- Antietam Creek
Antietam Creek is a
tributary of thePotomac River located in south centralPennsylvania and westernMaryland in theUnited States , a region known asHagerstown Valley . The creek became famous as a focal point of theBattle of Antietam during theAmerican Civil War . The term "Antietam" is thought to be a derivative of a Native American phrase meaning "swift flowing stream."The creek is formed in
Franklin County, Pennsylvania at the confluence of the West and East Branches of Antietam Creek about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) south ofWaynesboro, Pennsylvania . The stream runs for about 0.5 mile (0.8 km) before enteringWashington County, Maryland . The total length of the creek is 41 miles (65 km).The watershed area is 93 square miles (241 km²) and includes parts of Franklin County, Pennsylvania and Washington County, Maryland. Major tributaries in Pennsylvania include the East Branch of Antietam Creek, the West Branch of Antietam Creek, Red Run and Falls Creek. Major tributaries in Maryland include Little Antietam Creek, Beaver Creek, and Marsh Run.
The creek is noted for numerous well preserved stone arch bridges dating to the
19th Century that still traverse the creek, the most famous of which is the 125 foot (38 meter) longBurnside's Bridge in theAntietam National Battlefield .Most of the watershed area is relatively rural in nature but the area surrounding
Hagerstown, Maryland , is threatened byurban sprawl . The area is also heavily cultivated and waste runoff from farms is a growing ecological concern.The creek was a major topographic feature during the Battle of Antietam (called the Battle of Sharpsburg in the American South) fought on
September 17 ,1862 , nearSharpsburg, Maryland . Burnside Bridge, which traverses the creek, became a major focus of combat as Union forces under GeneralAmbrose Burnside repeatedly tried to capture the bridge from Confederate forces guarding the crossing from a high bluff overlooking the creek. The day of the battle is known as "the day Antietam Creek ran red" due to the blood of thousands of Union casualties mixing with the creek waters.ee also
*
List of Maryland rivers
*List of Pennsylvania rivers External links
* [http://www.civilwarhome.com/antietam.htm Battle of Antietam]
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