Antietam and the Emancipation Proclamation

     The Battle of Antietam (also known as Sharpsburg by the Confederates) was by far the bloodiest day of all in the American Civil War. Antietam was the first battle to be fought on Northern soil. This battle was considered a draw, however in Lincoln's opinion, and many of the Union soldiers, it was thought to be a win. General Robert E. Lee had a defensive battle strategy throughout the war, however during the Battle of Antietam he advanced his troops into Maryland (offensive battle strategy). The Northern general, McClellan, should've won this battle for multiple reasons. Primarily, the Union's troops outnumbered the Confederate's troops two to one. Also, McClellan had a copy of Lee's battle plan because it had been left behind at a past campsite. Finally, the Southerners couldn't retreat easily because they had their backs to a river. Even though it seemed as if McClellan found every way to lose the battle, there was some profitable news. For one the Confederates didn't manage to invade the North, and the European powers decided against entering the war on the Southern side. Antietam was the single bloodiest day of battle, with a number of 22,000 combined casualties. Antietam had three major outcomes: the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, people finally realized how bloody the war was, and the Confederates didn't manage to invade the North.

   

   
     After the Battle of Antietam ensued, it seemed as if there was nothing good to come from the future. It turns out due to the Northerners "victory" Abraham Lincoln was able to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. This Proclamation freed all slaves living in Southern (also known as rebellious) states. Sadly, the slaves in the Northern (also known as border) states remained enslaved. The Emancipation Proclamation changed the war in multiple ways. Primarily, there was a change in focus for the Northerners. This change was that the war became a "moral force", meaning that the soldiers were fighting for "human freedom", and not just to beat the Confederates. Additionally, new soldiers were accepted into the war. Black soldiers could now fight on the Union side in the Army or the Navy. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation didn't end slavery, it was the first step to its abolishment.

   
Even more Antietam battle facts:

• The Battle of Antietam was really three battles
• By 10:00 am 8,000 men were wounded
• Gordon (Southern soldier) was shot two times, however he remained to encourage his men
• The Union had multiple chances to win the battle
• Clara Barton had to ring out the bottom of her dress every time she walked due to all the blood on the ground

Sources: 

http://www.history.com/topics/battle-of-antietam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Antietam

http://www.history.com/topics/emancipation-proclamation

http://www.nps.gov/clba/historyculture/antietam.htm

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Battle_of_Antietam.png/300px-Battle_of_Antietam.png

http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/09/09/antietam2-aefb1be71a6200956861634e83a26bb1526f82f8-s6-c10.jpg

http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Images/proclamation.jpg

Video in Class 2/19/13