This unexpected Northern win gave Lincoln the credibility to issue the Emancipation Proclamation without making it look like a desperate measure.The Proclamation made it ethically impossible for Britain to aid the Confederates - a most significant outcome.The battle also spelt the end for McClellan.Although he had won the battle, he failed to pursue and destroy the Army of Northern Virginia, which the whole of Lincoln's cabinet thought he should have <span>done, and he was promptly replaced by Burnside.</span>
The distance between these two areas was somewhere around 3,000 miles.
This only makes their journey even more astonishing because they managed to walk across 3,000 miles while constantly being involved in battles. This is why it was said that his soldiers would be ready to march to the end of the world for him even though they stopped at one point.
Hope this helps! :)