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

1862 Antietam Campaign

Lee Invades Maryland

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 9, 2007

1. 1862 Antietam Campaign Marker

Inscription. 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 Trails’ 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 drive 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

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. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 39° 24.836′ N, 77° 24.563′ W. Marker is in Frederick, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker is on East Patrick Street (State Highway 144), on the left when traveling west. Located on the west side wall of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 48 East Patrick Street, Frederick MD 21701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hospitals in Frederick (here, next to this marker); One Vast Hospital (a few steps from this marker); Frederick (within shouting distance of this marker); Market & Patrick Streets (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Diehl Memorial Fountain (about 400 feet away); A Crossroads of American History (about 400 feet away); Civil War Hospital Center (about 400 feet away); The Original C. Burr Artz Library (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frederick.

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.

National Museum of Civil War Medicine image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 9, 2007

2. National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Two Civil War Trails markers face the alley beside a Frederick informational map.

This marker is one of the standard set used to orient travelers to the Antietam Campaign.

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 25, 2009

3. 1862 Antietam Campaign Marker

Markers are located on the wall of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 25, 2009

4. 1862 Antietam Campaign Marker

Markers are located on the wall of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Old B & O Railroad Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 9, 2007

5. Old B & O Railroad Station

At the corner of Market and All Saints Street (roughly two blocks south of the Museum), the railroad ran through Frederick here during the Civil War. On October 4, 1862, Abraham Lincoln spoke to the citizens of Frederick from a rail car while returning from a visit to Antietam and a conference with General George B. McClellan.

The Confederate army crosses the Potomac River into Maryland image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 2, 2016

6. The Confederate army crosses the Potomac River into Maryland

Close-up of image on marker

Franklin's Corps storming Crampton's Gap on South Mountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 2, 2016

7. Franklin's Corps storming Crampton's Gap on South Mountain

Close-up of image on marker

Gen. Robert E. Lee / Gen. George B. McClellan image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 2, 2016

8. Gen. Robert E. Lee / Gen. George B. McClellan

Close-up of photos on marker

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 25, 2009

9. 1862 Antietam Campaign Marker

Markers are located on the wall of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 25, 2009

10. National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,647 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on September 18, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 5. submitted on October 6, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 18, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 9, 10. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.