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Photographer: Allen C. Browne
Taken: August 27, 2014
Caption: Gilmor's Raid
Burning of PW&B Trains at Magnolia Station & the Gunpowder River Bridge
Additional Description: Baltimore a House Divided

On July 6, 1864 the Washington Baltimore Campaign began when Confederate Cavalry crossed the Potomac River into Maryland. General Early was over-all commander of the Army of the Valley. The Battle of Monocacy took place on July 9, 1864. Just before the battle Gen. Early sent Bradley T. Johnson's cavalry brigade on a daring raid to cut of Baltimore and Washington from the north and then free prisoners at Point Lookout, Maryland.

After the Destruction (of the) North Central Railroad bridge in Cockysville, General Johnson divided his forces and sent Major Harry Gilmor with 135 troopers east to destroy the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad Line at Magnolia Station near Joppa and the Gunpowder River.

Gilmor arrived at 8:30 a.m. on July 11th at Magnolia Station, just in time to capture the stopped northbound morning train from Baltimore. The engineer saw him coming, disabled the controls, and fled. Unable to operate the train, Gilmor decided to burn it on the track at the Station.

The next train arrived one hour later without warning of Confederates. It fell into Gilmor's hands along with Major General William B. Franklin. After detraining all passengers, the train was set (on) fire and backed out onto the Gunpowder River Bridge. Guarding the bridge was the Gunboat Juniata and a detachment of men from Company F 159th Ohio National Guard & Delaware Volunteers.

As the burning train engulfed the bridge, the soldiers were forced to leap into the river. Two cars managed to be uncoupled and rolled to safety by federal soldiers. Finally the draw span went out ands several cars crashed down into the water.

Civil War Trails Marker inside the Mariner's Point Park Visitors' Center.
Submitted: August 28, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Database Locator Identification Number: p284008
File Size: 1.668 Megabytes

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