Maryland: More Civil War Sites

Western Maryland
Allegany County

Civil War in Allegany County
Trails sign at Canal Place off Mechanic Street in Town of Cumberland
    Thousands of Union troops were required throughout the war to protect this vital Northern transportation, supply and communications area in Western Maryland. Cumberland was an important stop on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the National Road, and it was the western terminal of the C&O Canal.

Cumberland
Trails sign at in Constitution Park in Town of Cumberland
    Union stronghold established here in June 1861 primarily to protect the western Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The town, strongly garrisoned during the war, became a supply and hospital base. Frequent Confederate raids were staged against the railroad in the area, the most spectacular on Feb. 21, 1865, resulting in the capture of two Union generals by Confederate partisan Jesse McNeill.

Battle of Folk's Mill
Trails sign at the Shriner's Hall off Alt. Route 40 at I-68 exit 46
    After burning Chambersburg, Penn., on July 31, 1864, Confederate cavalry Gen. John C. McCausland turned toward Cumberland. Union defenders turned the raiders back after a four-hour battle at this spot.

Brady's Crossing (Cresaptown)
Trails sign in park on Darrows Lane, off Route 220 in Cresaptown
    Confederate raiders passed through here Feb. 21, 1865, gathering intelligence about Federal troop dispositions in the Cumberland vicinity from local Confederate partisans. The Confederates managed to enter the town and capture two Union generals, creating much alarm in the North as the war wound down.

Clarysville General Hospital
Trails sign off Alt. Route 40 on Mt. Vale Road (Route 55)
    Located on the old National Road, this Union hospital was established in a large complex of buildings at the Clarysville Inn in March 1862. It served thousands of Union sick and wounded as well as some Confederates. The original inn burned in 1999.

Garrett County

Altamont
This was the scene of an April 26, 1863, Confederate raid on the B&O Railroad led by partisan John McNeill. The Confederates, led by Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones, succeeded in cutting telegraph wires and destroying switches here.

Oakland
Trails sign at the restored train station
    Surprised townfolks emerged from church services April 26, 1863, to find the town occupied by John McNeil's rangers during a larger incursion into Western Maryland. McNeil's men captured dozens of prisoners here and destroyed bridges and track on the B&O Railroad in the area.

Fort Alice
Trails sign on west side of Herrington Manor Road, northwest of downtown Oakland
    Confederate rangers under John McNeill captured and burned a small Union fort here then proceeded to burn the B&O Railroad bridge over the Savage River during the raid on April 26, 1863. Remains of the fort are accessible via a path parallel to the river.

Other Maryland Sites

Point Lookout State Park
At the end of Route 5 at the Chesapeake Bay
301-872-5688
    Originally a small resort community, this picturesque site became a Union hospital and then, beginning in early 1863, a prison holding captured Confederate soldiers. By June 1864 more than 20,000 prisoners crowded the camp. Terrible conditions led to the deaths of 3,384 men. Cemetery and monuments to the prisoner dead is located near the entrance to the multi-use park. The Point Lookout Civil War Museum/Marshland Center is open Memorial Day through the summer 9 am–5 pm weekdays (except closed Tuesdays) and weekends 10 am–6 pm. The museum is open weekends only other times. Park entrance fees charged.

Fort Washington Park
Suburban Washington DC
From Capital Beltway I-495 Exit 3A, use Fort Washington Road
301-763-4600
   This massive 1820s fortification was the only Washington DC Potomac River defense early in the war. Living history and monthly artillery demonstrations offered here. Open 9 am-5 pm April-September; until 4:30 pm rest of year. Grounds open 8 am-dark. $5 per vehicle.

Carroll County Visitor Center
210 E. Main St., Westminster
410-848-1388 or 800-272-1933
    Available here is a very good Civil War package including maps of the picturesque roads to Gettysburg followed by both sides in 1863, a walking tour of Westminster, and a new tour of 1863 cavalry action in town. Open Monday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm; Sunday and most holidays 10 am–2 pm.

Union Mills Homestead
Carroll County, north of Westminster on Route 97
410-848-2288
    Confederate J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry camped June 29, 1863, at this 1797 homestead and mill during its jaunt through the area prior to the battle of Gettysburg, June 29, 1863. Shortly after, the Union Fifth Corps camped in the surrounding fields. Open June 1-Sept 1 Tuesday-Friday 10 am-4 pm and weekends noon-4 pm. Weekends only in May and September. Admission free; fees for building tours.