Near Burkittsville in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
1862 Antietam Campaign
Lee Invades Maryland
By Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
1. 1862 Antietam Camapign - 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 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 Trail’s 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
By Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
2. Civil War Trails Markers at Gathland State Park
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list.
Location. 39° 24.354′ N, 77° 38.369′ W. Marker is near Burkittsville, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker is at the intersection of Gapland Road and Arnoldstown Road, on the right when traveling west on Gapland Road. On the grounds of Gathland State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Burkittsville MD 21718, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. George Alfred Townsend (here, next to this marker); Battle for Crampton’s Gap (here, next to this marker); War Correspondents Memorial Arch (a few steps from this marker); First New Jersey Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); War Correspondents (within shouting distance of this marker); Crampton’s Pass Tablet C.P. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws' Command (within shouting distance of this marker); Crampton’s Pass Tablet C.P. 3 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burkittsville.
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.
Related markers.
By Brandon Fletcher, June 24, 2009
3. 1862 Antietam Campaign Marker
Marker located at left
Also see . . . The Antietam Campaign. Civil War Traveler Guide to the Antietam Campaign Tour. (Submitted on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Library of Congress
4. General Robert E. Lee
by Julian Vannerson
Library of Congress
5. Gen'l Geo. B. McClellan
circa 1861 © M.B. Brady
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.
Internet Archive
7. 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, October 25, 1862.
By Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
8. Gath Hall
Gath Hall, the residence of George Alfred Townsend when he lived at Crampton's Gap, houses a museum with artifacts from the Antietam Campaign and the South Mountain battles, in addition to interpretive exhibits.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,904 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 9, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 4, 5. submitted on August 30, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on August 28, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8. submitted on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
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