The battle of Antietam was the first substantial victory which crowned the labors of the Army of the Potomac. Williamsburg, Fair Oaks and Malvern were all victories, but productive of no immediate results. Fought on ground of the enemy’s choosing, and under the disadvantages which always attend the assailing party, it was a decisive struggle, stemming the tide of invasion and rolling back to their rebellious territory Lee’s boasted legions, the
“Ragged multitude
Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless,”
who had come to “free” “My Maryland.” A single regret is associated with Antietam: that the enemy, defeated and driven back, were not followed up and annihilated.
ANTIETAM.
Straw Stacks, with Wounded. Position of Thirty-Third when attacked. Rickett’s Battery.
After being driven from the mountain passes, Gen. Lee withdrew his forces from the vicinity of the Blue Ridge, Boonsboro and Hagerstown, and concentrated them near Sharpsburg, in horse-shoe shaped lines, the heels resting near the Potomac. Gen. McClellan followed with his entire army, save Couch’s Division and Franklin’s Command, which having been detached for the relief of Harper’s Ferry, were several miles in the rear.