Near Boonsboro in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Washington Monument
Signal Station
— Antietam Campaign 1862 —
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
1. Washington Monument Marker
During the Antietam Campaign, the U.S. Signal Corps used the stone structure as a signal station. On July 4, 1827, citizens of the town of Boonsboro paraded to the top of the mountain here and began building this first monument in the country completed in honor of George Washington. On September 14, 1862, as Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and his staff entered Boonsboro during the Battle of South Mountain, Lt. Col. E.P. Alexander observed “a small party of people on what seemed to be some sort of tower on the mountain top.” Thinking they were Union signalers, Alexander led a squad of eight men up to investigate, but found them to be only some local citizens trying to get a better view of the combat. Federal signalmen did use the monument afterward, however, and during the Battle of Antietam three days later.
The two armies revisited this valley in 1863 during the Confederate retreat after the Battle of Gettysburg. They sparred across Washington County, July 5-14, fighting at Boonsboro, Funkstown, and Hagerstown.
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Communications • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1878.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Washington Monument State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); 1732 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1749 / 1753-58 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1759 / 1758-74 (about 400 feet away); 1774 / 1775 (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Washington Monument (about 500 feet away); The First Completed Monument Dedicated to the Memory of George Washington (about 500 feet away); 1776 / 1777 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boonsboro.
More about this monument. The text of this marker is nearly the same as a similarly titled marker in Boonsboro.
The marker also displays a 19th Century picture of the monument.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
2. Washington Monument Marker Flanked by Interpretive Markers
Two markers describing the wildlife on the mountain are on the left. On the right a full panel marker details the park rules, history, and trail routes.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
3. The Washington Monument
Photographed By Ira Feller
4. Washington Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,922 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 28, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on January 26, 2022, by Ira Feller of West Milford, New Jersey. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
