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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Dickerson in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic) |
Monocacy Aqueduct
Too Tough To Crack
— Antietam Campaign 1862 —
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By Tom Fuchs, November 12, 2006 | |
| | | 1. Monocacy Aqueduct Marker | | |
Inscription. Confederate Gen. D. H. Hill’s division crossed the Potomac at Point of Rocks on September 4, 1862, and marched south to clear Union forces from the area. His men breached and drained the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal at several places, burned canal boats, and damaged the Spinks Ferry Lock (Lock 27) south of here. They also breached the Little Monocacy Culvert but did not have enough tools or spare gunpowder to damage the vital Monocacy Aqueduct.
On September 9, Confederate Gen. John G. Walker’s division spent several hours attempting to destroy the aqueduct, but were stymied by its “extreme solidity and massiveness.” They camped near Licksville the next day and set off for Point of Rocks in the evening, after being surprised by the advance of Union forces under Gen. Darius N. Couch. The Federals deployed artillery near here to defend the aqueduct and Cheeks Ford.
(sidebar) Spinks Ferry lockkeeper Thomas Walter had been employed by the canal company since 1839. When Hill's division arrived, he pleaded with Gen. D.H. Hill not to destroy the aqueduct or lock, arguing that the Confederates could more effectively disable the canal by breaching earthen banks rather than masonry structures. Witnesses reported Walter became so heated they feared his arrest. These actions likely saved the canal company thousands | | | | 
By Craig Swain, January 28, 2007 | |
| | | 2. Another View of the Marker | | |
of dollars, diverting destruction to more readily repairable areas. Walter was removed from his job for “collaborating with the enemy,” but a petition from Walter’s neighbors led to his reinstatement and recognition for protecting key canal structures.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails marker series.
Location. 39° 13.369′ N, 77° 27.063′ W. Marker is in Dickerson, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Mouth of Monocacy Road and Dickerson Road (Maryland Route 28). Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dickerson MD 20842, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Springing Over the Monocacy (about 800 feet away, in a direct line); Chesapeake and Ohio Aqueduct (approx. 1.3 miles away); Historic Site [ B&O RR station] (approx. 1.6 miles away); 1862 Antietam Campaign (approx. 1.6 miles away); Gettysburg Campaign (approx. 1.6 miles away); Washington's Farm (approx. 2.1 miles away); White’s Ford (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Dutchman’s (approx. 2.6 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Dickerson.
More about this marker. On the left side is a photo of Monocacy Aqueduct ca. 1892, photo by William Henry Jackson. Along side is a portrait of Gen. D.H. Hill.
In the sidebar is a portrait of Gen. John G. Walker as well as a photos of "Lockkeeper's House at Lock 27, C&O Canal, ca. 1934 and 'Wast Wier' at Lock 27, C&O Canal, April 1959.
On the right side is a map showing Confederate and Federal movements during the Antietam campaign.| | | | 
By Tom Fuchs, November 12, 2006 | |
| | | 3. Stop Gate and Marker | | The C&O Canal itself is out of frame to the left. The red limestone masonry structure on the left was a stop gate which was once connected to the canal. It was used to lower water levels after a hard rain or flood. | | |
Also see . . . The Monocacy Aqueduct. 2004 article in The Smithsonian Associates Civil War E-Mail Newsletter, Volume 5, Number 7. (Submitted on November 24, 2006.)
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By Tom Fuchs, November 12, 2006 | |
| | | 4. The Seven Arches of the Monocacy Aqueduct | | For size prespective, notice the two people in the green and red windbreakers walking on the aqueduct's towpath in the center of the photo. | | |
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By Tom Fuchs, November 12, 2006 | |
| | | 5. Monocacy Aqueduct | | Bicyclists are riding on the canal bed that was once filled with water. The towpath walked by the mules towing the boats is the broad edge on the right. | | |
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By Allen C. Browne, April 14, 2013 | |
| | 6. Monocacy Aqueduct
ca. 1892 | | Photo by William Henry Jackson | | |
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By Allen C. Browne, April 14, 2013 | |
| | | 7. Map -- Antietam Campaign, 1862 | | |
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By Allen C. Browne, April 14, 2013 | |
| | | 8. Map -- You Are Here | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on November 24, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,123 times since then. Last updated on August 26, 2010, by Sarah Hovde of Rocky Ridge, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on November 24, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 16, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 24, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 7, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
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