Antietam Battle, Sharpsburg, Maryland | 1862 | McClellan & Lee | Cornfield, Sunken Road with Maps

September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam is the costliest day of the American Civil War, and the costliest day in American history.
Sharpsburg, Maryland is a small town in western Maryland. Robert E. Lee has set his men into the West Woods, the Sunken Road, and above the bluffs overlooking the Lower Bridge (Burnside's Bridge).
Lee's Army of the Northern Virginia is outnumbered over two to one.
McClellan arrives, the Army of the Potomac arriving east of Antietam Creek. McClellan moves Hooker and Mansfield's Corps over the creek.
Hooker's Corps starts the push at 5:30am. Doubleday, Meade, and Rickett's Divisions advance along the Hagerstown Pike and East Woods toward the Dunker Church. The center of the landscape is dominated by a large cornfield.
Jackson's Corps holds positions in the West Woods, East Woods, and Cornfield. The Union advances, but is countered by Hays' Louisiana Tigers. Then Hood's Division strikes. Hood pushes the Yankees back to the starting point.
Mansfield's Corps now strikes. Greene advances on the Dunker Church, but is held in check without further support.
The battle now shifts to the Confederate center at the Sunken Road. The rebels wait behind entrenched lines. French's Division approaches but is held back. However Richardson's Division will break the Sunken Road. Caldwell's Brigade angles into the entrenchments from the flank, and the rebels pull out.
In the afternoon, Burnside finally moves his men over the Lower Bridge now called "Burnside's Bridge." Burnside's Corps advances toward Sharpsburg, but AP Hill's Division arrives just in time to throw it back to Antietam Creek.
Music Credit:
Atlantis by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon...
Artist: audionautix.com/
Book Sources:
"Antietam" by Gallagher
Images from the Library of Congress
Satellite images from Google Maps
Film by Jeffrey Meyer

[@carnivoroussoupspoon]

Ive looked out over the Corn Field, Ive walked the Bloody Lane and Ive stood on Burnsides Bridge, never have I felt the feeling of hallowed ground so strongly. No matter which side you stood, the sacrifices on this soil were heavy. You can almost feel it press down on you. Its unlike any other battlefield ive been too.

[@JeffreyGlover65]

Agree 100%. I took a picture of Burnside Bridge almost exactly from the spot of the B&W photo by the bridge. Trying to Imagine the men who fought there, who stood where I stood, who died where I walked. Its awe inspiring, and haunting.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

@@JeffreyGlover65 My late uncle videotaped almost the entire Antietam battlefield when he took a trip there maybe 30+ years ago now, Mr. Glover with his camcorder. A recording engineer pal of his made it into a VHS cassette tape for us to watch on the VCR. The footage was amazing, sir. It was nearly like being on the site itself

[@frankierodriguez4132]

I've stood there too...I've felt that feeling but damn Gettysburg has the same feeling it's unsettling

[@srgmiller340]

@@frankierodriguez4132 Having been to Gettysburg and stood on the fields i felt very emotional and stood on both sides of the high watermark the low stone wall and could not hold back tears

[@Jason32Bourne]

I've been to multiple Civil War battlefields, including Gettysburg multiple times and in length. Every time I go to Sharpsburg I feel a noticeable sense of pain, sadness, loss, and despair. The Wilderness and Cold Harbor I have a slight feeling of unease and depression. But Sharpsburg, is something else. It's strange.

[@grannypb1]

My great great grandpa survived this battle. That's why I am here. He was on the union side. Thank you for this documentary.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you for watching. It's amazing what people went through.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

I'm glad he survived, Mr. Brou👍 My great uncle ×3 fought for a N.J. regiment there and was hit in his left calf with a mini ball. Thankfully, he survived both his wound and the war

[@J_Steven]

I grew up in this area and visited the battlefield hundreds of times if not thousands. Quite the experience and I recommend watching the videos available at the visitors center.

[@rangers7259]

The details you put into your videos is absolute top notch viewing… as a Brit I find the American Civil War fascinating… the amount of British sounding surnames of the Corp commanders on both sets of combatants is truly incredible… superb video…👏👏🇺🇸🇬🇧👍

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you, friend. Yes, the British Isles are going to represent a huge portion of the last names on both sides. English on the coast going back to the 17th century, and Scots-Irish and Scottish in the Appalachians from the 18th century. At the Civil War period, there are also a ton of Irish and Germans coming over, and most of them end up on the Northern side, because the factory jobs were largely in the north.

