The Battle of Antietam ( Sharpsburg) 17th September 1862
Timeline 10.30 AM
Union troops under the command of Brigadier General Samuel D. Sturgis are storming the Rhorbach bridge under a hail of Confederate musketry.
The Union First and Third Divisions, Second Corps are assaulting the sunken lane area.
The attack by the Third Division, Brigadier General William. B. French commanding on John B Gordon’s Alabamian’s section of the lane has been stopped in its tracks. Seizing the moment, Confederates elements have flanked an unfortunate Union Brigade by the Newcomer house.
However, following the repulse of the Irish Brigade, a following attack by their comrades has resulted in hand to hand fighting with North Carolina troops in the sunken lane by the Clipp house.
Meanwhile, Major General Edwin Summer, the old dragoon, is pressing Major General John Sedgwick’s Second Division into the West wood.
In his rush to get to grips with the enemy he has not noticed Major General Lafayette McLaws Confederate Division appearing on his left flank, putting his command in peril.
McLaw’s troops, tired from an overnight march from Harpers Ferry to Sharpsburg are nonetheless eager to crush their opponents, when…..
The first blunder dice roll of the battle so far, results in a Divisional right wheel putting them on a collision course, with a friendly, supporting Brigade.
The Confederate flanking attack is now in disarray and the element of surprise has been lost.
The Gods of war are smiling, but for whom?