Near Myersville in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
1862 Antietam Campaign
Lee Invades Maryland
Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 5, 2006
1. Lee Invades Maryland Marker
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 waited near Sharpsburg and Antietam Creek for Jackson’s return.
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 the 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 travel 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
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 31.476′ N, 77° 36.089′ W. Marker was near Myersville, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker was on the West Welcome Center and Rest Area (Interstate 70) near Exit 42 (Maryland Route 17), on the right when traveling west. The marker is located in the I-70 west bound rest stop. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Myersville MD 21773, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Explore Maryland at the Crossroads of Conflict (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore Maryland as the Crucible of the Nation (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp David (within shouting distance of this marker); The Historic National Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Underground Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Antietam
Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 5, 2006
2. Passel of Markers
This marker is left-most marker of the three in front of the Welcome Center.
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 is one of the standard set used to orient travelers to the Antietam Campaign.
Also see . . .
1. Markland Campaign 1862. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 21, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. 1862 Antietam Campaign. Civil War Trails map PDF (Submitted on June 27, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Library of Congress, October 9, 2011
3. General Robert E. Lee
by Julian Vannerson
Library of Congress
4. Gen'l Geo. B. McClellan
c. 1861
c. 1861
© M.B. Brady
Internet Archive
5. Battle of South Mountain
Franklin's Corps Storming Crampton's Pass
Franklin's Corps Storming Crampton's Pass
by A R Waud Harper's Weekly, Oct. 25, 1862.
Internet Archive
6. The Rebel Army Crossing the Fords of the Potomac for the Invasion of Maryland
by Th. Nast, Harper's Weekly, September 27, 1862.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,934 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on February 23, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on November 10, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on November 8, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 20, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on February 8, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
