Union and Confederate troops marched through the Shenandoah Valley of western Maryland anticipating conflict soon. General B. McClellan’s forces outnumbered Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia by 2 to1. But General Lee had the advantage of assertiveness and likely understood that McClellan would display a characteristic cautiousness.
Robert E. Lee Writes his Battle Plans
On September 9, General Robert E. Lee drew up orders for the approaching conflict. The plan, designated “Special Orders No. 191” described how Lee planned to distribute his forces among the heavily wooded and mountainous terrain. Lee, always willing to take a risk, knew that if the plan was to succeed, McClellan would maintain his slow, deliberate pace. But Lee was confident that McClellan would offer no surprises.
Lee’s plan revealed that he would divide his troops even though he was outnumbered and commit his entire force to battle. Copies of Order 191 were made by Lee’s adjutant for distribution to the generals involved. Stonewall Jackson made another copy for General D. H. Hill, whose troops were under the command of Jackson.
Special Orders No. 191 are Discovered by Union Troops
On the morning of September 13, two Union soldiers were having coffee, when one noticed an envelope on the ground. The envelope was addressed to General D.H. Hill and yielded three cigars wrapped in a sheet of paper. A copy of Order 191 had been discovered.
The orders were quickly turned over to General McClellan who reacted with enthusiasm, convinced that he could not lose now that he knew Lee’s battle plans. He telegraphed a message to President Lincoln and assured him that victory was certain. Every detail of Lee’s plans was now revealed to McClellan.
McClellan Fails to Take Advantage of the Orders
Yet McClellan continued to respond with characteristic deliberation, seeming oblivious to the need for speedy action in order to take advantage of the enormous advantage the Order 191 provided. Although McClellan changed tactics, he moved cautiously, as usual, still believing, as he usually did, that he was vastly outnumbered.
Whether or not Lee knew specifically that McClellan was in possession of Order 191 is not clear. Lee was given some information that McClellan seemed to have changed his tactics, but he still committed his forces to battle knowing that he was outnumbered. The loss of the orders never really made much difference in the outcome due to McClellan’s caution, sluggishness, and failure to commit a fourth of his troops to battle.
The Battle of Antietam Ends in a Draw
When the two armies clashed on September 16 near Sharpburg, Maryland separated initially by Antietam Creek, Order 191 was not significant in the outcome, although some historians believe that had McClellan acted on the information, he may well have crushed Lee’s army. As it was, Antietam ended with no clear winner. Total casualties on both sides exceeded 23,000 killed, wounded and missing. The armies disengaged the next day.
The Lost Order, as it has become known, gave General George McClellan an advantage few generals have had facing a major battle. But McClellan lacked the aggressiveness to quickly follow through with his advantage. General Robert E. Lee committed his outnumbered forces to the fierce battle of Antietam as planned. Heavy casualties resulted from the clash. How Special Order No.191 was lost is not clear.
Sources:
Sears, Stephen. Landscape Turned Red, Boston: Mariner Books, 1993.
"George Brinton McClellan." Shotgun's Home of the American Civil War. civilwarhome.com Accessed Jan 21 2010
--- "Robert Edward Lee." Accessed Jan 21 2010
Harvey Craft - I am a retired educator with diverse experience. I read anything science, education, and history. I write to share what I learn.
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