Middletown in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Christ Reformed Church
Just before the battle
| | Antietam Campaign 1862 | |
Eight thousand Confederates under Gen. Lafayette McLaws marched by this church on September 10-11, 1862, heading south to Harpers Ferry. Since no Federals were in the area, McLaws expected no encounters with the enemy. Unknown to him, Union Gen. George B. McClellan had obtained a copy of Gen. Robert E. Lee's Special Order 191 containing the Confederate plans. Soon McLaw's column was in danger.
Most of McClellan's Army of the Potomac marched west on the National Road (present day Alt. U.S. Rte. 40) on September 14, en route to the gaps of South Mountain. The steeple of the Reformed Church served as a Union observation station during the battle that followed.
"Walking stiff and sore to a beautiful Sunday morning [September 14], the first thought was breakfast. Some cattle were driven up and killed in the neighboring field, and we tried broiling dollops of steaming fresh beef upon our ramrods. Some of the men visited the houses in the town [Middletown] in search of eatables, but with little success. The irrepressible Walsh returned with a tea kettle and cabbage and set to work boiling the vegetable. While this waspassing, artillery fire commenced, and white puffs of smoke began to rise between us and the range of blue hills, called South Mountain.... Two o'clock in the afternoon came, and with it the order to 'fall in.' Walsh had not time to cook his cabbage, so he slung it, kettle and all, to his belt, in hopes of a chance to finish it."
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History of the Thirty-Fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers (1884)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails, and the The Historic National Road series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 10, 1862.
Location. 39° 26.547′ N, 77° 32.727′ W. Marker is in Middletown, Maryland, in Frederick County. It is on South Church Street south of Washington Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Middletown MD 21769, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stone Parsonage (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Middletown (about 400 feet away); Jefferson Street (about 400 feet away); Memorial Hall (about 500 feet away); 8 West Main Street (about 500 feet away); The Coblentz-Long Building (about 500 feet away); World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away); Clovinger House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Christ Reformed Church (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker. There are differences in the inscriptions.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 28, 2024
3. Christ Reformed Church
The congregation is a part of the contemporary United Church of Christ.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 28, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
