Bloodiest Day in American History

November 3, 2023 -- The Battle of Antietam, also called the Battle of Sharpsburg, took place on September 17, 1862 between Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Virginia and Union General George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac. Antietam is considered the bloodiest day in American History. There were 22, 272 casualties on both sides.

Welcome to Antietam National Battlefield

Mom and I have visited the Antietam National Battlefield on many occasions. It is a very humbling place. Our most recent visit was November 3, 2023. I have visited the battlefield by myself on other occasions. I like taking pictures of monuments. The visitor's center recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. There are many improvements and new interactive exhibits. The monument pictured below "Exposed to the fire of slavery and the freedom" is new to the visitor's center.

Visitor's Center

Antietam Battlefield

During the Battle of Antietam, Dunker Church was the focal point of many Union attacks against the Confederate left flank. After the battle, the Confederates used the church as a medical aid station. The church was built in 1852 as a place of worship for Dunker farmers. The church survived the battle but was destroyed by a wind storm in 1921. It was rebuilt for the Civil War Centennial in 1961.

Dunker Church

Rebuilt in 1961

Worm or zig zag fencing

Bloody lane is a sunken lane on the Antietam National Battlefield. It is a location of a very fierce battle between Confederate and Union soldiers. 5500 men were killed or wounded after three hours of intense hand-to-hand combat. Bodies were piled on top of bodies. The Union prevailed.

Bloody Lane

Antietam was the first Civil War battle fought on Union soil. Because the Union did not lose the battle (some historians claim they won), Antietam is considered a Union victory. In fact, it was a turning point in the war. The outcome at Antietam led President Abraham Lincoln to issue his preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. 

Antietam was the first war to be photographed. 

More than 500 canons were deployed by both sides.

The Poffenberger farm was occupied by Union forces.

Built in 1836 (over Antietam Creek), the Burnside Bridge played a significant role in the Battle of Antietam. About 500 Confederate troops held the area near the bridge for three hours before Union soldiers under the command of Major General Ambrose Burnside captured it, forcing Confederate soldiers back towards Sharpsburg.

Burnside Bridge

Antietam National Cemetery became the final resting place for the remains of 4,776 Union soldiers killed in the Battles of Antietam, South Mountain, Monocacy and other action in Maryland. However, 38 percent of the remains are unknown.

Antietam National Cemetery

Antietam National Cemetery

Originally, soldiers from both sides were to be buried at Antietam, but bitterness and the failure of the South to raise funds, resulted in Confederate soldiers being buried elsewhere. Some of the Southerners were buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hagerstown.

Washington Confederate Cemetery @ Rose Hill