On this day in 1862 two Union soldiers from the 27th Indiana find in a meadow outside of Frederick, Maryland Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s battle plans for the Maryland campaign. The orders were wrapped around 3 cigars. They immediately realized what they have in their hands and the orders- addressed to General D.H. Hill- Special Order #191 Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia- are passed up to General McClellan. McClellan after reading them says “Here is a paper with which if I can not whip Bobby Lee, I will be willing to go home”
McClellan as usual is to slow to act and the advantage of finding Robert E.Lee’s “Game Plan”is wasted. The Battle of Antietam would be start 4 days later. After 2 days of fighting the battle would end in a draw.
The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam is coming up this weekend. If I were not going to the Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant, West Virginia I would surely be there.
slicethelife 
One wonders how Antietam would have turned out had Special Order 191 not been discovered. Also, who was stupid enough to use it as a cigar wrapper?
It is amazing how careless people can be.