USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The South had lost 10, 316 troops, and the North had suffered casualties of 12, 401. Casualties were especially high among general officers, with six generals-three Union, three Confederate-being killed and a dozen more being wounded.

Detailed explanation-2: -From a tactical standpoint, the battle was somewhat inconclusive; the Union army successfully repelled the Confederate invasion but suffered heavier casualties and failed to defeat Lee’s army outright.

Detailed explanation-3: -Most importantly, Union victory at Antietam provided President Abraham Lincoln the opportunity he had wanted to announce the Emancipation Proclamation, making the Battle of Antietam one of the key turning points of the American Civil War.

Detailed explanation-4: -At the Battle of Second Manassas, Lee defeated Pope. At the Battle of Antietam, his Northern thrust was checked by McClellan; however, he repulsed Burnside at Fredericksburg in December of 1862.