Sumner and French at Antietam.

The article discusses the historical interpretation of the roles of U.S. Army of the Potomac brigadier general William H. French and U.S. Army major Edwin Vose Sumner at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, during the U.S. Civil War. It examines whether French made an error in commanding the Third Division of the Second Army Corps during the battle. It focuses upon the fight for the Confederate center, known as the Battle for the Sunken Road or Bloody Lane. The article also discusses the military movements of troops led by U.S. Army major general John Sedgwick during the battle and hearings concerning the battle conducted by the U.S. Joint Committee on the Conduct of War.