- Gen. John Pope was commander of Union armies at Second Bull Run, part of the Antietam Campaign. He was soundly defeated by Gen. Robert E. Lee. Visit the Photo Place

Antietam: Second-most-important battle

Much was at stake at Antietam in September 1862. By Ned Harrison

Date published: 10/21/2006

WE HAVE BEEN discussing the major battles of the Civil War in the order of their importance. I consider the twin battles at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, during the first week of July 1863, to be the the most important of the Civil War. They signified the end of the Confederacy; after that weekend, the South was so drained of resources that only lack of resolve by President Abraham Lincoln could allow it to win independence.

One point I did not mention in the earlier column was the role Gen. Ulysses Grant played in these battles: As victor at Vicksburg, he was again thrust into the national spotlight, and President Lincoln became convinced that in Grant he had his man to lead the federal armies to victory. Grant was not named general in chief until March 1864, but the wheels were set in motion by Vicksburg. (In truth, Grant became a national figure in spring 1862, after the battles at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, but that is the subject of my next column.)

I consider Antietam, fought Sept. 17, 1862, to be the second-most-important battle of the Civil War. Consider what was at stake: This was a Confederate States of America military invasion of a foreign power. Bring it off and you proclaim to the world that not only can you defend your own borders, but you have the power to invade an onerous enemy to extract revenge and possibly add territory and manpower to the Southern nation.

Success could bring world (meaning British and French) recognition as a viable nation, worthy of commerce and loans. With success, it was also possible to envision a Republican defeat in national elections, with the probability of a Democratic administration taking charge in Washington; could a negotiated peace not be on the horizon?

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Date published: 10/21/2006