The battle occurs in Sharpsburg, Maryland.

This is part of General Lee's new strategy to invade the North.

Lee is hoping to win a victory in the North to get the U.S. Government to consider ending the war.

The battle is the single bloodiest day in American history.

As the Union forces are marching to keep up with the Confederate army a union soldier discovers a paper wrapped around some cigars. The paper is an order written by General Lee that divides his army. This should allow McClellan to have a great advantage in the coming battle.

McClellan's quote: "If I can't whip Lee with this I will go home."

As the attack begins during the early hours of the 17th. The Union forces will focus their attack on a small white church. That is the Dunker Church, a church attended by a group of pacifists.

This early morning phase will die out and the battles focus will shift to the center of each battle line near the sunken road.

The next phase of the battle was fought along an old farm road called the sunken road.

The Confederate forces were defending the road.

The Union forces attacked the road and suffered heavy loses, especially the Irish Brigade.

When the Union forces finally take the road this ready made defensive position becomes a death trap.

The last phase of the battle occurs here at Burnside Bridge. The actual name of the bridge is the Lower Bridge.

This position is defended by around 200 Confederate troops from Georgia.

General Ambrose Burnside leads the Union 9th Corps in an attempt to take the bridge.

The battle is considered to be a draw.

The failure to win this battle will cost General McClellan his job as commander of the Union Army.

President Lincoln will use the momentum gained by the Union Army as the force behind issuing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Added together both sides sustain over 20,000 casualties.

Clara Barton will arrive after the battle to help care for the wounded.

Clara Barton is considered to be the founder of the Red Cross.