Monacacy Battlefield
On June 4, I was off work for the weekend and The Chateau was having their community party at the pool. So Jon and I headed down to get some free food. They had a DJ there playing games and having dance contests.
After filling up on the food and drink, Jon and I decided to drive up to Monocacy Battlefield. Its up towards Fredrick MD and it is actually a battle that they say the Confederacy "won." It is really interesting. It is near the railroad junction of the Baltimore-Ohio Railroad. One rail heads south to Washington and one heads east to Baltimore. This junction is very important to the Union because the railroad brought food and troops from the West. The Monocacy Junction is the most Southern section of the B&O Railroad. The troops were sent to protect the junction.
The Union notice Confederate troops advancing and sent word to both Baltimore and Washington to gather reinforcements. He gathered his volunteers and prepared to defend the junction. His troops set up on both sides of the Monocacy River and defended the bridge. The Confederate troops attacked the troops on the north side of the river. after many losses the Union decided to set the the bridge on fire to keep Confederates from crossing. Union troops left on that side had to retreat over the train trestle. Confederate troops set out to find another way across the river. The Confederate Calvary found a crossing down river and began attacking the left front of the Union troops.The Calvary alone could not break them and they retreated. Another regiment joined the Calvary and they set out with a three pronged attack against the Union's left flank. Unable to hold, the Union retreated towards Baltimore.
The fighting delayed the Confederate troops and they were tired and wounded from fighting and stopped to rest, giving time for the reinforcments to arrive in Baltimore and Washington. That is how a lost battle saved Washington.
After filling up on the food and drink, Jon and I decided to drive up to Monocacy Battlefield. Its up towards Fredrick MD and it is actually a battle that they say the Confederacy "won." It is really interesting. It is near the railroad junction of the Baltimore-Ohio Railroad. One rail heads south to Washington and one heads east to Baltimore. This junction is very important to the Union because the railroad brought food and troops from the West. The Monocacy Junction is the most Southern section of the B&O Railroad. The troops were sent to protect the junction.
The Union notice Confederate troops advancing and sent word to both Baltimore and Washington to gather reinforcements. He gathered his volunteers and prepared to defend the junction. His troops set up on both sides of the Monocacy River and defended the bridge. The Confederate troops attacked the troops on the north side of the river. after many losses the Union decided to set the the bridge on fire to keep Confederates from crossing. Union troops left on that side had to retreat over the train trestle. Confederate troops set out to find another way across the river. The Confederate Calvary found a crossing down river and began attacking the left front of the Union troops.The Calvary alone could not break them and they retreated. Another regiment joined the Calvary and they set out with a three pronged attack against the Union's left flank. Unable to hold, the Union retreated towards Baltimore.
The fighting delayed the Confederate troops and they were tired and wounded from fighting and stopped to rest, giving time for the reinforcments to arrive in Baltimore and Washington. That is how a lost battle saved Washington.
Pond near where the Federal Troops were stationed.
Gambrill Mill
Gambrill House- Now a National Park Service training facility
Gambrill Mill
Dilapidated Shed near the Mill
Cool log over the river
Monacacy Railroad Bridge
Best Farm - Confederate base
Tracks that needed protection
Still Best Farm
Deer at Best Farm
Monacacy Junction
Critter
Battlefield Memorial
Old Road along the river
Another deer
Worthington House
Worthington House, Hay Bail, and Jon
Me at Worthington House
Cannon at Worthington House
Worthington House was very interesting the outside was beautiful but the inside was broken and falling apart. The National Park service recently restored the exterior of the House but I saw no mention of restoring the interior.
Jon and I saw over 10 deer and wildlife. We hiked about 5 miles around the park.
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