The Battle of Antietam, also called the Battle of Sharpsburg is one of the most famous battles of the American Civil War, also referred to as the bloodiest one-day battle of this conflict.
The Union’s invasion of Richmod via the Virginia Peninsula ended with Seven Days Battles and a Confederate strategic victory. Over the next weeks, General Lee’s army won the Second Battle of Bull Run. Soldiers in gray uniforms believed that they were able to win every fight, especially when commanded by Robert E. Lee.
At the same time, Western powers were thinking for diplomatic recognition of the Confederacy, which would be a great blow to the Union. To speed up this opportunity, while at the same time relieving Virginia, tired of continuous military marches and contributions, General Lee decided to invade the North. With a very low opinion of his opponent – general McClellan, he decided on a very risky maneuver: to divide his army in the face of a larger opponent. By coincidence, one of the Union soldiers found a secret order containing the plans of the Confederates and delivered it to the Union staff. McClellan, however, missed the opportunity to beat the Confederates moving sluggishly. Nevertheless he caught Lee’s smaller army near the city of Sharpsburg, next to the Antietam creek. On the morning of September 17, 1862, Union army with almost double the number of troops, as Confederate, attacked. Gen Lee had the Potomac River behind him, defeat would mean the necessity of evacuation through the only available ford and would end in disaster for his army. The Confederates CinC hoped that the rest of his units, which were marching from Harpers Ferry, mainly the division of General A.P. Hill, will arrive on the battlefield and help to defend against Union assaults. Lincoln on the other hand waited for the victory, to publish Declaration of Emancipation. The stakes were really high.
Antietam is the largest historical battle we’ve played. In total, almost 2,400 miniatures appeared on the table. Setting the terrain on the table alone took 4 hours!
The Union’s task was to conquer 5 or at least 3 strategic points: Burnside Bridge, Corn Field, Sharpsburg, Bloody Lane and Blackford Hill. Confederates had to defend these positions – their defeat would mean pushing them into the river.
Will the Confederates be able to defend themselves? Will the Union gain all strategic points? Will the the battle be bloody? To find out, I invite you to see the photo AAR below. Clicking on the pictures to see them in higher resolution.
Battlefield as seen from the East (Antietam creek side) 
One more view of the battlefield. On the left you can see Burnside’s Bridge 
After deploying units. Union forces behind Antietam creek consisted of : Burnside’s Corps, Porter’s Corps, and patrol markers hiding Sumner’s Corps and Pleasanton’s cavalry. 
On the North side of the battlefield the Union deployed Hooker’s and Mansfield’s Corps. Hooker commanded this area for the Union. 
Center of the battlefield was defended by Jackson’s corps, supporter by D.H. Hill’s division – deployed along Bloody Lane. This was a very strong position. 
Symbol of the battle – Dunker Church 
One more view of the battlefield. In the center you can see a middle brigde – way for Porter’s Corps to advance. 
Right wing of Lee’s army consisted of Longstreet’s corps, first Walker’s and Jone’s divisions, supporter by corps artillery (in ou game Pendleton gave almost all his artillery to Longstreet). Reinforcements were aproaching. 
Sharpsburg and Jones division. 
Longstreet’s artillery. 
Union command decided that Porter’s Corps will advance using the Middle Bridge – straight to Sharpsburg. 
Burnside’s Corps deployed in a wide manner beyond the Antietam. His taks was to take two fords downstream and secure Burnside’s Bridge. 
Hooker’s and Mansfield’s Corps were most important in Union plan. They didn’t have to cross a river, so it was easier for them to assault. 
Porter’s Corps was opposed by D.H. Hill division, well experienced soldiers, holding defensible position. 
The rest of Jackson’s Corps defended approaches from the North. 
From the beginning, the battle went differently than in history. The Confederates directed Anderson’s division to defend the fords on the Antietam, rather than to the center of the line. 
The artillery fire made some small casulaties. Burnside was preparing his attack through a bridge. 
Porter’s Corps. 
Confederate center. 
Near Sharpsburg. 
South side of the battlefield. Burnside vs Anderson. 
Situation after first moves. Burnside and Porter tried to prepare ther attack by artillery fire. Hooker and Mansield closed to Confederate positions. Patrol markes also moved, both CinC did’nt know where the reinforcement for the enemy would arrive. 
Battlefield as seen from the East. 
Hooker’s corps closed to famous cornfield. 
Mansfied’s Corps hold left flank of Hooker’s. 
At the beginning of new turn, the Union revealed one of his patrol markers and deployed Sumner’s Corps – just behind Mansfield’s. 
Hooker advanced slowly, his units gained cornfield. Artillery of both sides caused losses. 
Confederate patrol south of Stuart’s cavalry position. Is is hiding another division? 
Overall situation on a battlefield. 
Confederate center as seen from Mansfield’s Corps side. 
Wider view. 
Brigades from Mansfield’s Corps moved left, to make a place for Sumner’s units. Mansfield’s brigades were dangerously close to the Antietam creek. In fact some brigades were pushed back to the creek by the Confederates, and were routed. 
Burnside tried to cross Antietam, but the Confederates were defending very skillfuly. Some good dice throwing also helped. 
Sharpsburg. 
Overall situation. Burnside halted his advance through the fords, because of Confederate Anderson’s division beeing stronger there, than his forces. Hi still tried to cross the bridge but without a success. Hooker, Sumner and Mansfield were on position for a coordinated attack. The Confederates awaited for an assault. 
View from Mansfield’s and Sumner’c Corps side. 
Porter crossed the river, but his flanking attack failed. His frontal assault against D.H. Hill’s division was a failure. 
Control over the Burnside’s Bridge changed. 
From the Union… 
To the Confederates. Burnside failed his order test, and his corps retreated a little to regroup. 
So Burnside’s Bridge was in Confederate hands. 
Befor general Union advance. 
Forward! Blue brigades assaulted the Confederates. 
Overall view. 
Hooker’s corps also joined the assault. 
Mansfield’s and Sumners Corps in advance. 
Beetween Mansfield’s and Sumners corps. Sharpsburg visible at the rear. 
Walkers division secured the bridge. 
Porter advances his reserve brigades but made no gains. 
First assault of Hooker’s Corps was repelled with heavy losses. 
The Confederates counter-attacked. Hooker was able to flank one of their brigades. 
Burnside reformed his corps and advanced again. He was able to take the bridge, but no to cross it. 
Situation at the end of 5th turn. With all advances failed and with no perspective of achieving success, the Union command decided to hold any further assaults and finish the battle. Our Antietam was not the bloodiest one day battle in American Civil War.
The battle was over, Union generals decided that their attacks would not bring further success. A significant obstacle was the area, which hindered the operation of the Union artillery. It was very hard to support the attacks – without it, some strategic points were difficult to get. A crowded battlefield and huge number of troops also hindered the maneuver, although Pleasanton’s cavalry appeared at the Confederate wing at the end of the fight. Stuart and several infantry brigades were in front of Pleasanton’s cavalry, so his action would probably not bring any other results either.
The battle of Antietam was over. The Union achieved a much worse result than in history (it took only 2 strategic points of 5). General McClellan was probably dismissed immediately, and Lincoln did not get a pretext to publish Emancipation Declaration. With this result, would England and France recognize the Richmond government as an existing state?
Many thanks to our players: Duder, Maciek P, Krystian, Wojtek (thanks for coming from Poznań), who commanded the armies, Szymon, who advised them, Dardzin, who provided additional miniatures for Confederates and of course the Bolter store.