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Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 00:00:06,700 --> 00:00:11,102 Narrator: America teeters on the brink of destruction. 2 00:00:11,104 --> 00:00:12,837 Almost a year and a half has passed 3 00:00:12,839 --> 00:00:15,506 since 11 southern states declared war 4 00:00:15,508 --> 00:00:18,176 on the government of Abraham Lincoln. 5 00:00:18,178 --> 00:00:20,044 Despite being outgunned and outmanned 6 00:00:20,046 --> 00:00:22,646 by larger northern forces, 7 00:00:22,648 --> 00:00:26,050 the confederate armies seem invincible. 8 00:00:26,052 --> 00:00:29,120 Now, after a string of victories in Virginia, 9 00:00:29,122 --> 00:00:32,857 rebel general Robert e. Lee has done the unthinkable. 10 00:00:32,859 --> 00:00:34,859 For the first time in the civil war, 11 00:00:34,861 --> 00:00:37,195 the rebels have invaded the north. 12 00:00:37,197 --> 00:00:38,930 This is the first time the United States 13 00:00:38,932 --> 00:00:39,997 is facing invasion. 14 00:00:39,999 --> 00:00:41,265 That hasn't happened before. 15 00:00:41,267 --> 00:00:42,666 Baltimore is threatened. 16 00:00:42,668 --> 00:00:44,602 Pennsylvania is threatened. 17 00:00:44,604 --> 00:00:47,138 Washington is more threatened now than ever. 18 00:00:47,140 --> 00:00:48,273 If there ever was a moment 19 00:00:48,275 --> 00:00:50,741 where Lincoln needed a win, this was it. 20 00:00:50,743 --> 00:00:52,944 Narrator: Near the banks of the antietam creek, 21 00:00:52,946 --> 00:00:55,280 yankee soldiers will launch a desperate attack 22 00:00:55,282 --> 00:00:58,483 to end the invasion and save the union. 23 00:00:58,485 --> 00:00:59,751 As the battle rages, 24 00:00:59,753 --> 00:01:02,253 shock troops from the 1st Texas infantry 25 00:01:02,255 --> 00:01:05,022 will clash with union's elite iron brigade. 26 00:01:05,024 --> 00:01:07,558 And fire! 27 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,394 Their battleground will become one of the deadliest places 28 00:01:10,396 --> 00:01:12,563 in all of the civil war. 29 00:01:12,565 --> 00:01:15,700 There are very few places on civil war battlefields 30 00:01:15,702 --> 00:01:18,436 that approach the cornfield in terms of carnage. 31 00:01:18,438 --> 00:01:20,505 Narrator: Their fight will become part of the bloodiest day 32 00:01:20,507 --> 00:01:23,641 in American military history... 33 00:01:23,643 --> 00:01:25,843 There's too many. We'll never hold them. 34 00:01:25,845 --> 00:01:28,379 And will forever change the nation. 35 00:01:28,381 --> 00:01:30,848 Fire! 36 00:01:30,850 --> 00:01:32,784 Once you've had a day like antietam, 37 00:01:32,786 --> 00:01:35,720 there's no going back to the country as it was before. 38 00:01:44,063 --> 00:01:46,998 Captions by vitac... www.Vitac.Com 39 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:50,034 captions paid for by discovery communications 40 00:02:00,013 --> 00:02:02,213 Narrator: The civil war has entered its 18th 41 00:02:02,215 --> 00:02:03,414 blood-soaked month. 42 00:02:06,019 --> 00:02:08,353 Following the crushing defeat of the union forces 43 00:02:08,355 --> 00:02:12,557 at the second battle of bull run in late August, 44 00:02:12,559 --> 00:02:17,362 many in the north believe the war could soon be lost. 45 00:02:17,364 --> 00:02:20,064 Morale within the union army has plummeted. 46 00:02:22,369 --> 00:02:24,135 Despite the best efforts of the north 47 00:02:24,137 --> 00:02:25,703 to crush the rebellion, 48 00:02:25,705 --> 00:02:27,372 the confederacy still clings 49 00:02:27,374 --> 00:02:32,977 to 750,000 square miles of American territory. 50 00:02:32,979 --> 00:02:34,312 Frye: People are getting tired of this war, 51 00:02:34,314 --> 00:02:35,780 especially in the north. 52 00:02:35,782 --> 00:02:38,515 There is a fatigue. There is a weariness. 53 00:02:38,517 --> 00:02:40,250 And there's also this feeling 54 00:02:40,252 --> 00:02:42,654 of desperation and frustration. 55 00:02:42,656 --> 00:02:44,989 "Why can't we win? 56 00:02:44,991 --> 00:02:46,657 We have the bigger armies. 57 00:02:46,659 --> 00:02:48,693 We have the industry. 58 00:02:48,695 --> 00:02:51,262 We have the population. 59 00:02:51,264 --> 00:02:52,664 What's wrong?" 60 00:02:54,467 --> 00:02:56,534 Narrator: Much of the credit for the confederate success 61 00:02:56,536 --> 00:03:01,806 lies with one man... General Robert e. Lee. 62 00:03:01,808 --> 00:03:04,342 Robert e. Lee certainly ranks among 63 00:03:04,344 --> 00:03:06,811 america's military geniuses. 64 00:03:06,813 --> 00:03:10,348 A great strategist, a great tactician. 65 00:03:10,350 --> 00:03:13,351 Narrator: After assuming command three months earlier, 66 00:03:13,353 --> 00:03:16,354 his forces seem unbeatable. 67 00:03:16,356 --> 00:03:20,024 Lee is best remembered as bold. 68 00:03:20,026 --> 00:03:21,158 Narrator: And he's about to embark 69 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:24,495 on his boldest course of action yet. 70 00:03:24,497 --> 00:03:28,366 Lee believed that if the confederacy was to win, 71 00:03:28,368 --> 00:03:30,101 it had to win quickly. 72 00:03:30,103 --> 00:03:31,969 He could hear that clock ticking. 73 00:03:31,971 --> 00:03:34,705 Every day, every week, every month that passed, 74 00:03:34,707 --> 00:03:37,442 the louder and louder that clock got. 75 00:03:40,914 --> 00:03:42,981 With the northern advantages in manpower, 76 00:03:42,983 --> 00:03:45,850 material, resource, industry... 77 00:03:47,987 --> 00:03:51,823 it motivated his decision to take a bold gamble. 78 00:03:55,595 --> 00:03:58,796 Narrator: In early September, Lee takes that gamble. 79 00:04:00,467 --> 00:04:03,267 Frye: Lee understands that you must 80 00:04:03,269 --> 00:04:05,069 take opportunity and seize it. 81 00:04:05,071 --> 00:04:07,138 The time has come. The moment is here. 82 00:04:07,140 --> 00:04:10,475 Lee must launch. 83 00:04:10,477 --> 00:04:12,210 Narrator: And launch he does. 84 00:04:12,212 --> 00:04:14,611 More than 40,000 confederate troops 85 00:04:14,613 --> 00:04:19,416 cross the potomac river and enter Maryland. 86 00:04:19,418 --> 00:04:22,820 Despite being outnumbered by the larger northern forces, 87 00:04:22,822 --> 00:04:24,688 Lee is confident that hard-fighting men 88 00:04:24,690 --> 00:04:29,293 like his Texas brigade can't be beat. 89 00:04:29,295 --> 00:04:33,631 Frye: Robert e. Lee's shock troops... hood's texans. 90 00:04:33,633 --> 00:04:35,699 They were ferocious. 91 00:04:35,701 --> 00:04:37,234 They were loud. 92 00:04:37,236 --> 00:04:41,039 Nobody could do the rebel yell better than those texans. 