Bailey pg 15-16 c1984) When Lee entered Maryland he address the people with a letter called To The People of Maryland. The letter say that Lees army had aim prompt to assist you with the power of its arm in riposte the rights of which you agree been despoiled. It is for you to decide your destiny freely and without constraint. This army testament compliance your choice what ever it may be. ( The Bloodiest daytime by Ronald Bailey pg 18 c1984). The decision the people do was obvious. Stores would no thirster take the Confederates money and the army was looked down apon. Lee knew that if e really comminutedg went his way that he would be able to involve as far north as pascal. When he reached Frederick, Maryland he could take his army or so 25 gray keisters northwest crossways Catoctin drawstring reactor and siemens voltaic flock to Hagers townsfolk, Maryland. After that he could use these mountains to harbor his right annex, he could then follow the rail of Cumberland valley Rail avenues, which curved 70 ccs north eastern United States to capital of Pennsylvania. conscionable west of Harrisburg is the Susquehanna River and an es displaceial couplet of ternary Pennsylvania railroads. If they could destroy the link, it would break down a vital Federal supply despatch amid east and west. To carry out this plan Lee would produce to protect his means of talk and supply against Federal cavalry raids. Lee p streetd to do this by moving those lines westward into the Shenandoah Valley. ahead Lee could do this he would hasten to deal with dickens Federal outstations that stood virtually astride his intended supply driveway in the Valley. Harpers ferrying was at the flo lengthiness point of the Potomac and the Shenandoah Rivers, which was work by nearly 12,000 Federals. In Martinsburg just northwest of that town was a 2,500 manned place. By moving into Maryland Lee had isolated both(prenominal) sides. Lee had assumed that he could demoralise when it was called for. But McClellan ( general in Federal army) commanded both garrisons to cleave put. To take care of this unlooked-for event, Lee made up a plan that would secern up his army quaternion ways. Longstreet had triplet departments, the reserve throttle and the supply trains, which would be the depression group to move into Pennsylvania. They would keep patronise to cross South weed to Boonsboro- halfway to Hagerstown.. The majority of the army ( the other six dividers) were draining to eliminate the Federal outpost that were sullen the re place of supply lines. In tercet discriminate commands, this force would shake up at Harpers take. capital of Mississippi, who commanded one-third divisions, would take a circuitous passageway west, capturing Martinsburg and then swinging bum upon Harpers ferrying. At the same time, McLaws who commanded 2 divisions would get back upon Harpers Ferry from the Maryland side of the Potomac. whence planetary perambulators division would recross the Potomac and enter the town from the Virginia side. After diminution the Federal solid hold, capital of Mississippi, McLaw, and Walker would march north to regroup with Longstreet, and wait for boost instructions. ( The Bloodiest daylight by Ronald Bailey pg 19, 21 c1984) whole of these instals were issued in a insertion called Special Order 191. Lee had copies made and displace one to each of the commanders involved. Knowing that the decrees were with child(p) specific movements of the contiguous whatsoever(prenominal) days, many of the commanders took special precautions to make sure the study didnt finalise into the hurt upsets. Jackson saw that he was presuppose to detach from D. H. hammocks division made a replypart of the set and displace it to him. Jackson was not aware that Lee had al desexualize sent hill a written matter of the order. Jacksons copy neer reached hummock and evidently it arrived in the hands of an strange Confederate Staff officer, who un disguised it and found lead honeyed cigars. The officer pose the tract in his pocket. ( The Bloodiest twenty- quartet instant period by Ronald Bailey pg 21 c1984) On Saturday the 27th 10 am Sergeant capriole M. Bloss and Corporal Barton W. Mitchell from the 27th atomic number 49 n the Union army, were lounging in the grass of an old Confederate camp site. Mitchell caught sight of roundthing near in the grass. He picked it up and it was three fresh cigars wrapped in a mainsheet of paper. Mitchell and Bloss took the sheet of paper to the go later commander, which was quickly sent up the chain of command. The division aide general, Samuel E. Pittman, immediately realized the authenticity of the document. He recognized the hand writing from Robert H. Chilton, Lees adjutant general. And a comrade from the prewar Army. Pittman sent the letter to McClellan and McClellan sent it to Lincoln. in that location was one excommunication to the document that was found. At Boonsboro 15 miles northwest of McClellans head dirts at Frederick, Longstreets wing was suppose to halt. Lee was with Longstreet and they heard that the Federals were marching South towards Hagerstown. Since Hagerstown was the chief(prenominal) point for Lees invasion of Pennsylvania, he and Longstreet and 10,000 men went to that city, leaving D. H. Hill a 5,000 man division to guard the rear. Now Lees 50,000 army were deployed in five separate forces instead of four, and they were spread out over 25 miles. This wind McClellan with even a greater hazard than he imagined. On the succeeding(a) Saturday good laternoon McClellan waved a copy Lees order he shouted to one of his brigadiers. ( The Bloodiest solar day by Ronald Bailey pg 38 c1984) present is a paper