What do you think?
Rate this book
Emerging Civil War
That Field of Blood: The Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862
September 17, 1862—one of the most consequential days in the history of the United States—was a moment in time when the future of the country could have veered in two starkly different directions.
Confederates under General Robert E. Lee had embarked upon an invasion of Maryland, threatening to achieve a victory on Union soil that could potentially end the Civil War in Southern Independence. Lee’s opponent, Major General George McClellan, led the Army of the Potomac to stop Lee’s campaign. In Washington D.C., President Lincoln eagerly awaited news from the field, knowing that the future of freedom for millions was at stake. Lincoln had resolved that, should Union forces win in Maryland, he would issue his Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
All this hung in the balance on September 17: the day of the battle of Antietam.
The fighting near Sharpsburg, Maryland, that day would change the course of American history, but in the process, it became the costliest day this nation has ever known, with more than 23,000 men falling as casualties.
Join historian Daniel J. Vermilya to learn more about America’s bloodiest day, and how it changed the United States forever in That Field of Blood.
Confederates under General Robert E. Lee had embarked upon an invasion of Maryland, threatening to achieve a victory on Union soil that could potentially end the Civil War in Southern Independence. Lee’s opponent, Major General George McClellan, led the Army of the Potomac to stop Lee’s campaign. In Washington D.C., President Lincoln eagerly awaited news from the field, knowing that the future of freedom for millions was at stake. Lincoln had resolved that, should Union forces win in Maryland, he would issue his Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
All this hung in the balance on September 17: the day of the battle of Antietam.
The fighting near Sharpsburg, Maryland, that day would change the course of American history, but in the process, it became the costliest day this nation has ever known, with more than 23,000 men falling as casualties.
Join historian Daniel J. Vermilya to learn more about America’s bloodiest day, and how it changed the United States forever in That Field of Blood.
192 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2018
20 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 17, 2025
Antietam In The Emerging Civil War Series
The Emerging Civil War Series publishes short accounts of major events in the Civil War that are designed to be accessible to a broad public as well as making a contribution to scholarship. Daniel Vermilia's recent contribution to the series "That Field of Blood: The Battle Of Antietam, September 17, 1862", fulfills both these goals and more. Vermilya is a licensed battlefield guide at Antietam and has worked as a park ranger at Antietam, Monocacy, and Gettysburg. His lucidly and clearly written book offers readers a good basic understanding of the Antietam campaign, the battle, and its significance. Vermilya also addresses several controversial issues in studying the battle and does not shy away from offering his own perspective. The book may be read while touring the Antietam Battlefield or away from the field in one's home to gain an overview of the battle.
Fought on September 17, 1862, Antietam was the bloodiest day in American history with over 23,000 casualties (dead, injured, missing). Vermilya had an ancestor who fought and died at Antietam. He writes movingly about the carnage and the horror of the battle and displays passion for his subject as well as knowledge. The book also recognizes the historical significance of the battle in giving President Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation and in helping to keep the European powers from recognizing the Confederacy.
The first two chapters of this book offer a brief overview of the Maryland Campaign, resulting from Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North. (Lee's second invasion resulted in the Battle of Gettysburg, nine months after Antietam). This material is complex and important to understanding the battle. The background offered in this book is short, but essential.
Most of the book deals with the battle itself, which pitted the Army of the Potomac of George B. McClellan against Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Vermilya's account and driving tour cover the major actions of the 12-hour battle from the Cornfield to the Sunken Road to Burnside's Bridge, to the last-minute arrival of troops from Harpers Ferry which saved the Confederate Army. The story is told simply with less detail and confusion that are found in longer histories of the battle. Vermilya's text is enhanced by many images and maps which give the reader a connection to the action and which clarily the flow of the battle. The book is also enhanced by many quotations from participants at Antietam, particularly from soldiers on the ground. I had a feeling of sadness in reading this book as Vermilya emphasizes throughout the terrible human costs of Antietam. The concluding sections in the book discuss Lee's retreat from Antietam and the aftermath and significance of the battle. Appendices discuss various aspects of the history of the Antietam Battlefield.