93 00:04:41,041 --> 00:04:45,442 And they knew that when they were called upon, 94 00:04:45,444 --> 00:04:47,478 they were either going to be cleaning up 95 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:51,082 or clearing out or trying to save the army. 96 00:04:56,255 --> 00:04:58,055 Narrator: William gaston is an officer 97 00:04:58,057 --> 00:05:01,392 with the 1st Texas infantry. 98 00:05:01,394 --> 00:05:05,529 He fights alongside his younger brother, Robert. 99 00:05:05,531 --> 00:05:07,532 Raised on a farm in east Texas, 100 00:05:07,534 --> 00:05:10,868 the gastons Rose quickly through the ranks. 101 00:05:10,870 --> 00:05:12,536 William serves as a captain. 102 00:05:12,538 --> 00:05:14,404 Robert, a lieutenant. 103 00:05:14,406 --> 00:05:16,140 How is it you always seem to turn up 104 00:05:16,142 --> 00:05:17,942 when the work's just about done? 105 00:05:17,944 --> 00:05:19,277 Ain't my fault. 106 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:21,345 Y'all were the handy one in the family. 107 00:05:21,347 --> 00:05:23,614 Please tell me you found something to eat. 108 00:05:23,616 --> 00:05:27,051 If there's apples in that bag, I might have to shoot ya. 109 00:05:30,490 --> 00:05:32,422 Colonel's looking into our rations. 110 00:05:32,424 --> 00:05:34,358 God as my witness, soon as we get home 111 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:37,028 I'll never eat another apple again. 112 00:05:37,030 --> 00:05:38,930 I won't even let someone say the word. 113 00:05:41,233 --> 00:05:43,668 This might help lift your spirits some. 114 00:05:45,905 --> 00:05:47,538 It's yankee, though. 115 00:05:49,509 --> 00:05:52,109 Hmm. 116 00:05:52,111 --> 00:05:53,510 Looks like fighting ain't the only thing 117 00:05:53,512 --> 00:05:56,180 they can't do worth a damn. 118 00:05:56,182 --> 00:05:59,717 Despite the long march north and the lack of rations, 119 00:05:59,719 --> 00:06:02,452 they're confident that the dream of a free south 120 00:06:02,454 --> 00:06:04,255 can soon be realized. 121 00:06:04,257 --> 00:06:06,723 They often went without much to eat. 122 00:06:06,725 --> 00:06:09,193 Somehow, they had the perseverance, 123 00:06:09,195 --> 00:06:10,661 the endurance, 124 00:06:10,663 --> 00:06:14,932 the determination to keep moving, keep marching. 125 00:06:14,934 --> 00:06:16,600 They believed in Lee. 126 00:06:16,602 --> 00:06:18,703 They believed in their cause. 127 00:06:24,077 --> 00:06:25,342 I don't know what's more alarming, 128 00:06:25,344 --> 00:06:27,211 the fact that you still got a pair of drawers 129 00:06:27,213 --> 00:06:29,680 or that I can see them through your trousers. 130 00:06:29,682 --> 00:06:31,015 What are all those Yankees gonna say 131 00:06:31,017 --> 00:06:34,084 when they see a texan officer with his drawers showing? 132 00:06:34,086 --> 00:06:35,352 Brother, alls you've got to worry about 133 00:06:35,354 --> 00:06:39,223 is what I look like right here. 134 00:06:39,225 --> 00:06:42,693 And just why is that? 135 00:06:42,695 --> 00:06:43,961 Because no damn yankee's 136 00:06:43,963 --> 00:06:47,898 ever gonna see the backside of a texan. 137 00:06:47,900 --> 00:06:50,167 The arrival of men like the texans spreads 138 00:06:50,169 --> 00:06:52,903 a wave of fear across the union. 139 00:06:52,905 --> 00:06:56,840 Lee's army moving into Maryland in the fall of '62 is... 140 00:06:56,842 --> 00:06:59,310 Creates a crisis in Washington. There's panic. 141 00:06:59,312 --> 00:07:02,379 A lot of people in the south are thinking victory might be near. 142 00:07:02,381 --> 00:07:06,150 People in the north are thinking this very well may be over. 143 00:07:08,454 --> 00:07:11,455 Narrator: A mere 70 miles away in the nation's capital, 144 00:07:11,457 --> 00:07:13,057 Abraham Lincoln is facing some 145 00:07:13,059 --> 00:07:16,527 of the most difficult days of his presidency. 146 00:07:16,529 --> 00:07:18,329 Lincoln knows the union cannot afford 147 00:07:18,331 --> 00:07:20,998 to lose on northern soil. 148 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:23,334 Since the war began 17 months earlier, 149 00:07:23,336 --> 00:07:25,203 the stakes had not yet been as high 150 00:07:25,205 --> 00:07:28,072 as they were in September of '62. 151 00:07:28,074 --> 00:07:30,341 Early September, with confederates advancing, 152 00:07:30,343 --> 00:07:32,877 with Lee poised in the banks of the potomac, 153 00:07:32,879 --> 00:07:35,813 Lincoln needed the situation to change. 154 00:07:35,815 --> 00:07:37,080 This was the first time 155 00:07:37,082 --> 00:07:38,215 that the president of the United States, 156 00:07:38,217 --> 00:07:40,017 and the United States, is facing invasion. 157 00:07:40,019 --> 00:07:42,152 That hasn't happened before. 158 00:07:42,154 --> 00:07:46,157 Washington is more threatened now than ever. 159 00:07:46,159 --> 00:07:48,092 President Lincoln is also under pressure 160 00:07:48,094 --> 00:07:51,562 from members of his own party to emancipate the slaves. 161 00:07:51,564 --> 00:07:54,632 He's drafted the order to abolish slavery in the south. 162 00:07:54,634 --> 00:07:56,367 But he desperately needs a victory 163 00:07:56,369 --> 00:07:59,169 before he can release it to the nation. 164 00:07:59,171 --> 00:08:01,972 Vermilya: If there was an emancipation proclamation 165 00:08:01,974 --> 00:08:04,642 following these southern military successes 166 00:08:04,644 --> 00:08:05,776 and union defeats, 167 00:08:05,778 --> 00:08:08,278 it would look like a moment of desperation. 168 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:10,047 And that's the last thing that Lincoln wants. 169 00:08:10,049 --> 00:08:13,384 So you can rightfully say that, in September of 1862, 170 00:08:13,386 --> 00:08:16,654 the United States of America has come to a fork in the road. 171 00:08:16,656 --> 00:08:18,389 And it's either gonna be one way or the other 172 00:08:18,391 --> 00:08:21,192 because a confederate victory on Maryland soil 173 00:08:21,194 --> 00:08:23,127 will go a long ways towards establishing 174 00:08:23,129 --> 00:08:25,262 a separate confederate nation. 175 00:08:25,264 --> 00:08:27,932 A union victory on Maryland soil 176 00:08:27,934 --> 00:08:31,201 is gonna lead to the emancipation proclamation, 177 00:08:31,203 --> 00:08:33,403 the most dramatic presidential action 178 00:08:33,405 --> 00:08:35,672 on slavery in American history. 179 00:08:35,674 --> 00:08:38,075 If there ever was a moment up to this point in the war 180 00:08:38,077 --> 00:08:39,610 where Lincoln needed a win, 181 00:08:39,612 --> 00:08:42,813 this was it. 182 00:08:42,815 --> 00:08:44,482 Narrator: Fortunately, for the union army, 183 00:08:44,484 --> 00:08:47,150 on September 13, 1862, 184 00:08:47,152 --> 00:08:50,754 some yankee soldiers make an incredible discovery. 