Washington Township in Franklin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Battle of Monterey Pass

Confederate Reinforcements Arrive

By Larry Gertner, May 12, 2017

1. The Battle of Monterey Pass Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Confederate defenders of Captain George Emack’s company of the First Maryland Cavalry, supported by Captain Tanner’s artillery detachment, were deployed in this area. As the battle continued past midnight, reinforcements began to arrive. The 4th North Carolina Cavalry deployed near the tollgate, while other companies of the 1st Maryland Cavalry were en route from Waterloo (Rouzerville area).

Around 3:30 A.M., as the Union cavalry broke through the Confederate battle line, the Confederate provost guard ordered the remaining wagons coming from Fairfield Gap to halt, sparing them from capture. In addition, the 1st North Carolina Sharpshooters were deployed along the Maria Furnace Road. Supported by the 6th Virginia Cavalry, the sharpshooters began to advance on the Union position. Amidst the confusion, the 6th Virginia Cavalry retreated and refused to come up to Monterey Pass until daylight.

General Alfred Iverson’s North Carolina Brigade arrived at dawn, capturing several Union prisoners. General Kilpatrick deployed his remaining force down the mountainside into Maryland, leaving Monterey Pass in Confederate hands.

“I
By Larry Gertner, May 12, 2017

2. The Battle of Monterey Pass Marker
The marker is the left of two on the grounds of the Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum, across from the Rolando Woods Park.
could not tell what was before me in the dense darkness, whether friend or foe… Every other sound was drowned out by a roaring waterfall on my right; then emerging from its noise, I was carried at a fearful rate close by dismounted men who were firing from behind trees along the roadside , the flashes of their guns whose speedy gleams the darkness followed.”
C.S. Cannoneer Edward Moore, Rockbridge Artillery

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 39° 44.301′ N, 77° 28.772′ W. Marker is in Washington Township, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County. Marker is on Charmian Road east of Buchanan Trail East (Pennsylvania Route 16), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 34 Charmian Rd, Waynesboro PA 17268, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (a few steps from this marker); Brown's Spring (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Monterey Pass/Michigan Cavalry Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); The Retreat From Gettysburg (within shouting distance of this marker); A Midnight Battle Along The Mason-Dixon Line/Walking Tour

Insert - The Monterey Pass Tollhouse image. Click for full size.

By Larry Gertner, May 12, 2017

3. Insert - The Monterey Pass Tollhouse

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Underground Railroad (about 300 feet away); The Raid On Harpers Ferry (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington Township.

More about this marker. This and the adjacent marker continue and complete the story of the fighting in this area related on the "Billy Yank Trail" across the road.

The remodeled tollhouse. image. Click for full size.

By Larry Gertner, May 11, 2015

4. The remodeled tollhouse.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 266 times since then and 3 times this year. Last updated on June 9, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.