✦ History

Part of American Civil War

Battle of Antietam

September 17, 1862 · Sharpsburg, Maryland

Result Union victory

Tactically inconclusive: the Union repelled Lee's invasion but suffered heavier casualties and failed to defeat his army outright. Its political effect was decisive, giving Lincoln the confidence to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which deterred Britain and France from recognizing the Confederacy.

On the map Contemporaries

Union

Confederacy

Other

United States
Confederate States of America
George B. McClellan George Meade Ambrose Burnside Major General, Commander of the IX Corps (left wing) Joseph Hooker Major General, Commander of the I Corps (right wing); wounded in action Edwin V. Sumner Major General, Commander of the II Corps (center)
Robert E. Lee John Bell Hood Stonewall Jackson Major General, Commander of the Second Corps (left wing) James Longstreet Lieutenant General, Commander of the First Corps (right wing) A. P. Hill Major General, Commander of the Light Division; arrived from Harpers Ferry

Strength and losses

Strength
c. 60,00075,316, 85,000
Casualties
12,410
Killed
2,1082,108, 2,100, 2,108
Wounded
9,5499,549, 9,600, 9,549
Missing
753753, 800, 753
Guns
275
Strength
c. 40,00051,844, 50,000
Killed
2,7001,510
Wounded
9,0247,890
Missing
2,0001,800
Deaths
23,000

Units

Army of the Potomac Strength 87,000
Army of Northern Virginia Strength 38,000

Related events 1 degree away • 2 degrees away

1862
1863
 
First Battle of Bull Run
 
Seven Days Battles
 
Battle of Antietam
 
Battle of Fredericksburg
 
Emancipation Proclamation

Also involved 10