185 00:08:50,756 --> 00:08:53,157 When union soldiers are coming into Frederick, Maryland, 186 00:08:53,159 --> 00:08:55,593 on the heels of confederates leaving Frederick... 187 00:09:00,833 --> 00:09:05,970 they come across a copy of Lee's special orders 191. 188 00:09:08,841 --> 00:09:11,108 Essentially, this was his game plan. 189 00:09:11,110 --> 00:09:14,311 And this intelligence falls into union hands. 190 00:09:14,313 --> 00:09:16,447 Narrator: The union learns that Lee has split his army 191 00:09:16,449 --> 00:09:19,917 during the march and is incredibly vulnerable to attack. 192 00:09:22,588 --> 00:09:26,323 And in the mountains of western Maryland, 193 00:09:26,325 --> 00:09:28,793 the Yankees pounce. 194 00:09:28,795 --> 00:09:31,862 Lee's troops are mauled. 195 00:09:31,864 --> 00:09:34,131 Stunned by the blow, Lee must fall back 196 00:09:34,133 --> 00:09:37,735 and try to regroup his army before another union attack. 197 00:09:39,872 --> 00:09:42,606 Some of the hardest-hitting troops in the fight 198 00:09:42,608 --> 00:09:45,876 were members of the iron brigade. 199 00:09:45,878 --> 00:09:49,080 Composed of regiments from Indiana and Wisconsin, 200 00:09:49,082 --> 00:09:53,551 they're one of the union's elite combat units. 201 00:09:53,553 --> 00:09:56,487 The soldiers of the iron brigade had earned a reputation 202 00:09:56,489 --> 00:09:59,823 of being steadfast, solid, reliable and hard-fighting men. 203 00:09:59,825 --> 00:10:01,292 And just like the men from Texas, 204 00:10:01,294 --> 00:10:03,160 they too were hundreds and hundreds of miles 205 00:10:03,162 --> 00:10:04,695 away from their home. 206 00:10:04,697 --> 00:10:06,963 Narrator: And just like the men from Texas, 207 00:10:06,965 --> 00:10:09,700 they, too, are about to play a pivotal role in one 208 00:10:09,702 --> 00:10:12,403 of the most important battles in American history. 209 00:10:14,774 --> 00:10:17,307 Marching in pursuit of Lee's army, 210 00:10:17,309 --> 00:10:20,177 they've stopped near the town of sharpsburg, Maryland. 211 00:10:22,981 --> 00:10:26,316 With them is private Johnny Johnson. 212 00:10:26,318 --> 00:10:28,118 Johnny came to america from Europe 213 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:30,053 before the war broke out. 214 00:10:30,055 --> 00:10:32,189 Now he's determined to help defend the country 215 00:10:32,191 --> 00:10:35,726 that gave him a new start. 216 00:10:35,728 --> 00:10:37,995 There was a tremendous number of immigrants 217 00:10:37,997 --> 00:10:39,596 who volunteered to serve. 218 00:10:39,598 --> 00:10:40,865 This whole idea of, you know, 219 00:10:40,867 --> 00:10:42,933 a government of the people, by the people, for... 220 00:10:42,935 --> 00:10:44,601 They believed in it, 221 00:10:44,603 --> 00:10:47,004 and they were willing to fight for it. 222 00:10:47,006 --> 00:10:50,340 Artillery batteries were notoriously under strength. 223 00:10:50,342 --> 00:10:53,010 They'll appeal to infantry volunteers. 224 00:10:53,012 --> 00:10:55,145 And Johnny Johnson was one of the men 225 00:10:55,147 --> 00:10:58,749 who volunteered to serve with battery b. 226 00:10:58,751 --> 00:11:00,885 The sergeant's job was to make sure, 227 00:11:00,887 --> 00:11:01,952 even though they were scared, 228 00:11:01,954 --> 00:11:03,821 everybody continued to do their job. 229 00:11:03,823 --> 00:11:05,288 And then, if somebody got hit, 230 00:11:05,290 --> 00:11:07,424 they might step in and fill their role. 231 00:11:07,426 --> 00:11:09,026 That's why drilling was so important. 232 00:11:09,028 --> 00:11:12,029 So that, even though you were scared out of your wits, 233 00:11:12,031 --> 00:11:13,764 you still could execute. 234 00:11:13,766 --> 00:11:15,633 Let's go through it again. 235 00:11:15,635 --> 00:11:17,701 Gunner calls for case. 236 00:11:17,703 --> 00:11:19,770 Canister. What's in it? 237 00:11:19,772 --> 00:11:21,639 Dozens of steel balls timed to burst 238 00:11:21,641 --> 00:11:22,773 in the air above the troops. 239 00:11:22,775 --> 00:11:24,975 Turns the Cannon into a giant shotgun. 240 00:11:27,980 --> 00:11:29,913 Narrator: Just as committed to saving the nation 241 00:11:29,915 --> 00:11:31,381 is Joshua Jones, 242 00:11:31,383 --> 00:11:34,518 another member of the iron brigade. 243 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:37,587 A 24-year-old serving with the 19th Indiana, 244 00:11:37,589 --> 00:11:41,992 Jones volunteered following the outbreak of the war in 1861. 245 00:11:44,263 --> 00:11:46,396 After 14 months in the army, 246 00:11:46,398 --> 00:11:49,767 he thinks often of the young family he left behind. 247 00:11:58,410 --> 00:12:01,211 He writes to his wife, Celia, 248 00:12:01,213 --> 00:12:02,812 "the longer I stay away, 249 00:12:02,814 --> 00:12:06,816 the more I think of you and the better I love you. 250 00:12:06,818 --> 00:12:08,552 Often do I think of the happy days 251 00:12:08,554 --> 00:12:11,088 when I could sit down with you and our little boy. 252 00:12:13,159 --> 00:12:15,625 But I shall never return until the stars and stripes 253 00:12:15,627 --> 00:12:20,030 is floating over all the states in the union, 254 00:12:20,032 --> 00:12:22,566 and if it falls to my lot to fall in battle, 255 00:12:22,568 --> 00:12:26,103 it will be in defense of my country." 256 00:12:26,105 --> 00:12:28,372 Vermilya: Joshua Jones is writing home saying, 257 00:12:28,374 --> 00:12:30,173 "I love you, my family back at home, 258 00:12:30,175 --> 00:12:31,842 but this is very important for me. 259 00:12:31,844 --> 00:12:33,844 And even though I may not come back, 260 00:12:33,846 --> 00:12:35,246 I want you to know that I'm committed 261 00:12:35,248 --> 00:12:37,014 to trying to save our country." 262 00:12:39,184 --> 00:12:40,784 Narrator: Still stinging from the loss 263 00:12:40,786 --> 00:12:42,252 in the mountains of Maryland, 264 00:12:42,254 --> 00:12:43,720 Lee is now in retreat, 265 00:12:43,722 --> 00:12:46,990 pulling many of his battered troops back towards the potomac. 266 00:12:46,992 --> 00:12:51,795 The dream of winning the war is now in jeopardy. 267 00:12:51,797 --> 00:12:55,599 September 14th was a dark day for Robert e. Lee. 268 00:12:55,601 --> 00:12:57,000 Just 10 days earlier, 269 00:12:57,002 --> 00:12:58,469 he had embarked upon this campaign. 270 00:12:58,471 --> 00:13:00,671 And now it seemed, from out of nowhere, 271 00:13:00,673 --> 00:13:04,408 the union army had arrived and was breathing down his neck. 272 00:13:04,410 --> 00:13:07,745 He wants to get his army united. 