Antietam

In the bestselling tradition of The Killer Angels and Gods and Generals, Richard Croker has written a vivid, exciting, and realistic novel of oneof the most important battles of the Civil War. Itwas fought on September 17, 1862, at Sharpsburg, Maryland, and in just twelve hours over 22,000 Union and Confederate soldiers were killed or wounded, making the Battle of Antietam the bloodiest day in American history.

The stone bridge on the southern flank of the Antietam battlefield became one of the Civil War?s most powerful symbols of courage and sacrifice. Union general Ambrose Burnside might have outflanked Robert E. Lee?s army if his charge across the bridge had been successful. The Union attack was stalled for several crucial hours by a small number of Georgia riflemen, who themselves sustained heavy casualties. The actions, units and personalities of this crucial sector of the battlefield are described in detail, accompanied by a full description of the bridge area as it was in 1862 and as it is today.