[@christopherwojtan750]

Its a strange feeling to walk the site of a major battlefield. The ground stained with so many souls its like being torn apart by the beyond, by people who must cry yet have no tears of their own. Saipan, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Somme, Verdun, Normandy, Gettysburg, and Antietam. All these places I have stood but have yet to quench the tears of the fallen.

[@hatuletoh]

I've fought this battle on various video game simulators a thousand times, both with the units in their historically accurate positions and arriving on the field at the time they actually did, and with randomized scenarios, in which more or less units are available, or available at different times/places, etc. No matter what the variant, it always comes down to the same thing: if the Union forces can make use of their full strength, and manage some modicum of coordination so that the attacks left, right, and center are mutually supportive, or at the very least timed in such a way that they prevent the Confederates from shifting men around to reinforce threatened areas, they--the Union--can sweep the Confederates off the field. The Union attacks can even be poorly coordinated so that don't achieve immediate breakthroughs. As long as they keep pressure on the Confederate units to their immediate front and prevent them from being shifted or redeployed, the attacking Union troops will eventually hit some part of the Confederate line with too few defenders, and the entire Confederate army's position can be compromised. And if this happens early enough in the battle, with sufficient daylight and fresh troops available to exploit the breach, it can be catastrophic for the Confederate army. It's just a matter of arithmetic, geographyl: the Confederate army isn't big enough to stop the Union army on the given battlefield. I realize that video games are literally a in different universe from an actual battle, and it doesn't take much nerve to issue "orders" with no greater consequences than changing pixels on a screen; and I realize that one should be very careful about extrapolating answers to historical "what if?" questions based upon them. Never the less, seeing the same scenario unfold time and time again in the video games really drove home what a huge gamble Lee took by inviting that battle, and--despite the feelings at the time--what a huge failure it was for McClellan. Big, war-ending, one-shot battles are pretty much solely the province of video games, but at the very least, McClellan's lack of resolve and "hands off" approach to managing his army in combat probably got thousands of his soldiers unnecessarily killed. And one can't help imagining what a "grab em by the nose and kick em in the ass"-type general in the vein of Grant or Sheridan might have accomplished that day. But I can sympathize with McClellan: Pope was that kind of general.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

The major advantage to video simulations over the actual field command is that communication and control is much messier in real life. A video game has the benefit of one person directly micromanaging all the units. While in real life, a divisional or brigade commander might misunderstand an order, act to late, act to early, get lost, take the wrong road (which happened alot), etc. It would also be so hard to coordinate attacks with units a mile or more away. If you have the order to strike "when you hear the guns," it would be very easy to confuse if, for instance, the other side struck first unexpectedly somewhere else, and you then misinterpreted the cue.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

And yes, I agree with your assessment of McClellan. Pope, Burnside, McDowell, and Hooker all provide very good examples of why one doesn't just "throw the Union army at Lee."

[@hatuletoh]

@@JeffreytheLibrarian Yes, exactly. In a video game, you point and click at the spot you can see perfectly from a bird's-eye view, and your regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army move along at a regular rate, in perfect order, and stop exactly where you want them to. The better games have features that at least hide the enemy if your own units on the ground wouldn't have a sight-line, but the game player never has to worry about staff riders carrying orders getting lost or killed, subordinates misinterpreting the wording of an order, incompetent officers not deploying their men properly, straggling, bad maps, etc., etc. And as much as people think they want real-life verisimilitude in games, a civil war simulator that wrecked one's carefully planned attack because some war dept clerk didn't pass along the requisition for pontoon bridges quickly enough would be, I think, not a particularly enjoyable playing experience. But I also think it can be argued that a key difference, if not THE key difference, between effective and ineffective Civil War generals was that the good ones kept themselves apprised of how the battle was proceeding so that they could could make effective use of their resources; the poor ones drew up a grand plan the night before, briefed their generals at midnight while doing their best impression of Napoleon, and then hoped everything worked out the next day (and blamed subordinates when it didn't...hello General Bragg). McClellan was definitely more of the latter type, and his intelligence failures stretched from the tactical to the strategic, i.e., not knowing what his own troops were doing in the heat of a battle because he was two miles away looking at a smoke cloud through a telescope, to basing his overall strategy on the belief that Lee's army outnumbered his two to one. The Union general who ultimately beat Lee was the one who understood that that ratio was backwards, and had the resolve to attack, and keep attacking--the same way one wins playing a civil war simulation.

