Antietam and Emancipation Proclamation

Battle of Antietam:

On September 16th through 18th, 1862 the first major battle in the Civil War was fought. The battle was in Washington County, Maryland and was the single bloodiest day in American Military history. Throughout the war, the South's job was to defend their nation, but during the Battle of Antietam General Robert E. Lee decided to send his troops to Maryland to invade the North. Lee's plan was not as successful as he had planned. The Confederate Army was outnumbered 2-1 by the Union army. In addition, General McClellan had a copy of General Lee's plans because a confederate soldier had left it at the campgrounds. Both sides struggled for a victory but the Union did manage to repel a confederate advance to the North. The Union also succeeded in getting the European powers to avoid helping the South in the war. During one of the attacks at Antietam creek, General Lee sent out all his troops to fight while General McClellan only sent out less than three-quarters of his army. Because of McClellan's delicate and time-consuming attacks, his full army was used and the Confederate army was able to gain an advantage. General Lee and his army retreated in order to help their wounded. Much to Abraham Lincoln's distaste, McClellan did not follow the Confederates. The battle is considered a tie from military standards but Abraham Lincoln and the Union army consider it a win for them because the South didn't gain any land.

Emancipation Proclamation:

The Battle of Antietam gave Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States, to issue the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863. The Proclamation stated that all slaves living in "rebellious" states were freed and slaves living in "border" states, such as Delaware, Maryland, Missouri and Kentucky were not free. The slaves' freedom depended on Union victory. Changes were made to the war, such as a change in focus and new soldiers, as the Emancipation Proclamation was put into effect. The document added a "moral force" to the war, by freeing the slaves. It also gave the Union new soldiers. Free black slaves were accepted into the Union Army and Navy. The focus of the war changed from keeping the Union together to freedom. The Emancipation Proclamation was important because it paved way for the 13th Amendment.

Clara Barton:

Clara Barton was a relief organizer and humanitarian in the early years of the civil war. Barton began an early education and later started her own school in Borden-town, New Jersey in 1853. She had many anti-slavery opinions and worked at charities and philanthropies in Washington. When the civil war broke out, Clara Barton went to care for the wounded soldiers at the Washington Infirmary. Barton cured bloody men and made food for them. She travelled with the Union army to their battles, healing the Union soldiers and Confederate prisoners. Her many supplies and tools made her work popular throughout the army. Her work required her to work so closely to the battle that many accidents occurred. During one of her battles, a bullet went through her sleeve and killed the man she was healing. In 1880, Clara Barton established The American Red Cross Association and held the office as president until 1904. She died in 1912 when she was ninety-one years old.