From late 1860 to early 1861, the people of some States, like Tennessee, were divided on the question of secession. Tennesseans loyal to the Union feared if their State government took them out of the Union, how it would affect them.

The last battle at Antietam took place on the Rebel right flank where the Union Army lead by General Burnside tried to fight its way across a strongly defended stone bridge over Antietam Creek. Burnside had 12,500 men and McClellan’s promise in supporting his attack. The Confederates held the bluff … Read More »

September 17, 1862 has the sad distinction of being the bloodiest single day of fighting in America’s bloodiest war. Combined casualties at the Battle of Antietam were 26,134. Few regiments suffered more than the Irish Brigade on the Union side of the battle.

The second part of the Battle of Antietam fell on Lee’s center where a sunken county road lay hidden by a low breastwork of fence rails.

The left flank of General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was collapsing on September 17, 1862, at Antietam Creek. Elements of Joseph Hooker’s Union first Corps had torn a hole in Jackson’s gray line near the Dunker Church and West Woods and the Rebels fell back. General James … Read More »