On the night of the battle, Lee assembled his key commanders outside his headquarters tent. Should they stay and fight or should they retreat? In the end, the hard choice was left to Lee - and he chose to face the enemy again the next day. When dawn came on the 18th, Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia would be in place and ready to receive another enemy attack.

Mercifully, the Federal Army of the Potomac was equally battered, and General McClellan chose to avoid further engagement. The two bloodied armies glowered at each other for most of the day, but the battle was not renewed. After sundown on the 18th, the Army of Northern Virginia withdrew from the field on Lee’s orders. His attempted invasion of the North had been turned back, and his army had been severely mauled. But despite the superior numbers arrayed against him, Lee’s legions had held their own - and they would fight again.