The Cornfield: Antietam's Bloody Turning Point

by David A. Welker

Antietam. For generations of Americans this word--the name of a bucolic stream in western Maryland--held the same sense of horror and carnage that the simple date 9/11 does for modern America. But Antietam eclipses even this modern tragedy as America's single bloodiest day, on which 22,000 men became casualties in a war to determine our nation's future.

Antietam is forever burned into the American psyche, a battle bathed in blood that served no military purpose, brought no decisive victory. This much Americans know. What they didn't know is why this is so--until now. The Cornfield: Antietam's Bloody Turning Point tells for the first time the full story of the exciting struggle to control "the Cornfield," the action on which the costly battle of Antietam turned, in a thorough yet readable narrative. It explains what happened in Antietam's Cornfield and why. Because Federal and Confederate forces repeatedly traded control of the spot, the fight for the Cornfield is a story of human struggle against fearful odds, of men seeking to do their duty, of simply trying to survive. Many of the included firsthand accounts have never been revealed to modern readers and never have they been assembled in such a comprehensive, readable form.

At the same time, The Cornfield offers fresh views of the battle as a whole, arguing that it turned on events in the Cornfield because of two central facts -- Union General George McClellan's linear thinking demanded that the Cornfield must be taken and, because of this, the repeated failure by the generals McClellan charged with fulfilling this task created a self-reinforcing cycle of disaster that doomed the Union's prospects for success--at the cost of thousands of lives.

The Cornfield offers new perspectives that may be controversial--particularly to those who accept unchallenged the views of the battle's first historians and its generals, who too often sought to shape our understanding for their own purposes--but which are certain to change modern understanding of how the battle of Antietam was fought and its role in American history.

Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War, American History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Military History

356 pages, Hardcover

Published February 20, 2020

Reviews

[Hans Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's an anecdote that a veteran of the Civil War, when asked where he had fought, would only ever have to answer "The Cornfield" for it to be known he had been amidst some of the most brutal, bloody fighting of the American Civil War.

Historian David Welker here undertakes a study of the infamous Cornfield: the hours of ruthless, bloody, terrible combat back and forth across David Miller's shattered and annihilated corn. In this study, Welker challenges the narrative of the Battle of Antietam that has stood for over 150 years: it was not the hesitation of Major General Ambrose Burnside (US) and his Ninth Corps that made Antietam a draw rather than a swelling Union victory: it was the repeated failure of George B. McClellan and his subordinates - namely Hooker and Sumner - to seize the initiative, to support existing Federal gains rather than dogmatically following McClellan's predetermined battle plan.

A compelling book that deserves to be read, forcing a reexamination of our preconceptions about the Battle of Antietam.

[Samuel Steffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cornfield: Antietam's Bloody Turning Point" by David A. Welker is a meticulously researched and engaging account of the Battle of Antietam's pivotal moment. Welker's narrative, enriched by firsthand soldier accounts and detailed tactical analysis, clarifies the complex and bloody fighting in Miller's Cornfield, highlighting its importance in the broader context of the battle.

[Christan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have visited the Antietam battlefield twice. The first time it was with my kids. The last time I was alone and in a reflective mood. It’s a beautiful, isolated location, seeped in a sense of time and tragedy. I can’t begin to imagine what it was like to be here on the morning of September 17, 1862. I mourn for the lives lost and honor the sacrifice. The book is an excellent blow by blow account of a crucial phase in the battle. It’s a solid companion to Sear’s, Landscape Turned Red.

[Neal G · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Cornfield" is unique in that it explains the complicated fight in Miller's cornfield that took place during the similarly complicated battle. I've been studying the Civil War almost all my life (MA in Military History; 10 years Manassas National Battlefield volunteer) and have read "Landscape Turned Red" probably 4 times but have never read anything before that covers "why" The Cornfield was so important to Lee and McClellan's respective tactical plans that some 88% of the entire battle's casualties were caused there.
Some reviewers commented that there are so many names/units mentioned that it became hard to follow, and I concur - to a degree. Names, to me, are important because to often we forget that these were *individuals* that took part in these events, not NATO icons moving over a two dimensional map representations of fields, woodlots, and, yes, cornfields. My only quibble is that the maps, like many Civil War books, are too few and were often placed out of context (this is in the Kindle version) within the narrative causing me to scroll backwards to try and follow what was taking place. And at least one map had unit designations that didn't match the text.
But taken as a whole, Mr. Welker has provided us an almost first-person, rather than bird's-eye, view of that terrible cornfield.

[Gregory Melahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Welker provides a vivid account of the Battle of Antietam, focusing on events in or around The Cornfield, a small piece of ground in the northern center of the battlefield. Most of the day's casualties occurred in The Cornfield so it's a good place to anchor the stories of that awful day.

I read Welker's history after reading Sears' "Landscape Turned Red" and it's just as good. Together they prepared me for my first visit to the battlefield. At least I thought I was prepared but nothing can really prepare you for what you feel when you look at the ground today and imagine the suffering of those tens of thousands of young men killed or wounded there in just a few hours

In addition to a thorough narrative of the units and commanders involved in the battle, Welker includes many first hand accounts of what the troops went through.

