United European Community - Antietam Campaign

[Tobi1202]

Preface

The United European Community is launching a new campaign for all units with the full UEC membership!
Unlike others this is not a competitive campaign and is only aiming to give more knowledge about
what happened during the battle of Antietam itself and what could have happened if certain engagements
would have been won or lost by one side or the other. We are only going to play on the Antietam battlefield,
leaving out the South Mountain and Harpers Ferry scenarios. The maps played will vary depending on the
outcome of the ones before them, but a map can only be played a maximum of one time to keep the pacing
of the campaign. With that in mind there will be a specific end with an overall report about how the different
parts of the battle played out, along with the subsequent consequences of those results week-by-week.
Last but not least, it will also include the total sum of all lives and limbs lost throughout!






Introduction

1862 would prove to be a pivotal year in the American Civil War, especially in the east
where several major battles were fought culminating in Lee’s Maryland Campaign and the battle of
Antietam. At this point, the state of affairs for both the Union and Confederate armies in the east
couldn’t be any more different. The Confederates were buoyed from their stunning victories in Virginia,
after smashing Pope’s Union army on the old Bull Run battlefield. On the other hand, Union forces in
the east were severely demoralized from the failure of the Peninsula campaign earlier in the summer,
and Pope’s defeat in August. Lincoln was once again forced to turn to Union Maj. Gen George Mcllellan
to rebuild the army of the Potomac, and in early September named him commander of all Union forces
in the eastern theatre.

Spurred on by their successes, Lee would begin the first campaign into northern soil with several goals,
firstly to allow his army to resupply in a state where the local supplies weren’t exhausted as they were
in Virginia. But also as part of a greater strategic plan to demoralize northern support for the war and
to possibly incite rebellion in Maryland.



Can the Confederates emulate previous victories on northern soil?
Or will a Union victory in Maryland represent a turning point for the army of the Potomac?





September 16th 1862, near Sharpsburg Maryland.



Union General George B. McClellan sets the Army of the Potomac in motion to attack
Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia who set up defensive positions near the Antietam Creek
at Sharpsburg. McClellan's plan is to send Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker's First Corps across the Antietam
towards Lee's left flank which is held by Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson. Hooker's First Corps
which will start the attack will get support from Maj. Gen. Joseph Mansfield's Twelfth Corps and
Maj. Gen. Edwin Sumner's Second Corps. While these Corps will try to break through Lee's left flank
commanded by Jackson and his center commanded by Confederate General James Longstreet,
Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside's Ninth Corps will advance upon Lee's nearly unprotected right flank
to draw troops away and to ease the attacks on the other flank.

As the 16th of September draws to a close Hooker’s Union I Corps, having crossed Antietam Creek
on the Confederate left, is manoeuvring into position. Upon nearing the East Woods however, it becomes apparent that
Confederate forces occupy this position. Although the main body of the Union Corps continues toward the North Woods,
a smaller force from Meade’s Division is sent to confront Hood’s Confederates on their flank. A bloody skirmish ensued,
which continued well into the evening.




After the Skirmish at the East Woods, as the 17th of September dawns,
the stage has been set for the bloodiest day in American history.
Thus, the Union force commences its advance.





Campaign Rules

Note – These rules are open to discussion by the UEC committee and are designed to supplement the current UEC ruleset, not replace them.
Maps will be determined by the campaign committee, the results of maps will influence how the Antietam campaign progresses, but all map choices will be explained with historical relevance.

Test

- The campaign is designed specifically for main UEC units, and events will take place on Saturday at the regular time.

- Teams are free to decide who will be the commander and adjutant but the players doing these roles must change every week.

- Commanders will essentially represent a prominent commander involved in that specific part of the battle.

- Unit leaders will be subordinate to the wing/flank commander who is responsible for that part of the battlefield. Hence, they will make tactical decisions on how the battle should be fought.

- As such wing/flank commanders will require a small staff including an adjutant and runners to a maximum of five men.

- Commanders are there to command and not to get involved too directly in combat. As such the commander and his adjutant are prevented from using their revolvers until one of the teams is down to last stand/final push or it's the last 5 minutes of the game.

