Battle of Antietam 1862 American History Analytical Essay Select any ONE of the below primary sources that interests you and, after reading the source, wri

Battle of Antietam 1862 American History Analytical Essay Select any ONE of the below primary sources that interests you and, after reading the source, write an analytical essay in which you summarize the main points of the article (this should take about 2/3 of your essay) and then analyze/critique the source (about 1/3 of your essay).

Try to answer at least some of the following questions in your essay:

Who is the author of your chosen source? What is the time period of the source and what is the topic? What might this article tell a researcher about the time period? What is he/she trying to say? What is his/her point of view? Does he/she make a convincing case? Why or why not? What does the author leave out (if anything)? Does the author exhibit a particular bias? Is there anything in this source that might be relevant to the world today?

Note: Depending on the source you choose, not all of the above questions may be relevant. Answer those which are relevant to your source.

Try to select a document/source that interests you. If it is a topic/person that you are unfamiliar with, be sure to do at least a little research to give you a better background for analyzing the source. If you would like to use additional sources (internet web sites, books, periodicals, etc.,) you are more than welcome to, as long as your focus is on the primary source. Your essay should consist of two sections: a summary of the article and then an analysis of the article.

In writing your essay, you should follow the below guidelines:

Your essay should be a MINIMUM of 800 words (it can be longer if you like).
Your completed essay should consist of a summary (about 2/3 of your essay) and an analysis (roughly 1/3).
All persons, events, concepts in your paper should be introduced/explained clearly…in other words, write your essay as if your audience was another student!
Your essay should follow the basic style guidelines for MLA, APA or Chicago (your choice).
Your essay should have a cover page and bibliography page in your chosen style (these pages do NOT count towards the essay length).
Your essay should be double-spaced with #12 fonts and 1-inch margins.
The essay needs to be written entirely in your own words. Use quotes very sparingly and only to highlight a point you are trying to make. Quoted material does NOT count towards the length of your essay.
Your essay needs to be neatly written and grammatically correct (points will be deducted for sloppy papers).
Your essay should be saved as either a Word (.doc or .docx) file or as a Rich Text File (.rtf). To submit your essay click on the blue hyperlinked title above. To be safe, you should upload your essay file and copy/paste your essay in the textbox on the submission page! It is your responsibility to submit a file that I can open and read. Late points will apply to files that I cannot open or that are in the wrong format. The Battle of Antietam, 1862
This is Robert E. Lee’s report on his invasion of Maryland and the resulting Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg to the
Confederates). To start this assignment, it would be a good idea to do some brief background research on the
Antietam Campaign.
The enemy having retired to the protection of the fortifications around Washington and Alexandria, the army
marched on the 3d September towards Leesburg.
The armies of Generals McClellan and Pope had now been brought back to the point from which they set out on
the campaigns of the spring and summer. The objects of those campaigns had been frustrated and the designs of
the enemy on the coast of North Carolina and in western Virginia thwarted by the withdrawal of the main body of
his forces from those regions.
Northeastern Virginia was freed from the presence of Federal soldiers up to the entrenchment’s of Washington,
and soon after the arrival of the army at Leesburg information was received that the troops which had occupied
Winchester had retired to Harper’s Ferry and Martinsburg. The war was thus transferred from the interior to the
frontier and the supplies of rich and productive districts made accessible to our army.
To prolong a state of affairs in every way desirable, and not to permit the season for active operations to pass
without endeavoring to inflict further injury upon the enemy, the best course appeared to be the transfer of the
army into Maryland. Although not properly equipped for invasion, lacking much of the material of war, and
feeble in transportation, the troops poorly provided with clothing, and thousands of them destitute of shoes, it was
yet believed to be strong enough to detain the enemy upon the northern frontier until the approach of winter
should render his advance into Virginia difficult, if not impracticable.
The condition of Maryland encouraged the belief that the presence of our army, however inferior to that of the
enemy, would induce the Washington Government to retain all its available force to provide against contingencies
which its course towards the people of that State gave it reason to apprehend.
At the same time it was hoped that military success might afford us an opportunity to aid the citizens of Maryland
in any efforts they might be disposed to make to recover their liberties. The difficulties that surrounded them were
fully appreciated, and we expected to derive more assistance in the attainment of our object from the just fears of
the Washington Government, than from any active demonstration on the part of the people, unless success
should enable us to give them assurance of continued protection. Influenced by these considerations, the army
