Antietam national Battlefield, Maryland, was the site of the deadliest single-day battle in U.S. history. It is located near the town of Sharpsburg in the western part of the state, 65 mi/105 km west of Baltimore. Some 23,000 men were killed or wounded there on 17 September 1862.
The engagement came about after the Confederate Army—under Robert E. Lee—invaded Maryland. The Union forces—under Gen. George McClellan—halted their advance at Antietam, but otherwise, the battle ended in a draw.
Several thousand Union soldiers are buried in Antietam National Cemetery. Notable landmarks at the site include Burnside Bridge (where Union troops charged across a narrow bridge and into a hail of bullets), Dunkard Church and Bloody Lane.
To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.