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A review by theeverglow17
Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam by James M. McPherson
4.0
A concise overview of the significance of the battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg in the South). Only one chapter is dedicated to detailing the battle (and it doesn't go into hardly any details). If you want to read a book about the combat, tactics, and events of the battle, you need to find another book (Like "Landscape Turned Red" by Stephen W. Sears). Here, McPherson deals with the lead-up to battle in 1862. He describes the ups and downs of momentum from the viewpoint of the North, the South, and Europe. He also does a nice job in describing the ineptitude of General George McClellan, and how many opportunities were lost because of McClellan's paranoia earlier in 1862 on the Virginia Peninsula as well as at Antietam.
In all, the book does a nice job of summarizing the importance of the battle of Antietam, and makes a very strong case that no other battle was as significant in terms of results regarding which side won. Had the Confederates won at Sharpsburg, peace was very much on the table in part because of European support and success on Northern territory. In the end, the battle itself was a draw after the 12 bloodiest hours in American history. Yet, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia ended its invasion of Maryland; an obvious Union triumph. This discouraged Europe from recognizing the Confederate States of America and let Lincoln issue the Emancipation Proclamation. McPherson does an excellent job of explaining the impacts each of those things had on civilians, soldiers, and politicians on both sides, and across the Atlantic.
In all, the book does a nice job of summarizing the importance of the battle of Antietam, and makes a very strong case that no other battle was as significant in terms of results regarding which side won. Had the Confederates won at Sharpsburg, peace was very much on the table in part because of European support and success on Northern territory. In the end, the battle itself was a draw after the 12 bloodiest hours in American history. Yet, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia ended its invasion of Maryland; an obvious Union triumph. This discouraged Europe from recognizing the Confederate States of America and let Lincoln issue the Emancipation Proclamation. McPherson does an excellent job of explaining the impacts each of those things had on civilians, soldiers, and politicians on both sides, and across the Atlantic.