273 00:13:07,747 --> 00:13:09,813 His men marched through the night, 274 00:13:09,815 --> 00:13:11,282 nothing but the moonlight to guide them 275 00:13:11,284 --> 00:13:12,549 through western Maryland 276 00:13:12,551 --> 00:13:16,086 and toward this meandering creek called the antietam. 277 00:13:17,823 --> 00:13:19,557 Narrator: When Lee sees the antietam, 278 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:24,962 the bold commander sees an opportunity he can't pass up. 279 00:13:24,964 --> 00:13:27,564 He realizes immediately that this terrain offers 280 00:13:27,566 --> 00:13:31,035 some incredible defensive advantages. 281 00:13:31,037 --> 00:13:32,369 Narrator: Lee immediately begins 282 00:13:32,371 --> 00:13:34,638 to move his troops onto the high ridges 283 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:37,174 that run to the west of the antietam creek 284 00:13:37,176 --> 00:13:39,643 and to the north of the town of sharpsburg. 285 00:13:39,645 --> 00:13:41,378 Vermilya: Lee is going to use these ridges 286 00:13:41,380 --> 00:13:43,647 as a fortress for his army. 287 00:13:43,649 --> 00:13:45,849 In front of that fortress, he has a moat, 288 00:13:45,851 --> 00:13:47,384 which is antietam creek. 289 00:13:47,386 --> 00:13:50,387 So he has a moat. He has a fortress. 290 00:13:50,389 --> 00:13:51,722 He will make a stand. 291 00:13:53,993 --> 00:13:55,792 Narrator: Near the banks of this creek, 292 00:13:55,794 --> 00:14:00,531 the hopes of two nations will live or die. 293 00:14:00,533 --> 00:14:02,466 The bloodiest day in American history 294 00:14:02,468 --> 00:14:05,669 is about to begin. 295 00:14:09,222 --> 00:14:11,422 Narrator: For the first time in the civil war, 296 00:14:11,424 --> 00:14:16,495 confederate general Robert e. Lee has invaded the north. 297 00:14:16,497 --> 00:14:18,630 His forces now occupy the high ground 298 00:14:18,632 --> 00:14:21,433 to the west of the antietam creek in Maryland. 299 00:14:21,435 --> 00:14:26,037 They expect a union attack at any moment. 300 00:14:26,039 --> 00:14:27,906 If the rebels triumph, 301 00:14:27,908 --> 00:14:30,842 the dream of an independent south may be realized. 302 00:14:30,844 --> 00:14:34,379 And the United States will be no more. 303 00:14:34,381 --> 00:14:38,350 Given the stakes, both sides will stop at nothing to win. 304 00:14:41,121 --> 00:14:43,054 As Lee plans to make his stand, 305 00:14:43,056 --> 00:14:44,790 the call goes out to his scattered army 306 00:14:44,792 --> 00:14:47,159 to unite near the banks at the antietam. 307 00:14:50,464 --> 00:14:52,530 By sunset, most of Lee's troops 308 00:14:52,532 --> 00:14:54,332 have reached the confederate camp. 309 00:15:02,009 --> 00:15:04,009 Among them are William and Robert gaston 310 00:15:04,011 --> 00:15:05,610 of the 1st Texas... 311 00:15:05,612 --> 00:15:09,881 The shock troops of the rebel forces. 312 00:15:09,883 --> 00:15:12,617 The texans have been on the move for almost 3 days, 313 00:15:12,619 --> 00:15:16,555 with very little rest and hardly any food. 314 00:15:16,557 --> 00:15:18,490 In spite of the delayed rations 315 00:15:18,492 --> 00:15:20,691 and all of the hardships they've endured, 316 00:15:20,693 --> 00:15:23,628 the texans' spirits remain high. 317 00:15:23,630 --> 00:15:25,897 Frye: They could barely keep their eyes open. 318 00:15:25,899 --> 00:15:27,966 Their stomachs were growling. 319 00:15:27,968 --> 00:15:34,372 They had had almost no food in 24 hours or longer. 320 00:15:34,374 --> 00:15:36,107 Narrator: After reaching the antietam, 321 00:15:36,109 --> 00:15:37,775 older brother William had gone to check 322 00:15:37,777 --> 00:15:39,945 on the status of their rations. 323 00:15:42,115 --> 00:15:44,249 Don't just sit there. What'd he say? 324 00:15:44,251 --> 00:15:46,851 You want the good news or the bad news? 325 00:15:46,853 --> 00:15:48,853 Let me guess. 326 00:15:48,855 --> 00:15:51,589 Lincoln was caught by Stuart's calvary, 327 00:15:51,591 --> 00:15:56,527 fleeing the capital dressed as some ugly yankee woman. 328 00:15:56,529 --> 00:15:57,929 The war is over. 329 00:15:57,931 --> 00:16:00,599 Not quite that dramatic. 330 00:16:00,601 --> 00:16:03,268 The general has promised us three days rations. 331 00:16:03,270 --> 00:16:05,536 The bad news? 332 00:16:05,538 --> 00:16:09,140 They seem to have... Left the supply wagon 333 00:16:09,142 --> 00:16:12,210 on the other side of the river. 334 00:16:12,212 --> 00:16:13,879 Should be here soon. 335 00:16:21,288 --> 00:16:22,821 Narrator: A mile to the north, 336 00:16:22,823 --> 00:16:24,622 members of the union's iron brigade 337 00:16:24,624 --> 00:16:27,392 prepare for the attack they know is to come in the morning. 338 00:16:31,831 --> 00:16:33,898 Hoptak: Nightfall on September 16th... 339 00:16:33,900 --> 00:16:36,368 In some places fires are prohibited 340 00:16:36,370 --> 00:16:38,736 'cause the lines were so close. 341 00:16:38,738 --> 00:16:41,506 And whether they're in blue or gray, 342 00:16:41,508 --> 00:16:44,642 these veterans knew a battle's imminent. 343 00:16:44,644 --> 00:16:48,980 So imagine what may have been going through their heads. 344 00:16:52,386 --> 00:16:54,085 [ Harmonica plays ] 345 00:16:56,924 --> 00:16:59,524 Narrator: Nearby, unable to sleep, 346 00:16:59,526 --> 00:17:02,460 union soldier Joshua Jones writes what could be 347 00:17:02,462 --> 00:17:03,929 his last letter home. 348 00:17:08,135 --> 00:17:10,335 Jones: "My dear Celia, 349 00:17:10,337 --> 00:17:13,271 I was so happy to receive your letter. 350 00:17:13,273 --> 00:17:16,141 When I seen your hair and little George's hair inside, 351 00:17:16,143 --> 00:17:18,410 I could not help shedding tears. 352 00:17:24,017 --> 00:17:27,152 I can see now that we lived as pleasant a life 353 00:17:27,154 --> 00:17:30,755 as any two on earth. 354 00:17:30,757 --> 00:17:33,758 Celia, there is men here with needy wives 355 00:17:33,760 --> 00:17:35,427 and hungry families, 356 00:17:35,429 --> 00:17:37,295 and they are spending their money for whiskey 357 00:17:37,297 --> 00:17:40,231 and other such foolery. 358 00:17:40,233 --> 00:17:41,899 Just this morning, I sold my watch 359 00:17:41,901 --> 00:17:45,637 to Isaac Branson for 18 and a half. 360 00:17:45,639 --> 00:17:48,239 That's six more than what I paid for it in Virginia 361 00:17:48,241 --> 00:17:50,909 three months ago. 362 00:17:50,911 --> 00:17:53,044 I am sending you the watch money. 363 00:17:53,046 --> 00:17:55,713 Save all that you can. 364 00:17:55,715 --> 00:17:58,049 I love you, Celia. 365 00:17:58,051 --> 00:18:01,519 Faithfully yours, Joshua." 