Near Myersville in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
1862 Antietam Campaign
Lee Invades Maryland
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 2, 2008
1. 1862 Antietam Campaign - Lee Invades Maryland Marker
Fresh from victory at the Second Battle of Manassas, Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Potomac River on September 4-6, 1862, to bring the Civil War to Northern soil and to recruit sympathetic Marylanders. Union Gen. George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac pursued Lee, who had detached Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s force to capture the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry. After the Federals pushed the remaining Confederates out of the South Mountain gaps, Lee awaited Jackson's return near Sharpsburg and Antietam Creek.
On September 17, at the battle of Antietam, the two armies clashed in the bloodiest single day in American history and suffered some 23,000 casualties. Lee soon retreated across the Potomac, ending his first invasion of the north.
Follow in the footsteps of Gens. Lee and McClellan along Maryland Civil War Trail’s Antietam Campaign: Lee Invades Maryland, a 90 mile tour route that allows you to explore the stories of triumph and tragedy at more than 60 Civil War sites. Please travel carefully as you enjoy the beauty and history along the trail.
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition,
this page online
Location. 39° 31.614′ N, 77° 36.252′ W. Marker is near Myersville, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker is on Interstate 70. The marker is located at the I-70 east rest area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Myersville MD 21773, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The National Road (here, next to this marker); Gettysburg Campaign (a few steps from this marker); The Battle of Antietam (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Camp David (about 500 feet away); Explore Maryland at the Crossroads of Conflict (about 500 feet away); Explore Maryland as the Crucible of the Nation (about 500 feet away); The Historic National Road (about 500 feet away); Underground Railroad (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Myersville.
More about this marker. The marker displays pictures of Gens. Lee and McClellan, newspaper drawing of Confederates crossing the Potomac, a drawing of Franklin’s Corps at Compton’s Gap, and a strategic map showing the trail stops.
Regarding 1862 Antietam Campaign. This marker is one of the standard set used to orient travelers to the Antietam
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck
2. National Road, Gettysburg, and Antietam markers
Also see . . . 1862 Antietam Campaign. Civil War Trails map PDF (Submitted on June 27, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Library of Congress
3. General Robert E. Lee
by Julian Vannerson.
Library of Congress
4. Gen'l Geo. B. McClellan
c. 1861
c. 1861
© M.B. Brady
Thomas Nast, Harper's Weekly, September 27, 1862 (via Internet Archive), September 27, 1862
5. The Rebel Army Crossing the Fords of the Potomac for the Invasion of Maryland
A. R. Waud, Harper's Weekly, Oct. 25, 1862 (via Internet Archive), October 25, 1862
6. Battle of South Mountain
Franklin's Corps Storming Grampton's Pass
Franklin's Corps Storming Grampton's Pass
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,002 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 2, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 3, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on October 25, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
