The Battle of Sharpsburg began early in the morning of September 17, 1862 on Lee’s left with a multiple corp assault. The Union’s attack failed because Rebel sharpshooters had either wounded or mortally wounded the commanders leading or who have led the charge. Major General K. F. Mansfield leading the XII Corp fell to a Rebel sniper followed by the General Joseph Hooker of the first Corp who was only wounded by a Confederate sharpshooter. With General Reno’s loss from a few days before at the Battle of South Mountain, the lack of senior leadership delayed and permitted a lack of a coordinated attack allowing Lee the time to handle the Union attacks on his left.
Bibliography
1. Plaster, John L., The History of Sniping and Sharpshooting, Paladin Press 2008, page 211
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