[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H8372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM (SHARPSBURG), SEPTEMBER 17, 1862, ``THE 
                    BLOODIEST DAY OF THE CIVIL WAR''

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to commemorate the 
single bloodiest day in American combat history--the Battle of 
Antietam--September 17th, 1862. We are a product of our history and we 
can learn a lot from this terrible day in 1862.
  On this day 141 years ago, nearly 100,000 Americans met at Antietam 
creek near Sharpsburg, Maryland. In a battle that lasted less than 
twelve hours, over 23,000 Americans lay dead or wounded.
  More than twice as many Americans were killed or mortally wounded in 
combat at Antietam as in the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the 
Spanish-American War combined. Amazingly more Americans were killed or 
wounded at Antietam than on June 6, 1944--D Day on the Normandy beaches 
in World War II.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Union   Confederate    Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Killed.................................     2,100       1,550      3,650
Wounded................................     9,550       7,750     17,300
Missing................................       750       1,020      1,770
    Total..............................    12,400      10,320     22,720
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                chronology of the battle--what happened

  On September 17, Union Major General George McClellan confronted 
Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Sharpsburg, Maryland. At dawn, 
Hooker's Corps mounted a powerful assault on Lee's left flank. Attacks 
and counterattacks swept across Miller's cornfield and fighting raged 
throughout the day around the Dunker church. After repeated delays a 
Union corps under Burnside finally got into action and attempted to 
cross the stone bridge over Antietam creek and roll the Confederate 
right.
  Union General Ambrose Burnside's corps of 12,000 men tried to cross 
the 12 foot wide bridge over Antietam creek for 4 hours. About 450 
Georgian sharpshooters took up positions behind trees and boulders on a 
steep wooded bluff overlooking the bridge. Greatly outnumbered the 
Confederates drove back several Union advances toward the bridge.


                Confederate eyewitness: burnside bridge

  Lieutenant Theodore T. Fogle, 2nd Georgia Infantry: ``At a bridge on 
the Antietam Creek our Regiment and the 20th Ga., in all amounting to 
not over 300 muskets held them in check for four hours and a half and 
then we fell back only because our ammunition was exhausted, but we 
suffered badly, eight cannon just 500 yards off were pouring grape 
shot, shell and canister into us and our artillery could not silence 
them. We held our post until Major William Harris ordered us to fall 
back. Our Col. (Col. Holmes) . . . was killed about half an hour 
before. . . .
  ``We went into the fight with only 89 muskets and had eight officers 
and 35 men killed and wounded. So many of the men were shot down that 
the officers filled their places and loaded and fired their guns.''
  After horrific losses the union forces finally punched through and 
moved on Sharpsburg. But General McClellan had hesitated too long, 
allowing General Lee to consolidate his vulnerable forces and 
counterattack into Burnside's flank and rear. McClellan then hesitated 
once again, failing to pursue a retreating Lee. The opportunity for 
total victory was gone.
  The Union's General McClellan hesitated many times that day. He 
lacked the courage to accept short term sacrifice even when it meant 
the long term salvation of the nation. As a result, the Confederate 
Army escaped that day and the war lasted another three bloody years.
  This day in history reminds us that decisive leadership can save 
lives, end wars and prevent future attacks.
  Today, we must continue to recognize that the survival of our nation 
is again challenged. President Bush and our military leaders have shown 
that they have the courage to face the reality of our world.
  Last Friday at Fort Stewart Georgia President Bush said: ``We are not 
waiting for further attacks on our citizens. We are striking our 
enemies before they can strike us again. Wars are won on the 
offensive--and America and its friends are staying on the offensive.''
  By taking the fight to our enemies we are diminishing our foes, 
securing our people and building the hope of people across the globe.
  We owe the security of our nation and our way of life to the hosts of 
Americans who have unselfishly served and died. We are blessed to have 
those soldiers in our ranks once again and we are blessed that their 
leaders understand what is at stake for the nation and the world.

                          ____________________