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Turning Points of the American Civil War
In practical terms, the Emancipation Proclamation had little immediate impact; it freed slaves
only in the Confederate states, while leaving slavery intact in the border states. And, moreover, the freedom it promised depended upon Union military victory. Furthermore, the proclamation
allowed the arming of approximately 180,000 blacks for the Union army. Antietam, consequently, was the initial major turning point in the American Civil War (also see "Subsequent Turning Points" below).
Battle of Antietam
The battle transpired on Wednesday, September 17, 1862,
and less than 3 weeks after the costly Confederate victory at the Battle of Second Manassas (aka Battle of Second Bull Run). The Battle of Antietam, or Sharpsburg, changed
the entire course of the Civil War and not only halted Lee's bold invasion of the North (Why Lee Invaded Maryland), but thwarted efforts to force President Lincoln to sue for peace. It further provided
Lincoln with the victory he needed in order to announce the abolition of slavery. The Battle of Sharpsburg, Maryland, was the turning point of the Civil War
and during eleven solid hours of fierce fighting, a man was killed or wounded every two seconds. The casualties were 6 Generals killed, 12 Generals wounded, and approximately 23,000 killed, wounded, and missing (9 times
the number who fell on the beaches of Normandy).
It was the bloodiest single-day battle of the American Civil War. The First Texas Infantry Regiment lost eighty-two percent of the 226 engaged at Antietam, and at least four female soldiers (including Sarah Emma Edmundson Seelye) participated at Antietam. Consequently, Antietam produced twenty Medals of Honor.
"In the time that I am writing, every stalk of corn in the northern and greater part of the field was
cut as closely as could have been done with a knife, and the slain lay in rows precisely as they had stood in their ranks
a few moments before. It was never my fortune to witness a more bloody, dismal battlefield." Maj.
Gen. Joseph Hooker, USA, Commander, I Corps, Army of the Potomac (At the Antietam Battle)
| Burnside Bridge: Antietam |
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| Library of Congress |
The Burnside Bridge was named after Union General Ambrose Burnside who commanded the Ninth Corps
at Antietam. His soldiers made repeated attacks against the small force of Confederates who defended this crucial Antietam
Creek crossing.
Antietam: Ramifications for the South and North
South: Defensive War Only
Pro-Unionists and conscription
opponents (present day draft dodgers) of Tennessee fled daily, crossed the Cumberland Mountains, and joined the Federal army in
Kentucky and Ohio. During
the fighting in East Tennessee, additional pro-Unionists and conscription opponents fled into Western North Carolina. During General Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North in September 1862, many vacated their homes while others deserted the army (Robert
E. Lee's wife, Mary Custis, is the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington). They strongly believed in a defensive war only; after all, the South is defending their homeland against Northern Aggression. Some adamantly
declared that "I do not own any slaves" and they viewed it as “a rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight.”
On June 20, 1863, with strong pro-Unionist sentiment, western Virginia broke from secessionist
Virginia and formed the state of West Virginia.
North: Preservation of the Union
The Battle of Antietam led to President Lincoln's
issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation and reflected that the "pen is mightier than the sword." However, with the Emancipation Proclamation, Northern soldiers also deserted with many stating, "I am not fighting to
free the blacks or to abolish slavery!" In other words, many Federal soldiers were fighting to preserve the Union. The
Copperhead ranks swelled as a direct result of Lincoln's Proclamation.
Subsequent Turning Points
| President Lincoln at Union Camp in October 1862 |
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| Library of Congress |
Gettysburg was a "tactical victory" while Vicksburg must be considered a "tactical and strategic victory." President Abraham
Lincoln stated that "Vicksburg is the Key!"
The fall of Vicksburg gave more tangible results to the Union than the defeat of Lee's army at Gettysburg.
At Vicksburg, the Union army split the South in two along the line of the Mississippi. This made it extremely difficult for
the South's blockade runners into Texas to supply the Confederates east of the Mississippi. In general, it made it extremely
difficult for the South to transfer supplies and troops to its Eastern and Western Theaters (fulfilling Gen. Scott's Anaconda Plan).
The Union also gained political objectives at Vicksburg and to a degree at Gettysburg. Lee was turned back at
Gettysburg, and the public perception of Lee's invincibility was tainted. With
the North's victory at Gettysburg, however, the South discontinued its offensive war in the North. For the remainder
of the American Civil War, the South fought a defensive war.
Recommended Reading: Turning Points and Pivotal Battles of the
American Civil War
© 2005, 2006, 2007 Matthew D. Parker. All Rights Reserved.
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