battle known particularly south fought september near maryland major battle american civil war place union soil single day battle american history combined tally dead wounded missing pursuing confederate general maryland launched attacks lee army defensive positions dawn september corps mounted powerful assault lee left flank attacks swept miller fighting union assaults eventually pierced confederate center federal advantage followed afternoon union corps entered action capturing stone bridge advancing confederate right crucial moment confederate division arrived launched surprise counterattack driving ending battle outnumbered lee committed entire force sent quarters army enabling lee fight night armies consolidated lines spite casualties lee continued skirmish september removing battered army south despite having superiority numbers attacks failed achieve force concentration allowed lee counter shifting forces moving interior lines meet challenge despite ample reserve forces deployed exploit localized successes failed destroy lee army halted lee invasion maryland lee able withdraw army virginia interference cautious refusal pursue lee army led removal command president abraham_lincoln november battle inconclusive confederate troops withdrawn battlefield making military terms union victory sufficiently significant victory lincoln confidence announce emancipation proclamation discouraged british french governments pursuing potential plans recognize confederacy background military situation political objectives men entered state maryland september following victory second bull run august success confederate leadership intended war enemy territory lee invasion maryland intended run simultaneously invasion kentucky armies necessary logistical reasons northern virginia farms stripped bare food based events baltimore riots spring fact president lincoln pass city disguise route inauguration confederate leaders assumed maryland welcome confederate forces warmly sang tune maryland maryland marched fall sentiment winning especially western parts state civilians generally hid inside houses lee army passed towns watched cold silence army encouraged confederate politicians including president believed prospect foreign recognition increase confederacy won military victory union soil victory gain recognition financial support united_kingdom france evidence lee thought confederacy base military plans possibility plans intelligence man moving intercept lee union soldiers corporal sergeant 27th discovered copy lee detailed battle plans special order wrapped order indicated lee divided army dispersed portions geographically west_virginia maryland making subject isolation defeat quickly waited hours deciding advantage intelligence forces opportunity defeat lee decisively initial movements significant engagements maryland campaign prior major battle jackson capture assault battle south mountain significant large portion lee army absent start battle attending surrender union garrison stout confederate defenses passes mountains delayed advance lee concentrate remainder army opposing forces union army bolstered units absorbed included infantry corps corps consisted divisions brig brigades col brig col brig brigades brig col brig brig brigades brig col col consisted divisions brigades brig brig col brigades brig napoleon brig brigades brig col brig consisted divisions brigades col brig col brig brigades col major col brig brigades brig col consisted divisions brigades col col brig smith brigades brig col division brigades brig brig exercised operational command battle consisted divisions brig brigades brig brigades brig brig brigades col brigades hugh consisted divisions brig brigades brig brig brigades col col col consisted brigades confederate general lee organized large infantry corps corps consisted divisions brigades brig brigades alfred brig brig brigades brig brig brigades colonel brig brig brigades independent brigade brig evans jackson consisted divisions brig brigades col brig col brig brigades brig brig brigades brig brigades brig col remaining units reserve artillery commanded brig organized artillery attached division contrast corps reserved artillery corps level prelude battle disposition armies near town lee deployed available forces low ridge starting september effective defensive position terrain provided excellent cover rail stone fences limestone little creek minor barrier ranging feet width places crossed stone bridges mile apart position confederate rear blocked single crossing point ford nearby retreat necessary ford maryland miles northwest jackson march disposition union forces battle impractical consider retreating direction september force lee immediate command consisted men size federal army union divisions arrived afternoon september bulk remainder army late evening immediate union attack morning september overwhelming advantage numbers trademark caution belief lee men caused delay attack day gave time prepare defensive positions allowed corps arrive jackson corps minus division arrive jackson defended left northern flank anchored right southern flank anchored line miles long battle progressed lee shifted units corps boundaries overlapped considerably evening september ordered corps cross probe enemy positions division attacked hood troops near darkness fell artillery fire continued positioned troops day fighting plan enemy left flank arrived decision configuration bridges lower bridge soon named dominated confederate positions overlooking middle bridge road subject artillery fire heights near upper bridge miles east confederate guns crossed safely planned commit half army assault starting corps supported necessary fourth intended launch simultaneous attack confederate right fifth corps prepared strike center reserves attack succeeded skirmish served signal intentions lee prepared defenses accordingly shifted men left flank sent urgent messages commanders arrived battlefield divisions division terrain consequences plans ill coordinated executed poorly issued subordinate commanders orders corps general orders describing entire battle plan terrain battlefield difficult