Final answer:
The Battle of Sharpsburg is also known as the Battle of Antietam, fought in September 1862 by the creek of the same name and resulting in the bloodiest single day of combat in American history with over 20,000 casualties. This pivotal battle led to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Battle of Antietam, fought on September 16-18, 1862, was a significant conflict during the American Civil War, marking the bloodiest single day in American military history.
The battle took place at Antietam Creek, near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland. Leading the Confederate forces was General Robert E. Lee, who faced off against Major General George B. McClellan of the Union Army. Although the battle was tactically inconclusive, resulting in a draw, it provided President Abraham Lincoln with the impetus to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which changed the character of the war and made it about the abolition of slavery. The battle saw combined casualties exceeding 22,000, horrifying the nation and setting the stage for the long and bloody conflict that would continue for several more years.