- If the attacker captures the point of contention in the last few minutes with the help of the commander and his adjutant they are allowed to help again in the last 5 minutes of the counterattack time.

- The staff (commander, adjutant and messengers) is not allowed to activly intervene in the fighting itself, that includes that they are not allowed to shoot back if they are shot at.

- We would encourage some light Roleplay to wing/flank commanders, feel free to make a speech to inspire the men to victory! Afterall this is the battle of Antietam, one of the most pivotal engagements in the civil war!

- In general, we aim to play these battles with all units on a single server, however, if the numbers reported are too high the battle will be split between two servers. If this is the case, each server will decide the results of one of the battles for that weekend. Though the casualty results on the other server will be included in the stats and narrative decisions.

- After each event an after-action report will be written by the campaign committee, this will include the results of the previous battles with some historical context. Before subsequent events a scenario preview will be written by the campaign committee. This will give some context to the subsequent event and may give hints as to what maps to expect at the next battle but will not explicitly state what maps are to be played.

[Tobi1202]

Note - Updates have been made to campaign rules,
please check the original post.

After the first week of battles it is looking to be an interesting and hard fought
campaign for the UEC. Here are the results of the first week's action along with a
prelude to the next phase of the battle of Antietam.

---

Skirmish for the East Woods


USA:

Commander – Cpt. David. L. Stricker of the 2nd Delaware.
Adjutant – 1st Lt. R. Winters of the 52nd New York.

52nd New York Infantry and 2nd Delaware (3rd Brigade) led by [] 2nd Lt. M. O’Keefe.
51st New York led by [] Cpt. Livington.
18th North Carolina led by [] Cpt. Von Winkler.

Total casualties numbered 374

CSA:

Commander – Cpt. R. T. Hogg of the 8th Florida.
Adjutant – Cpt. E. Harris of the 8th Alabama.

8th Alabama led by [] Maj. Greenberg.
8th Florida led by [] 2nd Lt. H. Hoffmann and [] Sgt. D. Fric.
56th Virginia led by [] Cpt. P. Slaughter.

Total casualties numbered 357

Watch the battle at JOEHOVA’s channel - War of Rights | UEC Campaign | September 4th 2021 | East Woods Skirmish



After Action Report
8:00pm, 16th of September, 1862 - As the sun set in the evening sky, the battle of
Antietam began with strong union forces under Meade, engaging Confederate skirmishers
from Hood’s division in the area north of the East Woods. The East Woods would prove to
be a key position for the Union as it allows easier coordination for the attacks planned for
the early morning of the 17th. Despite heavy casualties on both sides, Confederate forces
managed to defend the East Woods until dark, leaving Union forces no option but to call on
reinforcements and prepare for a more determined advance in the morning.

---

Engagement at ‘Hookers Push’

USA:

Commander – Cpt. David. L. Stricker of the 2nd Delaware.
Adjutant – 1st Lt. R. Winters of the 52nd New York.

52nd New York Infantry and 2nd Delaware (3rd Brigade) led by [] 2nd Lt. M. O’Keefe.
51st New York led by [] Cpt. Livington.
18th North Carolina led by [] Cpt. Von Winkler.

Total casualties numbered 258

CSA:

Commander – Cpt. R. T. Hogg of the 8th Florida.
Adjutant – Cpt. E. Harris of the 8th Alabama.

8th Alabama led by [] Maj. Greenberg.
8th Florida led by [] 2nd Lt. H. Hoffmann and [] Sgt. D. Fric.
56th Virginia led by [] Cpt. P. Slaughter.

Total casualties numbered 201

Watch the battle at JOEHOVA’s channel - War of Rights | UEC Campaign | September 4th 2021 | Hooker's Push



