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The Civil War
(1861-1865)

Battle of Antietam



Battle of Antietam
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   high interest, readability grades 4 to 6
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   5.5

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    cripple, invasion, slavery, reserve, medical, wounded, truce, march, victory, gain, attack, beginning, supplies, army, battle, exchange
     content words:    General Robert E., General George McClellan, Antietam Creek, Civil War, Dunker Church, Emancipation Proclamation


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Battle of Antietam
By Cathy Pearl
  

1     In 1862, General Robert E. Lee decided to march his troops north into Maryland. He wanted to win a victory for his army in the North. He was sure it was an important step in winning the war. He also hoped that a win in the North would force other countries to recognize the Confederacy as its own country. These countries would then be willing to send supplies that the South badly needed.
 
2     Luck was against Lee from the beginning. A Union soldier found a copy of Lee's plans at a camp. It was a perfect opportunity for General George McClellan to beat the Southern army once and for all. A strong win at this battle would cripple the Southern army. The South would have a hard time building another one.
 
3     McClellan did not use the chance he had to attack the Confederates. He waited too long to make a decision. By the time he started to march his army toward Lee, Lee knew of the lost plans and was strengthening his army.
 
4     The two armies fought smaller battles on September 14 in mountain passes. Lee tried to stop the Union army from marching farther south. He could not. He decided to make a stand near the Antietam Creek. This creek was near the town of Sharpsburg. This is what the Confederates would call the battle.

Paragraphs 5 to 11:
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