Vermilya's book also addresses some of the controversial issues surrounding Antietam in ways that will be useful both to newcomers and to those familiar with the literature surrounding the battle. He raises several issues, two of which are highly important. First, Vermilya characterizes the battle as a clear-cut Union victory rather than as the tactical draw as it is more frequently portrayed. He argues that the Army of Northern Virginia was defeated at every turn on the battlefield and was forced to leave the field and withdraw to Virginia just as Lee was forced to leave the field and withdraw a day after the Battle of Gettysburg.
The second and closely related point involves the assessment of Union General George B. McClellan's performance. Many students of the battle are highly critical of McClellan for his conduct of the Maryland Campaign and the Battle of Antietam. They argue that more aggressive, committed leadership would have resulted in a clearer victory, perhaps including the destruction of the Confederate Army and the end of the war. While acknowledging McClellan's faults, Vermilya praises McClellan's conduct of the battle and the results he achieved. Vermilya tries hard to put himself into McClellan's position to understand and support most of the decisions McClellan made. In some ways, Vermilya makes a good case but not a case that is likely to satisfy every informed reader. The critical point for Vermilya is that McClellan's task was at all costs to keep Lee out of the North and to compel him to retreat to Virginia, and McClellan did that.
I enjoyed thinking about Antietam again through Vermilya's book. His book will appeal to newcomers to the battle and to informed readers. The battle of Antietam and the Civil War in general will repay much thought and much revisiting. The publisher of this book, Savas Beatie, kindly sent me a review copy.
Robin Friedman
The Emerging Civil War Series publishes short accounts of major events in the Civil War that are designed to be accessible to a broad public as well as making a contribution to scholarship. Daniel Vermilia's recent contribution to the series "That Field of Blood: The Battle Of Antietam, September 17, 1862", fulfills both these goals and more. Vermilya is a licensed battlefield guide at Antietam and has worked as a park ranger at Antietam, Monocacy, and Gettysburg. His lucidly and clearly written book offers readers a good basic understanding of the Antietam campaign, the battle, and its significance. Vermilya also addresses several controversial issues in studying the battle and does not shy away from offering his own perspective. The book may be read while touring the Antietam Battlefield or away from the field in one's home to gain an overview of the battle.
Fought on September 17, 1862, Antietam was the bloodiest day in American history with over 23,000 casualties (dead, injured, missing). Vermilya had an ancestor who fought and died at Antietam. He writes movingly about the carnage and the horror of the battle and displays passion for his subject as well as knowledge. The book also recognizes the historical significance of the battle in giving President Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation and in helping to keep the European powers from recognizing the Confederacy.
The first two chapters of this book offer a brief overview of the Maryland Campaign, resulting from Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North. (Lee's second invasion resulted in the Battle of Gettysburg, nine months after Antietam). This material is complex and important to understanding the battle. The background offered in this book is short, but essential.
Most of the book deals with the battle itself, which pitted the Army of the Potomac of George B. McClellan against Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Vermilya's account and driving tour cover the major actions of the 12-hour battle from the Cornfield to the Sunken Road to Burnside's Bridge, to the last-minute arrival of troops from Harpers Ferry which saved the Confederate Army. The story is told simply with less detail and confusion that are found in longer histories of the battle. Vermilya's text is enhanced by many images and maps which give the reader a connection to the action and which clarily the flow of the battle. The book is also enhanced by many quotations from participants at Antietam, particularly from soldiers on the ground. I had a feeling of sadness in reading this book as Vermilya emphasizes throughout the terrible human costs of Antietam. The concluding sections in the book discuss Lee's retreat from Antietam and the aftermath and significance of the battle. Appendices discuss various aspects of the history of the Antietam Battlefield.
