Taking from letters and diaries, james mcpherson tells the story of antietam, and the first years of the war, in such a way that at times i could. Mcpherson, paints a masterful account of this pivotal battle, the events that led up to it, and its aftermath. Much more than lives were at stakeboth sides were fighting for their definition of freedom. Mcclellans army of the potomac, near sharpsburg, maryland and antietam creek.
New antietam book nonfiction history of the civil war. Mcpherson tells the story of the battle of antietam the turning point of the whole civil war, and the bloodiest day in american history. Mcpherson states in his concise chronicle of the event crossroads of freedom, it may well have been the pivotal moment of the war and possibly of the young republic itself. This day remains the single most deadly days in american history, and the outcome of the battle was to change the course of the civil war. Lees army of northern virginia and union general george b. Mcphersonoxford university press crossroadsof freedom also by james. Author james mcpherson discusses his books crossroads of freedom. Antietam creek, maryland washington county, highway 68 to potomac river section road map. This is an ideal study for undergraduates and other students. Morning antietam battlefield, sharpsburg, maryland 1862 and represents the northern half of the field. Fortunately, readers can turn to crossroads of freedom to gain historical perspective about the larger aims of the war.
An atlas of the antietam sharpsburg campaign is the fourth installment in the savas beatie military atlas series. Read crossroads of freedom pdf antietam by james m. Click download or read online button to get north to antietam book now. Map of the battlefield of antietam 1862 the big map blog. Crossroads to freedom essay did antietam change the course of the civil war. You can publish your own pdf file online for free in a few minutes. The battle that changed the course of the civil war explores the first years of the war leading up to the battle of antietam and the effects it had on the nation and the world both psychologically and politically. The battle of antietam provides important lessons in command and control, leadership, and unit training. This book focused on the battle of antietam, which was not only the bloodiest battle in the u. Ayers join us at the lincoln public library 1600 pennsylvania ave nw presented by the national endowment for the humanities and the american library association. Search results from civil war maps, available online, antietam. Lee invaded maryland, leading 35,000 confederate troops. Download file to see previous pages mcpherson lay out a chronological account of this battle starting with the events that prompted the war, how the battle was fought, and its aftermath.
Maps of the battle of antietam the civil war and the battle. The battle of antietam also known as the battle of sharpsburg, particularly in the southern. Mcpherson the great historian james mcpherson presents his account of antietam, the savage civil war battle that made the. Antietam september 17, 1862 on september 17, 1862, at antietam creek, maryland, over 23,000 union and confederate soldiers nine times the number who fell on the beaches of normandy were killed or wounded. As mcpherson shows, by september 1862 the survival of the united states was in doubt. Inside the battle that changed the course of the civil war stackpole. In crossroads of freedom, americas most eminent civil war historian, james m. Learn about the american battlefield trusts map reprint permission policy.
Antietam pivotal moments in american history mcpherson, james m. The battle of antietam, fought on september 17, 1862, was the bloodiest single day in american history, with more than 6. The book is about the battle of antietam to southerners, sharpsburg, a great and terrible event that made september 17, 1862, the bloodiest day in american history. In a concise narrative, mcpherson takes readers through the events leading up to antietam, and through the savage fighting of the battle itself. Antietamcrossroads of freedom by rachel nicole tunnell chapter one. This cataclysmic battle was the bloodiest day of fighting in american history, with a stunning number of casualties left in its wake. Antietam library and research center antietam national. Explore the civil war on the homefronts and battlefields of this border region, where armies fought at places called antietam and gettysburg, where divided loyalties split families and communities, and where freedom was given new meaning. James mcpherson talked about his book, crossroads of freedom.
Mcpherson, paints a masterful account of this pivotal battle, the. There is no denying that antietam was a pivotal moment, and that mcpherson was the ideal person to write this account. Organization of the union and confederate armies at the battle of antietam sharpsburg, september 17, 1862. Unlike gettysburg, there was no brilliant presidential address afterward to give antietam a wider meaning. Mcpherson oxford university press the battle of antietam, fought on september.
Antietam marked the crossing of confederate troops into union territory. How to use this mapguide this guide depicts a 90mile historic and scenic driving tour that follows the route taken during robert e. This paper seeks to explore how the battle of antietam changed the course of americas civil war in accordance with mcpherson views. Dec 18, 2009 midterm crossroads to freedom slides 1. Mcpherson is a renowned civil war historian and his texts are required reading on college campuses all over america. On the 17th, general george mcclellans union army of 75,000 men met him at antietam creek near sharpsburg.
Today were highlighting some maps relating to the battles of antietam and south mountain. Historical maps us states maryland war maps sharpsburg civil war battle of antietam 1862 map of the battlefield of antietam, sept. If the southern army carried the day in maryland, washington would be the next to. Antietam creek, potomac river, chesapeake and ohio canal, mountains, woods, bridges and roads. Antietam is part of the pivotal moments in american history series. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by.
Subtitled, the battle that changed the course of the civil war, this compelling history chronicles the battle that took place on september 17, 1862 near sharpsburg, maryland. Why men fought in the civil war was awarded the 1998 lincoln prize. Crossroads of freedom isnt simply about the bloodiest single day in american history, to use mcphersons phrase. Antietamcrossroads of freedom by rachel nicole tunnell 2. That james mcpherson would choose to devote an entire book to this battle is a. The battle that changed the course of the civil war. Antietam many accounts of civil war battles were written in the decades after the war by soldiers who had participated in them. None rivals in accuracy and thoroughness ezra carmens study of the battles of south mountain and antietam, in which he fought as colonel of the th new jersey. Mcpherson is george henry davis 86 professor of american history emeritus at princeton university.
