More than a month ago, I missed an important 150-year anniversary: From September 4, 1862 through September 20, 1862, the Battle of Antietam (a.k.a. the Battle of Sharpeburg) was underway. It represented an important thrust of Confederate forces northward (somewhat foreshadowing the Battle of Gettysburg, almost a year later).

Some 55,000 Confederate forces, under the command of Robert E. Lee, faced 84,000 Union forces, commanded by George McClellan. (Some of these Union troops had come from Gen. John Pope.)

It was the Army of Northern Virginia versus the Army of the Potomac.

In the end, the latter repelled the former.

It was the single bloodiest day of the Civil War--indeed, the single bloodiest day for Americans in any war: There were 12,401 Union casualties and 10,316 Confederate casualties.

This broke a string of Confederate victories, and laid the groundwork for President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22.

And I forgot that yesterday (Oct 27) was the anniversary of the publishing of the 1st of the federal papers.

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214 Days
9 Hours
56 Minutes Days till Christmas

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1aZ...eature=related

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214 Days
9 Hours
56 Minutes Days till Christmas

Prior to Antietam Confederate victories had been in defense against invasion by the North. They lacked the resources to destroy the Army of the Potomac after their victories. Sensing that given enough tries the Union army would break through to Richmond, Lee launched an offensive operation. The Confederates were hoping to spark a popular uprising against the Union possibly leading to border states like Maryland succession from the Union. The lack of popular support was a major factor in Lee's decision to retreat after the battle ended in a bloody stalemate.