Frank Perry

On September 7, l862, General Robert E. Lee brought the Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac and into Maryland. Lee intended to outmaneuver General McClellan, threaten Washington, D.C., and force the federal government to seek peace terms. The result of this campaign was the Battle of Sharpsburg (or Antietam), which took place on September 17 and turned out to be the bloodiest fight of the entire war.

In this letter to Colonel J. Buchannon, a Georgia soldier named Frank Perry describes the aftermath of the battle and the death of his own brother, Walter Perry.

Martinsburg, Virginia: September 21, 1862

Dear Colonel:

Iwrite to you to let you tell the family that Walter [the writer's brother] was killed at a battle fought at Sharpsburg, Maryland, on Wednesday, 17th instant. On that morning I was standing at the front of the Potomac River opposite...