To illustrate the poignancy of these accounts, here is a letter from Private J.O. Smith of the 13th New Jersey written a few days after the battle ...

“A strong, sturdy-looking Reb was coming laboriously on with a Yank of no small proportions perched on his shoulders. Wonderingly I joined the group surrounding and accompanying them at every step, and then I learned why all this especial demonstration; why the Union soldiers cheered and again cheered this Confederate soldier, not because of the fact alone that he had brought into the hospital a sorely wounded Federal soldier, who must have died from hemorrhage had he been left on the field, but from the fact, that was palpable at a glance, that the Confederate too was wounded. He was totally blind; a Yankee bullet had passed directly across and destroyed both eyes, and the light for him had gone out forever. But on he marched, with his brother in misery perched on his sturdy shoulders. He would accept no assistance until his partner announced to him that they had reached their goal - the field hospital. It appears that they lay close together on the field, and after the roar of battle had been succeeded by that painfully intense silence that hangs over a hard-contested battlefield; where the issue is yet in doubt, and where a single rifle shot on the skirmish line falls on your ear like the crack of a thousand cannon. The groans of the wounded Yank reached the alert ears of his sightless Confederate neighbor, who called to him, asking him the nature and extent of his wounds. On learning the serious nature of them, he said: ‘Now, Yank, I can't see, or I'd get out of here mighty lively. Some darned Yank has shot away my eyes, but I feel as strong otherwise as ever. If you think you can get on my back and do the seeing, I will do the walking, and we'll sail into some hospital where we can both receive surgical treatment.’ This programme had been followed and with complete success. We assisted the Yank to alight from his Rebel war-horse, and you can rest assured that loud and imperative call was made for the surgeons to give not only the Yank, but his noble Confederate partner, immediate and careful attention.”

— J. O. Smith, 13th New Jersey. Roulette Farm Field Hospital.

[Bob Coté · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I must admit I really enjoyed this book. Unlike the unfavorable reviews, we all know how the story ends (spoiler alert). There is little “new”in any of the current scholarship. What sets this book apart is the concept of identifying the singular importance of the Cornfield as it relates to the place where the military leaders played out their plans over and over again. The book gave me a whole new insight into the battle and how it fits into the context of the war itself. Thank you Mr Welker.

[Francis X DuFour · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-researched and well written book explaining the importance of the cornfield battle at Antietam. The first objective of Gen McClellan’s battle plan, control of the objective swayed back and forth as additional troops were rushed into the battle. The author does a good job of describing the lack of leadership among Federal Corps’ commanders, and especially McClellan’s inflexibility and absence from the field of battle.

[Robert Colvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing personal stories of the terrible battle of Antietam, but a bit heavy on troop movements and SO MANY NAMES of the captains, corporals, etc. I think I preferred Stephen Sear's book, which covered the entire battle, but this was definitely a good companion book to that Civil War classic narrative. I did love the recognition of McClellan's complete botching of the battle and the details of how he tried to spin the information to his benefit. Lincoln saw right through it and sacked him.

[Phillip Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

a totally readable yet scholarly work

Having read a good number of Antietam histories, this work exceeded my expectations and I would recommend as the most useful to date.
Written in a forthright manner, the story of the Maryland campaign finds the cornfield and centers on that pivotal position to identify McClellan’s failure to lead the Army of the Potomac in a stunning victory.
Highly recommend.

[Doug · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am torn in my rating of this book because while it was certainly comprehensive and detailed, it falls short in its narrative and analysis. History majors learn the difference between a linear recitation of facts and a compelling narrative presentation. This is more the former than the latter. I appreciate the clear knowledge the author has about this critical part of the battle. But certain of his conclusions were overly-broad, heavy-handed, and not fully-supported by the evidence.

[Chris Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed, almost minute by minute account of the lethal struggle for the Union right/Confederate left during Antietam/Sharpsburg. A simple Maryland cornfield was the fulcrum of the battle that resulted in the single bloodiest day in American history. Despite the sacrifices and bravery on both sides, no strategic gains were achieved.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to it as an audio book. Unless you are well versed on the battle it becomes hard to follow in this format. Because it is focused on one part of the larger battle of Antietam it is really focused... down to the company level. I found it hard to follow listening to it, but I imagine it may have been easier if I had the pages in front of me...and maybe a map and timeline to reference.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives an in depth look into one singular place and event during one of the Civil War's most pivotal battles. You get to see how the Cornfield fit within the larger battle of Antietam, a close examination of the primary antagonists, and a very detailed view of every step of the battle as it happened at The Cornfield.

[Frederick W. Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed Account of Pivotal Part of Field

Interesting analysis of action at the cornfield and its role in WHAT WAS THE SINGLE BLOODIEST DAY of the Civil War. Good detail of personalities, tactics and outcomes.

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. An interesting look at the Battle of Antietam through the lens of one part of the field. I felt this was a solid battle history and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want a book that takes you through minutiae of the battle, this is for you.