Fallen Heroes- Dead soldiers litter the battlefield on the ground near Antietam Creek, some of the living left to die with horrid, bloody wounds. Photo courtesy of Alexander Gardner.
Battle of antietam
3,654 dead, 22,717 total casualties mark single bloodiest day in American history
Jeremiah VanderHelm
Sharpsburg, MD- As the Civil War rages on, every week seems to be marred with another great battle, resulting in countless more American lives being ended by men they would have called their fellow countrymen just two short years ago. None of these great battles, however, have come close to the destruction that ensued at Antietam Creek, near the town of Sharpsburg, MA.
As many Americans have probably heard, General George McCellan has been pursuing Confederate General Robert Lee across the country. This chase came to a head just a few days ago, when McCellan ordered his men to attack Lee's army. Firing from defenses behind Antietam Creek, our Union army slowly began to whittle down Lee's numbers. At dawn, General Joseph Hooker attacked Lee's flank, and the battle began in earnest.
The battle continued throughout the day, all but destroying a church before the Union finally managed to engage the Confederates in close combat. The arrival of General Ambrose Burnside seemed as if it should have signaled the beginning of the end of the battle, as Burnside managed to capture high ground and began attacking Lee's army.
Surrounded, Lee's army seemed to be finished. The Union forces had them surrounded, and his numbers were falling fast. However, this was not the end of the battle. At last arriving from the town of Harpers Ferry in Virginia, Confederate General Ambrose Hill managed to fight back General Burnside's army.
Amassing their armies one last time, Union and Confederates battled throughout the day, and despite enormous numbers of casualties on both sides, the battle ended in a standstill, with both armies too crippled to continue fighting.
Although the battle is being said to be a Union victory, with over 3,500 Americans dead, can there really be a victory through all the chaos.
As many Americans have probably heard, General George McCellan has been pursuing Confederate General Robert Lee across the country. This chase came to a head just a few days ago, when McCellan ordered his men to attack Lee's army. Firing from defenses behind Antietam Creek, our Union army slowly began to whittle down Lee's numbers. At dawn, General Joseph Hooker attacked Lee's flank, and the battle began in earnest.
The battle continued throughout the day, all but destroying a church before the Union finally managed to engage the Confederates in close combat. The arrival of General Ambrose Burnside seemed as if it should have signaled the beginning of the end of the battle, as Burnside managed to capture high ground and began attacking Lee's army.
Surrounded, Lee's army seemed to be finished. The Union forces had them surrounded, and his numbers were falling fast. However, this was not the end of the battle. At last arriving from the town of Harpers Ferry in Virginia, Confederate General Ambrose Hill managed to fight back General Burnside's army.
Amassing their armies one last time, Union and Confederates battled throughout the day, and despite enormous numbers of casualties on both sides, the battle ended in a standstill, with both armies too crippled to continue fighting.
Although the battle is being said to be a Union victory, with over 3,500 Americans dead, can there really be a victory through all the chaos.
