Antietam's Bloody Lane: Sunken Road Battle | Sharpsburg, Maryland | US Civil War

Antietam's Bloody Lane: Sunken Road Battle | Sharpsburg, Maryland | US Civil War | History Maps

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2 жыл бұрын

September 17, 1862. DH Hill's division has held South Mountain but is pushed back by McClellan's Army of the Potomac. Robert E. Lee situates the Army of Northern Virginia around Sharpsburg, Maryland.
DH Hill takes positions in a sunken road near Sharpsburg. Longstreet and Jackson's men form positions on ridges, woods, and in a cornfield.
McClellan begins the attack with Hooker and Mansfield's corps against the Cornfield and the East Woods. DH Hill sends Ripley, Colquitt, and McRae to the cornfield, but they are driven back.
Only Rodes and GB Anderson are in the cornfield, but remnants of Colquitt and McRae form back up in the road. Then Sumner's Corps advances. Sedgwick's division is shattered in the West Woods, but French and Richardson approach the Sunken Road.
The topography of the sunken road is this: heights in front of the road make it so that both sides will only see each other at the last moment. Weber's brigade is the first Union line to hit. The 1st Delaware takes terrible losses.
Morris' brigade follows. It is also beaten back.
Then Kimball engages. Kimball holds for three hours.
Richardson's division comes in next. Meagher relieves Kimball's left flank. This Irish Brigade holds until Caldwell swings in. Barlow's New York Regiments, the 64th New York and the 61st New York, find a strategic place and throw enfilading fire into the sunken road. The sunken road becomes the infamous Bloody Lane.
GB Anderson is reinforced by RH Anderson, but the sunken road defenders are thrown back. 300 prisoners are taken. Then Rodes brigade suffers a miscommunication. The 1st Alabama under Lightfoot misunderstands an order to refuse the line. They abandon the road, as do others in Rodes' brigade.
The sunken road is in Union hands by noon. Longstreet brings cannon into the orchard and the Piper Farmhouse, stalling further advances.
Richardson is wounded, and Winfield Scott Hancock assumes command over the division.
The Sunken Road, or Bloody Lane, is a critical part of the Battle of Antietam. The north suffered nearly 3,000 casualties securing the objective.
The American Civil War is a critical chapter in American history.
This film was made by Jeffrey Meyer, librarian and historian.

Пікірлер: 109

@automaticmattywhack1470 2 жыл бұрын

I love when you use the LIDAR maps. It really helps see how and why armies pick certain positions and how and why they take certain routes when marching. You're the only war documentarian who I've seen use it. KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING!

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! More LIDAR to come.

@Owennerd 2 жыл бұрын

I cannot stress how true this is. All other videos, and to a certain extent, books I've read and watched seem to focus on and exaggerate the small human elements that shaped the battle, and generally ignore the geographical realities that really were the cause for the flow of the battle. Watching Jeffrey's videos with LIDAR and the constant zooming in and zooming out really shows you that the terrain, first and foremost, dictates everything.

@jamesr9227 2 жыл бұрын

@@JeffreytheLibrarian I’ve watched you since the beginning of your channel. You were good then. Damn if you are not amazing at this point.

@chrismitchell3292 2 жыл бұрын

It was amazing Col. Gordon's cover took a hit in it...when he was shot in the face...the blood drained out so he didn't drown

@IFY0USEEKAY 2 жыл бұрын

Your vids are so well researched and detailed, it makes me recognize that all I ever had was a broad overview/understanding of battles that I used to think I knew so well. Thank you!

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

I've found that I always think I know something until I dig into the details, and then I realize I didn't actually know anything.

@rhoddryice5412 2 жыл бұрын

The Google imagery combined with the elevation map from USGS and highlighting the elevation differences makes these battle breakdowns the best. Keep it up!

@blazertrail5344 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! For future videos I would suggest adding the current time on screen somewhere while you discuss the events, to make it easier to keep track of the timeline & how long events take.

@jeffs7482 2 жыл бұрын

Outstanding work, as always! Many thanks for the time and effort you put into these very illuminating videos.

@MoorishBandit Жыл бұрын

Wow, so many documentaries leave out the fact that the sunken road had been flanked and enfiladed by the time the rest of the confederates withdrew. It really gives a whole new context to that part of the battle.

@samuelharlan7744 2 жыл бұрын

Babe wake up, Jeffrey just posted

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

It took a while, but I finally got it done.