was put in motion, D. H. Hill’s division which had joined us on the 2nd being in advance, and between the 4th
and 7th of September crossed the Potomac at the fords near Leesburg, and encamped in the vicinity of
Fredericktown.
It was decided to cross the Potomac east of the Blue Ridge, in order, by threatening Washington and Baltimore,
to cause the enemy to withdraw from the south bank, where his presence endangered our communications and
the safety of those engaged in the removal of our wounded and the captured property from the late battlefields.
Having accomplished this result, it was proposed to move the army into western Maryland, establish our
communications with Richmond through the Valley of the Shenandoah, and by threatening Pennsylvania, induce
the enemy to follow, and thus draw him from his base of supplies.
It had been supposed that the advance upon Fredericktown would lead to the evacuation of Martinsburg and
Harper’s Ferry, thus opening the line of communication through the Valley. This not having occurred, it became
necessary to dislodge the enemy from those positions before concentrating the army west of the mountains.
To accomplish this with the least delay, General Jackson was directed to proceed with his command to
Martinsburg, and after driving the enemy from that place, to move down the south side of the Potomac upon
Harper’s Ferry. General McLaws with his own and R. H. Anderson’s division was ordered to seize Maryland
Heights on the north side of the Potomac opposite Harper’s Ferry, and Brigadier General Walker, to take
possession of Loudoun Heights, on the east side of the Shenandoah where it unites with the Potomac. These
several commands were directed, after reducing Harper’s Ferry and clearing the Valley of the enemy, to join the
rest of the army at Boonsboro or Hagerstown.
The march of these troops began on the 10th, and at the same time the remainder of Longstreet’s command and
the division of D. H. Hill crossed the South Mountain and moved towards Boonsboro. General Stuart with the
cavalry remained east of the mountains, to observe the enemy and retard his advance.
A report having been received that a Federal force was approaching Hagerstown from the direction of
Chambersburg, Longstreet continued his march to the former place, in order to secure the road leading thence to
Williamsport, and also to prevent the removal of stores which were said to be in Hagerstown. He arrived at that
place on the 11th, General Hill halting near Boonsboro to prevent the enemy at Harper’s Ferry from escaping
through Pleasant Valley, and at the same time to support the cavalry.
The advance of the Federal Army was so slow at the time we left Fredericktown as to justify the belief that the
reduction of Harper’s Ferry would be accomplished and our troops concentrated before they would be called
upon to meet it. In that event it had not been intended to oppose its passage through the South Alountains, as it
was desired to engage it as far as possible from its base.
General Jackson marched very rapidly, and crossing the Potomac near Williamsport on the 11th, sent A. P. Hill’s
division directly to Martinsburg, and disposed the rest of his command to cut off the retreat of the enemy
westward. On his approach the Federal troops evacuated Martinsburg, retiring to Harper’s Ferry on the night of
the 11th, and Jackson entered the former place on the 12th capturing some prisoners and abandoned stores. In
the forenoon of the following day his leading division under General A. P. Hill came in sight of the enemy
strongly entrenched on Bolivar Heights in rear of Harper’s Ferry. Before beginning the attack, General Jackson
proceeded to put himself in communication with the cooperating forces under Generals McLaws and Walker,
from the former of whom he was separated by the Potomac, and from the latter by the Shenandoah. General
Walker took possession of Loudoun Heights on the 13th and the next day was in readiness to open upon
Harper’s Ferry. General McLaws encountered more opposition. He entered Pleasant Valley on the 11th. On the
12th he directed General Kershaw with his own and [William] Barksdale’s brigade to ascend the ridge whose
southern extremity is known as Maryland Heights, and attack the enemy who occupied that position with infantry
and artillery protected by entrenchments. He disposed the rest of his command to hold the roads leading from
Harper’s Ferry eastward through Weverton, and northward from Sandy Hook, guarding the pass in his rear
through which he had entered Pleasant Valley, with the brigades of [Paul W. ] Semmes and Mahone.
Owing to the rugged nature of the ground on which Kershaw had to operate and the want of roads, he was
compelled to use infantry alone. Driving in the advance parties of the enemy on the summit of the ridge on the
12th he assailed the works the next day. After a spirited contest they were carried, the troops engaged in their
defence spiking their heavy guns and retreating to Harper’s Ferry. By 4 PM Kershaw was in possession of
Maryland Heights. On the 14th a road for artillery was cut along the ridge, and at 2 PM four guns opened upon
the enemy on the opposite side of the river, and the investment of Harper’s Ferry was complete. In the meantime
events transpired in another quarter which threatened to interfere with the reduction of the place.
A copy of the order directing the movement of the army from Fredericktown had fallen into the hands of General
McClellan, and disclosed to him the disposition of our forces. He immediately began to push forward rapidly, and
on the afternoon of the 13th was reported approaching the pass in South Mountain on the Boonsboro and
Frederick-town road. The cavalry under General Stuart fell back before him, materially impeding his progress by
