Chapter 65: Lee’s First Invasion of the North Ends at the Battle of Antietam

September 17, 1862

While sitting idly at the Landing, McClellan tries to blame his losses on Lincoln for withholding troops he needed to take Richmond in order to defend Washington. The President has none of that. He names General Henry Halleck General-in-Chief on July 11 and orders McClellan to return to DC post haste.

That’s for good reason because Lee has already decided to exploit his victory in Virginia by invading the North. He begins with a win at Second Manassas on August 29 over the just appointed General John Pope, and then heads into the Slave State of Maryland, hoping to rally local support which never materializes. While this plays out, Lincoln sacks Pope and, out of desperation, reappoints McClellan to lead the troops against Lee.

On September 17, 1862, the two armies meet at the town of Antietam and fight the single bloodiest one day battle of the war with some 22,000 killed, wounded or missing. Although McClellan knows of Lee’s detailed plans of attack in advance after they are found accidently, he still barely manages to hold the field at day’s end. Lincoln’s remaining patience runs out on November 7 when he replaces “Little Mac” with a reluctant General Ambrose Burnside.