@tnt-hv6qw 2 жыл бұрын

you are on to something cool with the lidar. hot damn that puts the whole thing in perspective. now we can see how a hill or valley can change the outcome. final piece of the puzzle for battle analysis’s. i just found u on here. your awesome.

@badmintoninchina1612 2 жыл бұрын

Your videos are quite simply spot on! Full and rich of information, delivered with a spot on pace and great, illustrative graphics👍👍

@brianmungermusic1744 Жыл бұрын

I went there a few years ago. Wow what a visit. I walked the sunken road and still have a walnut from the bend in the road. You really feel the sense of the battle walking these grounds. It’s such a beautiful place, well preserved and worth the visit. Great video and thanks for sharing.

@touristguy87 2 жыл бұрын

The Civil War is a critical chapter in American history, but it's still just history. The only significance that history has is what people make of it going forward.

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@automaticmattywhack1470 2 жыл бұрын

I was just wondering yesterday when a new video would drop. Of course, I'm sitting in the waiting room of my Dr's office right now and I'll have to wait to watch it uninterrupted, but Yay! New video!

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching!

@noahs.627 3 ай бұрын

Hello jeffrey! Amazing videos by the way, mapping the war helps like nothing else. A couple suggestions would be to add some music and maybe if youre comfortable you could recording yourself talking for the long bits maybe in period clothing to add a bit, just a suggestion though. You could also consider using video games to really get the cinematics you might desire. Ill point to the channel @onlycavs to kind of highlight what i mean as far as that goes, the total war games have mod for the acw

@johnlawson656 Жыл бұрын

Well done! With my sense of direction, I finally have a clear picture and understanding of the battle. Great job. You have a new subscriber.

@ryandemge3959 Жыл бұрын

This is an absolutely incredible video, such a clear and concise breakdown

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@johnnyallen5736 2 жыл бұрын

Great video--thanks for displaying it using the maps--really helps me understand what happened!

@eoyguy 2 жыл бұрын

Nice. Whenever I read or watch anything about the battle, especially this part of it, I can't help but think that if McClellan had came across the Middle Bridge, they could have rolled up the entire confederate line fairly easily. When I walked the battlefield, I was under the impression that the Bloody Lane was oriented more facing east and blocked the middle bridge advance, but obviously not the case. The confederated right flank was basically wide open.

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

McClellan had another corps to deploy, and he almost did. However, he was afraid of losing his last reserves.

@fortusvictus8297 8 ай бұрын

If I remember correctly, it was Longstreets units covering the highground overlooking the middle bridge, it was not undefended. And to have pressed that final corps through that chokepoint could have been a needless waste of life as well. Had that corps been able to go north and cross where the other corps did that may have been another story, but from what I understand the area was already choked full of supply wagons and moving elements.

@johnrendle8840 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! Im particularly glad to now know where the 132nd Pa was located as their commander Col. Richard Adolphus Oakford was the second Master of my Masonic Lodge in Pittston and the first Master of Union Lodge 291 in Scranton. He was killed early upon reaching the sunken road unfortunately. He is buried in Hollenback Cemetery in Wilkes Barre Pa.

@Deckuras 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant work

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@mrdinkelpuss4000 Жыл бұрын

I really love these kinds of videos please make more!

@FacloFormerFavorite Жыл бұрын

Standing in The Sunken Road is an incredible place to visit.

@jaydubbyuh2292 2 жыл бұрын

Thx for the tedious, and diligent research of each corps and their constituent brigades & regiments.

@wolfgangbarron-hagarty8735 2 жыл бұрын

Love it Jeff, keep it up

@Squatch_Rider66 2 жыл бұрын

Great recap of the engagement. Very interesting to see all the small unit participants recognized

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@aaronwheeler1957 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, Kimball’s brigade would earn the nickname “The Gibraltar Brigade” for their actions at the sunken road. There’s a great book called the Gallant Fourteenth about the 14th Indiana that has a ton of info, including letters home from soldiers, about the battle. I highly recommend it.

@robertrodes1546 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for a very illuminating explanation of this battle. I knew that my ancestor and namesake was right in the thick of the Bloody Lane and wounded there, but the details of the miscommunication with one of his colonels is new to me and very interesting.

@jameshimes3657 Жыл бұрын

Excellent treatment of attacks on Bloody Lane....Love the Maps with Timing of Actions & Movements...

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

That means a lot to me! Thanks!

@ericsanger4408 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for educating me!

@floridian9897 2 жыл бұрын

Very nicely done, like the visuals and terrain explanations...by the way the 27th NC/ 3rd Ark. were the only two Regiments that penetrated the Union defenses the deepest before being repelled back to the Pike. They remained at the Pike for 3 hours holding without a single cartridge and bayonets at ready. They were called out by Lee for this action, my GG GF was in the 27th NC Co. K and was wounded in the shoulder at this action.