its gallant resistance, and gaining time for preparations to oppose his advance. By penetrating the mountains at this
point he would reach the rear of McLaws and be enabled to relieve the garrison at Harper’s Ferry. To prevent
this, General D. H. Hill was directed to guard the Boonsboro Gap, and Longstreet ordered to march from
Hagerstown to his support. On the 13th General Hill sent back the brigades of Garland and [Alfred H. ] Colquitt
to hold the pass, but subsequently ascertaining that the enemy was near in heavy force, he ordered up the rest of
his division. Early on the 14th a large body of the enemy attempted to force its way to the rear of the position held
by Hill, by a road south of the Boonsboro and Fredericktown turnpike. The attack was repulsed by Garland’s
brigade after a severe conflict, in which that brave and accomplished young officer was killed. The remainder of
the division arriving shortly.
The attack on the garrison began at dawn. A rapid and vigorous fire was opened from the batteries of General
Jackson and those on Maryland and Loudoun Heights. In about two hours the garrison consisting of more than
eleven thousand men, surrendered. Seventy-three pieces of artillery, about thirteen thousand small arms, and a
large quantity of military stores fell into our hands.
Leaving General A. P. Hill to receive the surrender of the Federal troops and secure the captured property,
General Jackson with his two other divisions, set out at once for Sharpsburg, ordering Generals Mc-Laws and
Walker to follow without delay. Official information of the fall of Harper’s Ferry and the approach of General
Jackson was received soon after the commands of Longstreet and D. H. Hill reached Sharpsburg on the morning
of the 15th, and reanimated the courage of the troops. General Jackson arrived early on the 16th, and General
Walker came up in the afternoon.
The presence of the enemy at Crampton’s Gap embarrassed the movements of General McLaws. He retained the
position taken during the night of the 14th to oppose an advance towards Harper’s Ferry, until the capitulation of
that place, when finding the enemy indisposed to attack, he gradually withdrew his command towards the
Potomac Deeming the roads to Sharpsburg on the north side of the river impracticable, he resolved to cross at
Harper’s Ferry and march by way of Shepherdstown. Owing to the condition of his troops and other
circumstances, his progress was slow, and he did not reach the battlefield at Sharpsburg until some time after
theengagement of the 17th began.
The commands of Longstreet and D. H Hill on their arrival at Sharpsburg were placed in position along the range
of hills between the town and the Antietam, nearly parallel to the course of that stream, Longstreet on the right of
the road to Boonsboro and Hill on the left. The advance of the enemy was delayed by the brave opposition he
encountered from Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry, and he did not appear on the opposite side of the Antietam until about
2 PM. During the afternoon the batteries on each side were slightly engaged. On the 16th the artillery fire became
warmer, and continued throughout the day. The enemy crossed the Antietam beyond the reach of our batteries
and menaced our left. In anticipation of this movement, Hood’s two brigades had been transferred from the right
and posted between D. H. Hill and the Hagerstown road.
General Jackson was now directed to take position on Hood’s left, and formed his line with his right resting upon
the Hagerstown road and his left extending towards the Potomac, protected by General Stuart with the cavalry and
horse artillery. General Walker with his two brigades was stationed on Longstreet’s right.
As evening approached, the enemy opened more vigorously with his artillery, and bore down heavily with his
infantry upon Hood, but the attack was gallantly repulsed. At 10 p. m. Hood’s troops were relieved by the
brigades of Lawton and Trimble, of Ewell’s division, commanded by General Lawton. Jackson’s own division
under General J. R. Jones was 011 Lawton’s left, supported by the remainingbrigades of Ewell’s.
At early dawn on the 17th the enemy’s artillery opened vigorously from both sides of the Antietam, the heaviest
fire being directed against our left. Under cover of this fire a large force of infantry attacked General Jackson.
They were met by his troops with the utmost resolution, and for several hours the conflict raged with great fury
and alternate success. General J. R. Jones was compelled to leave the field and the command of Jackson’s division
devolved on General [William E. ] Starke. The troops advanced with great spirit and the enemy’s lines were
repeatedly broken and forced to retire. Fresh troops however soon replaced those that were beaten, and Jackson’s
men were in turn compelled to fall back. The brave General Starke was killed, General Lawton was wounded,
and nearly all the field officers with a large proportion of the men, killed or disabled. Our troops slowly yielded to
overwhelming numbers and fell back, obstinately disputing the progress of the enemy. Hood returned to the field,
and relieved the brigades of Trimble, Lawton, and Hays, which had suffered severely.
General Early who succeeded General Lawton in the command of Ewell’s division, was ordered by General
Jackson to move with his brigade to take the place of Jackson’s division, most of which was withdrawn, its
ammunition being nearly exhausted and its numbers much reduced. A small part of the division under Colonels
Grigsby and [Leroy A. ] Stafford, united with Early’s brigade, as did portions of the brigades of Trimble, Lawton,
and Hays.
