What was the norths strategy at the battle of antietam?
Union commander McClellan, enjoying a considerable numerical advantage (75,000 to 38,000 Confederates), opened the battle with a heavy attack on the Confederate left.While Lee (Confederate commander), was able to hold the attack, fighting spread to the centre, and a premature withdrawal by the Confederates here gave McClellan a chance to follow up and win the battle.However, he failed to exploit this advantage. In the afternoon,Burnside, on the Union left, launched an attack, but concentrated on a narrow bridge across Antietam Creek (which was in fact fordable at all points), so a relatively small number of Confederates were able to hold the attack off until reinforcements arrived, attacking Burnside’s flank and ending the battle. McClellan failed to make the most of his numerical advantage,and didn’t take advantage of opportunities to win the battle by making a general attack across the whole front.