@timkitchen7141 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@charlesbelser7249 Жыл бұрын

Very good analysis.

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@stevearchtoe7039 2 жыл бұрын

Well done!

@DJ-bh1ju 9 күн бұрын

Been there... It's a scary place. As a long -time Civil War re-enactor I could imagine clearly what happened.... My ancestor fought with the 28thNY just north of there with 12th Corps...

@phenom568 10 күн бұрын

Having just visited Antietam I was mostly taken with how hilly the battlefield is, especially near the sunken road. Near that clump of trees you cant look more than 30 yards before being blocked by a hill. Those poor Union soldiers would have crested those hills and been blasted away at almost point blank range. The longest line of sight along the sunken road couldn't have been more than 40 yards except at the end where it gets pretty flat. No surprise thats where the flank could be turned. Once the Union could fire into the road any Confederates left had no where to go because the walls of the road are very high on both sides.

@Jake_The_Bake 8 ай бұрын

Very informative and a well done video I think 😊

@JeffreytheLibrarian 8 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@dubsy1026 2 жыл бұрын

Great work by Barlow

@edwardlulofs444 2 жыл бұрын

Very good. Thanks.

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@lindawoody8501 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting. My Great Grandmother's uncle was seriously wounded at Antietam. His injuries caused his death just a few years later on. Very sad. He sure did suffer for several years. He died in the early 1870s leaving two young children.

@ReallyLee Жыл бұрын

Thank you for these fine, detailed Civil War battle descriptions. A book I read 30 years years ago called the American Civil War "the first modern war". Abraham Lincoln's cabinet advised Lincoln to not release the Emancipation Proclamation until the Northern forces accomplished a military victory. The Battle of Antietam was that military victory. I puzzle about the tragic collision of a one day event where 23,000 men were killed and the extraordinary legal leverage brought to bear against the institution of slavery by the Emancipation proclamation. First, regarding calling the Civil War "first.." well we now have atomic bombs since 1945. But how about that idea gadget called the Emancipation Proclamation? Maybe we could use marketing and humor to re-tool civil wars into something like a Shrek musical with a catchy "lets get along" tune.. I appreciate your careful organized telling of the history. It is a great help to watch your video.

@betaiotaiotabetainc6249 2 жыл бұрын

hi nice sharing

@borntoshitforcedtowipe9570 2 жыл бұрын

Nice video bro you’re sleep on for real

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@exmarine268 2 жыл бұрын

You did not even mention Gen. John B . Gordon - famous for commanding the 6th AL regiment at Sunken Road, and for his gallantry. He was wounded several times and kept fighting.

@vincentyeaman2797 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, the maps helps, explation excellent

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@tberkoff 2 жыл бұрын

Well done. Interestingly, the 29th MA in the Irish Brigade was made up of Protestants of English stock with no Irish ties. In November 1862, the 29th MA would be removed from the brigade and replaced with the 28th MA and 116th PA.

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

That is a neat fact that I did not know.

@Dadecorban Жыл бұрын

The incredibly timely and convenient misunderstanding by LT COL Lightfoot

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

I think he might have saved a lot of lives by misunderstanding his orders. I think they were about to be enfiladed.

@Dadecorban Жыл бұрын

@@JeffreytheLibrarian Yep, that's exactly what I was insinuating.

@Baskerville22 Жыл бұрын

The Confederacy lost out when they replaced Stonewall Jackson with Ewell instead of D.H. Hill after Chancellorsville

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

DH Hill would be an interesting choice. He faced terrible odds at South Mountain and Antietam, but nevertheless held his ground amply.

@Baskerville22 Жыл бұрын

@@JeffreytheLibrarian Hill (D.H.) may have earned his reputation as a difficult subordinate, and the disfavour of Jeff Davis, but given what was at stake, there should have been a more pragmatic approach to a General who demonstrated the abilities that D.H. Hill possessed. I think he would have been more pro-active than the often hesitant Ewell.

@fortusvictus8297 8 ай бұрын

@@Baskerville22 That brings up an interesting point about how leadership positions were viewed between the Union and CSA armies. While they both technically were using the same doctrines, culture, and training there were very real differences in how they viewed such things. The USA was interestingly shaped by Lincolns involvement in officer appointment as he favored great violence of action over strategy and long-term plans. I don't know enough about how the CSA appointed officers but get the impression it was entirely based on reputation and parlor talk.