366 00:18:08,861 --> 00:18:10,395 Narrator: Soldiers aren't the only ones 367 00:18:10,397 --> 00:18:12,230 making preparations this night. 368 00:18:15,335 --> 00:18:18,602 Pinsker: The confederate armies could not fight without slaves. 369 00:18:18,604 --> 00:18:21,406 Thousands of black laborers... slaves... 370 00:18:21,408 --> 00:18:23,941 Are serving the army in important support capacities. 371 00:18:23,943 --> 00:18:26,544 Without them, the army doesn't move. 372 00:18:26,546 --> 00:18:28,146 Narrator: To undermine this support, 373 00:18:28,148 --> 00:18:29,814 the federal government has announced 374 00:18:29,816 --> 00:18:31,149 it will free any slave 375 00:18:31,151 --> 00:18:34,351 who can make it to the union line. 376 00:18:34,353 --> 00:18:37,221 Two slaves forced to serve the rebel army 377 00:18:37,223 --> 00:18:40,525 have decided the time to escape their bondage is at hand. 378 00:18:47,166 --> 00:18:49,634 But the risks are great. 379 00:18:51,705 --> 00:18:56,574 If they're caught, they'll be savagely beaten or killed. 380 00:18:56,576 --> 00:18:58,242 But to these two men, 381 00:18:58,244 --> 00:19:01,079 the chance to win their freedom makes it worth the danger. 382 00:19:03,850 --> 00:19:07,352 First, they have to somehow get past the rebel sentries. 383 00:19:26,206 --> 00:19:27,972 Sentry: Hey, you two, stop right there! 384 00:19:30,944 --> 00:19:32,544 Spotted by a guard, 385 00:19:32,546 --> 00:19:35,480 the two men race for the safety of the union line. 386 00:19:41,221 --> 00:19:42,487 [ Gunshot ] 387 00:19:48,695 --> 00:19:51,028 As day breaks, 388 00:19:51,030 --> 00:19:53,832 one of the men has almost reached the union line. 389 00:19:56,369 --> 00:19:59,037 There, he will be taken in by federal troops 390 00:19:59,039 --> 00:20:01,406 and will be freed. 391 00:20:05,112 --> 00:20:07,445 But his companion was not so lucky. 392 00:20:13,319 --> 00:20:14,853 During the escape attempt, 393 00:20:14,855 --> 00:20:17,288 he was gunned down by a rebel sentry. 394 00:20:25,398 --> 00:20:27,599 Just hundreds of yards away, 395 00:20:27,601 --> 00:20:31,069 the battle to determine the fate of both slavery and the nation 396 00:20:31,071 --> 00:20:32,803 is set to begin. 397 00:20:32,805 --> 00:20:35,740 If the union wins, Lincoln plans to release 398 00:20:35,742 --> 00:20:37,742 the emancipation proclamation, 399 00:20:37,744 --> 00:20:41,078 freeing almost four million African-Americans. 400 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:45,483 If it loses, the United States may very well cease to exist. 401 00:20:47,553 --> 00:20:51,823 Almost 10,000 union troops now march toward the rebel line. 402 00:20:54,561 --> 00:20:56,828 Hoptak: George mcclellan, a general that we often 403 00:20:56,830 --> 00:20:59,163 times characterize as cautious, 404 00:20:59,165 --> 00:21:01,565 he is gonna lead the attack at antietam, 405 00:21:01,567 --> 00:21:04,836 and his plan is to rely upon his right hook. 406 00:21:04,838 --> 00:21:07,972 What he wants to do is pummel Lee's left 407 00:21:07,974 --> 00:21:11,442 with a series of hammer-blow assaults. 408 00:21:11,444 --> 00:21:13,577 Narrator: After leaving the union line, 409 00:21:13,579 --> 00:21:16,514 the yankee assault force is to head south 410 00:21:16,516 --> 00:21:18,316 and then slam into the left flank 411 00:21:18,318 --> 00:21:21,853 of general Lee's army. 412 00:21:21,855 --> 00:21:24,655 Expecting heavy resistance from the rebels, 413 00:21:24,657 --> 00:21:28,993 the men know they are in for the fight of their lives. 414 00:21:28,995 --> 00:21:31,595 Leading this union assault is Joshua Jones 415 00:21:31,597 --> 00:21:34,933 and the men of the iron brigade. 416 00:21:34,935 --> 00:21:36,467 The battle that will claim the lives 417 00:21:36,469 --> 00:21:41,472 of almost 4,000 Americans and wound 17,000 more 418 00:21:41,474 --> 00:21:43,141 is about to begin. 419 00:22:05,031 --> 00:22:06,164 [ Indistinct shouting ] 420 00:22:14,241 --> 00:22:16,373 Send these wretched souls back to hell, boys! 421 00:22:16,375 --> 00:22:20,044 Fire! 422 00:22:20,046 --> 00:22:22,247 Narrator: In hopes of ending the first confederate invasion 423 00:22:22,249 --> 00:22:24,181 of the north, 424 00:22:24,183 --> 00:22:25,849 union troops have attacked rebels 425 00:22:25,851 --> 00:22:28,019 near the banks of the antietam creek. 426 00:22:30,457 --> 00:22:33,457 Fire! 427 00:22:33,459 --> 00:22:36,260 And as battery b of the 4th U.S. artillery 428 00:22:36,262 --> 00:22:37,929 pounds the confederate line, 429 00:22:37,931 --> 00:22:42,466 Johnny Johnson watches and waits. 430 00:22:42,468 --> 00:22:44,269 Half a mile to the southwest, 431 00:22:44,271 --> 00:22:46,871 after being pounded by rebel artillery, 432 00:22:46,873 --> 00:22:48,606 Joshua Jones and the iron brigade 433 00:22:48,608 --> 00:22:51,008 have attacked the far left of the rebel line. 434 00:22:51,010 --> 00:22:52,943 Man: Aim! 435 00:22:52,945 --> 00:22:55,413 Fire! 436 00:23:24,110 --> 00:23:26,110 [ Shouting ] 437 00:23:33,052 --> 00:23:35,520 After putting up some fierce resistance... 438 00:23:39,726 --> 00:23:41,426 the rebels fall back. 439 00:23:43,596 --> 00:23:44,596 Fire! 440 00:23:46,599 --> 00:23:48,599 A quarter of a mile away, 441 00:23:48,601 --> 00:23:50,000 union private Johnny Johnson 442 00:23:50,002 --> 00:23:52,536 and a handful of other gun crews from battery b 443 00:23:52,538 --> 00:23:54,639 have been ordered to a new position. 444 00:23:56,810 --> 00:23:58,876 They've been deployed near the edge of a cornfield 445 00:23:58,878 --> 00:24:00,978 that will soon go down in infamy. 446 00:24:03,216 --> 00:24:05,816 Johnson and the men of battery b 447 00:24:05,818 --> 00:24:08,019 are about to find themselves at the epicenter 448 00:24:08,021 --> 00:24:12,423 of one of history's most ferocious battles. 449 00:24:12,425 --> 00:24:16,093 Hoptak: The cornfield... That 24 acres of land... 450 00:24:16,095 --> 00:24:20,898 Will come to symbolize the hellish intensity of antietam. 451 00:24:20,900 --> 00:24:23,768 There were many cornfields at antietam, 452 00:24:23,770 --> 00:24:27,772 but only one cornfield. 453 00:24:27,774 --> 00:24:29,240 Narrator: Rebel troops have launched 454 00:24:29,242 --> 00:24:30,641 a ferocious counterattack, 455 00:24:30,643 --> 00:24:35,579 and battery b soon finds itself in the thick of the fight. 456 00:24:35,581 --> 00:24:38,850 Hoptak: Oftentimes, battery b would be well behind the lines. 457 00:24:38,852 --> 00:24:41,652 But here battery b was brought right to the front. 