After Action Report
6:00am, 17th September 1862, - Early in the morning of the 17th the initial Union push
toward the Army of Northern Virginia would occur. ‘Fighting’ Joe Hooker and his 1st Corps
were tasked with attacking Jackson’s understrength wing near the Miller farm, between the
West and East Woods. Having spotted Union bayonets progressing through the Miller cornfield
to their front, Georgians under Col. Marcellus Douglass would face off against Abram Duryee’s
1st Brigade of New Yorkers and Pennsylvanians in some of the fiercest fighting of the civil war.
By this time, artillery units from both sides had found positions overlooking the battlefield and
an artillery duel, described by one Confederate artillerist as ‘artillery hell’ intensified the fighting.
Several well organised and strong Union manoeuvres threatened to dislodge the Confederate
positions, however the Georgian rebels fought tenaciously and were able to throw back the
Federal attacks. Despite this, the rebels paid dearly for the ground, losing many soldiers during
the early morning fighting. In fact, Colonel Douglass, said to have a death wish due to the passing
of his wife and child through illness the previous year, was killed along with his whole staff by
accurate Union artillery fire late in the morning.

---

Stage 2 - Prelude
The Union progress in the East Woods proved agonisingly slow. Their failure to seize any part
of the woods the previous evening had cost them time and forced the utilisation of vital reserves.
Confederate skirmishers caused further delays throughout the morning, as Hooker was making
his main push through the cornfield just to the west. Then, as the Union forces in the woods
reached its centre, the Confederate resistance suddenly relented. However, having just heard
about the failure to make progress in the main push past the cornfield, the Union commanders
in the woods were not necessarily relieved by this moment of respite. The quick withdrawal of
the Confederate skirmishers in such an advantageous situation could mean only one thing, and
so the Union forces prepared for a defence. Both in the woods and along the northern side of
the Miller cornfield, Union forces readied their positions, as a Confederate counter-attack was
sure to follow shortly.



With the Union attack momentarily checked and in the process of reorganizing near the Miller
cornfield and in the East Woods, Brig. Gen. John Bell Hood sees an opportunity to take the
offensive to delay the Union advance and allow more time for A. P. Hill’s division to arrive from
Harpers Ferry.
Confederate successes early on the first day could spoil the Union advance on Jackson’s understrength wing.
Should the Union forces prevail now however, they may find the rebels overextended and vulnerable.
The fighting is expected to be swift and decisive, but undoubtedly brutal. The limited visibility in both
the cornfield and woods will certainly see the body count mount.

---

Campaign Casualties (from two “battles”):

CSA – 558 Total Casualties:
Wounded - 354
Killed - 146
Captured/Missing in Action - 58

USA – 632 Total Casualties:
Wounded - 436
Killed - 141
Captured/Missing in Action - 55

---

Abram Duryee’s report after the fighting on the ‘Hookers push’ area of the Antietam Battlefield.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV., FIRST CORPS,
Near Sharpsburg, September 20, 1862
Capt. JOHN W. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant- General.

SIR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the general commanding the division, that
on the morning of the 17th, at early dawn, we took the position assigned us on the field of battle
as a reserve in support of General Hartsuff for the engagements of the day. The action opened at
daylight, but, owing to the early fall of General Hartsuff, we quickly gained the right of the division
and immediately became hotly engaged with the enemy. The position of the enemy was in a cornfield
slightly oblique with the center lines, forming an acute angle with the left of the first line. There were
two batteries on our right, which opened with terrible effect upon the enemy. Our infantry, maintaining
their ground, poured in a flank fire with great execution. The conflict continued until there were only
about 100 men of the One hundred and fourth and one hundred and fifth New York Regiments left on
the right of the brigade. At this point the cannoneers of one of the batteries were compelled to abandon
their guns. The remnants of the two regiments above named rallied behind a large rock and continued
to pour in a deadly fire until re-enforcements came up and covered the guns. The enemy's dead upon the
field were almost in as perfect line as if on dress parade. It gives me pleasure to say that the men could
not have fought with more determination and gallantry.

Yours, most respectfully,

A. DURYEE,
Brigadier- General.

[Tobi1202]

The second week of our campaign was fought. Here are the results
of the week's action along with a prelude to the next phase of the battle of Antietam.

---

Fighting in the East Woods


USA:

Commander – 1st Lt. R. Winters of the 52nd New York.
Adjutant – Cpt. David. L. Stricker of the 2nd Delaware.

52nd New York Infantry and 2nd Delaware (3rd Brigade) led by [] 2nd Lt. M. O’Keefe.
51st New York led by [] Cpt. Livington.
8th Florida led by [] 1st Lt. D. Fric.