The battle now raged with great violence, the small commands under Hood and Early holding their ground
against many times their own numbers of the enemy, and under a tremendous fire of artillery. Hood was
reinforced by the brigades of Ripley, Colquitt, and Garland (under Colonel [Duncan K. ] McRae), of D. H. Hill’s
division and afterward by D. R. Jones’ brigade, under Colonel G. T. Anderson. The enemy’s lines were broken
and forced back, but fresh numbers advanced to their support and they began to gain ground The desperate
resistance they encountered however delayed their progress until the troops of General McLaws arrived and those
of General Walker could be brought from the right. Hood’s brigade, greatly diminished in numbers, withdrew to
replenish their ammunition, their supply being entirely exhausted. They were relieved by Walker’s command who
immediately attacked the enemy vigorously, driving him back with great slaughter. Colonel [Van H. ] Manning
commanding Walker’s brigade pursued until he was stopped by a strong fence, behind which was posted a large
force of infantry with several batteries.
The gallant colonel was severely wounded, and his brigade retired to the line on which the rest of Walker’s
command had halted. Upon the arrival of the reinforcements under General McLaws, General Early attacked
with great resolution the large force opposed to him. McLaws advanced at the same time and the enemy were
driven back in confusion, closely followed by our troops beyond the position occupied at the beginning of the
engagement.
The enemy renewed the assault on our left several times, but was repulsed with loss. He finally ceased to advance
his infantry and for several hours kept up a furious fire from his numerous batteries, under which our troops held
their position with great coolness and courage. The attack on our left was speedily followed by one in heavy force
on the center. This was met by part of Walker’s division and the brigades of G. B. Anderson and Rodes of D. H.
Hill’s command assisted by a few pieces of artillery. The enemy was repulsed and retired behind the crest of a hill
from which they kept up a desultory fire.
General R. H. Anderson’s division came to Hill’s support and formed in rear of his line. At this time by a mistake
of orders, General Rodes’ brigade was withdrawn from its position during the temporary absence of that officer at
another part of the field. The enemy immediately pressed through the gap thus created and G. B. Anderson’s
brigade was broken and retired, General Anderson himself being mortally wounded. Major General R. H.
Anderson and Brigadier General [Ambrose R. 1 Wright were also wounded and borne from the field.
The heavy masses of the enemy again moved forward, being op posed only by four pieces of artillery, supported
by a few hundreds of men belonging to different brigades, rallied by General D. H. Hill and other officers, and
parts of Walker’s and R. H. Anderson’s commands, Colonel [John R. ] Cooke, with the 27th North Carolina
Regiment of Walker’s brigade, standing boldly in line without a cartridge. The firm front presented by this small
force and the well directed fire of the artillery under Captain [Merit B. ] Miller of the Washington Artillery, and
Captain [Robert] Boyce’s South Carolina battery, checked the progress of the enemy, and in about an hour and a
half he retired. Another attack was made soon afterwards a little farther to the right, but was repulsed by Miller’s
guns, which continued to hold the ground until the close of the engagement, supported by a part of R. H.
Anderson’s troops.
While the attack on the center and left was in progress, the enemy made repeated efforts to force the passage of
the bridge over the Antietam, opposite the right wing of General Longstreet, commanded by Brigadier General D.
R. Jones. This bridge was defended by General [Robert] Toombs with two regiments of his brigade, the 2nd and
20th Georgia, and the batteries of General Jones. General Toombs’ small command repulsed five different
assaults made by a greatly superior force and maintained its position with distinguished gallantry.
Len the afternoon the enemy began to extend his line as if to cross the Antietam below the bridge, and at 4 p. m.
Toombs’ regiments retired from the position they had so bravely held. The enemy immediately crossed the bridge
in large numbers and advanced against General Jones, who held the crest with less than two thousand men. After
a determined and brave resistance, he was forced to give way, and the enemy gained the summit.
General A. P. Hill had arrived from Harper’s Ferry, having left that place at 7 V2 a. m. He was now ordered to
reinforce General Jones, and moved to his support with the brigades of Archer, Branch, Gregg and Pender, the
last of whom was placed on the right of the line, and the other three advanced and attacked the enemy now
flushed with success. Hill’s batteries were thrown forward and united their fire with those of General Jones, and
one of General D. H. Hill’s also opened with good effect from the left of the Boonsboro road. The progress of
the enemy was immediately arrested and his lines began to waver. At this moment General Jones ordered
Toombs’ to charge the flank, while Archer supported by Branch and Gregg, moved upon the front of the Federal
line. The enemy made a brief resistance, then broke and retreated in confusion towards the Antietam, pursued by
the troops of Hill and Jones, until he reached the protection of his batteries on the opposite side of the river.
In this attack the brave and lamented Brigadier General L. O’B. Branch was killed, gallantly leading his brigade. It
was now nearly dark and the enemy had massed a number of batteries to sweep the approac…
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