458 00:24:41,654 --> 00:24:43,521 When these batteries are pushed forward, 459 00:24:43,523 --> 00:24:46,324 and they're engaged in close combat with infantry, 460 00:24:46,326 --> 00:24:48,092 they take heavy casualties. 461 00:24:50,463 --> 00:24:52,196 Narrator: As another crew member falls, 462 00:24:52,198 --> 00:24:54,699 Johnson is finally thrown into the fight. 463 00:25:02,475 --> 00:25:04,074 To the right! 464 00:25:04,076 --> 00:25:05,343 Right! 465 00:25:08,781 --> 00:25:10,848 Too far. Back to the left. 466 00:25:14,020 --> 00:25:16,554 And fire! 467 00:25:19,425 --> 00:25:21,959 Johnson, get the gunpowder back to your post on the double. 468 00:25:25,365 --> 00:25:26,365 Reload! 469 00:25:40,713 --> 00:25:42,780 Narrator: To the west, as Joshua Jones 470 00:25:42,782 --> 00:25:45,382 and the iron brigade drive forward, 471 00:25:45,384 --> 00:25:47,518 the confederates counterattack. 472 00:25:52,658 --> 00:25:55,392 And during that fighting is when Jones was hit. 473 00:25:55,394 --> 00:25:56,860 [ Groaning ] 474 00:25:56,862 --> 00:25:59,196 The mini-ball, when it strikes something, 475 00:25:59,198 --> 00:26:02,467 has the tendency to spread out and flatten out. 476 00:26:02,469 --> 00:26:05,669 And when that strikes a bone in a leg or an ankle, 477 00:26:05,671 --> 00:26:09,607 it shatters it beyond repair. 478 00:26:09,609 --> 00:26:11,342 The only way to save the soldier's life 479 00:26:11,344 --> 00:26:13,678 would be to amputate the limb. 480 00:26:18,084 --> 00:26:22,019 Narrator: In the confusion, Jones is left behind. 481 00:26:27,826 --> 00:26:30,360 To the east, Johnny Johnson finds himself 482 00:26:30,362 --> 00:26:33,097 in the thick of the battle to control the cornfield. 483 00:26:36,101 --> 00:26:40,237 The cornfield was like a vortex that drew forces in. 484 00:26:40,239 --> 00:26:43,774 There's a large number of troops moving in there. 485 00:26:43,776 --> 00:26:46,577 The waves of battle are swaying back and forth. 486 00:26:46,579 --> 00:26:48,045 And, initially, you have lines 487 00:26:48,047 --> 00:26:50,714 of blue sweeping south through the corn, 488 00:26:50,716 --> 00:26:52,183 then falling back. 489 00:26:52,185 --> 00:26:53,918 And there'd be a confederate counterattack. 490 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:55,386 And they'd recede. 491 00:26:55,388 --> 00:26:57,922 Back and forth it would go, several times. 492 00:26:57,924 --> 00:27:00,324 The first hour of fighting in the cornfield alone 493 00:27:00,326 --> 00:27:03,193 sees about one casualty per second. 494 00:27:03,195 --> 00:27:05,630 But as the rebels launch one more attack... 495 00:27:08,267 --> 00:27:10,101 union troops begin to flee. 496 00:27:13,872 --> 00:27:16,340 Johnny Johnson and the remaining members of battery b 497 00:27:16,342 --> 00:27:20,077 must try to hold the position. 498 00:27:20,079 --> 00:27:22,079 A rebel breakthrough here could breed panic 499 00:27:22,081 --> 00:27:23,480 in the union ranks 500 00:27:23,482 --> 00:27:26,017 and could potentially cause the line to collapse. 501 00:27:26,019 --> 00:27:27,551 Fire. 502 00:27:27,553 --> 00:27:30,487 Misfire. Ram it again. 503 00:27:30,489 --> 00:27:31,689 Do it now! 504 00:27:31,691 --> 00:27:34,424 The fuse went, sarge. It could cook off at any time. 505 00:27:34,426 --> 00:27:35,960 If I put my arm in there, I'll lose it. 506 00:27:35,962 --> 00:27:38,496 You'll lose more than that if you don't. 507 00:27:38,498 --> 00:27:40,197 Do it now or we all die!! 508 00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:44,465 Narrator: Near the antietam creek, 509 00:27:44,467 --> 00:27:45,933 a ferocious fight to determine 510 00:27:45,935 --> 00:27:49,203 the fate of two nations rages on. 511 00:27:49,205 --> 00:27:51,472 Realizing a rebel victory could possibly lead 512 00:27:51,474 --> 00:27:52,940 to southern independence 513 00:27:52,942 --> 00:27:54,809 and the death of the United States, 514 00:27:54,811 --> 00:27:57,478 both sides will stop at nothing to win. 515 00:27:57,480 --> 00:28:01,815 A rebel counterattack has scattered union forces. 516 00:28:01,817 --> 00:28:05,085 Now Johnny Johnson and a handful of union soldiers 517 00:28:05,087 --> 00:28:07,688 must try and hold the line. 518 00:28:07,690 --> 00:28:10,224 That battery is the focal point. 519 00:28:10,226 --> 00:28:12,226 If the federals can hold the battery, 520 00:28:12,228 --> 00:28:14,962 they can break the back of the confederate assault. 521 00:28:14,964 --> 00:28:16,830 And if the confederates can capture it, 522 00:28:16,832 --> 00:28:19,167 they might turn the tide of the battle. 523 00:28:19,169 --> 00:28:20,902 Man: There's too many. We'll never hold them. 524 00:28:20,904 --> 00:28:24,338 Ram it again. Do it now or we all die! 525 00:28:37,253 --> 00:28:39,287 Ready! Fire! 526 00:28:56,472 --> 00:28:58,138 Narrator: As the confederates are cut down 527 00:28:58,140 --> 00:28:59,607 by the Cannon blasts, 528 00:28:59,609 --> 00:29:02,876 fresh union troops arrive and pour into the cornfield. 529 00:29:02,878 --> 00:29:05,879 Hey, sweep, nicely done. 530 00:29:05,881 --> 00:29:07,347 Hoptak: There were moments in the fighting 531 00:29:07,349 --> 00:29:09,217 where it could go either way. 532 00:29:09,219 --> 00:29:11,752 And at one moment, it seemed the confederate army 533 00:29:11,754 --> 00:29:14,821 would sweep the blue lines out of the corn, 534 00:29:14,823 --> 00:29:17,592 only for the union army to counterattack. 535 00:29:19,161 --> 00:29:21,229 Narrator: The union attack drives the rebels back 536 00:29:21,231 --> 00:29:23,731 toward their own line in full retreat. 537 00:29:27,236 --> 00:29:29,503 Frye: It's been a bad morning for Robert e. Lee. 538 00:29:29,505 --> 00:29:31,172 Robert e. Lee usually doesn't have 539 00:29:31,174 --> 00:29:32,373 bad days on the battlefield. 540 00:29:32,375 --> 00:29:36,243 And his forces are being pushed backwards. 541 00:29:36,245 --> 00:29:38,245 This is unbelievable. 542 00:29:38,247 --> 00:29:40,648 What's going on? 543 00:29:40,650 --> 00:29:43,584 Narrator: As union troops stream south of the cornfield, 544 00:29:43,586 --> 00:29:45,519 the left flank of the rebel position 545 00:29:45,521 --> 00:29:47,788 teeters on the brink of collapse. 546 00:29:47,790 --> 00:29:49,857 With their line hanging by a thread, 547 00:29:49,859 --> 00:29:53,394 the south turns to some of its toughest troops to save it... 548 00:29:53,396 --> 00:29:55,463 The men of the 1st Texas. 549 00:29:57,600 --> 00:30:00,668 Don't even think about asking me to share. 550 00:30:00,670 --> 00:30:04,739 I've been dreaming about this bacon for days. 551 00:30:04,741 --> 00:30:06,140 Despite the shells... 552 00:30:06,142 --> 00:30:07,207 Just keep cooking. 