Maryland Campaign Battles of the Civil War

AMERICAN HISTORY

Maryland Campaign Battles

Harpers Ferry (September 12-15, 1862)

In Lee's first invasion of the North, General Robert E. Lee planned to first attack Harpers Ferry,

in order to control the Shenandoah Valley, capture its supplies, and secure his own supply line back to Virginia. He divided his army into four columns, three of which converged upon and attacked Harpers Ferry. On September 15, Confederate artillery was placed on the heights overlooking the town, which was virtually indefensible, dominated on all sides by higher ground and not properly fortified.

As the Confederates bombarded the garrison from all sides and were preparing an infantry assault when Colonel Dixon S. Miles surrendered the garrison of more than 12,000 men.

Harper's Ferry, West Virginia - view of the town and railroad bridge

Harper's Ferry, West Virginia - view of the town and

railroad bridge.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

It would be his last military action, as Miles, himself, was mortally wounded by a last discharge of firearms from a battery on Loudoun Heights. Confederate Major General "Stonewall" Jackson took possession of Harpers Ferry, then led most of his soldiers to join Lee at Sharpsburg. Major General A.P. Hill's division was left to complete the occupation of the town. After paroling the prisoners at Harpers Ferry, Hill’s division would also join Lee, just in time time to save Lee's army from near-defeat at Sharpsburg. Less than 100 men were killed in the battle of Harpers Ferry.

Additional Information:

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park

P.O. Box 65
Harpers Ferry , West Virginia 25425

304-535-6029

South Mountain (September 14, 1862)

Also called the Battle of Crampton’s, Turner’s, and Fox’s Gaps, this skirmish took place in Frederick and Washington Counties, Maryland. While the vast majority of General Robert E. Lee's Army were attacking Harpers Ferry, the rest were marching on to Maryland, with Major General George B. McClellan hotly in pursuit. Following them to Frederick, Maryland, McClellan advanced on them at South Mountain, a natural formation that separates the Shenandoah and Cumberland Vallies from the eastern part of Maryland. A number of battles were fought on September 14th over possession of the South Mountain passes: Crampton’s, Turner’s, and Fox’s Gaps. By dusk the Confederate defenders were driven back, suffering severe casualties, and McClellan was in a position to destroy Lee's army before it could re-concentrate. However, McClellan's limited activity the next day gave Lee time to unite his scattered divisions at Sharpsburg. In the South Mountain Battle, an estimated 4,500 casualties were suffered including Union general Jesse Reno and Confederate General Samuel Garland, Jr. who were killed.

South Mountain Battle.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Additional Information:

Appalachian National Scenic Trail
P.O. Box 50
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425

304-535-6278

Antietam (September 16-18, 1862)

Also referred to as the Battle of Sharpsburg, Major General George B. McClellan confronted Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Sharpsburg, Maryland west of Antietam Creek on September 16, 1862. At dawn the next day, Major General Joseph Hooker's I Corps mounted a powerful assault on Lee's left flank that began the single bloodiest day in American military history. Attacks and counter-attacks swept across Miller’s cornfield and fighting swirled around the Dunker Church Major General Joseph K. Mansfield's XII Corps joined to reinforce Hooker. Union assaults, led by Major General Edwin V. Sumner's II Corps, against the Sunken Road (Bloody Lane) eventually pierced the Confederate center, but the Federal advantage was not followed up.

Battle of Antietam.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Antietam battlefield on the day of the battle, September 17, 1862.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Late in the day, Union General Ambrose Burnside's IX Corps finally got into action, crossing the stone bridge over Antietam Creek and rolling up the Confederate right. At a crucial moment, Major General A.P. Hill’s division arrived from Harpers Ferry and counterattacked, driving back Burnside and saving the day.

Although outnumbered two-to-one, Lee committed his entire force, while McClellan sent in less than three-quarters of his army, enabling Lee to fight the Federals to a standstill. During the night, both armies consolidated their lines. In spite of crippling casualties, Lee continued to skirmish with McClellan throughout the 18th, while removing his wounded south of the river. McClellan did not renew the assaults. After dark, Lee ordered the battered Army of Northern Virginia to withdraw across the Potomac into the Shenandoah Valley.

In the end, an estimated 23,100 casualties were suffered.

Additional Information:

Antietam National Battlefield
P.O. Box 158
Sharpsburg, Maryland 21782

301-432-5124

Shepherdstown (September 19-20, 1862)

Newcomer's Mill at Antietam, Maryland.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Also referred to as the Battle of Boteler’s Ford, this encounter took place in Jefferson County, West Virginia as the Confederate forces retreated southward. On September 19, a detachment of Union Major General Fitz John Porter's V Corps pushed across the river at Boteler’s Ford, attacked the Confederate rearguard commanded by Brig. General William Pendleton, and captured four guns. Early on the 20th, Porter pushed elements of two divisions across the Potomac to establish a bridgehead. Confederate Major General A.P. Hill’s division counterattacked while many of the Federals were crossing and nearly annihilated the 118th Pennsylvania (the “Corn Exchange” Regiment), inflicting 269 casualties. This rearguard action discouraged Federal pursuit. On November 7, President Lincoln relieved McClellan of command because of his failure to follow up Lee's retreating army and Major General Ambrose E. Burnside rose to command the Union army. The end result of the battle was 625 casualties.

Added December, 2006

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