Read crossroads of freedom antietam the battle that. Talking about the civil war and emancipation on their 150th anniversaries edited by edward l. May 28, 2012 map of the battlefield of antietam map of the battlefield of antietam 1862 date. It crushed confederate hopes of british intervention. Read crossroads of freedom antietam the battle that changed the course of the civil war pdf free. Civil war map battle of antietam 1862 maps of the past. The civil war era 1988, but the graceful prose end page 194 flawless arguments that distinguish crossroads of freedom make these ideas well worth revisiting. Movements in the battle of antietam the union generals hooker, mansfield, and sumner advanced on the left side of the confederate troops, forcing the confederacy to apply more troops on the left in order for them to hold off the three divisions of the union army. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Antietam pivotal moments in american history series by james m. Atlas of the battlefield of antietam library of congress.
See our prints page for more details pff this map isnt part of any series, but we have other maps of the u. Mcpherson clearly regards antietam or sharpsburg, for those south of the masondixon line as the crucial event of the u. The pendulum of war 18611862 the first chapter focuses on the reasons for the american civil war and the beginning of a long journey civil wars usually start when one side is trying to control the others land or government, but in the case of this civil war the. Sep 03, 2003 more historians should write books like james mcphersons illuminating new work on antietam. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Crossroads of freedom is the third volume in a new series that highlights. North to antietam download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Battle cry of freedom argues that the bloody clash at. Mcpherson aired his ideas about antietam s importance in his 1988 bestseller, battle cry of freedom. The battle of antietam, fought on september17, 1862 was one of the many bloody but indecisive battles that was so characteristic of the civil war. At antietam, the possibilities for the future of the union diverged like paths at a crossroads. Mcpherson suggests that the battle of antietam not gettysburg was the most important battle of the war and provides a convincing argument for it. Map for antietam creek, maryland, white water, highway 68 to. Battle of antietam maryland civil war campaign battlefield.
Mcpherson the great historian james mcpherson presents his account of antietam, the savage civil war battle that made the freeing of the slaves. The pendulum of war on december 20th, 1860, south carolina was the first southern state to secede from the union. The pendulum of war 18611862 the first chapter focuses on the reasons for the american civil war and the beginning of a long journey civil wars usually start when one side is trying to control the others land or government, but in the case of this. Along the bottom of the map are notes and explanations. James mcphersons crossroads of freedom is a model of what might be done with this approach. Brad gottfried has produced a stunningly beautiful, clearly readable, concise history of the maryland campaign which relies as heavily on maps as it does text. Today, the antietam battleground is a place of death, sadness and too many monuments. Crossroads of freedom a volume in the pivotal moments in american history series reflects mcphersons longstanding interest in problems of historical contingency, and readers should therefore not expect a full account of the antietam campaign or a close tactical analysis of the battle. Battle of antietam page battle maps, history articles, photos, and preservation news on this important 1862 civil war battle in maryland.
Consequently, given the length of the book, there is very little about the engagement at antietam in the book, aside from a relatively short 34 pages out of 156 pages of text description of robert e. Library holdings include books, bound volumes, vertical files, manuscripts, limited photographs, maps, and microfilm. This small volume should be a welcome training aid for those undertaking an antietam staff ride and valuable reading for those interested in the civil war and in the history of the military art. Historical map of sharpsburg, md civil war battle of. Antietam, the battle that changed the course of the. The battle of antietam, fought on september 17, 1862, was the bloodiest single day in american history, with more than 6000 soldiers killedfour times the. The battle of south mountain took place just east of sharpsburg, maryland, on september 14, 1862, only days before the larger and better known battle of antietam. The final chapters will discuss the aftermath of the battle and why. Watch the action at the battle of antietam come to life with the civil war trusts all new animated map, featuring a compelling video presentation and interactive map of the battlefield.
It was soon followed by six more states mississippi, florida, alabama, georgia, louisiana, and texas. It restored morale in the north and kept lincolns party in control of congress. Information contained here and along the trail tells stories that have been hidden deep within the landscape for 140 years. The bloodiest day in united states history was september 17, 1862, when, during the civil war battle at antietam, close to 6,500 soldiers were killed or mortally.
Jun 02, 2004 mcpherson aired his ideas about antietam s importance in his 1988 bestseller, battle cry of freedom. George mcclellan, mounted a series of powerful assaults against gen. Before the battle, mcpherson carefully demonstrates with the aid of 30 duotones and seven maps, the civil wars outcome had been disputable. Lees forces along antietam creek near sharpsburg, maryland, on. The collection of maps without explanatory text is available online at the west. Donate today to preserve battlefields in america and protect the legacy of our nations defining conflicts. Afternoon antietam battlefield, sharpsburg, maryland 1862 and represents the southern half of the field. The park library maintains a collection of books and manuscripts relevant to the study of the battle of antietam, development antietam national cemetery and the national park. An atlas of the antietam sharpsburg campaign, september 220, 1862 carries on the excellent tradition of the savas beatie maps of series.
Historical map archive battle of antietam alabama maps. Antietam, by james m mcpherson, mcpherson gives us, the reader, a rundown of the battle which is referred to as. This guide depicts a 90mile historic and scenic driving tour that. Available also through the library of congress web site as a raster image. An appropriate selection for the publishers pivotal moments in american history series, this pithy monograph by mcpherson history, princeton. Union and confederate movements are shown through six chronological positions. Mcpherson oxford university press crossroads of freedom also by james. This is a hand drawn, highly detailed map of the battle of antietam.