[@kenandersen7173]

@@hatuletoh It's clear with hindsight that Lee was very lucky here to not suffer a crushing defeat. I don't understand his deployment and seeming decision not to contest the bridges more. The only two reasons I can think of is that Lee was afraid McClellan wouldn't engage if he had done so, or he didn't want to spread out his forces too much. Even with the lesser force the bridges could have been utilized as choke points, evening the odds. The one bridge that was contested by Toombs in the South held for so long considering they only had a few hundred men and some cannons. Morale is very hard to simulate in a games and in most games Toombs would not have held so long. But it shows that even a brigade could have made a huge difference at any of the bridges. Lee letting the Union cross unopposed to the North and deploy so much of their forces in open field would have been considered a blunder on the level of Pickett's Charge, in my opinion, if he didn't get lucky.

[@xisotopex]

@@kenandersen7173 good point. there were 3 bridges for the Union to cross, and a ford that could be used to cross. The defenders apparently had favorable terrain all along those points, and it seems those points could have been held by fairly small numbers without having to compromise the general disposition of the rest of the Confederate troops. So why didnt Lee attempt to slow them down, disorganize them, keep them from crossing? It seems like it would have evened the odds quite a bit for Lee, with relatively low risk.

[@jameshood1928]

Excellent presentation. I have visited the battlefield, and all three sections can be seen in a well planned day. Lee's army was really in peril but maneuvered brilliantly to survive. Hill's arrival late in the day is one of the most dramatic moments of the war. Beautiful farmland, now so bucolic.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Considering how outnumbered Lee was, he basically had the best outcome he could have had given the disadvantages.

[@91Redmist]

It's so beautiful, it took my breath away just minutes after arriving in the area.

[@feedyourmind6713]

McClellan's piecemeal use of his army gave Lee time to react.

[@jameshood1928]

I certainly agree that Little Mac was the master of indecisiveness. He apparently had convinced himself, with help of the Pinkerton Agency, that he was facing an enormous southern army, and thus prudence dictated caution. Lincoln didn't agree and fired him.

[@feedyourmind6713]

@@jameshood1928 And...he was a Democrat. So, there's that. Great military planner, but not a combat commander.

[@MS-kd9fd]

Really well done. I recommend this video to anyone going to visit the battlefield in order to get your bearings.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@onemorething100]

I am currently reading Shelby Foote's Civil War and am at this part. Wonderfully done. Thank You

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you! Shelby's work is a masterpiece!

[@christopherdorsey7192]

I just got back home from a visit to the Antietam/Sharpsburg National Battlefield. I watched this video on my tablet in the middle of the cornfield on the walking trail. Love your work, it really was like having my own personal historian with me. Keep them coming! Thank you!

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you! More to come. I hope you had a good visit at Antietam!

[@presterjohn9624]

Great work. These of some of the best Civil War battle commentaries around.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

I appreciate it!

[@ebeneezerscrooge8394]

Excellent graphics. Excellent narration. My 9y0 son loves your videos but likes this one in particular. We toured the Antietam Battlefield when he was 7. He was obsessed with Burnsides Bridge and the 11th Connecticut (Connecticut is our home). We've watched this video before bedtime a number of evenings. Thanks , I'm sure a lot of effort goes into these videos.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

I really appreciate that. It's great that a young guy understands that Antietam was important. Give him a high five for me!

[@19MAD95]

Anyone who’s interested in military history should try their best to visit the Antietam battlefield because it is absolutely unbelievable. The view from Burnsides bridge and bloody lane are absolutely insane. There are so many sheer cliffs and Hills that I can’t believe they actually fought on the ground. It’s almost impassable by foot.

[@larrywhite6298]

Very well done. Great detail in artwork and information. Use of the topographical view is very helpful in visualizing the events that took place. Keep them coming!

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

I really appreciate that. I plan on getting a video out each month or so.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

@@JeffreytheLibrarian Fine work by the way on all of your videos, sir👌 My compliments🙂

[@longfootbuddy]

long live the memory of all good and brave men that stood up to the masses of stooges throughout history and yet in the future

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Very good, sir. A good old fashioned old school documentary type video 👍😎. Beats the hell out of anything on tv these days!

