Clear Spring in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Stonewall Jackson at Dam 5

Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Stonewall Jackson at Dam 5 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, October 18, 2009

1. Stonewall Jackson at Dam 5 Marker

Inscription. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Maryland became a border between the Confederacy and the Union. The Confederacy knew that the canal and railroad were important Union supply lines. Stonewall Jackson’s Brigade made several attempts to destroy Dam 5 and cripple the canal. On December 7, 1861, Confederate artillery “commenced throwing shells and shot at the dam and houses on the Maryland shore.” Jackson’s troops then tried digging a ditch to undermine the dam; Union troops fended off the attempt. On December 17 Jackson attacked again, and again Union forces prevailed. After minor dam repairs, boat traffic resumed on the canal.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1775.

Location. 39° 36.419′ N, 77° 55.317′ W. Marker is in Clear Spring, Maryland, in Washington County. It is on Dam 5 Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clear Spring MD 21722, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region

and in Western Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies

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: Protecting Cultural Resources (here, next to this marker); Dam No. 5 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mule Power (approx. 1½ miles away); Four Locks (approx. 1½ miles away); a different marker also named Four Locks (approx. 1½ miles away); McCoy's Ferry (approx. 2.6 miles away); Lancelot Jacques (approx. 3 miles away); Clear Spring Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clear Spring.

Additional commentary.
1. From the Hagerstown Herald of Freedom and Torch Light, December 18, 1861:
“THE SKIRMISH AT DAM NO. 5. – It has been pretty certainly ascertained from persons on the Virginia side of the river that in the late skirmish at Dam No. 5, although there were but a few men firing from this side, the rebels suffered severely, sustaining a loss of five killed and nine wounded. They also left behind them a cannon and about seventy dollars worth of axes, shovels, picks, crowbars, and other implements with which they intended to destroy the dam, and which, with the exception of the cannon, were brought over the river on Monday by persons who ventured across for the purpose. About four hundred shot and shell were fired by the rebels, and it is now believed that the Dam has been so weakened

Looking from the "Stonewall Jackson at Dam 5 Marker" across the river to the West Virginia side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, October 18, 2009

2. Looking from the "Stonewall Jackson at Dam 5 Marker" across the river to the West Virginia side

by their depredations upon it as to be incapable, unless at once repaired, of withstanding any unusual rise in the river. A few dollars expended upon it now might obviate the necessity of spending a great many thousand next spring.
On Wednesday, Capt. RUSSELL, with is Cavalry crossed the river at the Dam, and scoured the county on the opposite side from that print to Williamsport, but did not meet any of the enemy’s marauders.”

— Submitted October 23, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.

Additional keywords. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Dam 5

Lockhouse for Locks #45 and #46 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, October 18, 2009

3. Lockhouse for Locks #45 and #46

The lockhouse at Dam 5 was built ca. 1839 and served both Locks #45 and #46. It is 1 ½ stories high, with a fully exposed stone basement, brick above and a brick chimney at each gable end. The front door faces toward the canal and Potomac River. It is the only standing Civil War building remaining on the grounds surrounding the Dam 5 site.

Entrance sign to Dam 5 site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, October 18, 2009

4. Entrance sign to Dam 5 site

NPS information panel at Dam 5 site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, October 18, 2009

5. NPS information panel at Dam 5 site

Close-up photo of the locktender's house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, October 18, 2009

6. Close-up photo of the locktender's house

View of the two interpretive markers at Dam 5 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, October 18, 2009

7. View of the two interpretive markers at Dam 5

View from the locktender's house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, October 18, 2009

8. View from the locktender's house

The locktender's house sits atop a rise above Lock #46 and overlooks Dam 5. Lock #46, the Potomac River, Dam 5, and the West Virginia side of the river can be seen in this photo.

Close-up view (from atop the footbridge) of Lock #46 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, October 18, 2009

9. Close-up view (from atop the footbridge) of Lock #46

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,949 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 28, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.