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BATTLE // 17 Sep 1862

Antietam

Maryland · 39.474, -77.738

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Overview

The Battle of Antietam, also called the Battle of Sharpsburg, particularly in the Southern United States, took place during the American Civil War on September 17, 1862, between Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and Union Major General George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek. Part of the Maryland Campaign, it was the first field army–level engagement in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War to take place on Union soil. It remains the bloodiest day in American history, with a tally of 22,726 dead, wounded, or missing on both sides. Although the Union Army suffered heavier casualties than the Confederates, the battle was a major turning point in the Union's favor.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

Emancipation opening

Result

Strategic Union check

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • United States53,632
    medium
  • Confederate States30,646
    medium

United States fielded a 1.8 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • United States12,410
    medium23% loss rate
  • Confederate States10,316
    medium34% loss rate

Commanders (2)

Confederate States

United States

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Related

6 sibling battles · 2 factions

Last verified May 2026
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