The Union utilized direct assaults in their approach to the Battle of Antietam.

Union commanders, particularly George McClellan, focused on launching coordinated attacks against Confederate positions, seeking to break Lee’s lines. Notable assaults included those at the Sunken Road and Burnside Bridge, where Union troops aimed to overwhelm the Confederate defenses. While these direct tactics aimed to gain ground, they often resulted in heavy casualties due to the formidable strength of the Confederate defenses. The battle illustrated the challenges of executing such strategies against an entrenched opponent in a highly lethal environment.