Total casualties numbered 350

CSA:

Commander – Cpt. E. Harris of the 8th Alabama.
Adjutant – Cpt. R. T. Hogg of the 8th Florida.

8th Alabama led by [] 1st Lt. Tiberius.
18th North Carolina led by [] 2nd Lt. Lemuel Todd.
56th Virginia led by [] Cpt. P. Slaughter.

Total casualties numbered 430

Watch the battle at JOEHOVA’s channel - War of Rights | UEC Campaign | Week 2 | September 11th 2021 | East Woods



After Action Report
7:00am, 17th of September, 1862 - Confederate Brig.-Gen. John B. Hood could
not have hoped for a much better start to his defence. His skirmishers in the East Woods had
excelled themselves in holding off the Pennsylvanian probing force on the 16th and they had
continued to prove difficult to budge, even for the Bucktails. The Union forces had already
started seeing signs of disorganisation in their ranks. Making their way through the trees, what
was thought to be a Confederate skirmisher often turned out to be something different entirely.
Sometimes, what seemed to be just a bush could suddenly pour deadly fire into their ranks,
sending groups of Bucktails flying behind nearby trees. By 6:45am, the main Union push through
the cornfield wavered. Hood now faced a choice. He knew he had the Union forces both pinned in
the East Woods and partially blind in the corn. From both Nicodemus Hill (on the Union’s western
flank) and positions to the south, Confederate batteries seemed to shatter the sky - in addition to
whichever federal was unfortunate enough to stand in the way. Hood recognised that this may be
his only chance to break the Union 1st Corps before additional Union troops entered the battle.

After pulling back the skirmishers in the East Woods to rejoin their units, the attack order was given
and by 7:00am the Rebels were in motion. However, it was now the turn of Texans and Alabamians
to seek cover as they reached the centre of the woods. The Pennsylvanians were not about to give up
so easily, the previously abused Bucktails amongst them. The fighting was comparatively swift and
brutal. A close-range volley to the flank would quickly become the customary greeting of detachments
from both sides. Nevertheless, after the better part of an hour, the position seemed more and more
hopeless for the Confederates. The arrival of Mansfield’s 12th Union Corps to the East Woods had
allowed the Pennsylvanians to pull flank security and focus on the centre of the defence. By 7:50am,
the last Confederate had already left the woods, which were now fully under Union control.

---

Combat in Miller's Cornfield

USA:

Commander – 1st Lt. R. Winters of the 52nd New York.
Adjutant – Cpt. David. L. Stricker of the 2nd Delaware.

52nd New York Infantry and 2nd Delaware (3rd Brigade) led by [] 2nd Lt. M. O’Keefe.
51st New York led by [] Cpt. Livington.
8th Florida led by [] 1st Lt. D. Fric.

Total casualties numbered 207

CSA:

Commander – Cpt. E. Harris of the 8th Alabama.
Adjutant – Cpt. R. T. Hogg of the 8th Florida.

8th Alabama led by [] 1st Lt. Tiberius.
18th North Carolina led by [] 2nd Lt. Lemuel Todd.
56th Virginia led by [] Cpt. P. Slaughter.

Total casualties numbered 265

Watch the battle at JOEHOVA’s channel - War of Rights | UEC Campaign | Week 2 | September 11th 2021 | Millers Cornfield



After Action Report
7:15am, 17th of September, 1862 - Shortly after the start of the engagement in the
East Woods, Hood organised the left flank of his counter-attack. This time it was the rebels’ turn
to march through the corn, with Texans and South Carolinians of Hood’s very own Brigade under
Colonel Wofford taking the lead. Although some of the shells landing in the field had kick-started
the year’s harvest, the corn was still thick and vision was severely limited as a result. The advance
started slowly, with communication and coordination being painfully difficult for both sides. 10
minutes after the first Confederate entered the field, the two sides had yet to make contact. The
Union force had been ordered to stay put just north of the field’s centre, and they had no intention
of disobeying that order. As the Confederate force reached a clearing in the centre of the field however
the Union Iron Brigade opened up on Hood’s Brigade.