Vermilya's book also addresses some of the controversial issues surrounding Antietam in ways that will be useful both to newcomers and to those familiar with the literature surrounding the battle. He raises several issues, two of which are highly important. First, Vermilya characterizes the battle as a clear-cut Union victory rather than as the tactical draw as it is more frequently portrayed. He argues that the Army of Northern Virginia was defeated at every turn on the battlefield and was forced to leave the field and withdraw to Virginia just as Lee was forced to leave the field and withdraw a day after the Battle of Gettysburg.
The second and closely related point involves the assessment of Union General George B. McClellan's performance. Many students of the battle are highly critical of McClellan for his conduct of the Maryland Campaign and the Battle of Antietam. They argue that more aggressive, committed leadership would have resulted in a clearer victory, perhaps including the destruction of the Confederate Army and the end of the war. While acknowledging McClellan's faults, Vermilya praises McClellan's conduct of the battle and the results he achieved. Vermilya tries hard to put himself into McClellan's position to understand and support most of the decisions McClellan made. In some ways, Vermilya makes a good case but not a case that is likely to satisfy every informed reader. The critical point for Vermilya is that McClellan's task was at all costs to keep Lee out of the North and to compel him to retreat to Virginia, and McClellan did that.
I enjoyed thinking about Antietam again through Vermilya's book. His book will appeal to newcomers to the battle and to informed readers. The battle of Antietam and the Civil War in general will repay much thought and much revisiting. The publisher of this book, Savas Beatie, kindly sent me a review copy.
Robin Friedman
June 12, 2018
The Emerging Civil War Series is one of those collections that continues to show the wonderful scholarship of Civil War academia. It also provides what many consider to be an introductory look at certain conflicts within the war. That Field of Blood, is a new volume within the collection that brings the Battle of Antietam to this wonderful series. Much in the same vein as the other books, not only does this book provide a fine narrative to the battle, but also has some appendices that give other outlooks onto this bloody conflict. Daniel J. Vermilya has done great work to extend this series.
Daniel J. Vermilya is a Civil War historian who has worked at many of the battlefields as a park ranger throughout his career. He served at Antietam National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield, and is currently working as a park ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park. He has also authored The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, and James Garfield and the Civil War: For Ohio and the Union. In 2012, he was awarded the Joseph L. Harsh Memorial Scholar Award by the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. He is also a licensed battlefield guide at Antietam National Battlefield.
The Battle of Antietam will always go down in history as the bloodiest day in American History. And while many have brought this battle to life, there was just something about the narrative throughout Vermilya’s work which brought it to life. Not only does he handle the battle well, but some of the more complex aspects of the pre-battle campaign are addressed here as well. One of the more interesting characters throughout this campaign is George McClellan, and I felt as though Vermilya handled his actions quite well. Also, at the end of each chapter, as there has been with other works from this series, there are directions and points of interest of each section throughout the battlefield. Yet while there are many books on the subject, the narrative here just jumped out of the page for me. The book is well put together, sectioning each part of the battlefield off for each chapter. But what is even more interesting if that he details some of the points of the battle in the aftermath of the conflict, mainly in the epilogue. The maps were well drawn out yet again, and the photographs which accompany the book were well received for the ease of the reader.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the Battle of Antietam, especially if you are new to the subject. The thing that I love about this series is that these authors can bring the subject matter to life for someone just getting into the study. Even the suggested reading at the end was excellent, showing some of the fine works on this campaign. Daniel J. Vermilya is a fine author who has done a great service to this series, and I hope to read more of his work in the future. Highly recommended!
Matthew Bartlett
Daniel J. Vermilya is a Civil War historian who has worked at many of the battlefields as a park ranger throughout his career. He served at Antietam National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield, and is currently working as a park ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park. He has also authored The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, and James Garfield and the Civil War: For Ohio and the Union. In 2012, he was awarded the Joseph L. Harsh Memorial Scholar Award by the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. He is also a licensed battlefield guide at Antietam National Battlefield.
