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September, 1862

17-Battle of Antietam fought by the Federals under McClellan, and the Confederates under Lee. This was one of the most desperately contested battles of the war. Hooker was wounded, and his corps almost cut to pieces. Both sides fought with dogged obstinacy, and darkness only put an end to the conflict. In the morning neither army was in a condition to assail the other. Jackson's and Hooker's men "fought till they were nearly exterminated, and when the broken fragments fell back, the windrows of dead showed where the ranks had stood." Lee retired across the Potomac, and the effect of the battle was a Union victory. The attempt to invade the North was frustrated, and Washington was safe from attack.

22- President Lincoln issued his 'proclamation abolishing slavery in the northern states, unless they re-entered the Union before January 1, 1863. This action on the part of the President was the result of the battle of Antietam. He had prepared the original draft in July when the Union forces were overwhelmed with reverses, "I put the draft of the proclamation aside," said Lincoln, "waiting for a victory. Well, the next news we had was of Pope's disaster at Bull Run. Things looked darker than ever. Finally came the week of the batte of Antietam. I determined to wait no longer. The news came, I think, on Wednesday that the advantage was on our side. I was then staying at the Soldiers' Home. Here I finished writing the second draft of the proclamation; came up on Saturday; called the cabinet together to hear it, and it was published the following Monday. I made a solemn vow before God, that if General Lee was driven back from Maryland I would crown the result by the declaration of freedom to the slaves."