There was nothing important about Antietam Creek itself.
But the loss of the battle that suddenly blew up there was a devastating blow to the South. Not so much in pure battlefield terms. But Lincoln had been waiting for a Union win before he could credibly issue his Emancipation Proclamation - turning the war into an official crusade against slavery.
This made it impossible for the British to aid the Confederates without looking pro-slavery themselves.
Lee retreated back into Virginia.
The importance of The Battle of Antietam was for General Lee to advance into Northern territory and to turn the tide of the war in favor of the Confederacy.
Antietam
Antietam
The Battle of Antietam made the British realize that the Confederacy could not win the war. The Union had too much man power and they were industrialized, so they had a huge advantage in the supply arena. Britain knew that the Confederacy could not become a stable, sovereign nation. They were going to be too dependent on the north for industry whether they won the war or not.
Lee retreated back into Virginia.
As the first major Union victory in the East, Antietam allowed Lincoln to announce the Emancipation Proclamation. It also dissuaded foreign powers, particularly England and France from recognizing the Confederacy diplomatically.
Known to the Confederacy as Sharpsburg.
Antietam
Antietam
The importance of The Battle of Antietam was for General Lee to advance into Northern territory and to turn the tide of the war in favor of the Confederacy.
Gettysburg is sometime called the "high water mark of the Confederacy."
Antietam
Antietam
Battle of Antietam.
The Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E. Lee
The Battle of Antietam made the British realize that the Confederacy could not win the war. The Union had too much man power and they were industrialized, so they had a huge advantage in the supply arena. Britain knew that the Confederacy could not become a stable, sovereign nation. They were going to be too dependent on the north for industry whether they won the war or not.