The Cornfield: Antietam's Bloody Turning Point

The Cornfield: Antietam's Bloody Turning Point examines the Civil War battle fought in western Maryland on September 17, 1862, in which 22,000 men became casualties. For generations of Americans, Antietam has represented America's single bloodiest day—a battle that resulted in massive loss of life but achieved no decisive military victory. This book tells the full story of the struggle to control "the Cornfield," the specific action around which the larger battle of Antietam turned. Federal and Confederate forces repeatedly traded control of this location, creating a narrative of human struggle, soldiers attempting to fulfill their duty, and tests of survival. The volume includes firsthand accounts, many never before presented to modern readers in a comprehensive narrative. Welker argues that two central facts doomed thousands of soldiers and offers a fresh perspective on how the battle was fought and its significance in American history.