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@mfm6376]

Worth a visit. You see the church, cornfield, sunken road and Burnside Bridge. Amazing battlefield.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Always important to visit and see the place in person.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

@@JeffreytheLibrarian I've been to Gettysburg and have seen many of the battlegrounds' sites, sir. It's tough to comprehend what these men on both sides went thru in attacking & defending over and around rough topography, particularly at Devil's Den. That in itself was a total nightmare to assault😟

[@ml50486965]

Great to have a channel where the speak is not drowned by music!

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks for watching!

[@jay76ny]

This is probably the best presented, most understandable battle review i have ever seen. Using the satellite view for this is genius.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@JeffreyGlover65]

I visited Antietam on the way home from Gettysburg in July, 2013. Being an avid student of history, in particular the wars fought and especially the Civil War, I was awed and humbled to stand on such hallowed ground, where so many thousands of brave young men on both sides lost their lives during this horrific battle. I would recommend and encourage all Americans to visit this historic battlefield.

[@vieskow9544]

Yòu are so

[@vieskow9544]

Right

[@plzdont5632]

Amazingly well put together vid. Subscribed after wartching this. I look forward to watching your other videos and hope you continue to put out more.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you! I will have another video up in a week or so on a western theater campaign.

[@winstonsmith8482]

Great video, love the animated maps format, as a supplement to/after reading so many books and accounts of these battles. it really makes the overall movements so much more clear than a static map, or just reading about it can.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you! I need to see it play out on a map to really understand it.

[@toddtheref]

Excellent use of maps and graphics to detail the battle. Well done. Thank you!

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@kevincarlson4755]

Just visited the battlefield in May. Thank you, this puts the visit in perspective. Very well done.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

I really appreciate it.

[@jonpage4029]

Just a fantastic description. I've read on this battle in the past but this was so good.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you so much!

[@BrokeJoker04]

Hello, Can you do me a favor and categorize your civil war videos? They are all out if order, and I’m trying to watch them in a timeline. Thanks keep up the good work

[@MrThinkforward2]

This is, by far, the best break down of the battle that I have ever seen. Got a new sub.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@kevinfarrell8456]

Great vid Jeffrey...honest and unbiased. brought this critical battle home for me

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you, friend!

[@raylast3873]

Actually the most amazing thing about this is that McClellan still had a job after the Peninsula Campaign.

[@Philobiblion]

Brilliant. As in the Gettysburg series; first time I have actually been able to follow the development of the battle. Bravo.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@jamesbarton1969]

I have read about this battle but this, even though less detailed, makes it so much clearer.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@Squatch_Rider66]

Very interesting perspective, great vid

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

I appreciate the nice comments, Mr. Tanzy.

[@mikemaresh2417]

This channel is one of the best civil war history channels on YT. Thanks for all your efforts on this.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

That really means a lot to me. Thank you!

[@timkitchen7141]

These are fantastic. I have attempted similar things using period maps overlaid on current satellite images. I would love to see your take on the Seven Days Battles around Richmond. I have walked the grounds of Beaver Dam Creek, Gaines' Mill, Glendale, and Malvern Hill many times.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

I really appreciate your comments. I plan on getting to those battlefields. Thank you so much.

[@jeffadkins5812]

Excellent video. Love how you visualize and explain the movements with an aerial view.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you so much!

[@Joshua-rb2hv]

Great job please make more thank you for the time u put into these they are amazing

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks! The viewers make the effort worth while.

[@wiictvchannel1112]

Loved the video! I subscribed and gonna watch more from you. Always a treat to find a well done history channel.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@GenghisVern]

Great job. Really enjoyed that.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks so much!

[@creighton8069]

I like this, I’d love to see you do more of these type of videos on other battles. I feel like the peninsula campaign would be an interesting campaign to cover, with some interesting battles.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

I will get to the Peninsula. I will continue to make more videos. It takes about six weeks to get a big video completed.

[@spacehonky6315]

One man down every two seconds for three hours at the Sunken Road is the kind of information needed to understand the scope of the Bloodiest Day in US history. I've heard that said many times, yet brutal after-action casualty records don't quite explain the carnage appropriately.

[@cyberpimp29]

The detail, topographic maps, animation, and presentation are absolutely wonderful. Congratulations on this epic video! Thank you for doing your part to ensure that history, as a subject, continues to be taught - at least here on youtube...

