SEPTEMBER 16, 1862:
The Army
of Northern Virginia takes Sharpsburg, Maryland.
The Army of the Potomac
deploys on the far bank of nearby Antietam Creek.
McClellan is irrationally
convinced that Lee has nearly 120,000 men in Sharpsburg. Lee has only 18,000 troops to oppose the Federals, who
number 60,000. Yet McClellan is
reluctant to move despite the fact that Antietam Creek is shallow, easy to
cross, and undefended.
Instead of attacking, “Little Mac” begins repositioning
his troops, carelessly tipping his hand in the process, and making the coming
battle a far more difficult contest.
No comments:
Post a Comment