Am seeking information regarding the Battle at Antietam. I recently learned that an ancestor had died in Sharpsburg that fateful Sept. day. Can anyone provide a summary of this Battle? Or perhaps refer me to a web site or Library book? Appreciate any input. Thanks. Edith

Hello Edith, There are a number of good websites regarding the Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam). I'll try to list a few of these for you. http://www.civilwarhome.com/antietam.htm http://www.collectorsnet.com/cwtimes/antietam.htm http://www.rockingham.k12.va.us/EMS/The%20Battle%20of%20Antietam/antietam.htm http://www.alleghenymountain.org/antmain.htm http://www.wsu.edu/~jlance/civil.html http://www.jennie-wade-house.com/battle_antietam_books.htm I hope some of these websites might be of help. I know names of battle can be confusing for a lot of people. The root of the difficulty was geography: invading Union armies lived by maps, while Confederates were at home with the terrain and, in addition, usually chose the field of battle. As a result, Federals often named battles for nearby streams or creeks, while Confederates used the names of towns. A few examples are: Federal Confederate Bull Run Manassas Antietam Sharpsburg Stone's River Murfreesboro Fair Oaks Seven Pines Elkhorn Tavern Pea Ridge Union armies were also named for bodies of water, as The Army of the Potomac, The Army of the James, The Army of the Tennessee. Confederate counterparts were The Army of Northern Virginia, The Army of Tennessee, and the Trans-Mississippi. Best regards, Edward

Edith, There are many good websites and hundreds of books about this battle, the "bloodiest single day in American history." Here is one site: http://www.nps.gov/anti/ There are several links - the one that says "In Depth" will take you to this, among other things - BATTLEFIELD INFO Battle: Morning Phase Battle: Midday Phase Battle: Afternoon Phase Battlefield Map Battle of Antietam Timeline Bibliography of the Battlefield Chronology of the Battlefield Eyewitness to Battle Keys to the Battlefield 6 Generals Who Died Why Lee Invaded Maryland Sharon Ancestor Chronicles: Our Kin And Their Times http://groups.msn.com/AncestorChroniclesOurKinAndTheirTimes/ Please visit, join, and share your family stories