South Mountain and Monocacy

[tlyne]

In October, I am going to be in the area of both of these battlefields. Can anyone give me some tips on visiting either one? Thanks in advance.

 

[Rebforever]

In October, I am going to be in the area of both of these battlefields. Can anyone give me some tips on visiting either one? Thanks in advance.

That would be a good trip. I would like to do that again. Take pics for us to see.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

With respect to Monocacy, which is one of my very favorite battlefields, the good news is that pretty much the entire main battlefield is preserved and within the park boundaries (although the portion of the battle fought along the National Road between Rodes' division and the National Guard troops is not). There are three lengthy walking trails that you can take. Time, weather, and conditions permitting, I highly recommend taking all three. One is along the Monocacy River itself, and it takes you to Wallace's headquarters location. Another, which begins and ends on the Araby (Thomas) farm, will show you much of the main fighting. Finally, the third--on the west side of I-270--begins and ends on the Worthington farm and takes you to river fords where McCausland's dismounted cavalry crossed to make its attack. If you take all three hikes, you will have seen the entire main battlefield, and you will have a very good understanding of what happened. Be sure to visit the Best farm, and be sure to visit the Monocacy Junction.

Begin by visiting the nifty new visitor's center, and take the time to watch the presentation on the fiber optic optic map. It will help you to understand both the terrain as well as the troop movements. And be sure to grab the pamphlets to take out on the trails with you.

Enjoy!

 

[tlyne]

Thanks, I always take many pictures. I am going to Antietam and Harpers Ferry, and I was wondering if you could do South Mountain and Monocacy in the same day.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

I was wondering if you could do South Mountain and Monocacy in the same day.

You could, but you wouldn't see much of either. You could easily spend a whole day at each.

 

[tlyne]

Thanks, I am assuming there is more to see at Monocacy. I may have to choose one, or the other.

 

[dlavin]

I'll have to respond from a computer and not my phone for more detail as I hate typing long messages on phone.

Monocacy- be careful when pulling into NJ Monument stop. Road will do a number on your car it's a steep and sharp turn. Visit the VC and go upstairs. It's got a good overview of the battle. Walk some of the trails at the stops. The museum of civil war medicine is In Frederick. It's a nice stop as well. Downtown Fredrick is a nice area in general for walking and food.


South Mountain - plan it out. It's really 3-4 stops. I've hiked from turners to fox gap and back via AT. Well worth it and not particularly difficult hike. It's about a mile between them. So if you park at turners at Old South Mintian inn it's about 2.25 miles rt. At fox gap take the tour to NC monument. If there on the weekend at cramp tons there may be museums open. North of turners is the wash monument which provides excellent views and is also where a small shack is with info on SM battle. It's a more difficult hike from turners to wash monument via the AT and about 3 miles rt from SM inn. If you are going in the fall you will be rewarded with great views.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Thanks, I am assuming there is more to see at Monocacy. I may have to choose one, or the other.

There definitely is. Only part of the South Mountain battlefield is preserved and in a park (part, in fact, is occupied by one of those federal government installations where they could tell you what they do, but then they'd have to kill you--they don't welcome visitors there), whereas the vast majority of the Monocacy battlefield is within the boundaries of a national park that is only spoiled by having an Interstate highway cut through it.

I do echo dlavin's comments about the view from South Mountain. It is quite spectacular. And the South Mountain Inn is indeed a very historic spot. In addition to its role in the September 1862 battle, it was also Meade's headquarters during the retreat from Gettysburg for a day or so as the Army of the Potomac began to concentrate in Maryland. The Dahlgren Chapel is across the road. Built by Admiral John Dahlgren's second wife and widow Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren, who was a Roman Catholic, it's a neat little private chapel that's worth a visit. It sits right on the September 1862 battlefield in the area where Colquitt's Confederates fought.

 

[Tom Elmore]

During the Gettysburg campaign, many soldiers commented on the fine stone aqueduct they observed while crossing the Monocacy. I wonder if it still stands. Here are a few pertinent comments:

- June 29 [1863] Left Buckeysville [Buckeystown?] at 6 a.m., crossed Monocacy on a stone bridge that was built 45 years ago [that would be 1818]. (Diary of Andrew H. Boyd, 108th New York)

- June 27, noon Forded Monocacy within sight of its junction with the Potomac, the water was waist deep, with the added danger of a strong current that took quite a number of the men off their feet, even threatening to sweep some into the Potomac. March continued during the afternoon for some miles along the right (west) bank of the Monocacy, then leaving the river the brigade moved through Buckeystown. (Memoir of Thomas H. Mann, 18th Massachusetts)

- June 27 Monocacy River about 200 feet wide, water waist deep, bivouacked for night near the Monocacy bridge three miles from Frederick City. (Ziba Graham, On to Gettysburg, 16th Michigan)

- June 27 Crossed the Monocacy by the aqueduct, marched up the towpath several miles, then crossed under the canal by means of a culvert. (Letters of Joseph Irwin, 29th Pennsylvania)

- June 25 Monocacy aqueduct is a fine piece of mason work. We passed directly under it. (Journal of Charles Mattocks, 17th Maine)

- June 25 Crossed the River Monocacy on the aqueduct, a stone one. It is the finest work I ever saw. (Diary of Jacob Thomas Zehrung, 73rd Ohio)

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

During the Gettysburg campaign, many soldiers commented on the fine stone aqueduct they observed while crossing the Monocacy. I wonder if it still stands. Here are a few pertinent comments:

- June 29 [1863] Left Buckeysville [Buckeystown?] at 6 a.m., crossed Monocacy on a stone bridge that was built 45 years ago [that would be 1818]. (Diary of Andrew H. Boyd, 108th New York)

- June 27, noon Forded Monocacy within sight of its junction with the Potomac, the water was waist deep, with the added danger of a strong current that took quite a number of the men off their feet, even threatening to sweep some into the Potomac. March continued during the afternoon for some miles along the right (west) bank of the Monocacy, then leaving the river the brigade moved through Buckeystown. (Memoir of Thomas H. Mann, 18th Massachusetts)

- June 27 Monocacy River about 200 feet wide, water waist deep, bivouacked for night near the Monocacy bridge three miles from Frederick City. (Ziba Graham, On to Gettysburg, 16th Michigan)

- June 27 Crossed the Monocacy by the aqueduct, marched up the towpath several miles, then crossed under the canal by means of a culvert. (Letters of Joseph Irwin, 29th Pennsylvania)

- June 25 Monocacy aqueduct is a fine piece of mason work. We passed directly under it. (Journal of Charles Mattocks, 17th Maine)

- June 25 Crossed the River Monocacy on the aqueduct, a stone one. It is the finest work I ever saw. (Diary of Jacob Thomas Zehrung, 73rd Ohio)

It definitely does, Tom.

https://www.nps.gov/choh/learn/historyculture/themonocacyaqueduct.htm

 

[Andrew]

You can find some tips about visiting South Mountain here:

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/tips-for-visiting-south-mt-battlefield.125148/