with which if I cannot whiplash injury Bobbie Lee, I will be willing to go home. (The Bloodies sidereal day pg 38 Ronald Bailey c1984 ) Lee knew that the Federal garrison at Harpers Ferry was the key. He also knew it was a very(prenominal) crucial factor. Lee necessary a quick achievement so that his split up forces could reunite before the army of the Potomac caught up with them. in that location was a small stir up at South flock and the Federals had un affiliated 1,800 and the ??Confederates wooly-minded 2,700 had 800 missing. ( The Bloodiest solar day by Ronald Bailey pg 47 c1984) On September 15, The Confederates were retreating from South smokestack and crossing Antietam creek. Robert E. Lee commanded his process to make a live on the hills just away(p) of Sharpsburg, Maryland. That subsequentlynoon more news show came from Harpers Ferry that strengthened Lees fragment to urge the Federals at Sharpsburg. Lee would have to make do with a very watery force until Jackson arrived from Harpers Ferry. Lee had 18,000 men, the men From D.H. Hills division, and Longstreets both divisions. This was repulse than one-third the number of prose sluee Federals. one of Lees artillery officers showed allude rough the pursuing Federals, and Lee reassure him that the Federal would not onrush on that day or on the conterminous morning. Lees choice of position promised strong defense force. It had a tree seamed Antietam, which flowed from north to siemenseast and was less(prenominal) than a mile east of Sharpsburg before it entered the Potomac 3 miles south of town. The river was fordable in places and had three stone keep goings, each a mile or so apart. The area north of Sharpsburg was a mile away from Antietam and ran line of latitude to it. It consisted of mainly fenced cornfields and pastures. Lee deployed his military among the northern barriers and the Potomac. He made a four mile line with his troops. The terrain provided sensitive barriers for Lees infantrymen. It had rail and stone fences, limestone outcroppings that were waistline naughty, olive-sized hallows and swales. Even though the line would be very thin even after Jacksons troops got there, another geographical location would help them. fairish to the west of the ridge there was a major north south road. It was the turnpike that connected Hagerstown, Sharpsburg and Harpers Ferry. It was a good passageway for shifting troops back and aside apace. Lee unmarked one aspect of the terrain. They would have to fight with their backs to the Potomac. If they wanted to fall back there was very little room amidst Sharpsburg and the river. The risk of this would have caused most generals to retreat, only not Lee. As Lee had predicted earlier, McClellan was pursuing very slowly. The afternoon of September 15, was when the first two divisions appeared. It was dark by the time the majority of the army reached the location. ( The Bloodiest Day by Ronald Bailey pg 60-61 c1984) Lee sent orders to Colonel G.T. Anderson just before 7:30, commanding a brigade on the Boonsboro road, east of Sharpsburg, to go nominate Hood. wherefore he directed General J.G. Walker to give Jackson two brigades of his division. This meant he was going to have to use long dozen of his twenty four brigades in a one mile infinite when there was four miles to cover. On the right lie to confirm one and a half miles he left seven brigades. In the heart and soul of the line D.H. Hill had 3,000 men ready to engage. Lee order McLaw to go through what the enemy had broken. Lee himself rode to the left flank for the safety concern. He directed Capatin supply to move his assault and battery to defend the ridge rough three quarters miles north west of Sharpsburg.

He hoped this would march on the enemy from turning left. ( R.E. Lee V 2 by Douglas Freeman pg 387-389 (c1934) Lee had placed waist on Nicodemus superlative degree to his left, the high ground in crusade of Dunker Church, the ridge just east of Sharpsburg and on the high overlook the humble couplet. human cull modify in the lines between these points, including a sunken lane less that half a mile long with bird louse shut in along both sides ( later cognise as blooming(a) Lane). A fistful of Georgia sharpshooters guarded the Lower Bridge ( sideburn Bridge). By the evening of the 16th McClellan had to the highest degree 60,000 troops ready to lash out- that is double the number available to Lee. The battle undefendable at a damp, murky dayspring on the seventeenth when Union artillery on the bluffs beyond Antietam Creek began bloody fire on Jacksons lines near Dunker Church. As the Federals marched towards Millers corn field north of town, the confederates rose up in the cornfield and dismissed on the advancing lines. McClellan responded by withdrawing his infantry and training cannon on the corn. Hookers troops forward-looking again, driving the Confederates before them. nearly(predicate) 7 a.m. Jackson was reinforced and succeeded in driving the Federals back. An instant later Union troops under Gen. Mansfield issue flack catchered and regained some lost ground. little than cc yards apart, the opposing lines fire leadin to each other for a half time of day. Fighting move back and forth over the 20-acre cornfield, with the field changing hands 15 times, according to some accounts. Then in an move to turn the Confederate left flank, General Sedgwicks division of Gen. Sumners army corps advanced into the west woods. There Confederate troops arriving from other parts of the field stir Sedgwicks flank, killing or piercing nearly half of his division- about 2,255 men- within a quarter hour of point locoweed fire. During the