Many soldiers who fought in the Battle of Antietam saw it as a defeat for both armies. Why? Support your answer with statistics.

The Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, 1862, during the American Civil War, is often considered a defeat for both the Union and Confederate armies due to the staggering number of casualties and the inconclusive result.

1. High Casualties: The Battle of Antietam is known as the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. The Union Army, led by General George B. McClellan, suffered around 12,401 casualties with 2,108 dead. The Confederate Army, led by General Robert E. Lee, suffered around 10,316 casualties with 1,546 dead. The high number of casualties on both sides, without a decisive victory, led many soldiers to view the battle as a defeat.

2. Inconclusive Result: Despite the Union Army having more soldiers and resources, they were unable to leverage this advantage to achieve a decisive victory. General McClellan's cautious approach allowed General Lee's forces to retreat back to Virginia. The battle ended in a tactical stalemate, with neither side able to claim a clear victory.

3. Missed Opportunities: The Union Army had a copy of Lee's battle plans (Special Order 191) but failed to capitalize on this advantage, further contributing to the perception of the battle as a defeat.

4. Strategic Failure: Although the battle provided President Abraham Lincoln the confidence to announce his Emancipation Proclamation, it failed to fulfill the Union's strategic aim of decisively defeating the Confederate Army, which could have shortened the Civil War.

In conclusion, the high number of casualties, the inconclusive result, missed opportunities, and strategic failure led many soldiers who fought in the Battle of Antietam to see it as a defeat for both armies.