@Baskerville22 8 ай бұрын

@@fortusvictus8297 In the North, Lincoln saw much less enthusiasm for the War, after Sumpter, than existe d in the South. To help gain political & military support in some luke-warm states - particularly as regards military enlistments - Lincoln made quite a few General-rank appointments of "favourite sons", some with little or no West Point level training, in order to shore up support in those states. These 'Political Generals' included, Banks, Butler, McClernand and Fremont. They proved to be hopeless Generals. The equally hopeless Franz Sigel had European military experience but was appointed primarily because he could attract enlistments from the immigrant German community. The competent John A. Logan was an exception whilst Frank Blair, Carl Schurz and James Wadsworth were adequate. Like yourself, I have only an impression regarding the situation in the Confederacy. I know that Jeff Davis had his favourites and those he disliked or distrusted. Still, with a much more cohesive, committed confederation of states he did not need to choose Generals on political grounds, and with a much inferior manpower pool available, needed to put the troops under the most capable Generals that could be found.

@sean6775 Жыл бұрын

Idk if i heard the words "sunken road" enough today... I've now met my lifetime quota

@larrygrossman8021 2 жыл бұрын

Another great lesson! I know there were MD regiments fighting on both sides. Did they actually face off against each other anywhere?

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, actually at Gettysburg at Culp's Hill this happened. A Union Maryland threw off a rebel attack, and then afterwards realized it was a Maryland regiment. There's a good chance somebody knew somebody on the other side.

@jacksoncurtain9612 2 ай бұрын

Even though it's widely known, it would have been good to mention the lethal upclose Volleys of the Irish Brigade in this battle. The South took large numbers of KIA from those Volleys.

@Pimpin_kev 2 жыл бұрын

Could you do a video that has 8th Connecticut in it? They were in all of these engagements - Newbern, N.C. March 14, 1862 Siege of Fort Macon, N.C. April 1862 Antietam, Md., Sep. 17, 1862 Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862 Fort Huger, Va. April 10, 1863 Walthall Junction, Va., May 7, 1864 Fort Darling, Va., May 16, 1864 Petersburg, Va., August 26, 1864 Fort Harrison, Va., Sep. 29, 1864

@optimus163 14 күн бұрын

Some observations on this battle. First off the amount of troop movement details is astonishing. As if someone was tasked specifically with recording all movements on both sides. An incredible example of research thta is used for further study and teaching of tactics. 2. Middle bridge as depicted in the video seems to have been of little concern and or undefended ? A comment further down asks a similar question and a reply was that the bridge area was defended and also a choke point But in fact its is not as tight a crossing as Burnsides to the north. Sumner could have sent a brigade to do an end around behind GB Anderson, Wright and Cumming's Confederate right flank. Yes RH Anderson was far back from the main sunken road line in this area and might have easily run up to meet any advancing Union troops crossing Middle Bridge But thats what scouts are for . Is there any hard info as to how the Union command's decisions came to be regarding Middle Bridge ?

@JeffreytheLibrarian 12 күн бұрын

Great question. From what I gather, McClellan was being very precise (some might say too precise) in placing one corps into battle at a time at Antietam. Lee's army was very small, and I wonder if McClellan thought there was a hidden division or so that might materialize. In fact, this did happen with AP Hill's sudden appearance on the field on the rebel right. This sent Burnside back. McClellan did have Pinkerton information of a large Confederate army. It is surprisingly easy to hide large bodies of men behind relatively low ridges. A ridgeline just needs to be taller than a man, and that's all you need to make a brigade or even a division disappear from view. McClellan nearly did send Franklin's corps in at the end, but Sumner, whose corps had been chewed up, advised against it. Franklin was McClellan's last unused corps, and this actually makes sense if you aren't sure if there are more enemy in your front. The bigger question is why McClellan did not press the attack the next day.

@TanukiDigital Жыл бұрын

It seems so crazy that the land these battles were fought over were just forests and cornfields. Nothing of value was gained or lost, certainly nothing worth the carnage of such battles. The ultimate goal is therefore not land or strategic ground, but just the targeted attrition of the enemy forces.

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

That's a good point. There was actually discussion about this during the conflict. McClellan and other general were very focused on getting to Richmond, while Lincoln wanted the Army of Northern Virginia decisively defeated. In Lincoln's mind, Lee had to be defeated on the battlefield, as opposed to capturing Richmond.

@kensvideos1 5 ай бұрын

Lees brilliance is shown in what he thinks is the resilience of union philosophy ie the resolve to war for an ideal. He was wrong.