commanders monitor events outside sectors headquarters mile rear house east creek making difficult control separate corps battle progressed day essentially separate battles morning northern end battlefield midday center afternoon south lack coordination concentration forces completely advantage union enjoyed allowed lee shift defensive forces meet offensive battle morning phase location northern end battlefield battle opened dawn september attack objective plateau sat modest building belonging local sect german approximately men little defenders slight offset strong defensive positions division moved right moved left pennsylvania reserves division deployed center slightly rear jackson defense consisted divisions line southern end brigades held reserve inside union men emerged artillery duel erupted confederate fire horse artillery batteries west batteries col high ground pike south union return fire batteries ridge pounder rifles miles east caused heavy casualties sides described col lee artillery hell seeing confederate concealed halted infantry brought batteries artillery fired shell heads federal infantry covering field exploded chaos savage battle area men beat head rifle stabbed officers rode horses swearing orders hear noise rifles hot firing air filled hail bullets shells brig began advancing exchanged fire colonel brigade alabama georgia north_carolina troops walker men forced aided lee artillery fire division entered torn artillery brig brigade marched directly colonel georgia brigade enduring heavy fire range yards gaining advantage lack reinforcements ordered withdrawal reinforcements expected brigades brig col difficulties reaching scene wounded shell christian fled rear terror men rallied advanced met artillery infantry fire predecessors superior union numbers began tell louisiana tiger brigade entered forced union men casualties received 12th highest unit day tigers beaten eventually brought battery inch ordnance rifles rolled directly point blank fire slaughtered tigers lost men remained bloody stalemate federal advances yards west successful brig division recently named began advancing pushing aside jackson men halted charge men brigade heavy fire yards away confederate brigade withdrew exposed fierce return fire mortally wounded union advance resumed cut large gap jackson defensive line near collapse cost steep corps making steady progress confederate reinforcements arrived divisions arrived following night march general lee moved georgia brigade right flank army aid jackson hood division men advanced pushed union troops attacked particular called reserve position forced hot breakfast days aided brigades division arriving southeast brigade pushing supporting horse artillery officers rallied men artillery pieces 4th saw previous unit lose single hood men bore fighting paid heavy price casualties able prevent defensive line held corps asked fellow officer division hood replied dead field men paid heavily achieving objectives hours casualties started area yards deep yards wide scene destruction estimated changed hands fewer times course morning major assumed command 6th battle later compared fighting stone wall bloody angle slaughter pen cold harbor insisting surpassed manifest evidence slaughter called support men half men raw recruits inexperienced having taken command days veteran years service led large numbers soldiers combat concerned men bolt fire marched formation known column companies closed mass formation regiment ranks deep instead normal men entered presented excellent artillery target good target barn shot chest died day assumed temporary command new recruits progress hood line reinforced brigades division 2nd broke men fled mistaken belief trapped flanking attack breach line forced hood men outnumbered started day able reach original objective drove batteries federal forces held ground east attempted gather scattered remnants corps continue assault confederate spotted general conspicuous white horse shot foot command corps fell senior subordinate wounded removed field general left authority rally men men came heavy fire withdrew effort turn confederate left flank relieve pressure men ordered send divisions battle division men ford entered intention turning left forcing south assault plan went separated division accompanying division launched attack unusual battle formation brigades long lines men yards separating lines assaulted confederate artillery sides divisions early walker half hour men forced retreat great disorder starting point casualties including taken action months wound condemned historians reckless attack lack coordination headquarters losing control french division accompanied failing perform adequate reconnaissance prior launching attack selecting unusual battle formation effectively flanked confederate counterattack recent scholarship determined perform appropriate reconnaissance decision attack justified information available final actions morning phase battle regiments advanced confronted division newly arrived confederate right fought area soon walker men forced brigades division federal troops seized ground morning phase ended casualties sides including union corps commanders midday phase location center confederate line sunken road bloody lane midday action shifted center confederate line accompanied morning attack division divisions french lost contact headed south eager opportunity combat french found path ordered men forward time aide son located french described terrible fighting relayed order divert confederate attention attacking center french confronted division hill commanded men half number french brigades torn morning combat sector line theoretically weakest hill men strong defensive position atop gradual ridge sunken road worn years wagon traffic formed natural trench french launched series brigade sized assaults hill improvised brigade attack inexperienced troops commanded brig quickly cut heavy rifle fire deployed artillery point second attack raw recruits col subjected heavy fire managed beat counterattack brig included veteran regiments fell fire sunken road french division suffered casualties men