After the first eruption of fire there was no more time for careful calculations. Aggression became
the name of the game for the Confederate attackers. More and more men could be seen entering
the field, both blue and grey being submerged in its depths. With the battle fully underway the
Union staff under Brig.-Gen. Gibbon, commanding the Iron Brigade, was made aware of a lookout
position close to the field’s centre. It was from there, atop a group of larger rocks, that the Union
defence was conducted during some of the engagement’s fiercest stages. Many times it seemed
hard to tell which side would come out on top, but despite the best efforts of Hood’s men the field
was still mainly flying Union colors by 7:45am. From the rear it was difficult to see exactly what
was happening, but it was clear that no sustainable progress was being made. It was around this
time that Confederates could be seen filtering out of the East Woods. With the flank being exposed
and casualties mounting in the cornfield, the decision was made to call off any further attacks.
By 8:10am only federal forces remained in the field.

---

Stage 3 - Prelude
By 7:20am, as the opposing forces were engaged in desperate fighting, Sumner’s
2nd Corps was ordered to send 2 of his divisions into the fight. Sumner was aware of the situation
at the cornfield and personally joined Sedgwick’s division of his Corps as they marched west toward
the fighting. By the time the division arrived the Confederates had already been pushed back, with
Hood choosing to regroup his line in a position running north to south along the West Woods down
to Dunker Church. Nevertheless, the Union still did not directly control any ground south of the cornfield.
It was quickly made obvious that Hooker’s 1st Corps had seen enough fighting to be of any immediate
offensive use. Mansfield’s 12th Corps (now lead by Brig.- Gen. Alpheus S. Williams since Maj.- Gen. Mansfield
had been mortally wounded early on) had come up on the Union line to fill the gaps and were ready to
fight, but were still concerned about the western flank. Sumner decided to take Sedgwick’s division and
push it west toward Nicodemus Hill. It was from here that Confederate Maj.-Gen. James E. B. Stuart had
sent his horse artillery, which had been giving the Union positions a devastating barrage all morning.

As Sedgwick’s division reached Nicodemus Hill French’s division, also of Sumner’s 2nd Corps, was making
its way south past Roulette Lane. French had lost contact with Sumner and had ended up marching south
in the confusion. French formed for battle and continued his march. The place at which he would face
resistance has many names. Although at the time it was simply known as the “hollow” road or “sunken” lane.




Mansfield’s Union 12th Corps arrives to assist in the fighting.



2 divisions from Sumner’s Union 2nd Corps arrive - one goes west as the other marches south.
At the same time, the Confederate push in the East Woods begins to waver.



Hood’s men fall back to take up new positions. Whilst Sedgwick’s division reaches Nicodemus Hill
after passing the north of Miller’s cornfield, French’s division marches south toward the sunken road. Sedgwick
makes contact with the enemy at Nicodemus hill first, followed not long after by French engaging the enemy
facing him.

The Confederates have also received reinforcements of their own, as McLaws’ and Richard H. Anderson’s
divisions arrived from a night’s march from Harper’s Ferry. Lee had also decided to send George T. Anderson’s
Georgia brigade from the right flank of the army to instead support Jackson’s left wing.
In contrast to the fights amongst dense corn and woods, the upcoming engagements at Nicodemus Hill and
the Sunken Lane will take place in more open ground, but will undoubtedly be as - if not more - brutal.

---

Campaign Casualties (from four “battles”):

CSA – 1,253 Total Casualties:
Wounded - 770
Killed - 325
Captured/Missing in Action - 117

USA – 1,189 Total Casualties:
Wounded - 841
Killed - 285
Captured/Missing in Action - 96

---

Quotations on the fighting within the Miller Cornfield:
“The hottest place i ever saw on this earth or want to see hereafter. There were shot, shells and Minie balls
sweeping the face of the earth; legs, arms and other parts of human bodies were flying in the air like straw
in a whirlwind. The dogs of war were loose, and ‘havoc’ was their battle cry”
Confederate member of the 4th Texas.

