Maryland Campaign & Battles of the Civil War
The Maryland Campaign, sometimes referred to as the Antietam Campaign, unfolded across the landscapes of West Virginia and Maryland in September 1862. This pivotal series of four battles is widely regarded as a major turning point in the American Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee, at the helm of the Army of Northern Virginia, harbored ambitious objectives that extended beyond the borders of the Confederacy.
Lee’s strategic vision centered on penetrating the Northern states of Maryland and Pennsylvania. His motivations were multifaceted. Firstly, he aimed to directly threaten key Union cities such as Washington D.C. and Baltimore, hoping to destabilize the Union war effort. Secondly, he sought to replenish his army’s dwindling supplies by tapping into the resources of the relatively untouched farms of the North. Thirdly, Lee aimed to alleviate the persistent and draining combat that had become characteristic of the war in Virginia. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Lee hoped that a decisive Confederate victory on Northern soil would exert enough pressure on the Union government to compel them to negotiate an end to the war on terms favorable to the Confederacy.
To execute his ambitious plan, General Lee strategically divided his Army of Northern Virginia into five distinct components. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, a figure of legendary status in the Confederate ranks, was entrusted with the command of three of these divisions. Jackson’s primary objective was to seize control of Harpers Ferry, a strategically important town situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, thereby securing the vital Shenandoah Valley.
The fourth segment of Lee’s army, under the leadership of General James Longstreet, was dispatched to Hagerstown, Maryland. Longstreet’s mission was to act as a defensive bulwark against any potential Union troop movements emanating from Pennsylvania, ensuring the security of the Confederate army’s northern flank.
The fifth and final component of the Confederate force was placed under the command of General Daniel Harvey Hill. Hill’s primary responsibility was to safeguard the reserve artillery and the army’s extensive wagon train at Boonsboro, Maryland. Additionally, Hill was tasked with maintaining vigilance for any escaping Union soldiers from Harpers Ferry, preventing them from regrouping and posing a threat to the Confederate advance.
On September 4, 1862, the Army of Northern Virginia, under the command of General Robert E. Lee, crossed the Potomac River, marking the commencement of what would become known as the Maryland Campaign. This incursion into Union territory was met with a determined response by the Union Army of the Potomac, led by Major General George B. McClellan.
McClellan and his forces intercepted General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia near Sharpsburg, Maryland, setting the stage for a confrontation of immense scale and consequence. The ensuing Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, 1862, stands as the single bloodiest day in the annals of American military history, a testament to the ferocity and scale of the conflict. The Maryland Campaign proved to be a pivotal moment, one that would shape the course of the Civil War.
The Maryland Campaign encompassed several significant engagements, each contributing to the overall narrative of this crucial period in American history.
Harpers Ferry (September 12-15, 1862)
As part of Lee’s strategic vision for his first invasion of the North, the capture of Harpers Ferry was deemed paramount. The town’s strategic location at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers made it a vital transportation hub and a key to controlling the Shenandoah Valley. Furthermore, Lee aimed to seize the substantial supply depot located in Harpers Ferry and secure his own supply lines back to Virginia.
Lee implemented a multi-pronged strategy to achieve his objective. He divided his army into four columns, with three converging upon and attacking Harpers Ferry from multiple directions. By September 15, Confederate artillery batteries had been strategically positioned on the high ground overlooking the town. Harpers Ferry, lacking adequate fortifications and dominated by the surrounding terrain, was rendered virtually indefensible.
Under relentless bombardment from the Confederate artillery and facing the imminent threat of an infantry assault, Colonel Dixon S. Miles, the Union commander, made the difficult decision to surrender the garrison. The surrender resulted in the capture of over 12,000 Union soldiers, a significant loss for the Union army.
Tragically, Colonel Miles did not survive the surrender. He was mortally wounded by a stray artillery round fired from Loudoun Heights during the final moments of the battle, making it his last military action.
Following the surrender, Confederate Major General Stonewall Jackson took possession of Harpers Ferry. He then led the majority of his troops towards Sharpsburg to rejoin Lee’s main force. Major General A.P. Hill’s division was left behind to oversee the occupation of the town and to parole the captured Union soldiers.
