Battle of Antietam Also known as: Battle of Sharpsburg
Community · Battle of Antietam A major American Civil War engagement fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland, between Union and Confederate forces.
15 words Connections 16
Confederate States of America 100% Confederate States of America participated in Battle of Antietam
Confederate States of America took part in Battle of Antietam, as recorded in the conflict’s participant statements on Wikidata.
Union Army 100% Union Army participated in Battle of Antietam
Union Army took part in Battle of Antietam, as recorded in the conflict’s participant statements on Wikidata.
Related to Army of Northern Virginia 100% Primary Confederate combatant force
This was the principal Confederate army in the Eastern Theater, commanded by Robert E. Lee during the Maryland Campaign and the battle.
Related to Abraham Lincoln 100% Political leader overseeing the war effort
Lincoln used the outcome of the battle to shift the war's focus toward the abolition of slavery and to pressure his generals for more aggressive action.
Located at Sharpsburg, Maryland 100% The battle occurred in Sharpsburg.
The engagement took place in and around the town of Sharpsburg, Maryland, near Antietam Creek.
Causes Emancipation Proclamation 100% The battle provided the political opening for the proclamation.
The strategic victory at Antietam gave Lincoln the necessary political capital to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
Army of the Potomac 100% The army fought in the battle.
The Army of the Potomac was the primary Union military organization involved in the Battle of Antietam.
Robert E. Lee 100% Lee commanded the Confederate forces.
Robert E. Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia during the Maryland Campaign and the Battle of Antietam.
George B. McClellan 100% McClellan commanded the Union forces.
George B. McClellan was the commanding general of the Army of the Potomac during the Battle of Antietam.
Related to Dunker Church 95% Prominent landmark and focal point of combat
The small white church served as a key visual landmark and a focal point for the heavy fighting that occurred in the nearby Miller Cornfield.
Related to Ambrose Burnside 95% Commanded a major wing of the Union forces
As commander of the IX Corps, Burnside was responsible for the delayed but eventually successful crossing of the bridge that bears his name.
Related to Burnside's Bridge 95% Key tactical location during the battle
The struggle to capture this stone bridge over Antietam Creek was a critical component of the Union's final assault on the Confederate right flank.
Related to Maryland campaign 95% Strategic context of the battle
The Battle of Antietam served as the climactic engagement of Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North, known as the Maryland Campaign.
Related to Battle of South Mountain 90% Precursor engagement to the battle
Fought three days before Antietam, this battle delayed the Confederate advance and allowed the Union army to catch up to Lee's forces.
Related to Bloody Lane 90% Key tactical location during the battle
This farm lane, also known as 'Bloody Lane', was the site of intense, close-quarters combat during the center phase of the battle.
Prerequisite Special Order 191 90% The discovery of the order influenced the battle.
The discovery of Lee's lost orders by Union troops directly influenced the tactical movements leading into the Battle of Antietam.