Near Hancock in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gettysburg Campaign
Invasion & Retreat
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 12, 2020
1. Gettysburg Campaign Marker
Inscription.
Gettysburg Campaign. Invasion and Retreat. After stunning victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Virginia, early in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee carried the war through Maryland, across the Mason and Dixon Line and into Pennsylvania. His infantry marched north through the Shenandoah Valley and western Maryland as his cavalry, led by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, harassed Union supply lines to the east. Union Gen. Joseph Hooker, replaced on June 28 by Gen. George G. Meade, led the Army of the Potomac from the Washington defenses in pursuit. The Federals collided with Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 1, starting a battle neither side had intended to fight there. Three days later, the defeated Confederates began retreating through Maryland, retracing their steps to the Potomac River and crossing into Virginia on July 14. , To follow in their footsteps and to discover their stories, stop by any Welcome Center or local Visitor Center to pick up a Gettysburg: Invasion and Retreat Civil War Trail map-guide. Please drive carefully as you enjoy the history and beauty of Maryland Civil War Trails.
After stunning victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Virginia, early in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee carried the war through Maryland, across the Mason and Dixon Line and into Pennsylvania. His infantry marched north through the Shenandoah Valley and western Maryland as his cavalry, led by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, harassed Union supply lines to the east. Union Gen. Joseph Hooker, replaced on June 28 by Gen. George G. Meade, led the Army of the Potomac from the Washington defenses in pursuit. The Federals collided with Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 1, starting a battle neither side had intended to fight there. Three days later, the defeated Confederates began retreating through Maryland, retracing their steps to the Potomac River and crossing into Virginia on July 14.
To follow in their footsteps and to discover their stories, stop by any Welcome Center or local Visitor Center to pick up a Gettysburg: Invasion & Retreat Civil War Trail map-guide. Please drive carefully as you enjoy the history and beauty of Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1863.
Location. 39°
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43.118′ N, 78° 16.837′ W. Marker is near Hancock, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on the westbound Sideling Hill Visitors Center (Interstate 68 at milepost 75), 2.7 miles west of Exit 77 (Maryland Route 144), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hancock MD 21750, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. There is a duplicate of this marker at the eastbound rest area here on Sideling Hill.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 12, 2020
2. Gettysburg Campaign Marker
Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 13, 2006
3. Gettysburg Campaign Marker
This is a previous iteration of the marker. The text is identical although the photos are in different locations.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,648 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on November 26, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
