The Battle of Antietam is widely recognized as the deadliest single-day battle in American military history.
The Battle of Antietam: A Day of Unprecedented Loss
On September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland, the Battle of Antietam unfolded, becoming the most intense and casualty-ridden single day of combat in American history. This pivotal Civil War engagement saw Union forces confront the Confederate army in the Eastern Theater, demonstrating the Union's ability to stand against the Confederate advance.
Key Facts About the Battle of Antietam
The battle's grim toll solidified its place in history, with nearly 23,000 casualties (killed, wounded, and missing) on both sides over just 12 hours of fighting. This staggering number of casualties on a single day remains unmatched.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1862 |
| Location | Washington County, Maryland (near Sharpsburg) |
| Conflict | American Civil War |
| Significance | Deadliest one-day battle in American military history; Halted Confederate invasion of Maryland; Led to Emancipation Proclamation. |
| Casualties | Approximately 23,000 (killed, wounded, missing) total |
Why Antietam is Considered the "Bloodiest Single-Day Battle"
While other battles in American history, such as Gettysburg, incurred higher total casualties over multiple days of fighting, Antietam's distinction lies in the sheer concentration of death and injury within a single 24-hour period. The intense fighting across the Cornfield, the Sunken Road ("Bloody Lane"), and Burnside's Bridge led to an unparalleled rate of attrition.
The Union victory, though tactically inconclusive, was strategically significant. It provided President Abraham Lincoln with the confidence to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, fundamentally changing the war's purpose and discouraging European intervention on behalf of the Confederacy.
To learn more about this historic event, visit the American Battlefield Trust.
