The Battle Of Antietam
Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia entered the state of Maryland on September 3, 1862, following their victory at Second Bull Run on August 30. empowered by success, intended to take the war into union territory. Lee's invasion of Maryland was suppose to run with an invasion of Kentucky. It was also necessary for reasons, as northern Virginia's farms had been stripped bare of food. Based on events such as the fact that President Lincoln had to pass through the city in disguise, Confederate leaders assumed that Maryland would welcome the Confederate forces warmly. but by the fall of 1862 pro-Union sentiment was winning out, especially in the western parts of the state. Civilians hid inside their houses as Lee's army passed through their towns, while the Army of the Potomac was cheered. Some Confederate politicians, including President Jefferson Davis, believed the prospect of foreign recognition would increase if they won a military victory on Northern soil; such a victory might gain recognition and financial support from Great Britain and France, although there is no evidence that Lee thought the South should base its military plans on this possibility.
While McClellan's Army of the Potomac was moving to intercept Lee, two Union soldiers discovered a copy of Lee's battle plans wrapped around three cigars. The order indicated that Lee had divided his army, making each subject to being deserted and defeated if McClellan could move quickly enough. McClellan waited about a day before deciding to take advantage of this map, thus wasting an opportunity to defeat Lee.
There were two significant attacks in the Maryland battle prior to the battle of Antietam: Gen. Jackson's capture of Ferry and McClellan's attack through the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Battle of South Mountain. The first was important because mos of of Lee's army was missing from the start of the battle of Antietam, going to the surrender of the Union; the second because Confederate defenses delayed McClellan's march enough for Lee to combine the all of of his army at Sharpsburg.
Willowcreek Middle School 4.9.13
Maxwell J.
Maxwell J.