After completing the parole process, Hill’s division marched towards Sharpsburg, arriving just in time to reinforce Lee’s army and prevent a potential Union victory. The Battle of Harpers Ferry resulted in relatively light casualties, with less than 100 men killed on both sides.
South Mountain (September 14, 1862)
The Battle of South Mountain, also known as the Battles of Crampton’s, Turner’s, and Fox’s Gaps, was a series of engagements fought in Frederick and Washington Counties, Maryland. As General Lee’s army marched into Maryland, Major General George B. McClellan and the Union Army of the Potomac pursued them closely.
Upon reaching Frederick, Maryland, McClellan launched an attack on Lee’s forces at South Mountain, a prominent natural feature that separates the Shenandoah and Cumberland Valleys from the eastern part of Maryland. The battle focused on securing control of the mountain passes, specifically Crampton’s, Turner’s, and Fox’s Gaps.
After a day of intense fighting, the Union forces managed to drive back the Confederate defenders, inflicting heavy casualties. By nightfall, McClellan had gained control of the South Mountain passes, placing him in a position to potentially destroy Lee’s army before it could regroup.
However, McClellan’s cautious approach and limited activity on the following day allowed Lee valuable time to consolidate his scattered divisions at Sharpsburg. The Battle of South Mountain resulted in an estimated 4,500 casualties, including the deaths of Union General Jesse Reno and Confederate General Samuel Garland, Jr. The Battle of South Mountain played a crucial role in setting the stage for the Battle of Antietam, as it forced Lee to concentrate his forces at Sharpsburg, where the two armies would clash in a decisive engagement. The Maryland Campaign would now hinge on the events that would unfold near the Antietam Creek.
Antietam (September 16-18, 1862)
The Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg, was a pivotal moment in the Maryland Campaign and the American Civil War. On September 16, 1862, Major General George B. McClellan’s Union Army of the Potomac confronted General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia near Sharpsburg, Maryland, west of Antietam Creek.
At dawn on September 17, Major General Joseph Hooker’s I Corps launched a powerful assault on Lee’s left flank, initiating what would become the single bloodiest day in American military history. The battle raged throughout the day, with intense fighting occurring in various sectors of the battlefield, including the Cornfield, the Sunken Road (Bloody Lane), and Burnside’s Bridge.
The Battle of Antietam resulted in staggering casualties on both sides. Union forces suffered approximately 12,410 casualties, while Confederate forces sustained around 10,316 casualties. Despite the heavy losses, the battle ended in a tactical draw. However, it had significant strategic implications.
Lee’s invasion of the North had been halted, and the Confederate army was forced to retreat back into Virginia. Furthermore, the Battle of Antietam provided President Abraham Lincoln with the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared the freedom of slaves in Confederate-held territory. The Emancipation Proclamation transformed the war into a struggle for human freedom, bolstering the Union cause and discouraging European powers from recognizing the Confederacy. The Maryland Campaign had reached its climax.
Shepherdstown (September 19-20, 1862)
The Battle of Shepherdstown, also referred to as the Battle of Boteler’s Ford, took place in Jefferson County, West Virginia, as the Confederate forces retreated southward following the Battle of Antietam. On September 19, a detachment of Union Major General Fitz John Porter’s V Corps crossed the Potomac River at Boteler’s Ford, attacking the Confederate rearguard commanded by Brigadier General William Pendleton and capturing four artillery pieces.
Early on September 20, Porter sent elements of two divisions across the Potomac to establish a bridgehead. However, Confederate Major General A.P. Hill’s division launched a swift counterattack while many of the Union soldiers were still crossing the river. The Confederate assault decimated the 118th Pennsylvania Regiment, known as the "Corn Exchange" Regiment, inflicting 269 casualties.
This rearguard action successfully deterred further Federal pursuit, allowing Lee’s army to retreat safely into Virginia. The Battle of Shepherdstown resulted in a total of 625 casualties.
In the aftermath of the Maryland Campaign, President Abraham Lincoln, dissatisfied with McClellan’s failure to decisively pursue and destroy Lee’s retreating army, relieved him of command on November 7. Major General Ambrose E. Burnside was appointed as McClellan’s successor, taking command of the Union Army of the Potomac. The Maryland Campaign, though tactically indecisive, had far-reaching consequences, impacting the course of the war and leading to significant changes in military leadership.