The Federals Got A Very

Complete Smashing

• The Southern ship CSS Arkansas

sent two Union ships battered and

bruised in retreat up the Mississippi

River.

• Other Southern victories during the 7

Days Battles included Union

surrenders and tearing up the railroad

supply lines to the North.

• The Union planned a calvary

offensive.

• The Confederates marched into

Kentucky all the way to the capital and

prepared to install a Confederate

governor. The Union army was in full

retreat.

• The Union army was stricken with

serious illnesses which caused many

deaths.

The Federals Got A Very

Complete Smashing

• General Lee led an attack north of Richmond on Pope’s army. McClellan drug his feet on orders to reinforce Pope’s army due, in part, to his disdain for Pope. Pope suffered heavy casualties.

•After this, it was believed that Washington could be taken. The North was demoralized. Some felt McClellan should be court-martialed. Lincoln left him in because his troops loved him and this kept up morale.

• Democrats in the North were divided about the war. Lee hoped to influence those opposed to the war, thus also fight the war on the homefront.

• Lee advanced across the Potomac. Several pivotal decisions rested on the outcome of Lee’s victory or defeat: European intervention, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation & a willingness of the North to continue the war.

Showdown At Sharpsburg

• The Southern army was gaunt from

lack of food, they were filthy and wore

tattered uniforms; yet they fought

hard, undaunted.

• Maryland did not greet the South

with the Southern patriotism that Lee

had hoped for.

• A Northern soldier named Mitchell

discovered Lee’s orders to his Generals

detailing the strategy for the next

attack on the Union armies.

• This valuable information was

delivered to McClellan who sat on his

hands for an entire day.

Showdown At Sharpsburg

• McClellan missed two opportunities

to attack and crush the Southern

armies.

• When the battle at Antietam did

ensue, both sides suffered terrible

losses.

• The Confederates were out-

numbered. They were forced to retreat

to Sharpsburg.