1862 Antietam Campaign

Lee Invades Maryland

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 28, 2007

1. 1862 Antietam Campaign Marker

Inscription. Fresh from the victory at the Second Battle of Manassas General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Potomac River on September 1-6, 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 Harper's Ferry. After the Federals pushed the remaining Confederates out of the South Mountain gaps, Lee awaited Jack 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

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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 Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1831.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 6.884′ N, 77° 33.979′ W. Marker was near Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. It was on Loudoun Street SW, on the right when traveling west. Located at the Loudoun County Museum. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 16 Loudoun Street, Leesburg VA 20175, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

Markers at the Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 28, 2007

2. Markers at the Museum

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Leesburg (here, next to this marker); Journey to Freedom Mural (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Leesburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Stanley Caulkins (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Stone Church Site (about 500 feet away); 7 Loudoun Street Southeast (about 500 feet away); Loudoun County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); In Memory of the Heroic Dead (about 700 feet away); Our Glorious Dead (about 700 feet away); The Tolbert Building (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Soldiers (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed).

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

The Rebel Army Crossing the Fords of the Potomac for the Invasion of Maryland image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

3. The Rebel Army Crossing the Fords of the Potomac for the Invasion of Maryland

by Th. Nast in Harper's Weekly, September 27, 1862.

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

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Lee Invades Maryland by markers.

Also see . . . Civil War Trails - Antietam Campaign. (Submitted on July 3, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Additional keywords. Civil War Trails

Battle of South Mountain - Franklin's Corps Storming Crampton's Pass image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

4. Battle of South Mountain - Franklin's Corps Storming Crampton's Pass

by A. R. Waud in Harper's Weekly, Oct. 25, 1862.

General Robert E. Lee image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

5. General Robert E. Lee

by Julian Vannerson

Gen'l Geo. B. McClellan image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

6. Gen'l Geo. B. McClellan

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,271 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 20, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on June 21, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.