John Wilkes Booth Marker

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Newburg in Charles County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

John Wilkes Booth
Escape of an Assassin
— War on the Chesapeake Bay —

John Wilkes Booth Marker Photo, Click for full size

By F. Robby, November 10, 2009

1. John Wilkes Booth Marker

Inscription. Divided loyalties and ironies tore at Marylander’s hearts throughout the Civil War: enslaved African-Americans and free United States Colored Troops; spies and smugglers; civilians imprisoned without trial to protect freedom; neighbors and families at odds in Maryland and faraway battlefields. From the Eastern Shore to the suburbs of Washington, eastern Maryland endured those strains of civil war in ways difficult to imagine today.

Those strains continued even after Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. John Wilkes Booth used the help of Southern Maryland’s Confederate underground during his flight from Washington, D.C. after shooting President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865.

(Inset, lower left): Discover the story of Booth’s escape and other fascinating history for yourself as you drive through some of Maryland’s prettiest countryside and most charming small towns. Follow the sign of the bugle to learn about the war on the Chesapeake, visit the site of the war’s largest prison camp and follow Booth to his eventual capture south of the Potomac River.
Please drive carefully as you enjoy the history and beauty of Maryland’s Civil War Trails.

Photo Captions: John Wilkes Booth • Mary E. Surratt • Dr. Samuel A. Mudd • Company of the 4th USCT, one

By F. Robby, November 10, 2009

2. John Wilkes Booth Marker

The Maryland Visitor Center building in Newburg.

of several infantry units formed in Maryland • Frederick Douglass • Harriet Tubman • Booth limps across the stage after shooting Lincoln.

Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.

Marker series. This marker is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails marker series.

Location. 38° 22.145′ N, 76° 57.646′ W. Marker is in Newburg, Maryland, in Charles County. Marker can be reached from Crain Highway (U.S. 301) 0.7 miles south of Rock Point Road (Maryland Route 257). Click for map. Marker is in front of the Maryland Visitor Center building, about 1/10 mile east of Crain Highway. The visitor center is also known as Crain Memorial Park. Marker is in this post office area: Newburg MD 20664, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Cliffton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wolleston Manor (approx. 0.6 miles away); 300 Year Old Southern Red Oak (approx. 0.8 miles away); “Cliffton” (approx. 1.2 miles away); Christ Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Crossing the Potomac (approx. 2.5 miles away); Civil War Action At Mathias Point (approx. 3.2 miles away in Virginia); Dents Meadow (approx. 3.4 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Newburg.

Robert Crain Marker Photo, Click for full size

By F. Robby, November 10, 2009

3. Robert Crain Marker

This memorial marker is next to the John Wilkes Booth marker. It reads: "In Memory of Robert Crain, 1865-1928. It was the wisdom and farsighted vision of Robert Crain, with his public spirit and progressive purpose, that resulted in the building of the first highway connecting southern Maryland to the rest of the state. With energy, enthusiasm, diplomacy, and conviction he persuaded Maryland's leaders of the feasibility of this project, and those who travel this road will be reminded of the invaluable service rendered by him."