Antietam, Battle of

Bloody but indecisive battle of the American Civil War on 17 September 1862 at Antietam Creek, off the Potomac River. Maj‐Gen George McClellan of the Union blocked the advance of the Confederates under General Robert E Lee on Maryland and Washington, DC. This battle paved the way for Abraham Lincoln's proclamation of emancipation, and also persuaded the British not to recognize the Confederacy.

Antietam was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War: the Confederates lost 2,700 dead, 9,000 wounded, and 2,000 missing out of 51,844 troops; the Union forces lost 2,100 dead, 9,500 wounded, and 750 missing out of 75,316 troops.