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[Illustration: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR · March 3, 1849]
This publication is one of a series of handbooks describing the historical and archeological areas in the National Park System administered by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior. It is printed by the Government Printing Office and may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents. Washington. D.C. 20402.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HISTORICAL HANDBOOK SERIES NO. 31 Washington, D.C. · 1960 (Revised 1961) Reprint with minor corrections 1980
_The National Park System, of which Antietam National Battlefield Site is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and inspiration of its people._
[Illustration: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE · DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR]
_Page_ ACROSS THE POTOMAC 1 McCLELLAN IN COMMAND 4 LEE DIVIDES HIS FORCES 6 THE LOST ORDER 9 FIGHTING FOR TIME AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN 10 HARPERS FERRY SURRENDERS 13 LEE TAKES A STAND ON SHARPSBURG RIDGE 14 McCLELLAN CONCENTRATES AT THE ANTIETAM 16 THE LINES ARE POISED FOR ACTION 18 HOOKER STRIKES AT DAYBREAK 21 MANSFIELD RENEWS THE ATTACK 23 JACKSON PREPARES AN AMBUSH 25 THE FIGHT FOR THE SUNKEN ROAD 34 BURNSIDE TAKES THE LOWER BRIDGE 40 A. P. HILL TURNS THE TIDE 44 RETREAT FROM SHARPSBURG 45 THE BATTLE AND THE CAMPAIGN 47 THE WAR FOR THE UNION TAKES ON A NEW PURPOSE 47 CLARA BARTON AT ANTIETAM 49 ANTIETAM NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD AND CEMETERY 50 ADMINISTRATION 55 SUGGESTED READINGS 56 APPENDIX 57
[Illustration: _Focal point of the early morning attacks, the Dunker Church and some who defended it._ From photograph attributed to James Gardner. Courtesy, Library of Congress.]
_In Western Maryland is a stream called Antietam Creek. Nearby is the quiet town of Sharpsburg. The scene is pastoral, with rolling hills and farmlands and patches of woods. Stone monuments and bronze tablets dot the landscape. They seem strangely out of place. Only some extraordinary event can explain their presence._
_Almost by chance, two great armies collided here. Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was invading the North. Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac was out to stop him. On September 17, 1862—the bloodiest day of the Civil War—the two armies fought the Battle of Antietam to decide the issue._