Description September 17, 1862 The Battle of Antietam (also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg, particularly in the South) was fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek as part of the Maryland Campaign. It was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil and caused the bloodiest single-day battle losses in American history, with nearly 23,000 casualties. Federal losses totaled 12,401 and the Confederates lost 10,318 men. This hand drawn map shows the location of troops stationed around Sharpsburg, Maryland. The locations of Antietam Creek and the Potomac River are also indicated.