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you very much!

[@mboop127]

If history were being taught before, you never would've grown up to be a libertarian.

[@cyberpimp29]

@@mboop127 - as a life time student of history with a bachelors degree I would argue that anyone with even a rudimentary understanding of the constitution would understand that our founders were libertarian as is our founding documents. To see and judge people individually and NOT as a racial group or sexual orientation is the most just way view the world.

[@mboop127]

@@cyberpimp29 the constitution literally judges people as a racial group lol. Something you'd know if you had ever read it.

[@Generalfund]

@@mboop127 wow, just imagine an sjw forgetting the civil war, its reasons and consequences to the constitution...in a civil war video comment section. You cannot make this stuff up, folks...

[@needmorecowbell6460]

My great great grandfather and great great uncle fought at antietam in brooks brigade 53rd Pennsylvania inf. around the sunken road

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

That's great that you are keeping the family memory alive.

[@sellyshootsandscores9300]

You are going to blow up Jeffrey. Your time had come! Keep em coming ❤️

[@ShastaDoktorG]

Easily one of the best battle explanations i have ever seen. Sub'd.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikewhalen33]

My Great Great Grandfather was at the battle on the 2 nd day - Thanks for the great explanation of the battle.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you for watching!

[@jamesboekbinder3967]

On the iPhone, the video went black just after beginning of battle - not sure what went wrong . Works fine on the laptop. Incredible to imagine this, following it in a bird's eye view. Thanks for the video.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

you might just need to restart youtube on your iphone. Sometimes that does the trick.

[@tommurphy2332]

My great-great-grandfather, Friedrich Deihle, a German immigrant, was part of the New York forces called the "Steuben Guards" or "Steuben Rifles", composed mainly of German-Americans, that assaulted the Sunken Road from the north. They were fighting to one side of the Irish Brigade. As far as I know, he was not wounded in this battle and went on to fight further battles in Virginia and was wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg while assaulting Marie's Heights. He was evacuated to a hospital in Philadelphia and was released from service after recovering his wounds. He then returned to New York and enlisted in an artillery unit that was sent to Fort Monroe, Virginia. From there his unit was deployed in the "Peninsula Campaign" until the end of the war. He then returned home to New York.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

My Civil War ancestor also came from Germany. I once read a statistic that one in three Union soldiers were German speaking.

[@kw19193]

One of Lincoln's greatest blunder in the Civil War was appointing McClellan overall commander of the AoP, although it must be stated that he really didn't have much to choose from. McClellan's timidity and nervousness coupled with his incessant demands for ever greater number of reinforcements from Washington infected the AoP's command structure until Grant arrived. What's worse, McClellan had a copy of Lee's battleplan but was still too cowardly to take advantage of it. Totally unfit to lead in battle. Cheers!

[@brianparish4801]

Very well done! I like the way you zoom in and out show topographical maps. The carnage is beyond comprehension. A senior Canadian.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Much appreciated! Canada is a beautiful country, and we are lucky to have you as neighbors!

[@awssilent1]

Well done. I'm related to General Israel Richardson. As a little boy I use to visit Antietam Battle Field. Some day I plan to take my kids.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

That's great that you can trace your lineage back to Richardson. Do take your kids.

[@mrbreezenc]

Very well done especially the movements graphics Thank you

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks for watching!

[@chasemurraychristopherdola7108]

Just saying but I had a 4x great uncle Named George E Kitzmiller and he was at this battle fighting in the ranks of Company K First Pennsylvania Reserves Infantry Regiment which was part of seymours brigade in this battle

[@andrewdeehan6292]

Nice touch by explaining the origins of the Dunker Church.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks! Once you realize "Dunker" is a reference to baptism, the name suddenly makes sense.

[@damienpace7350]

Incredible retelling. This is the standard now

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@KneesPHD]

Thanks for this detailed video. My ancestor was in Duryee's brigade and it's cool to know they fought alongside the Iron Brigade

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

That is a neat connection. They were some of the first to hit the field that day.

[@KneesPHD]

@@JeffreytheLibrarian Yes shoutout the 107th PA Volunteers. They were in many engagements and fought in Paul's brigade on the first day of Gettysburg. That battle would be a good analysis since 1st day is often overlooked

[@DiaperGranny11]

@@KneesPHD when I visited Gettysburg, the park rangers all said the same thing; the first days fighting is often overlooked and is just as brutal as the fighting on the second day. Units like the Iron Brigade understood the gravity of the situation and fought harder than they ever had before to hold the ground. The Confederates underestimated the veracity of the Union troops fighting on home soil.