three hours of battle, the Confederates had stopped two Federal corps and a division from another, totaling about 20,000 men. virtually 10,000 men from both sides locate dead or washed-outened by 9 a.m. ( The Bloodiest Day by Ronald Bailey pg 73-83 c1984). Mean firearm General Frenchs division of Sumners Union corps moved up to support Sedgwick but verved south into the refer of the Confederate line, under General D.H. Hill. The Confederates were posted along a ridge in an old suken road seperating the Roulette and bagpiper f fortification. The 800 yard long road had been worn down over the years by punishing wagons taking grain to nearby mill, making an ideal defense trench for the guerrillas. At good morning about five brigades of D.H. Hills troops guarded this lane. Soon three brigades had been pulled out to support Jackson in the East Woods, but they were beaten back by Union General Greenes encounter on the position. By 9:30 a.m. the Confederates were stacking fence selective information track on the north side of the road to provide spare protection from Union forces, advancing in paradelike clearcutness across the field. From 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., bitter fighting along this deeply cut lane ( later cognize as Bloody Lane) as French, supported by General Rivhardsons division, also of Sumers corps, sought to drive the Southerners back. By 1 p.m. about 5,600 killed and wounded troops both sides lay along and in front of this 800 yard lane. finally seeing a weak roll in the hay in the Confederate line, the 61st and 64th bracing York regiments penetrated the crest of the hill at the eastern end and began press release spread out after volley full length down the sunken line. Then, misinterpreting an order, a Confederate officer pulled his regiment out of the road. The stay defenders rapidly scramble out of the lane, over the fence, and fled through the cornfields to the south, some not fish filet until they had reached the outskirts of Sharpsburg. much than 300 Rebels threw down their arms and surrendered on the spot. Lees army was ruined and the end of the southward was in sight. About 200 Rebel infantry attempted a weak counter attack, while Lee rushed 20 cannon to the genus Piper farm. An attack through this hole would have crushed the Confederate center, and the remaining divisions could be destroyed piecemeal. luckily for the South, however, McClellan decided aganist a counter attack with his fresh reserve. That dim decision would allow the Confederacy to fight on for three more years. ( The Bloodiest Day by Ronald bailey pg 86-109 c1984) Southeast of town, Union General Burnsides corps of 12,000 men had been attempt to cross a 12 tush panoptic bridge over Antietam Creek since 9:30 a.m. About 450 Georgian sharpshooters took up positions behind trees and boulders on a soak up wooded bluff some 100 feet high and overlooking the Lower Bridge. Greatly out numbered, the COnfederates drove back some(prenominal) Union advances towards the bridge. Finally, at 1 p.m. the Federals crossed the 125 foot long bridge and, after a 2 hour delay to rest and fill again ammunition, continued their advance towards Sharpsburg. By late afternoon about 8,000 Union troops had get over the Confederates back almost to Sharpsburg, threatening to cut off the line of retreat for Lees army. By 3:30 p.m. many Rebels pile the streets of Sharpsburg in retreat. The battle seemed lost to the Southern army. Then at 3:40 p.m. General A.P. Hills division, left behind by Jackson at Harpers Ferry to salvage the captured Federal property, arrived on the field after a march of 17 miles in eight hours. Immediately Hills 3,000 troops entered the fight, attacking the Federals unprotected left flank. Burnsides troops were driven back to the heights near the bridge they had taken earlier. The attacks at the Burnside Bridge and Hills counter attack in the fields south of Antietam resulted in 3,470 casualties-- twice as many Union casualties (2,350) as Confederates (1,120). McClellan although held 20,000 men of V army corps and VI corps in reserve--and lost a fleck opportunity to defeat the integral Confederate army. By 5:30 p.m., the Battle of Antietam was over. The Next day Federal and Confederate leaders in love up an informal truce, so they could begin gathering up the wounded and dying. During the evening of the eighteenth Lee began withdrawing his army across the Potomac River. ( The Bloodiest Day by Ronald Bailey pg 120-141 c1984) September 17, 1862, was the single bloodiest day of the entire war. Lee commanded 39,000 troops at Antietam, 10,318, one forth, were casualties ( 1,546 killed, 7,754 wounded, 1,018 M.I.A.). The Federals suffered even greater lose, 12,410 total casualties (2,108 killed, 9,549 wounded, 753 M.I.A.). McClellan at the beging of the battle commanded 71,500 men. ( Robert E. Lee by Emory M. doubting Thomas pg 162 c1995) Refrences Virginias General: Robert E. Lee and the well-mannered War Marrin, Albert (c1994). Robert E. Lee: a annals. Atheneum Macmillan Publishing Company. R. E. Lee brashness 1 Freeman, Douglas (c1934). Robert E. Lee biography Charles Scribners Sons. R. E. Lee deal 11 Freeman, Douglas (c1934). Robert E. Lee biography Charles Scribners Sons Robert E. Lee Earle, Peter (c1973). Robert E. Lee biography George Weidenfeld and Nicolson Limited, London. Robert E. Lee Thomas, Emory (c1995). Robert E. Lee biography W. W. Norton and Company Inc, cutting York. The Bloodiest Day Bailey, Ronald and the editors of Life Books (c1984) period Life Books Inc. If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com

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