Antietam Creek facts for kids
Antietam Creek is a stream about 41.7 miles (67.1 km) long. It flows through parts of south-central Pennsylvania and western Maryland in the United States. A stream that flows into a larger river is called a tributary. Antietam Creek is a tributary of the Potomac River. This area is known as the Hagerstown Valley. The creek became very famous because of the Battle of Antietam during the American Civil War.
Contents
Where is Antietam Creek?
Antietam Creek starts in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. It forms where two smaller streams, the West and East Branches of Antietam Creek, join together. This is about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) south of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. The creek then flows for about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) before it enters Washington County, Maryland.
The creek flows south in a winding path. It eventually empties into the Potomac River south of Sharpsburg, Maryland. This meeting point is about 50 miles (80 km) upstream from Washington.
What is a Watershed?
The area of land that drains water into a river or stream is called a watershed. The Antietam Creek watershed covers about 290 square miles (750 km2). This includes parts of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and Washington County, Maryland.
Important smaller streams that flow into Antietam Creek are:
- In Pennsylvania: The East and West Branches, Red Run, and Falls Creek.
- In Maryland: Little Antietam Creek, Beaver Creek, and Marsh Run.
Several towns are located within this watershed. These include Waynesboro in Pennsylvania, and Boonsboro, Funkstown, Hagerstown, Mount Aetna, Sharpsburg, and Smithsburg in Maryland.
You might find that the name "Little Antietam Creek" is used for several different streams. For example, there's a Little Antietam Creek that flows into the main Antietam Creek near Keedysville, Maryland. Another one is found below Leitersburg, Maryland. The East and West Branches in Pennsylvania were also historically called Little Antietam Creek.
History of Antietam Creek
The name "Antietam" likely comes from an old Algonquian phrase. It means "swift-flowing stream." Over time, the creek has had many different names, like Andiedom, Crooked Brook, and Ondieta Creek.
Old Bridges
Antietam Creek is known for its many old stone arch bridges. These bridges were built in the 1800s and are still used today. The most famous one is Burnside's Bridge. It is 125 feet (38 m) long and is part of the Antietam National Battlefield.
The Battle of Antietam
The creek played a very important role in the Battle of Antietam. This major battle of the American Civil War happened on September 17, 1862. It took place near where the creek flows into the Potomac River.
Burnside's Bridge became a key part of the fighting. Union soldiers, led by General Ambrose Burnside, repeatedly tried to capture the bridge. Confederate soldiers were defending it from a high hill overlooking the creek.
The day of the battle is sometimes called "the day Antietam Creek ran red." This is because so many soldiers were hurt or killed, and their blood mixed with the creek waters. Both sides lost a large number of their troops. Even though General McClellan of the Union Army did not continue his attacks, the battle was a victory for the Union. This forced General Lee and his Confederate forces to leave Maryland.
See also
In Spanish: Antietam Creek para niños
