The following case study will focus on the Battle of Antietam which took place on September 17, 1862 in Sharpsburg, Maryland along Antietam Creek. Known as “…the bloodiest day in American history,” by the end of the day there would be approximately twenty-three thousand casualties, including four thousand five hundred to six thousand deaths. The first topic of discussion will focus on the story leading up to the morning of the 17th in order to establish the mindset of the commanders on both sides of the creek. Once the stage is set for the battle, the dialogue will be guided through the three major battles of the day that encompass the Battle of Antietam. Finally, the thesis will conclude the Battle of Antietam and focus on the lessons learned and/or mistakes that led to the withdrawal of Confederate forces and the bittersweet Union victory that left so many Americans dead or wounded.HistoryThe Battle of Antietam Creek occurred in the fall of 1862. The following section of this case study will cover key events in the months leading up to the battle, which will help understand the mindset of the military commanders on both sides of the engagement. During the summer of 1862, the Confederacy felt defeated after going for some time without a decisive victory over Union forces. Furthermore, President Davis had not received any good news from the battle fronts in months. Meanwhile, the Union Army of the Potomac, under General George B. McClellan, made a show of force near the Williamsburg Road. This show of force, known as the King's School Engagement, brought General McClellan's forces to within six miles of downtown Richmond, V...... middle of paper ..... .l War Preservation Trust. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/south-mountain.html (accessed 11/14/2010). Gallagher, Gary W. Antietam Essays on the Maryland Campaign of 1862. Kent: The Kent University Press, 1989. Henley, Brian. Hooves, heels and wheels. http://hovesheelswheels.blogspot.com/2010/04/antietam-national-battlefield-hiking.html (accessed November 15, 2010). Hickman, Kennedy. About.com. http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/civilwar/p/southmountain.htm (accessed 11/14/2010). McPherson, James M. Battle Chronicles of the Civil War 1862. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1989. Nelson, Harold W, and Luvaas Nelson. The US Army War College Guide to the Battle of Antietam: The Maryland Campaign of 1862. New York: Harper & Row, 1987. Priest, John Michael. Before Anteitam: The Battle of South Mountain. Shippensburg: White Mane Publishing Company, 1992.