@DerpyDaringDitzyDoo Жыл бұрын

I just want to know what Kimball was feeding his men because wow were they hardcore and persistent.

@JohnDoe-vs4rq 5 ай бұрын

My great, great, great Grandfather Lt Col James Mitchell Newton (6th Ga)was killed in this battle I believe. I’m assuming he was killed on the left side of the sunken road, but I’m not sure. I’m planning a visit to Antietam this spring. Any information you could provide would be very helpful. Thanks

@rascal211 Жыл бұрын

The Irish brigade were some of the toughest fighters in the war.

@RealLifeWorthLiving Жыл бұрын

Two Andersons, two hills, and two Custers had a part in this battle

@beaumeehan4014 Жыл бұрын

Weird as hell when I hear someone say Hagerstown in a historical context, especially being from Hagerstown

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

Hagerstown was at an important crossroads, and it was critical in the Antietam and Gettysburg campaigns. Lots happened there in Maryland.

@wyattmcgee1 8 ай бұрын

Featherstone? Oh nooo

@johnzajac9849 4 ай бұрын

The use of the French pronunciation for the plural of corps is confusing.

@chasechristophermurraydola9314 2 жыл бұрын

Just saying but out of the fighting during The battle of Antietam the bloody lane and the fight for the cornfield are my favorites and I like the cornfield fight because during the battle of Antietam I had a 4x great uncle who fought in the battle of Antietam and he served in the ranks of Company K first Pennsylvania reserves infantry regiment and at the time of the battle he was a corporal and he led company k during the battle and I like the bloody lane fight because fighting on the side of the union was my brave Irish brothers of the 69th New York infantry regiment and just saying but even though I am part Irish and not full Irish I still consider anyone full or part Irish to be my fellow Irish brother or sister.

@JeffreytheLibrarian 2 жыл бұрын

Irish and German immigrants saved the Union.

@michaelbruce6190 Жыл бұрын

It's crazy how an absolutely fantastic defensive position like a sunken road, especially when you are facing frontal assault, can turn into an absolute deathtrap when you get flanked or pincered....if you have seen the pictures that Matthew Brady took of the Sunken Lane you'll get a very ugly visual.

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

You bring up a great point. Because trenches face one direction, it is critical that they are abandoned efficiently once the flank is threatened. It takes alot of coordination to effectively retreat in order. It's possible that the "miscommunication" with the Alabama regiments that lead to a premature exit actually saved countless lives by getting those guys out of there.

@michaelbruce6190 Жыл бұрын

@@JeffreytheLibrarian I absolutely agree with you about the miscommunication within the rebel formations saved countless lives

@samuelculper4231 Жыл бұрын

Was there no cannon exchange here?

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

DH Hill had to pull his cannons out because they were too exposed. Once the union lines took the sunken road, they received close fire from cannon in the cornfield. That's what halted the advance.

@Dadecorban Жыл бұрын

Jeffrey the Sleep Aid....thank you!

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

I might have cured insomnia :)

@richardoneal1055 Жыл бұрын

I can't comment on your topography map, but I've been at Sharpsburg many times and walked the sunken road. I've also walked out into the field east of the road and looked down into the sunken road. There was no advantage to the position in the sunken road, not even with rails thrown up. The Union line held all advantages here. The were able to move rapidly over a crest in the field about a 100 yards out and fire directly down into the road. They could enfilade Rodes's section of the line, and they could pull portions of their line back behind the crest to reorganize and advance again. Your topography is very misleading.

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

Well, the rebels knocked back a whole division and part of a second. They had some cover.

@DCShaneTours 2 ай бұрын

McClellan was such a horrible general, we could have crushed the insurrection right then and there but he hesitated and didn't pursue the defeated mob across the Potomac.

@Kurio71 Жыл бұрын

Couldn't the Yanks have attacke from the cornfield? Why attack frontal???

@JeffreytheLibrarian Жыл бұрын

These brigades were actually off course. They were destined for the cornfield/west woods, but got turned down the wrong road.

@TomDondero-my1xe Жыл бұрын

If you want to know what really happened during the civil war go check out whisper Jack on KZfaq

@hvymettle Жыл бұрын

Sumner got Sedgewick's Division slaughtered because he decided to lead from the front instead of acting like a corps commander and then lost control of his other divisions which operated on their own hook and made their own attacks. Of course the II Corps took heavy casualties, Sumner was incompetent to lead a corps.

@dubsy1026 2 жыл бұрын

Great work by Barlow