“To the Texans in the ranks the sound of battle was deafening: the boom of artillery; the loud reports of
dozens of nearby rifles and the steady popping of thousands more distant; the explosions of shells and
the whine and hiss of lead balls and steel fragments. Men whooped and yelled; others screamed to be
heard by their comrades. File closers and company commanders bellowed orders and encouragement until
they were hoarse or shot. Dead and dangerously wounded Texans lay among the living and unhurt. Walking
wounded dribbled from the line. Like a funeral pall, thick clouds of smoke drifted over the corn and obscured
the sun”
George E. Otott, author of an article describing the Cornfield in his own words.


Brigadier General John B. Hood

Lee: “Great God General Hood, where is your splendid division?”
Hood: “They are lying on the field where you sent them.”
John. B. Hood in response to General Lee.

[Tobi1202]

The third week of our campaign was fought. Here are the results
of the week's action along with a prelude to the next phase of the battle of Antietam.

---

Nicodemus Hill


USA:

Commander – Cpt. Livington of the 51st New York.
Adjutant – Cpt. P. Frank of the 52nd New York.

52nd New York Infantry led by [] Sgt. A. Walsh.
2nd Delaware led by [] Cpt. Stricker.
51st New York led by [] Sgt. Ulty.
39th New York led by [] Cpt. Davide.

Total casualties numbered 387

CSA:

Commander – Cpt. P. Slaughter of the 56th Virginia.
Adjutant – 1stLt. D. Fric of the 8th Florida.

8th Alabama led by [] Cpt. Harris.
18th North Carolina led by [] 2nd Lt. Lemuel Todd.
56th Virginia led by [] Sgt. Brown.
8th Florida led by [] Cpt. R. T. Hogg.

Total casualties numbered 387



After Action Report
9:00am, 17th of September, 1862 - After manoeuvring into position, Sedgwick’s
Division of Sumner’s Union II Corps launched an attack on Confederate Capt. Pelham’s artillery
position at Nicodemus Hill. The main assault, skirting the northern side of the West Woods,
proved initially unsuccessful. Smaller Union detachments in the field to the North were cut into
pieces by Confederate case and shell. After some time, following a renewed attack, Union forces
managed to establish a strong foothold south of the farmhouse. The opposing forces continued
their struggle until about 40 minutes later, at which point Pelham was forced to abandon his
commanding position to ensure the safety of his guns. Union forces now control all ground north
of the West Woods.

---

Bloody Lane

USA:

Commander – Cpt. Livington of the 51st New York.
Adjutant – Cpt. P. Frank of the 52nd New York.

52nd New York Infantry led by [] Sgt. A. Walsh.
2nd Delaware led by [] 1st Lt. P. P. Oswald.
51st New York led by [] Sgt. Ulty.
39th New York led by [] Cpt. Davide.

Total casualties numbered 363

CSA:

Commander – Cpt. P. Slaughter of the 56th Virginia.
Adjutant – 1stLt. D. Fric of the 8th Florida.

8th Alabama led by [] Maj. Greenberg.
18th North Carolina led by [] 2nd Lt. Lemuel Todd.
56th Virginia led by [] Sgt. Brown.
8th Florida led by [] Cpt. R. T. Hogg.

Total casualties numbered 379


After Action Report
9:30am, 17th of September, 1862 - After deploying in line of battle near the Roulette
farm, French’s Division of Sumner’s Union II Corps advanced toward the Sunken Lane, which since
has more than deserved it’s new nickname, the “Bloody Lane” - A name written in blood. French
opted for a strategy early on in which he would rely on brute force to crack the Confederate lines.
Twice the Union forces were repelled, at times by means of brutal hand-to-hand combat initiated by
the Confederate Defenders, before the eastern side of the lane fell into Union hands. From there,
the slaughter continued as the Union attack crept further and further west, successively clearing out
the stubborn defenders. After 40 minutes of close-quarter firefights, where buck-and-ball ammunition
proved itself to be the most effective butcherer of all, the Confederate force no longer found their
positions tenable. By 10:15am, the Confederate forces had withdrawn from the lane completely, although
the Union brigades would need some time to recuperate before making any further advance.

