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After pursuing Confederate General
Robert E. Lee into Maryland, Union Army Major General George McClellan
initiated attacks against Lee's army who had taken up defensive positions
behind Antietam Creek. At dawn on September 17, Union Major General Joseph
Hooker's corps mounted a vigorous assault on Lee's left flank. Attacks and
counterattacks commenced. Lee, who was outnumbered two-to-one, committed
his entire force to the battle. McClellan sent in less than three-quarters
of his army. This enabled Lee to fight the Federals to a standstill.
During the night, both armies consolidated their lines. In spite of
debilitating casualties, Lee continued to skirmish with McClellan
throughout the next day, September 18th, while removing his battered army
south of the river. |
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Although McClellan failed to
destroy Lee's army, Lee's invasion of Maryland end. Lee was able to
withdraw his army back into Virginia without interference from McClellan.
Although the battle was tactically inconclusive, it did have hitorical
significance. It was enough of a victory to give President Abraham
Lincoln the assurance he needed to announce the
Emancipation Proclamation, which discouraged the British and French
governments from potentially recognizing of the Confederacy. |
