Project Overview

The State of Michigan does not have a monument on Antietam National Battlefield (ANB) recognizing and commemorating the sacrifice and participation of over 2,000 of her brave citizen soldiers who fought there on September 17, 1862. As Americas’ single bloodiest day - with over 22,000 casualties - the Battle of Antietam was a pivotal turning point in the American Civil War. Union victory at Antietam checked Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia from advancing into the north, dissuaded European intervention on behalf of the Confederacy and enabled President Abraham Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation just five days later. The Wolverine State’s contributions to secure a “more perfect Union” and enable the Emancipation Proclamation are vast and worthy of honor.