hour reinforcements arriving sides sent final reserve division men bolster hill line extend right preparing attack french left flank time men division arrived french left divisions held rear organized reserve forces richardson fresh troops struck blow leading fourth attack day sunken road advanced green flags snapping breeze regimental chaplain father rode forth formation shouting words prescribed roman_catholic_church die later perform similar service irish immigrants lost men heavy ordered withdraw richardson personally dispatched brigade brig battle noon told rear finally tide turned anderson confederate division little help defenders anderson wounded early fighting key leaders lost including relation anderson successor col 2nd north_carolina killed minutes assuming command col 6th alabama gordon received wounds fight twice right leg twice left arm face lay unconscious face cap later told colleagues blood act unidentified yankee earlier shot hole cap allowed blood drain wounded thigh field losses contributed directly confusion following events brigade advanced right flank col men 61st new_york saw weak point line seized commanding sunken road allowed fire confederate line turning deadly trap attempting wheel meet threat command misunderstood col succeeded unconscious ordered men face march away order regiments brigade thought applied confederate troops streamed line lost richardson men hot pursuit artillery hastily assembled drove counterattack men led got federal left flank near sunken road driven fierce charge 5th new_hampshire stemmed collapse center reluctantly richardson ordered division fall north ridge facing sunken road division lost men col severely wounded richardson mortally wounded assumed division command excellent future reputation aggressive division corps commander unexpected change command momentum federal advance sunken road gave leaving casualties union confederate yard road great opportunity presented broken sector confederate line exploited lee army divided half possibly defeated ample forces available reserve cavalry porter corps waiting near middle bridge mile away arrived men ready exploit breakthrough senior corps commander ordered advance franklin appealed left headquarters rear hear arguments backed decision ordering franklin hold positions later day commander reserve unit near center heard recommendations commanding 2nd division attack center idea intrigued porter said told remember general command reserve army republic opportunity lost afternoon phase location end battlefield bridge action moved southern end battlefield plan called conduct attack support corps hoping draw confederate attention away intended main attack north instructed wait explicit orders launching attack orders reach strangely passive preparations battle abandoned previous arrangement wing commanders reporting previously commanded wing included corps responsible refusing higher authority treated killed brig corps commander orders corps divisions troops guns east facing force greatly depleted lee movement units bolster confederate left flank dawn divisions brig stood defense walker men col georgia brigade removed jones men guns available meet thin brigades guarded ridges near primarily low plateau known remaining men 2nd 20th georgia regiments command brig artillery batteries defended bridge span foot stone structure southernmost crossing known history bridge notoriety coming battle bridge difficult objective road leading ran parallel creek exposed enemy fire bridge dominated foot high wooded bluff west bank old quarry making infantry fire good covered positions dangerous crossing sector seldom feet wide stretches waist deep confederate range widely criticized ignoring fact starting confederate staff officer commanding terrain shallow creek crossing water comparatively easy difficult problem concentrated plan instead bridge simultaneously crossing ford engineers identified half mile downstream men reached found banks high negotiate col ohio brigade prepared attack bridge support brig division rest brig division struggled thick brush trying locate ford miles downstream intending flank assault bridge led 11th connecticut ordered clear bridge cross assault bluff receiving fire minutes connecticut men withdrew casualties strength including commander col fatally wounded main assault went terrain caused men reach creek quarter mile upstream bridge exchanged confederate hours division touch ford cox directed second assault bridge brigades led 2nd maryland 6th new_hampshire fell prey confederate artillery attack fell apart time noon losing patience sent succession forward ordered aide tell costs men increased pressure sending inspector general col confront reacted appears think trying best carry bridge fourth morning similar orders attempt bridge brigade commanded brig led 51st new_york 51st pennsylvania adequate artillery support promise recently canceled whiskey restored successful charged downhill took positions east bank maneuvering captured light position fired double bridge got yards enemy confederate ammunition running low word reached men crossing ford flank ordered withdrawal cost casualties giving fewer stalled assault southern flank hours assault stalled officers neglected transport ammunition bridge soldiers artillery wagons represented hour delay lee time bolster right flank ordered available artillery unit attempt strengthen badly outnumbered force infantry units left instead counted arrival currently embarked exhausting mile march hill men reached ford hill able relieved lee ordered bring men right jones completely unaware new men facing plan weakened confederate right flank converge cut lee army ford escape route left division reserve west bank moved west troops fresh guns close support initial assault led new_york cameron succeeded jones outnumbered division pushed past yards farther left division advanced lead brigade col containing colorful 9th new_york commanded col came heavy dozen enemy guns mounted ridge kept pushing forward panic streets retreating brigades jones division brigade intact men division arrived hill divided column brigades moving southeast