The Battle of AntietamSeptember 17, 1862The Battle of AntietamSeptember 17, 1862

Robert E. Lee (CSA) George B. McClellan (USA)

The Two CommandersThe Two Commanders

General Robert E. Lee’s reasons for invading MarylandGeneral Robert E. Lee’s reasons for invading Maryland• To gather supplies and troops from the slave-holding

border state of Maryland.• To give the farmers in Virginia time to bring in their crops

for the winter.• To get military or political support from France and Great

Britain.• To damage Northern morale before the November

elections.• To bring the war north and threaten Washington, DC and

other Northern cities.• Defeat the Union army once and for all.

Battle MapBattle Map

The battle opened at dawn when the Union forces attacked Jackson’s men near the cornfield. They were driven back to the Dunker church, but rallied when reinforcements arrived and maintained their position. 13,000 men had been killed or wounded.

Death in the CornfieldDeath in the Cornfield

Battle MapBattle Map

At 9:30, Union forces attacked the Confederate center along a sunken wagon road. The Union could not break the Confederate line so the attack continued for four hours and left 5,600 casualties on both sides. The sunken road is now remembered as “Bloody Lane”.

Bloody LaneBloody Lane

Battle MapBattle Map