553 00:30:07,209 --> 00:30:08,742 The texans are desperate to eat 554 00:30:08,744 --> 00:30:12,146 their first hot meal in 3 days. 555 00:30:12,148 --> 00:30:13,948 Don't worry. You'll hear them coming. 556 00:30:18,554 --> 00:30:21,988 - Oh, no, no, no. - Texas, on your feet! 557 00:30:21,990 --> 00:30:25,760 Got to be kidding me! 558 00:30:25,762 --> 00:30:27,695 Frye: Their breakfast has been disrupted. 559 00:30:27,697 --> 00:30:29,830 And, all of a sudden, you got to take your food 560 00:30:29,832 --> 00:30:32,299 and just throw it aside, pick up your rifle, 561 00:30:32,301 --> 00:30:36,036 put on your cartridge box and go. 562 00:30:36,038 --> 00:30:37,304 Narrator: As the men of the 1st Texas 563 00:30:37,306 --> 00:30:41,241 prepare to push back the yankee attack, 564 00:30:41,243 --> 00:30:43,110 to the west of the cornfield, 565 00:30:43,112 --> 00:30:46,247 wounded union private Joshua Jones struggles 566 00:30:46,249 --> 00:30:48,416 to get back to his own line. 567 00:30:56,926 --> 00:30:58,826 [ Groans ] 568 00:31:04,534 --> 00:31:06,801 [ Breathing heavily ] 569 00:31:11,407 --> 00:31:13,341 If he ever wants to see his family again, 570 00:31:13,343 --> 00:31:16,811 Jones will need to crawl to the safety of the union line. 571 00:31:19,882 --> 00:31:22,750 With his ankle shattered by a rebel musket ball, 572 00:31:22,752 --> 00:31:24,985 the journey seems all but impossible. 573 00:31:31,493 --> 00:31:34,428 To the south, the 1st Texas infantry 574 00:31:34,430 --> 00:31:36,897 has orders to push back the union assault 575 00:31:36,899 --> 00:31:38,632 and retake the cornfield. 576 00:31:41,237 --> 00:31:44,037 Hoptak: The men from Texas were angry. 577 00:31:44,039 --> 00:31:45,373 So when they went into the fight, 578 00:31:45,375 --> 00:31:49,377 they went in screaming. They went in yelling. 579 00:31:49,379 --> 00:31:50,644 Vermilya: And they were also soldiers 580 00:31:50,646 --> 00:31:53,047 who realized that at that point in the battle, 581 00:31:53,049 --> 00:31:55,182 their presence was desperately needed, 582 00:31:55,184 --> 00:31:58,051 as the initial confederate lines were falling apart. 583 00:31:58,053 --> 00:32:00,320 Steady, men! Steady! 584 00:32:00,322 --> 00:32:03,357 Aim for the belt and don't stop for the wounded! 585 00:32:17,607 --> 00:32:19,473 Narrator: The arrival of the texans 586 00:32:19,475 --> 00:32:21,242 stabilizes the rebel line. 587 00:32:28,284 --> 00:32:30,284 [ Indistinct shouting ] 588 00:33:04,453 --> 00:33:06,520 It's like shooting partridge. 589 00:33:06,522 --> 00:33:09,122 The texans cut through the corn like a scythe, 590 00:33:09,124 --> 00:33:11,392 relentlessly driving union troops 591 00:33:11,394 --> 00:33:13,593 back to their line. 592 00:33:13,595 --> 00:33:17,798 Hartwig: Those units directly come towards battery b. 593 00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:18,866 Get the canisters. 594 00:33:18,868 --> 00:33:20,334 These were aggressive soldiers. 595 00:33:20,336 --> 00:33:21,802 They are veteran soldiers. 596 00:33:21,804 --> 00:33:23,671 They don't wanna get killed. They wanna kill you. 597 00:33:23,673 --> 00:33:28,409 And that's when the real ordeal began for the battery. 598 00:33:28,411 --> 00:33:30,344 Narrator: As the texans push through the corn, 599 00:33:30,346 --> 00:33:33,614 Johnson and the others brace for another rebel attack. 600 00:33:39,822 --> 00:33:41,422 Fire. 601 00:33:46,963 --> 00:33:49,497 They're coming. 602 00:34:02,178 --> 00:34:04,111 As the rebels sweep through the corn, 603 00:34:04,113 --> 00:34:07,314 it seems like the tide of the battle is turning. 604 00:34:07,316 --> 00:34:08,782 For the first time that morning, 605 00:34:08,784 --> 00:34:11,852 the yankee army looked vulnerable. 606 00:34:11,854 --> 00:34:13,720 Narrator: The Yankees seem powerless 607 00:34:13,722 --> 00:34:15,656 to stop the texans' advance. 608 00:34:38,414 --> 00:34:40,814 If battery b can't stop the attack, 609 00:34:40,816 --> 00:34:42,683 the union line may crack. 610 00:34:49,157 --> 00:34:50,224 Load the Cannon. 611 00:34:50,226 --> 00:34:52,492 - What? - Load the Cannon. 612 00:34:52,494 --> 00:34:55,095 There's no time! Load the Cannon! 613 00:34:55,097 --> 00:34:57,030 Do it! 614 00:34:57,032 --> 00:34:59,567 Go! 615 00:35:09,045 --> 00:35:10,777 Vermilya: Although it's not pretty, 616 00:35:10,779 --> 00:35:12,646 although it's not romantic, 617 00:35:12,648 --> 00:35:15,182 it does happen during civil-war combat. 618 00:35:15,184 --> 00:35:18,251 Sergeant hertzog is in extreme pain. 619 00:35:18,253 --> 00:35:20,054 He's in some of the worst circumstances 620 00:35:20,056 --> 00:35:21,322 you could possibly imagine. 621 00:35:21,324 --> 00:35:23,457 And in the midst of that, with all that pain, 622 00:35:23,459 --> 00:35:26,193 he simply pulls out his revolver and ends it. 623 00:35:26,195 --> 00:35:29,930 They're coming! 624 00:35:29,932 --> 00:35:33,067 Double canister! 625 00:35:33,069 --> 00:35:36,537 The canister was simply a tin can packed with iron balls 626 00:35:36,539 --> 00:35:39,006 that might be an inch to an inch and a half in diameter. 627 00:35:39,008 --> 00:35:41,008 Double canister usually cleared your front 628 00:35:41,010 --> 00:35:42,609 because it was so deadly. 629 00:35:42,611 --> 00:35:44,011 If you're firing double canister 630 00:35:44,013 --> 00:35:46,480 it's because you and your battery 631 00:35:46,482 --> 00:35:48,983 are in grave danger. 632 00:35:56,625 --> 00:35:58,892 - Hurry! - I gotta lower it! 633 00:35:58,894 --> 00:36:00,995 [ Indistinct shouting ] 634 00:36:23,344 --> 00:36:24,276 Ready! 635 00:36:24,278 --> 00:36:25,578 Fire! 636 00:36:28,616 --> 00:36:31,016 Narrator: As Johnson pounds the rebels with canister, 637 00:36:31,018 --> 00:36:33,920 they stream northwest toward the corner of the field. 638 00:36:50,705 --> 00:36:52,237 Narrator: One of the most important battles 639 00:36:52,239 --> 00:36:56,175 of the civil war has reached a critical moment. 640 00:36:56,177 --> 00:36:58,244 Confederate shock troops from Texas 641 00:36:58,246 --> 00:37:01,113 sent to shatter the union line 642 00:37:01,115 --> 00:37:04,317 have just been hit by a massive yankee counterattack. 