---

Stage 4 - Prelude
With the success of the Union assault on Nicodemus Hill and the now blood-soaked sunken
lane, the Confederate forces under Maj.-Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson at the West Woods will have to react.
Sedgwick’s Division is threatening to march around the woods to the west, across Nicodemus Hill, whilst
a further advance by Union forces near the Sunken Lane could threaten to split the army in half and
proceed to Sharpsburg. To avoid this, the last Confederate reserves are activated to make sure the line is
extended to combat the Union advance. However, this also could mean that a determined, concentrated a
ssault at some point along the line could leave the Confederate forces with a gap they cannot fill.
Mansfield’s 12th Union Corps, now under Brig.-Gen- Alpheus S. Williams, having regrouped in the East Woods
since the fighting there and in the corn, are ordered to launch a push toward the centre of the Confederate
left wing, concentrating on a small place of worship for local German Baptists - The Dunker Church. This task
is taken on by Greene’s Union brigade.

Just after 9:00am, much further south on the other side of Sharpsburg, [bigger map shown below for reference]
Burnside’s Union IX Corps finally gets the order to commence his attack. Although facing stout resistance by a few
hundred Georgians at the lower bridge, sending the Union forces scattered in an initial engagement, the order to
attack the bridge arrives again. By 10:00am further assaults are ordered. Will the Union manage to cross the bridge
and maintain a foothold? If not delayed, Burnside’s Corps could prove to become a major threat to the Confederate
right, perhaps even cutting off potential routes of retreat entirely!




Union attacks extend further south and west, both in an attempt at outflanking the Confederate
line in the West Woods. With their sides threatened, the Confederate line in the West Woods is spread thin to
cover the flanks as well as possible, committing all reserves to achieve this extension of the line. The Union
12th Corps, relatively fresh and with a new commander, have regrouped and now proceed toward Dunker
church from the East Woods.

Yet further south, on the other side of Sharpsburg, Burnside commences a series of stubborn assaults
across a narrow stone bridge...

---

Campaign Casualties (from six “battles”):

CSA – 2,019 Total Casualties:
Wounded - 1,341
Killed - 485
Captured/Missing in Action - 152


USA – 1,939 Total Casualties:
Wounded - 1,388
Killed - 451
Captured/Missing in Action - 133

---

Lt. Colonel Franklin Sawyer

“The men in the sunken road increased their wall of protection by piling up fence-rails and
also their dead in their front.”

Franklin Sawyer of the 8th Ohio recalls Confederate actions to protect themselves
in the Sunken Road

[Tobi1202]

The fourth week of our campaign was fought. Here are the results
of the week's action along with a prelude to the next phase of the battle of Antietam.

---

Dunker Church


USA:

Commander – 1stLt. P. P. Oswald of the 2nd Delaware.
Adjutant – Cpt. Livington of the 51st New York.

52nd New York Infantry led by [] Cpt. P. Frank.
2nd Delaware led by [] Cpt. D. L. Stricker.
51st New York led by [] 1stSgt. Bobby.
39th New York led by [] Cpt. Davide.

Total casualties numbered 487

CSA:

Commander – 2nd Lt. Lemuel Todd of the 18th North Carolina.
2nd Commander – 1stLt. Tiberius of the 8th Alabama.
Adjutant – Cpl. Booker of the 56th Virginia.

8th Alabama led by [] Cpt. Harris.
18th North Carolina led by [] 1stLt. Mallow.
56th Virginia led by [] Cpt. P. Slaughter.
8th Florida led by [] 1stLt. D. Fric.

Total casualties numbered 347



After Action Report
10:30am, 17th of September, 1862 - Union Brig.-Gen. Alpheus S. Williams
who had to take command over Mansfield’s 12th Corps gave Brig.-Gen. George Greene
the order to attack a small church which is the center of the Confederate left flank. The
fresh troops were eager to seek battle in the front lines and also encouraged by the Union
victories at Nicodemus Hill and Bloody Lane. Their frontal assault could have crushed Lee’s
left flank and endangered the whole Army of Northern Virginia. What the Union Troops didn’t
expect was to face some of the bravest and stubborn men of Jackson's Wing. Brig.-Gen.
John G. Walker, reinforced by troops of Maj.-Gen. Lafayette McLaws division was able to hold the
church and pushed back wave after wave of the Union troops. The Confederates on Lee’s
left flank got battered and bruised but they didn’t break. For the Union, they had to recall any
further attacks. With Mansfield mortally wounded and Hooker, who got shot in the foot and had
to leave the field, also indisposed they lacked a leader to unite the Corps for any further attacks.

