Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
1862 Antietam Campaign
Lee Invades Maryland
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. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1788.
Location. 39° 8.594′ N, 77° 33.01′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker is on Tutt Lane (Route 740) west of Victory Lane, on the left when traveling west. Tutt Lane extends west of James Monroe Highway (US 15) North of Leesburg, just north of the intersection of Business 15 and Bypass 15. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 41948 Tutt Ln, Leesburg VA 20176, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mile Hill (here, next to this marker); Goose Creek Chapel (approx. ¼ mile away); Morven Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Sharpsburg (Antietam) Campaign (approx. 0.8 miles away); A Serious Business (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Farmhand House (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Garden (approx. 1.1 miles away); Battle of Ball's Bluff (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesburg.
More about this marker. The marker is located on the grounds of Morven Park. 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 Campaign.
Also see . . .
1. Civil War Traveler Guide to the Antietam Campaign Trail. (Submitted on June 21, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. The Battle of Antietam on the Web. (Submitted on June 21, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Additional keywords. Maryland Civil War Trails
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,113 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.