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While the Battle of Antietam was the most important conflict that took place in Maryland, it critical to avoid overlooking the battle that forced the Union and Confederate forces to meet at Antietam Creek on September 14, 1862 along the gaps of South Mountain. An extension of the Blue Ridge Range, South Mountain was a heavily wooded and rocky terrain that ran southwest from Pennsylvania down to the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry. To the east of the mountain was the town of Frederick, Maryland, less than 50 miles from Washington, D.C.<ref>John David Hoptak, ''The Battle of South Mountain'' (Charleston, S.C.: The History Press, 2011), 36.</ref>

His plan was sound and if executed properly had the ability to cut Lee’s army in half and keep them separated. He planned on sending General Jesse Reno’s 9th Corps, followed by General Joseph Hooker’s 1st Corps to the northern mountain gaps known as Turner’s and Fox’s. General Edwin Sumner was to follow the 9th and 1st Corps with his Center Wing. Concurrently, he ordered William Franklin’s 6th Corps to cross over Catoctin Mountain, proceed through the village of Burkittsville, and then drive through South Mountain at Crampton’s Gap. From there he was to continue south to trap Confederate General Lafayette McLaws from the rear atop Maryland Heights, overlooking Harpers Ferry. McClellan believed that if he were able to affect the release of Colonel Miles’ troops at Harpers Ferry, they in turn could either reinforce the 9th and 1st Corps or trap Longstreet and D.H. Hill at the Potomac River.<ref>Hoptak, 35.</ref>The strategy was excellen,t yet the delay in action gave Lee time to reposition his troops on South Mountain in order to extend the protection of Jackson in Harpers Ferry.

== Harpers Ferry and the Gaps ==