Woodside in Silver Spring in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Silver Spring in the Civil War
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, January 28, 2006
1. Silver Spring in the Civil War Marker
Inscription.
Silver Spring in the Civil War. . On July 11-12, 1864, General Jubal Early's 20,000 Confederate troops marched down Georgia Avenue (formerly Seventh Street Turnpike), in their attack on Fort Stevens in the District of Columbia (1). Francis Preston Blair's vacant home (2) "Silver Spring" (currently the location of Acorn Park) was seized as headquarters for Early. Confederate soldiers swarmed over the area camping on the grounds of U.S. Postmaster General Montgomery Blair's summer home (3) "Falklands," and Mary Blair's summer home (4) the "Moorings," later named "Jesup Blair House" and still standing in Jesup Blair Park., The weary Confederates having just left a bloody battle at Monocacy two days prior, stopped to rest and regroup in Silver Spring, then called Sligo, thus allowing time for Union General Frank Wheaton's troops to arrive from Petersburg, Virginia. Explosions ripped the air. Remnants of the deadly conflict such as cannon balls and artillery shells have been found in the Woodside community, formerly the Wilson farms. Richard Wilson was sympathetic to the Southern Cause and his farm house (5) (which still stands) reportedly served as headquarters for Early's second in command, former U.S. Vice President John C. Breckenridge. His brother John remained loyal to the North. Ironically, Union soldiers damaged John Wilson's farm and killed John and Richard's father., In the aftermath of the struggle, "Falklands" lay in smoldering ruins. Bodies and debris lay scattered about the community; casualties numbered in the hundreds. Sligo Post Office served as a Confederate hospital. Proper interment of hastily buried Confederates took place later in the Cemetery at (6) Grace Episcopal Church under the direction of the pastor, James Avirett, former chaplain wth Ashby's Cavalry, C.S.A. A monument to honor these men was erected on the church grounds in 1896. To remember the Union effort, local citizens renamed the nearby (7) Leesboro after General Wheaton.
On July 11-12, 1864, General Jubal Early's 20,000 Confederate troops marched down Georgia Avenue (formerly Seventh Street Turnpike), in their attack on Fort Stevens in the District of Columbia (1). Francis Preston Blair's vacant home (2) "Silver Spring" (currently the location of Acorn Park) was seized as headquarters for Early. Confederate soldiers swarmed over the area camping on the grounds of U.S. Postmaster General Montgomery Blair's summer home (3) "Falklands," and Mary Blair's summer home (4) the "Moorings," later named "Jesup Blair House" and still standing in Jesup Blair Park.
The weary Confederates having just left a bloody battle at Monocacy two days prior, stopped to rest and regroup in Silver Spring, then called Sligo, thus allowing time for Union General Frank Wheaton's troops to arrive from Petersburg, Virginia. Explosions ripped the air. Remnants of the deadly conflict such as cannon balls and artillery shells have been found in the Woodside community, formerly the Wilson farms. Richard Wilson was sympathetic to the Southern Cause and his farm house (5) (which still stands) reportedly served as headquarters for Early's second in command, former U.S. Vice President John C. Breckenridge. His brother John remained loyal to the North. Ironically, Union soldiers damaged John Wilson's farm and killed John and Richard's
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father.
In the aftermath of the struggle, "Falklands" lay in smoldering ruins. Bodies and debris lay scattered about the community; casualties numbered in the hundreds. Sligo Post Office served as a Confederate hospital. Proper interment of hastily buried Confederates took place later in the Cemetery at (6) Grace Episcopal Church under the direction of the pastor, James Avirett, former chaplain wth Ashby's Cavalry, C.S.A. A monument to honor these men was erected on the church grounds in 1896. To remember the Union effort, local citizens renamed the nearby (7) Leesboro after General Wheaton.
Erected by Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1905.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 38° 59.969′ N, 77° 1.934′ W. Marker was in Silver Spring, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It was in Woodside. Marker was at the intersection of Georgia Avenue (Maryland Route 97) and Spring Street, on the left when traveling north on Georgia Avenue. Marker is at Woodside Urban Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 8800 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring MD 20910, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, January 28, 2006
2. 1865 War Department Map
This map is reproduced on the marker and is keyed to the text.
"To the memory of seventeen unknown Confederate dead, who fell in front of Washington, D.C. July 12, 1864. By their Comrades." This memorial is at Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery at Grace Church Road off Georgia Avenue near the intersection of 16th Street. The church can be seen in the background.
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, January 28, 2006
4. Grace Episcopal Church
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, January 28, 2006
5. Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, January 28, 2006
6. Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 6,046 times since then and 104 times this year. Last updated on November 5, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 31, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.