[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 560 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 560

Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Maryland Campaign during the 
                               Civil War.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 19, 2012

   Mr. Cardin (for himself and Ms. Mikulski) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
                               Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Maryland Campaign during the 
                               Civil War.

Whereas because of geographic position, Maryland and the citizens of Maryland 
        played a key role in the military and political struggles of the Civil 
        War;
Whereas during the conflict, controlling Maryland was key due to the proximity 
        to Washington DC, the fact that Maryland shared a border with Virginia 
        and the States still remaining in the Union, and the position of 
        Baltimore as a key railroad link to the West;
Whereas, on September 4, 1862, General Robert E. Lee led his Confederate Army of 
        northern Virginia across the Potomac River near Leesburg, Virginia into 
        Maryland, marking first invasion by General Lee of the North during the 
        Civil War;
Whereas, on September 7, 1862, General George B. McClellan moved the Union Army 
        of the Potomac forces out of Washington DC in pursuit;
Whereas, over the ensuing 2 weeks, pitched battles were fought in Harper's Ferry 
        and Shepardstown in West Virginia and South Mountain and Antietam in 
        Maryland, as the 2 forces confronted one another amidst the Appalachian 
        Mountains;
Whereas, on September 17, 1862, the climax of the Maryland Campaign took place 
        on the banks of Antietam Creek, near the town of Sharpsburg, Maryland;
Whereas, on September 17, 1862, fighting began before dawn when Union forces 
        advanced on Confederate defensive positions behind Antietam Creek, 
        launching 3 assaults along the Cornfield, East Woods, West Woods, and 
        Sunken Road for 8 hours;
Whereas the brutal fighting to cross Burnside Bridge and into Sharpsburg lasted 
        until the afternoon and both armies suffered heavy casualties, ending 
        the combat after a gruesome 12 hours;
Whereas both sides engaged in slow, savage fighting at close range, resulting in 
        the single bloodiest day of war in American history, with nearly 23,000 
        total casualties, representing 25 percent of the Union force, and 31 
        percent of the Confederate force;
Whereas the tactical result of the battle was inconclusive, as each side 
        maintained position until the bitter end;
Whereas, on September 18, 1862, as the opposing armies gathered the wounded and 
        buried the dead, General Lee withdrew the Confederate Army back across 
        the Potomac River into Virginia, ending the invasion;
Whereas the Battle of Antietam pitted Marylanders on opposite sides of the 
        fighting, emblematic of national division of the Civil War pitting 
        ``brother against brother'';
Whereas the people of the United States honor those Marylanders and others who 
        valiantly fought in the Civil War, endured the hardships brought on by 
        the conflict, and who made the ultimate sacrifice to form a more perfect 
        Union; and
Whereas during the sesquicentennial of the Maryland Campaign, it is fitting that 
        the National Park Service, the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, and 
        all others involved recognize the bravery and steadfast determination of 
        the Marylanders and all people affected by the Civil War: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Maryland 
        Campaign of the Civil War, culminating in the Battle of 
        Antietam; and
            (2) recognizes the dedication and commitment of the 
        National Park Service, the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, 
        and all others involved, for preserving the heritage and 
        promoting the rich history of the United States.
                                 <all>