[@shimpoopimpoo7643]

Excellent

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@FS-my4wv]

Excellent! This was very well done. Glad I came across your channel.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks for watching!

[@pcarnold9]

This video (and channel) is amazing. The satellite maps really help me understand the disposition of forces.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you for watching!

[@caliscribe2120]

"McClellan comes in cautiously." If there were never a more true and foreboding statement made.

[@gustavderkits8433]

How many slaves did Lee have with his army, performing work that was performed by soldiers in the union army? This issue is almost never discussed when the relative numbers of soldiers in civil war battles are given. The only significant discussion I know of is in Guelzo’s book on Gettysburg.

[@mjfleming319]

Guelzo’s book is a work of art! Essential reading.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

@@mjfleming319 I like his battlefield narrations, Mr. Fleming. He gave an oration at Gettysburg College years ago when my cousin, Daniel, was an undergrad there. In fact, I think it was about Antietam??🤔

[@Joeys-Channel]

Great stuff

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks!

[@jordansharpe2515]

My great great grandfather was in company b of the 38th georgia regiment he was shot in the forehead on the 17th and lived on to die in 1880 if he had died I would not be alive today the man was tough

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

That is incredible. Definitely one tough guy.

[@jacksonguillory8114]

@@JeffreytheLibrarian homie was a gigachad

[@flymdjets]

Really enjoy your series of videos. Would suggest that you research the pronunciation of commander's names as it detracts from the overall excellent work.

[@billhyde3872]

Superb summation

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you so much!

[@peterrobinson7803]

Good concise recounting. So much more could be said about why things happened the way they did. MacClellan's poor overall grasp of the situation, even with a copy of Lee's plan, the piecemeal attacks, Lee's reckless invasion and risky position, Burnside's insistence on crossing the bridge instead of fording the creek which, in September, was pretty fordable in other places besides known fords. MacClellan could have ended the war that day but was unsure and afraid. I guess Lee knew his opponent.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

I think McClellan over managed because he didn't want to throw everyone in at once and risk mass panic. If one Corps panicked, another could be sent in. But if the whole army panicked, it would be a Bull Run situation. Yes, Burnside didn't think to ford the stream. Had he gotten over a few hours earlier, Lee might have been overwhelmed.

[@peterrobinson7803]

@@JeffreytheLibrarian l see it aa MacClellan under-managing, insofar as he allowed his Corps commanders to decide when they would attack. As soon as he heard Hooker was engaged, he should have sent everyone. Yes, Bullrun was in the back of his mind, and he chronicly over-estimated Lee's strength, but he played right into Lee's strengths (interior lines).

[@billgardner8297]

Once again, you’ve nailed it. Your explanations are clear, concise & you clear up any confusion around the troop movement and timing of the battlefield events. Point of interest, my great uncle was a Sergeant in the Danville Artillery & was mortally wounded I’m pretty sure on Nicodemus Hill early morning action, from Union Artillery returning fire. My family doesn’t have documentation of the time, place of death, but logically I believe it had to be early morning on the hill.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you! Have you looked at the National Park Service soldier register about your ancestor? Here is the link: www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers.htm

[@billgardner8297]

@@JeffreytheLibrarian Yessir, George W.Keesee, Price’s Company , Virginia Light Artillery (Danville Artillery)

[@karencarter8292]

I don't know if anyone has commented on the following, but Washington was not designated as the District of Columbia (Criminals) at that period. This term was to come later after the war. It was just referred to as 'Washington City'.

[@rezzer7918]

Amazing af!!!

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@mr.pickles9941]

My great grandfather was in Brooke’s unit attacking the sunken road. 53rd Penn Vol infantry Co.I

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

That is great that you have that information and connection.

[@stevetye81]

Excellent video!!

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

thanks!

[@squawk3120]

Just found out that my ancestor Robert B VanValkenburgh was in command of the recruiting depot in Elmira and organized seventeen regiments early in the Civil War. He was elected as a Republican to the 37th and 38th United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1861, to March 3, 1865. While in the House he was Chairman of the Committee on Militia (37th and 38th Congresses). He served as colonel of the 107th New York Volunteer Infantry, and was its commander at the Battle of Antietam.

