Union Military Strategies

            The evening before the battle McClellan had 60,000, double the number that Lee had.  The Union opened fire on the bluffs beyond Antietam Creek and fired to the near the Dunker Church.   They then began to march toward Miller’s Cornfield north of town, the Confederates fired back forcing the federals to retreat.  Now under Hooker the troops advance again and showered the Confederates with fire for about an hour.  After Jackson successfully drove the Federalists back.  The Union forcefully gained their land back under Gen. Joseph Mansfield.  This continued for a while and during this time the field exchanged hands 15 times.  In a final effort to turn the Confederate left flank the Federals marched into the West Woods.  Where Gen Sedgwick lost almost half his men from being fired upon at a point blank range.  At the end of the Morning phase the Confederates had stopped two Federal Corps and a division from another.

            Midday

            As the Confederates hid in what is now known as Bloody Lane.  The Federals and Confederates both held their positions for three and a half long hours.  By 1 o’clock pm there were 5,600.

Afternoon Phase. 

Union Gen. Burnside was charging his men across a 12 foot wide bridge over Antietam Creek.  Even though they outnumbered the Rebels it took a while to cross the bridge.  Once crossed the Union sliders took a two hour break, then continued to Sharpsburg.  The Union troops drove the Confederates back to Sharpsburg