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Burnsides Bridge

USA:

Commander – 1stLt. P. P. Oswald of the 2nd Delaware.
Adjutant – Cpt. Livington of the 51st New York.

52nd New York Infantry led by [] Cpt. P. Frank.
2nd Delaware led by [] Cpt. D. L. Stricker.
51st New York led by [] 1stSgt. Bobby.
39th New York led by [] Cpt. Davide.

Total casualties numbered 375

CSA:

Commander – 2ndLt. Lemuel Todd of the 18th North Carolina.
2nd Commander – 1stLt. Tiberius of the 8th Alabama.
Adjutant – Cpl. Booker of the 56th Virginia.

8th Alabama led by [] Cpt. Harris.
18th North Carolina led by [] 1stLt. Mallow.
56th Virginia led by [] Cpt. P. Slaughter.
8th Florida led by [] 1stLt. D. Fric.

Total casualties numbered 417


After Action Report
11:30am, 17th of September, 1862 - Brig.-Gen. Robert Toombs guarded with his
Georgians a little bridge at the Antietam Creek south of Sharpsburg. Little did they know, they
had to hold off an whole Union Corps. Maj.-Gen. Ambrose Burnside who lead the 9th Union Corps
were told to hold his position and not to attack until he was given the order to. With a two hour
delay he finally received the order and prepared his men to march across this little bridge, which
will famously be known as the “Burnside Bridge”. Toombs Georgians hold off any attempt of the
Union to cross that bridge until Col. Robert Potter’s 51st New York were able to charge across that
stone bridge, overrun the first Confederate forces they saw and took defensive positions in a little
orchard near the Confederate artillery position. They fought as long as they could, cut off from any
reinforcement and the bodies began to pile up higher than the stone wall the Union had used for
cover. The Confederates allowed the Union no ground and finally forced them to leave their side of
the creek.

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Stage 5 - Prelude
The Confederates were able to hold their key positions on their left flank and successfully
delayed Burnside’s 9th Corps as long as they could. After a while of fighting Toombs men were exhausted
and without ammunition, so they had to give the little stone bridge to the Union. The time they bought
gave A. P. Hill’s troops more than enough time to arrive from Harpers Ferry and to regroup with the
Army of Northern Virginia. Burnsides men were eager to prove themself in battle but his attempt to
flank the Confederates on their right got flanked by A. P. Hill’s men, who arrived just in time to launch
a counterattack. The surprised Union forces must defend themselves.




Meanwhile Erwin Sumner’s 2nd Union Corps is pushing through the center of Lee’s Army.
Unable to break the Confederate left and with Burnside having trouble to do a good flanking maneuver
Sumner decides to take the advantage which he gained in the blood-soaked sunken lane and pushes
his forces forward towards Sharpsburg. His main goal is the Confederate Artillery position near the
Piper Farm, guarded by Anderson’s troops.

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Campaign Casualties (from eight “battles”):

CSA – 2,783 Total Casualties:
Wounded - 1,914
Killed - 644
Captured/Missing in Action - 184


USA – 2,801 Total Casualties:
Wounded - 1,957
Killed - 689
Captured/Missing in Action - 188

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Brig.-Gen. Robert Augustus Toombs
Toombs' Brigade, Jones' Division, Army of Northern Virginia


“The conduct of the officers and men generally under my command in the battle of Sharpsburg was so
strongly marked with the noble virtues of the patriot soldier that a narrative of this day’s deeds performed
by them, however simple and unadorned"

Robert Toombs describing the actions of his men at Antietam



“so many of the men were shot down that the officers filled their places and loaded and fired their guns.”

Theodore Fogle, Confederate Civil War Veteran



“The brave fellows reeled and fell back as if smitten at the bridge with the blast of Hell….At this bridge the
murderous balls and bursting shells were appalling destruction hovered in the air, death environed it; the
approaches were strewn with dead men. It spanned the Antietam, but all who attempted to cross it had
found eternity.”

One federal. The tragic fate of the 2nd Maryland