Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Packhorse Ford

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008

1. Packhorse Ford Marker

Inscription. A day after the Battle of Antietam, Confederate General Robert E. Lee retreated to the safety of the West Virginia (then Virginia) bluffs across the river from here. This was the only good crossing on the river for many miles upstream or downstream. Some of Lee's artillery units were already in place on the bluffs. Pursued by 700 soldiers from the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, the Confederates reacted by opening fire. This was the Pennsylvania boys' first taste of battle; they soon discovered their new Enfield rifles were defective and useless. Pushed to the bluff's edge, some fell to their death, while others were killed or wounded trying to escape back across the river.

Only 431 Pennsylvania soldiers returned to the safety and cover of Maryland soil. Lee's troops then withdrew, ending the Maryland Campaign.

Erected by Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Park, National Park Service, U.S. Dept of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series list.

Location. 39° 25.887′ N, 77° 46.889′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker can be reached

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from Canal Road, on the right when traveling east. Located on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, to the east of lock number 38, near mile stone 72. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sharpsburg MD 21782, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 118th Pennsylvania Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away in West Virginia); Barnes' Brigade (approx. 0.2 miles away in West Virginia); Battle of Shepherdstown (approx. 0.2 miles away in West Virginia); Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association (approx. ¼ mile away in West Virginia); Battle of Boteler's Ford (approx. 0.3 miles away in West Virginia); Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 3 (approx. 0.3 miles away in West Virginia); Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 2 (approx. 0.3 miles away in West Virginia); Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 1 (approx. 0.3 miles away in West Virginia).

More about this marker. The lower half of the marker is a drawing of the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry preparing to cross the Potomac River at Packhorse Ford. From Harper's Weekly, October 11, 1862.

Marker along the Towpath image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008

2. Marker along the Towpath

Packhorse Ford image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008

3. Packhorse Ford

The line of rapids here is the old dam built to support Boteler's Mill, which stood on the West Virginia side of the Potomac. The river is still shallow enough, particularly during the summer months, to cross downstream of the dam.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,099 times since then and 62 times this year. Last updated on August 3, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 9, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.