Western Maryland

Western Maryland. At the Crossroads of Conflict. , When Civil War divided the nation, Maryland found itself on the conflict's pivotal border between North and South. Today, you can trace history along Maryland's Civil War Trail driving tours. Learn about people just like yourself, caught in the crossroads of conflict, who became leaders, freedom fighters, and spies., Maryland's citizens experienced the harsh realities of war fought on their doorsteps. Men left for the battlefront and wounded soldiers recuperated in homes, barns, and churches. Massive armies left areas devoid of food and supplies, and communities became divided over secession and slavery., Three major military campaigns left a lingering impact. The bloody Antietam Campaign led to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. The Gettysburg Campaign culminated in another Union victory. Later, a Confederate army marched into Maryland, desperately attempting to capture the nation's capital, but the dramatic Battle of Monocacy delayed their advance.