The Battle of Antietam and the Emancipation Proclamation

Ashley, Emma, Jay, Pat

The Battle Begins

On September 17, 1862, General Robert E. Lee led his confederate troops into Maryland. He hoped that with a victory, Europeans would help support the South and his Confederate troops.

The Day of the Battle

Confederate and Union armies met along Antietam Creek in the small town town of Sharpsburg. Lee had his plans for this battle all written out on a sheet of paper. He lost his plans and it turned out that McClellan found them. Knowing where Lee was headed, McClellan had the upper hand. This battle was a victory for the north, but many people saw it as a defeat for both armies because more troops were lost than the War of 1812 and the Mexican War combined. Of the 75,000 Union troops, 2,100 were killed, and 10,300 were hurt or missing. Of the 52,000 Confederate troops, 2,770 were killed and 11,000 were hurt or missing. It was the bloodiest battle in the whole war.

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The Emancipation Proclamation

Before the war, Lincoln’s main priority was not to force emancipation. But after the Battle of Antietam, Lincoln’s thoughts began to change. In order to save the Union, Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery. Lincoln gave the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This proclamation freed all slaves in Confederate states. The Confederates ignored the announcement, and it wasn’t effective at first, because it would discourage Europeans who opposed slavery from helping the Confederacy. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was ignored at first, it turned out to be a turning point in the Civil War.

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Union Soldiers

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On the Battlefield

The Battle of Antietam was seen by most as the “bloodiest battle in the Civil War.” About 5,000 soldiers were killed throughout the battle.

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