The battle of Antietam, fought in and around Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 17, 1862, was the bloodiest day in American history, but the horrendous effect on area civilians is rarely discussed. Steven Cowie’s rectifies this oversight.By the time the battle ended, more than 23,000 men had been killed, wounded, or captured—a grim statistic that tells only part of the story. The epicenter of that deadly day was the small community of Sharpsburg. Families lived, worked, and worshipped there. It was their home. And the horrific fighting and its aftermath turned their lives upside down.Packed with photos, explanatory footnotes, and original maps, Cowie’s richly detailed study is a must-read for those seeking new information on the battle and a fresh perspective on those who suffered because of it. The impact on the local community was an American tragedy all its own, and it is told here completely for the first time.