[@majcorbin]

The Maps and animations are very helpful.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

I appreciate it!

[@j.lebowski3917]

It's hard to find a battle more mismanaged than Antietam. Especially considering Lee's orders that came into federal hands.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Definitely. Both sides bungled. Lee sort of cornered himself against the Potomac, and McClellan couldn't coordinate more than one Corps at a time.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Well Lee became aware the order was lost and began counter moves. So he didn't exactly enter the battle totally surprised and unaware McLennan knew his prior plans

[@j.lebowski3917]

@@JohnnyRebKy I have not read about that. Where did you read this?

[@j.lebowski3917]

@@JeffreytheLibrarian McClellan also had the 5th corps in his pocket and never used them.

[@MS-kd9fd]

@@JohnnyRebKy I would also like to see proof of this. It was my understanding that Lee learned of the lost order later and that may have affected his decision to attack the next year.

[@johngardner4096]

Again, well done!

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you so much!

[@ShadySandsCosplay7604]

Does anyone know what type of federal uniforms did AP Hills Corp capture from Harper’s Ferry we talking sack coats or frocks or a mix

[@josephhewes3923]

A full quarter of McClellan's "massive" army had never fired a shot in anger, being brand new recruits. There were whole regiments who had not even received training on how to fire their rifles. They arrived in Washington DC and the next day began their march toward Antietam. I recommend this video, which is a Gettysburg Park Ranger talking about the two respective armies at Antietam, and their relative experience in the art of war. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYGwZYabjcZ8q7s

[@mjfleming319]

1. Even so, McClellan still outnumbered Lee, and had a massive advantage in artillery. 2. Green troops often performed well in battle. Just weeks before at Brawners Farm, for example, the green Iron Brigade went toe to toe with Jackson’s veterans for two hours. 3. To anyone else reading this comment...don’t watch that park ranger. He’s working really hard to put a creative new spin on Antietam, but he utterly fails to take into consideration what we already knew about McClellan from the peninsular campaign: he was timid, slow, and never anywhere close to the actual fighting...in other words, a coward.

[@PathfinderHistoryTravel]

Well done. Thanks.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!

[@edmundcowan9131]

Good stuff

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks!

[@huh-by2lr]

Good video

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks!

[@jakeseeley2712]

McClellan in my opinion gets so much undeserved dirt thrown on him. What he a great military commander? No, he didn’t have what it takes. But he valued the men under his command. He didn’t feel comfortable just leading men into slaughter, even if it would mean a victory. I feel like he valued the lives of his men more than the wars outcome. And while that’s not always the best virtue for a military leader, you’d at least know he wouldn’t do what burnside did at Fredericksburg

[@simenonhonore]

Very clear and enhanced by the use of areial photography so you can see the landscape clearly.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks for watching!

[@SoulKiller7Eternal]

Alternative title for the battle: McClellan gets lucky.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

McClellan is actually the only Army of the Potomac general that can get Lee to a draw before Meade. On the one hand, he didn't get a decisive victory, but on the other hand, his campaign didn't end in a route.

[@mjfleming319]

More like “McClellan squanders the greatest opportunity of the war through cowardice and incompetence”.

[@jmc597]

Wow, just WOW.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffelzey]

Very good. 👍 I would have liked to know what happened to Greenes's brigade at Dunker church. They were also thrown back after multiple rebel assaults

[@travelingfool9096]

McClellan, one of the south's best generals

[@michaelbarnett2527]

And bragg, was one of the North’s.

[@kennyursohot]

I wish these were done in chronological order. Some of yours do not even have the date in the title.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

The playlists put them in order. I will post the order in a discussion post in the future.

[@kennyursohot]

@@JeffreytheLibrarian thank you. The content is exceptional. Thank you for putting these together.

[@JRJunior8624]

Whatever prevented McLellan from attacking over the Middle Bridge? and flanking the Sunken Lane and indeed the rest of the Lee's army. He still had a chance to carry out his initial plan, hit the left, or hit the right, and if either was successful, hit the middle? or maybe they did cross it?

[@michaelvaughn8864]

No, actually no crossing was ever made, sir. At least, nothing on historical record to indicate Union troops doing so or in making an attempt to do just that

[@ctafrance]

I do not see why Meade did not push troops across the middle bridge when D.H. Hill moved towards the Confederate left.

