When did the Battle of Antietam take place?
The Battle of Antietam took place on the 17th of September 1862. Fighting began at dawn around 5:30 a.m. and concluded by 5:30 p.m. that same day.
Questions about Battle of Antietam
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commanded Confederate forces during the Battle of Antietam?
Confederate General Robert E. Lee led his Army of Northern Virginia into Maryland with approximately 55,000 men. Key commanders under Lee included Stonewall Jackson, James Longstreet, D.H. Hill, and Richard H. Anderson.
How many casualties occurred during the Battle of Antietam?
Union forces suffered 12,410 casualties including 2,108 dead while Confederates lost 10,316 men with 1,547 killed. The combined total of 22,727 casualties represented the bloodiest single day in American history.
What was Special Order 191 found by Union soldiers?
Special Order 191 was an intelligence cache wrapped around three cigars discovered by Corporal Barton W. Mitchell and First Sergeant John M. Bloss. This document detailed Lee's divided forces scattered to Harpers Ferry and Hagerstown allowing McClellan to isolate segments.
Why did President Lincoln relieve George B. McClellan from command?
President Lincoln relieved Major General George B. McClellan on November 9 because he failed to pursue Lee across the Potomac after the battle. Lincoln cited McClellan's excessive caution and failure to achieve a decisive victory despite having a large army.