in early september of 1862, general robert e. lee's maryland campaign saw the first invasion of the north by the confederate army of northern virginia. lee's plan was to win over the citizens of maryland, a border state, to the confederate side. a victory in the north could also convince england and france to recognize the confederate states as a legitimate country. the maryland campaign had so far consisted of three battles: the battle of harpers ferry, the battle of south mountain and the bloody battle of antietam. the fourth battle was the battle of shepherdstown.