The Battle of Antietam was fought on September 17, 1862, during the American Civil War. Confederate forces, attempting to reach Washington, DC, were halted by Union forces at Antietam Creek, near Sharpsburg, Maryland. Then, the bloodiest battle in the entire war began. Readers of this volume will learn about the causes of the battle—and the war—as well as the outcome and far-reaching consequences. Maps, a timeline, and sidebars aid budding historians in gaining a greater understanding of the tragedy of this battle between countrymen.