The Battle of Antietam will always go down in history as the bloodiest day in American History. And while many have brought this battle to life, there was just something about the narrative throughout Vermilya’s work which brought it to life. Not only does he handle the battle well, but some of the more complex aspects of the pre-battle campaign are addressed here as well. One of the more interesting characters throughout this campaign is George McClellan, and I felt as though Vermilya handled his actions quite well. Also, at the end of each chapter, as there has been with other works from this series, there are directions and points of interest of each section throughout the battlefield. Yet while there are many books on the subject, the narrative here just jumped out of the page for me. The book is well put together, sectioning each part of the battlefield off for each chapter. But what is even more interesting if that he details some of the points of the battle in the aftermath of the conflict, mainly in the epilogue. The maps were well drawn out yet again, and the photographs which accompany the book were well received for the ease of the reader.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the Battle of Antietam, especially if you are new to the subject. The thing that I love about this series is that these authors can bring the subject matter to life for someone just getting into the study. Even the suggested reading at the end was excellent, showing some of the fine works on this campaign. Daniel J. Vermilya is a fine author who has done a great service to this series, and I hope to read more of his work in the future. Highly recommended!
Matthew Bartlett
August 9, 2019
Informative
Like most of the books in this series this is just a basic overview of the campaign and battle, it’s not meant to be a in-depth study. I would recommend for students who are just starting their studies of the battle, as the author provides a basic, and easy to understand overview of the whole campaign. Such a basic understanding is necessary for more advanced study in the future.
As for a tour guide I liked that he included the location of the visitor centers at Harpers Ferry and South Mountain. I was not aware they had one at South Mountain. The next time I visit Antietam I shall have to make a stop there.
I also enjoyed that the author didn’t fall back on old stereotypes about the battle and it’s leaders, especially George McClellan, giving him credit were credit is long overdue.
Like most of the books in this series this is just a basic overview of the campaign and battle, it’s not meant to be a in-depth study. I would recommend for students who are just starting their studies of the battle, as the author provides a basic, and easy to understand overview of the whole campaign. Such a basic understanding is necessary for more advanced study in the future.
As for a tour guide I liked that he included the location of the visitor centers at Harpers Ferry and South Mountain. I was not aware they had one at South Mountain. The next time I visit Antietam I shall have to make a stop there.
I also enjoyed that the author didn’t fall back on old stereotypes about the battle and it’s leaders, especially George McClellan, giving him credit were credit is long overdue.
December 7, 2018
A very good overview of America's bloodiest day. The author uses a plethora of pictures to help tell the story of the Maryland campaign. I would recommend checking out the recommended reading list at the close of the book. Several of the books listed will help the avid Civil War aficionado learn more of Lee's first northern invasion. But anyway, this small book is a great starting point.
February 7, 2020
I love the Emerging Civil War Series. Every one of their books give a great overview of the battle. Enough to get you interested and to go out and find more books on the subject. "That Field of Blood" is no different. Great insight on the battle and how it changed the war. I look forward to reading more from this series.
February 20, 2023
The Emerging Civil War Series, provides the reader with easy to understand, but informative text. That Field of Blood focuses on the bloodiest day in American history, The Battle of Antietam. I found myself picking up new information and getting exited for my next trip to the battlefield.
January 21, 2019
A well-written explanation of the battle of Antietam with plenty of interesting tidbits on those who fought there. Well researched. Only downside - would be nice if there was a bibliography.
August 18, 2019
Fascinating account of such an American tragedy. The author makes the reader feel like they are transported back to September 17, 1862.
August 30, 2019
Very readable. Excellent history lesson.
November 14, 2021
Great overview.
December 27, 2022
A nice overview of the lead up to and Battle of Antietam, but don't expect much in-depth analysis on the battle itself.
Read
January 10, 2025Part of “emerging civil war” series of 53 books
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews