On September 4, 1862, 40,000 Confederate soldiers began crossing into Maryland. General Robert E. Lee sent half of his troops to Harpers Ferry. They defeated a Union force and captured the town.
Two armies met along Antietam Creek in Maryland on September 17, 1862. The battle lasted for hours and by the end of the day, the Union suffered more than 12,000 casualties. The Confederates had more than 13,000 casualties. The Battle of Antietam, also known as The Battle of Sharpsburg, was the bloodiest single-day battle of the Civil War and also of U.S history. Antietam was an important victory. More soldiers were killed and wounded at the Battle of Antietam than the deaths of all Americans in the American Revolutionary, War of 1812, and Mexican American War combined.
Two armies met along Antietam Creek in Maryland on September 17, 1862. The battle lasted for hours and by the end of the day, the Union suffered more than 12,000 casualties. The Confederates had more than 13,000 casualties. The Battle of Antietam, also known as The Battle of Sharpsburg, was the bloodiest single-day battle of the Civil War and also of U.S history. Antietam was an important victory. More soldiers were killed and wounded at the Battle of Antietam than the deaths of all Americans in the American Revolutionary, War of 1812, and Mexican American War combined.