[@dangreene9846]

How bad a General can you be when you know what the enemy is going to do . You have more of everything than your enemy , and the best you can do is fight to a draw.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

I think McClellan was afraid of committing everything at once. If he threw multiple Corps forward, and they were repulsed, it would turn into another fiasco like both Bull Runs. He put one Corps in at a time, because he was just risking one corps. On the one hand, somebody like Grant probably seals the deal at Antietam; on the other hand, there are other union generals who probably wouldn't have thought to go around to the north like McClellan, and would have just stormed directly over the bridges and up the hill, been repulsed, stormed again, repulsed again, followed by disaster.

[@dangreene9846]

@@JeffreytheLibrarian I think he was bad General. Not only here ,but in earlier campaigns also. He knew how to build a Army just not how to use one.

[@sofly7634]

Lil Mac always fostered the idea he was Lincolns rival.

[@aaronnelson7702]

My GreatUncle John owned the house general Rodman died in when I was a kid. It's the one just northeast of Burnside Bridge,just across the road. The state let him name his driveway. He said "UN" State asked why? UN-road He had a sense of humor.

[@MrIncrysis]

5800 subs? That's low, people are ignorant. Great channel.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thanks for watching!

[@raylast3873]

This is good but still feels extremely opaque. For example It would be hugely helpful regarding Hooker‘s initial attack to also know where all the non-engaged regiments in the area were, what they were doing, where Mansfield was etc. It would also help a lot to know what Hooker‘s or Meade‘s tactical plans were. Were they trying to keep the front narrow, were they keeping lots of reserves, why didn‘t they flank the enemy.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Good point. I am going to continue to make more detailed videos on different sectors of the big battles to show more details. I limit the map to the units engaged because I don't want to over clutter the map. I recently did a Bloody Lane video that focuses on that section of Antietam.

[@leoayoroa7217]

Robert E Lee from the minds of Minolta.Going to go visit September 17, 2022 for the 160th anniversary all the renovations should be complete by then Great video sir

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Enjoy the trip in 2022! Thanks for watching!

[@Nimgimmer1492]

Sounds intriguing. I might try to attend as well. The renovations you mention . . . anything being done there that will knock our socks off?

[@claudevillee5446]

Just a quick correction: Hartsuff's brigade is mislabeled as "Hartstuff". Otherwise, nicely done.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you for the correction!

[@cobapl5987]

Great video! One possible point of controversy, however. That summer, there was an immense drought within Maryland for multiple months. This would’ve greatly impacted the agriculture of the area, such as corn growth. Also, the corn of the time (1860’s) didn’t grow nearly as tall compared to today’s genetically modified corn. With that in mind, Miller’s cornfield would’ve had (relatively) unobstructed views for both sides. There would’ve been no true concealment for defenders or attackers in this instance. It was a literal death trap for anyone who dared step foot into it.

[@cobapl5987]

Regardless, Union forces should’ve concentrated a majority of their troops on Miller’s Cornfield and attacked the Confederates directly from their front (at that time). With how outnumbered the Confederates were, the Union swell would’ve broke the ranks and expose the Confederate left flank. The Confederates would’ve had no time to shift their men into defendable positions had this happened. Should’ve been a cut and dry battle, but that’s hindsight 20/20. McClellan was far too passive and absolutely failed our country in this battle.

[@AmericanPatriot-bp7cu]

The Burnside bridge was a slaughter to the first 3 union brigades that tried to breach it. You left that out. Remember the Conn. vols?

[@SSHitMan]

Pontoon bridges have been constructed by armies since ancient times to cross rivers where there were no bridges to flank an enemy, I wonder why this was not an option the Union army considered?

[@theshadowoftruth7561]

Was there ever a reason given for not using the middle bridge Once the attack on Lee's left flank begain?

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

I believe this is where the final push from the last corps was supposed to come through. But McClellan was spooked to send his last corps in.

[@dotatough]

Is this a series? I'd love to see it from the beginning

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

It is a series in the making. I have assembled the completed ones in an American Civil War playlist. Chronologically, the Grant at Fort Donelson and Henry is the first (February 1862).

[@bigbrotheriswatching2680]

Excellent video, you've managed to take a presentation style that I typically find unbearably boring and turn it into something amazing. Ancient history lover is another channel I recommend for interesting takes on otherwise boring presentation styles.

[@JeffreytheLibrarian]

Thank you!