643 00:37:15,930 --> 00:37:17,530 In hopes of rallying the texans, 644 00:37:17,532 --> 00:37:21,801 Robert gaston sets out to find the regimental flag. 645 00:37:21,803 --> 00:37:24,070 I'm all right. Go. 646 00:37:31,012 --> 00:37:32,278 In the chaos of battle, 647 00:37:32,280 --> 00:37:34,947 with the smoke stinging your eyes and the sound, 648 00:37:34,949 --> 00:37:38,484 the noise, the confusion, if you saw your flag, 649 00:37:38,486 --> 00:37:40,353 you knew where you were supposed to go. 650 00:37:40,355 --> 00:37:44,056 You can't see that flag? You're lost. 651 00:38:06,914 --> 00:38:08,915 [ Indistinct shouting ] 652 00:38:21,863 --> 00:38:23,395 Narrator: The texans have been cut down 653 00:38:23,397 --> 00:38:26,432 by yankee reinforcements sent to help hold the line. 654 00:38:31,939 --> 00:38:34,606 They were laying down behind the fence 655 00:38:34,608 --> 00:38:37,410 that bordered the northern edge of the corn, 656 00:38:37,412 --> 00:38:41,480 and the texans actually couldn't see them. 657 00:38:41,482 --> 00:38:43,749 They blasted the texans with a volley, 658 00:38:43,751 --> 00:38:45,418 then followed it up with more volleys. 659 00:38:45,420 --> 00:38:47,753 It cut the regiment to ribbons, 660 00:38:47,755 --> 00:38:49,755 shot down both their flags. 661 00:38:49,757 --> 00:38:52,424 Once they get towards the northern end of the corn field, 662 00:38:52,426 --> 00:38:55,494 they are met with a ferocious counterassault, 663 00:38:55,496 --> 00:38:58,197 not only from musketry fire, but Cannon fire. 664 00:39:03,371 --> 00:39:06,104 Narrator: The results... 665 00:39:06,106 --> 00:39:08,774 Are catastrophic. 666 00:39:08,776 --> 00:39:10,977 At first, Texas gets slaughtered... 667 00:39:10,979 --> 00:39:12,311 Slaughtered. 668 00:39:12,313 --> 00:39:18,751 More than 80% of their men will drop on that Maryland soil. 669 00:39:23,257 --> 00:39:25,958 It was an awful disaster. 670 00:39:41,542 --> 00:39:42,542 They're running. 671 00:39:47,415 --> 00:39:49,548 Narrator: With the help of Johnny Johnson, 672 00:39:49,550 --> 00:39:53,085 battery b has helped save the union line, 673 00:39:53,087 --> 00:39:55,221 but they've paid dearly. 674 00:39:55,223 --> 00:39:59,358 Hoptak: Battery b sustained 40% casualties. 675 00:39:59,360 --> 00:40:01,894 The casualties attest to the savagery, 676 00:40:01,896 --> 00:40:05,431 the ferocity of their role in the fight. 677 00:40:05,433 --> 00:40:07,366 Well, battery b's performance, obviously, 678 00:40:07,368 --> 00:40:11,837 the performance of the battery was extraordinary. 679 00:40:11,839 --> 00:40:15,040 Narrator: When the brutal struggle for the cornfield finally ends, 680 00:40:15,042 --> 00:40:17,376 the fighting shifts to the center and right 681 00:40:17,378 --> 00:40:20,313 of the rebel line. 682 00:40:20,315 --> 00:40:21,781 As the sun sets, 683 00:40:21,783 --> 00:40:25,518 the rebels still hold the ground west of the antietam creek. 684 00:40:28,056 --> 00:40:31,857 But Lee's troops are in no shape to fight on. 685 00:40:31,859 --> 00:40:33,993 On the 18th of September, 686 00:40:33,995 --> 00:40:36,996 he takes his shattered army back to Virginia. 687 00:40:41,602 --> 00:40:44,070 Hoptak: The confederate army's gonna limp back into Virginia. 688 00:40:44,072 --> 00:40:46,238 Began the campaign with such high hopes 689 00:40:46,240 --> 00:40:47,873 for a victory on union soil, 690 00:40:47,875 --> 00:40:51,210 and Robert e. Lee's objectives are not realized. 691 00:40:51,212 --> 00:40:54,547 I consider antietam the greatest victory 692 00:40:54,549 --> 00:40:56,882 of the war for the United States. 693 00:40:56,884 --> 00:40:59,218 Pennsylvania is safe. Washington is safe. 694 00:40:59,220 --> 00:41:00,620 Baltimore is safe. 695 00:41:00,622 --> 00:41:03,022 The eastern newspapers are proclaiming victory 696 00:41:03,024 --> 00:41:06,425 for the United States. 697 00:41:06,427 --> 00:41:08,561 Narrator: But it's come at a terrible price, 698 00:41:14,635 --> 00:41:19,905 Almost 4,000 killed and 17,000 wounded. 699 00:41:19,907 --> 00:41:24,910 Among them, Joshua Jones of the union's iron brigade. 700 00:41:24,912 --> 00:41:27,246 Found by rebels after he was shot, 701 00:41:27,248 --> 00:41:30,583 he's placed in a barn with other wounded troops. 702 00:41:33,121 --> 00:41:36,455 He receives no care for 48 hours. 703 00:41:36,457 --> 00:41:38,457 Once you've had a day like antietam, 704 00:41:38,459 --> 00:41:41,794 there's no going back to the country as it was before. 705 00:41:41,796 --> 00:41:47,533 Once you've had a day with over 23,000 casualties, 706 00:41:47,535 --> 00:41:49,835 the nation is fundamentally changed. 707 00:41:53,073 --> 00:41:54,674 Narrator: In the wake of the battle, 708 00:41:54,676 --> 00:41:56,475 Lincoln publishes one of the most 709 00:41:56,477 --> 00:42:00,612 extraordinary documents in American history. 710 00:42:00,614 --> 00:42:02,882 Frye: It emboldened Lincoln to do something 711 00:42:02,884 --> 00:42:06,352 the president had been wanting to do since July, 712 00:42:06,354 --> 00:42:09,354 which was to issue the preliminary 713 00:42:09,356 --> 00:42:11,624 emancipation proclamation. 714 00:42:11,626 --> 00:42:14,025 And so five days... 715 00:42:14,027 --> 00:42:16,428 Only five days after antietam, 716 00:42:16,430 --> 00:42:17,896 on September the 22nd, 717 00:42:17,898 --> 00:42:21,967 the president issues the proclamation. 718 00:42:21,969 --> 00:42:24,603 This is no longer going to be a war fought 719 00:42:24,605 --> 00:42:26,906 to restore the union as it once was. 720 00:42:26,908 --> 00:42:29,241 That union died at antietam. 721 00:42:29,243 --> 00:42:31,443 This was now a war that was going to be fought 722 00:42:31,445 --> 00:42:34,246 to preserve a new and better union, 723 00:42:34,248 --> 00:42:37,316 one without slavery. 724 00:42:37,318 --> 00:42:39,318 Narrator: Johnny Johnson wins the metal of honor 725 00:42:39,320 --> 00:42:43,589 for the courage he displayed in the fight for the cornfield. 726 00:42:43,591 --> 00:42:46,392 He survives the war. 727 00:42:46,394 --> 00:42:49,795 Found by union troops following the rebel retreat, 728 00:42:49,797 --> 00:42:53,599 Joshua Jones finally receives medical attention. 729 00:42:53,601 --> 00:42:55,401 After doctors amputate his leg, 730 00:42:55,403 --> 00:42:57,570 the wound becomes infected. 731 00:42:59,807 --> 00:43:02,341 He dies almost two weeks after the battle. 732 00:43:04,545 --> 00:43:06,345 Captain William gaston continues 733 00:43:06,347 --> 00:43:08,414 to serve with the confederate army. 734 00:43:10,885 --> 00:43:15,487 At war's end, he returns home to Anderson county, Texas. 735 00:43:15,489 --> 00:43:17,990 His brother, Robert, dies in the cornfield. 736 00:43:20,494 --> 00:43:23,596 His body is found on top of the regimental colors. 737 00:43:26,300 --> 00:43:28,234 He is one of the 3,600 men 738 00:43:28,236 --> 00:43:31,137 claimed by the battle of antietam. 739 00:43:31,187 --> 00:43:35,737 Repair and Synchronization by Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0 57034

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