guard flank men moving right brigade preparing counterattack brig brigade south attacked 16th connecticut left flank farmer connecticut men service weeks line casualties 4th rhode_island came right poor visibility amid high corn wearing union uniforms captured ferry broke ran leaving 8th connecticut far advance isolated driven hills counterattack regiments fell short suffered casualties possessed twice number confronting collapse flank ordered men way west bank requested men guns able provide battery said infantry fact fresh corps reserve porter cautious concerned greatly outnumbered massive lee imminent men spent rest day guarding bridge suffered capture aftermath casualties day american military history battle losses day heavy sides union casualties dead confederate casualties dead represented federal force confederate casualties union confederate troops died wounds soon battle confederate troops listed missing later confirmed dead fighting september killed american soldiers americans died battle september day nation military history generals died result battle including brig union mortally wounded brig confederate killed shot ankle defense survived battle died later october lee retreat removal morning september lee army prepared defend federal assault came improvised truce sides recover exchange wounded lee forces began withdrawing evening return virginia president lincoln disappointed performance believed cautious poorly coordinated actions field forced battle draw confederate defeat historian agrees making battle great odds save republic general committed barely infantry contest army fire shot men repeatedly drove brink disaster feats entirely lost commander thinking little defeat lincoln command president september october despite repeated president declined pursue lee citing shortages equipment fear forces general chief wrote official report long inactivity large army face defeated foe favorable season rapid movements vigorous campaign matter great disappointment regret lincoln relieved command army november effectively ending general military career replaced november general turning point american_civil_war students history question designation strategic victory union argued performed poorly campaign battle lee displayed great holding battle army greatly outnumbered casualties comparable sides lee lost higher percentage army lee withdrew battlefield technical definition tactical loser civil war battle strategic sense despite tactical draw considered turning point war victory union ended lee strategic campaign invasion union territory american historian summed importance book crossroads freedom campaign battle war multiple consequences july dual union struck blow renewed confederate offensive east cut western confederacy rest september capture atlanta electrified north set stage final drive union victory pivotal moments happened triple confederate mississippi kentucky maryland defeated fall union victory political consequences results allowed president lincoln issue emancipation proclamation september took effect january lincoln intended earlier advised cabinet announcement union victory avoid perception issued desperation upper edge war prior united_states foreign relations union victory lincoln proclamation played considerable role governments france united_kingdom recognizing confederacy suspected planning aftermath union defeat issue emancipation linked progress war government political oppose united_states linked support confederacy support slavery countries abolished slavery public tolerated government militarily supporting sovereignty ideals slavery additional battle maps gallery hour battlefield preservation battle commemorated conservation work undertaken private groups earned reputation nation best preserved civil war visual landscape letting visitors experience site nearly civil war preserved federally receiving distinction august placed time mark spots individual regiments significant phases battle battlefield transferred consists acres preserved acres site historic photographs paintings gallery dead october displayed original photographs documenting considered father known efforts document civil war grand scale bringing photographic studio receiving special permission lincoln september days sent photographer assistant photograph october displayed photos exhibition entitled dead new_york gallery images presentation graphic photographs corpses presentation new america time americans saw realities war photographs distinct previous artists impressions new_york_times published review october describing objects horror think battle field stand bear away palm crowds came gallery drawn terrible fascination images corpses brought reality remote battle fields new viewers examined details glass scarce choose gallery women bending recognize husband son brother lines bodies lie ready trenches captain murals captain 2nd professional artist painted large murals based battlefield scenes assigned duties scout injuries exhibited gallery new_york death prints larger paintings sold 1930s work damaged flood original murals shown church years national_park_service purchased restored featured time life book entitled day battle gallery images include photographs employed photographs exhibited new_york gallery october murals captain restored national_park_service popular culture battle depicted beginning film glory directed starring hell wheels season episode union_army lieutenant carries confederate took trophy termed glorious victory confederate soldier blue coat assessment calls battle lieutenant 51st pennsylvania stormed bridge thought confederate soldiers running scared explaining confederate forces retreated bridge ran ammunition shooting union_army soldiers kept lining firing squad shot like fish bloody barrel men animosity opposing views skirmish reflect differing badly outcome shared mission episode memoirs primary sources blown yankee sixth isbn published sons douglas rode war experiences youngest member isbn photographs pictures dead new_york new_york_times october war rebellion compilation official records union confederate armies washington
Battle of Antietam