Antietam Timeline, Part 2

Date Eastern Theater Other Events
September

15


Monday
Union Forces at Harpers Ferry Surrender

-Lee stops retreat, orders concentration at Sharpsburg

-Jackson departs Harpers Ferry, leaving A.P. Hill's Division behind

-McLaws crosses Potomac to Harper's Ferry

McClellan crosses South Mountain to Boonsboro and Keedysville

CSA Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith on Ohio River across from Cincinnati, OH
16

Tuesday
Jackson's and Walker's Divisions arrive at Sharpsburg around midday. Lee sends word to McLaws and A.P. Hill to hurry to Sharpsburg
Union I and XII Corps cross Antietam Creek late evening and make contact with Lee’s left at 6 pm McClellan orders Franklin to Sharpsburg from Pleasant Valley


17 Wednesday BATTLE OF ANTIETAM OR SHARPSBURG

Fighting begins at dawn and continues for 12 hours until 5:30 pm

McLaws' Division arrives early morning; A.P. Hill's arrives 3 pm.

That evening Lee holds council of war at dark, decides to remain in position

CSA Gen. Braxton Bragg captures 4000 Federals at Munfordville, KY

English Foreign Minister Russell, just hearing the news of 2nd Manassas, writes Prime Minister Palmerston "the time is come for offering mediation to the United States Gov't, with a view to the recognition of the independence of the Confederates."

18

Thursday


At dark, Lee begins to withdraw toward the Potomac

19

Friday
Lee’s Army completes Potomac crossing by late morning

Raiding party from Union Gen. Fitz John Porter's V Corps crosses Potomac and captures four CSA cannon and returns

Union Gen. William S. Rosecrans defeats CSA Gen. Sterling Price at Iuka, MS. Price now cannot aid Bragg in KY
20

Saturday
Battle of Shepherdstown

Two brigades of Porter's V Corps cross the Potomac but are repulsed by a counterattack from A.P. Hill's Division


22

Monday
President Abraham Lincoln announces the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation

25

Thursday


Union Gen. Don Carlos Buell beats Bragg to Louisville, KY
October

2


Thursday
Lincoln arrives at Antietam Battlefield to meet with McClellan
Palmerston, learning of Lee's withdraw, writes Russell, "The whole matter is full of difficulty and can only be cleared up by some more decided events between the contending armies."
4

Saturday
Lincoln leaves Antietam for Washington D.C.
Battle of Corinth, MS

CSA Gens. Van Dorn and Price repulsed in attacks
6

Monday
Lincoln orders McClellan to "cross the Potomac and give battle to the enemy or drive him south"

8 Wednesday

Battle of Perryville, KY

Bragg withdraws ending Kentucky invasion
10

Friday
CSA Gen. J.E.B. Stuart rides around McClellan's army

26

Sunday
McClellan's army crosses the Potomac


November

4

Tuesday




Congressional elections in the North. Republicans retain a majority in the House and gain 5 seats in the Senate
5

Wednesday
Lincoln writes the order relieving McClellan from command

December

13


Saturday
Battle of Fredericksburg

McClellan's replacement Gen. Burnside defeated by Lee



January

1, 1863


Thursday




Final Emancipation Proclamation is issued
 

Last updated: September 15, 2023

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