Battle of Antietam

Battle of Antietam Part of the American Civil War Battle of Antietam by Kurz and Allison. Date September 17, 1862 Location Near Sharpsburg, Maryland Result Tactically inconclusive; strategic Union victory Belligerents United States (Union) CSA (Confederacy) Commanders and leaders George B. McClellan Robert E. Lee Strength 87,000 45,000 Casualties and losses 12,401 (2,108 killed, 9,540 wounded, 753 captured/missing) 10,316 (1,546 killed, 7,752 wounded, 1,018 captured/missing)

The Battle of Antietam was an important battle in the American Civil War. It is also called the Battle of Sharpsburg by South historians.^[a] The battle was fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland. It was also considered the bloodiest battle in the Civil war. It was the first major battle in the Civil War that took place in the border states. Both sides hoped a big victory for their side would make a short war.

About 22,720 soldiers were killed, wounded or were missing at Antietam.^[3] There has never been another single-day battle in the history of the United States with so many American casualties.^[3] However, there have been other battles that lasted for more than one day where more Americans fell.^[3] For example, the later Battle of Gettysburg lasted three days and had an estimated 51,000 American casualties.^[3]

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Shon Powers, A Buff Looks at the American Civil War (Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2011), p. 501
2. ↑ "Remembering the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas)". History in the Headlines. A&E Television Networks, LLC. 21 July 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} "Casualties of Battle". Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved November 18, 2016.