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

Battle of Funkstown

Keeping the Federals at bay

— Gettysburg Campaign —

Battle of Funkstown Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike McKeown, September 2, 2024

1. Battle of Funkstown Marker

Inscription.

Battle of Funkstown. Keeping the Federals at bay. , (preface) After Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's stunning victory at Chancellorsville in May 1863, he led the Army of Northern Virginia west to the Shenandoah Valley, then north through central Maryland and across the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania. Union Gen. George G. Meade, who replaced Gen. Joseph Hooker on June 28, led the Army of the Potomac in pursuit. The armies collided at Gettysburg on July 1, starting a battle that neither general planned to fight there. Three days later, the defeated Confederates retreated, crossing the Potomac River into Virginia on July 14., On Friday morning, July 10, 1863, the 34th Virginia Battalion's dismounted cavalry opened fire on approaching Federal cavalry from the stone barn and wall visible across the road to your left. The Confederate presence at Funkstown threatened any Union advance against Gen. Robert E. Lee's position near Williamsport and the Potomac River as he retreated to Virginia after the Battle of Gettysburg. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry, posted at Funkstown, posed a serious risk to the Federal right and rear if the Union army lunged west from Boonsboro. As Gen. John Buford's Federal cavalry division cautiously approached Funkstown via the National Road that morning, it encountered Stuart's crescent-shaped, three-mile-long battle line. The high ground here constituted Stuart's extreme right, held by Preston Chew's horse artillery, and the stone barn and barnyard wall across the road became a superb defensive position when Col. Thomas C. Devin's dismounted Union brigade attacked here about 8 A.M., By mid-afternoon, with Buford's cavalrymen low on ammunition and gaining little ground, Col. Lewis A. Grant's Vermont infantry brigade struck the Confederate center less than a mile away. The Vermonters dashed with Gen. George T. Anderson's brigade, the first time opposing infantry had fought since Gettysburg. By early evening, the Union army began withdrawing south towards Beaver Creek, where I, VI, and XI Corps had concentrated. Stuart had kept the Federals at bay for yet another day., (caption) Col. Lewis A. Grant . Gen. George T. Anderson Images courtesy www.generalssandbrevets.com

(preface) After Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's stunning victory at Chancellorsville in May 1863, he led the Army of Northern Virginia west to the Shenandoah Valley, then north through central Maryland and across the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania. Union Gen. George G. Meade, who replaced Gen. Joseph Hooker on June 28, led the Army of the Potomac in pursuit. The armies collided at Gettysburg on July 1, starting a battle that neither general planned to fight there. Three days later, the defeated Confederates retreated, crossing the Potomac River into Virginia on July 14.

On Friday morning, July 10, 1863, the 34th Virginia Battalion's dismounted cavalry opened fire on approaching Federal cavalry from the stone barn and wall visible across the road to your left. The Confederate presence at Funkstown threatened any Union advance against Gen. Robert E. Lee's position near Williamsport and the Potomac River as he retreated to Virginia after the Battle of Gettysburg. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry, posted at Funkstown, posed a serious risk to the Federal right and rear if the Union army lunged west from Boonsboro. As Gen. John Buford's Federal cavalry division cautiously approached Funkstown via the National Road that morning, it encountered Stuart's crescent-shaped, three-mile-long battle line. The

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high ground here constituted Stuart's extreme right, held by Preston Chew's horse artillery, and the stone barn and barnyard wall across the road became a superb defensive position when Col. Thomas C. Devin's dismounted Union brigade attacked here about 8 A.M.

By mid-afternoon, with Buford's cavalrymen low on ammunition and gaining little ground, Col. Lewis A. Grant's Vermont infantry brigade struck the Confederate center less than a mile away. The Vermonters dashed with Gen. George T. Anderson's brigade, the first time opposing infantry had fought since Gettysburg. By early evening, the Union army began withdrawing south towards Beaver Creek, where I, VI, and XI Corps had concentrated. Stuart had kept the Federals at bay for yet another day.

(caption) Col. Lewis A. Grant • Gen. George T. Anderson Images courtesy www.generalssandbrevets.com

Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.

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. A significant historical date for this entry is July 10, 1863.

Location. 39° 36.031′ N, 77° 42.184′ W. Marker is in Funkstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It is on Old National Pike (Alternate U.S. 40) 0.3 miles south

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 7, 2025

2. Battle of Funkstown Marker

This view is to the northwest. The Confederate line was at left, just out of the frame. The Federal line would be in frame to center right.

of Lagoon Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 132 Old National Pike Hagerstown MD 21740, Hagerstown MD 21740, 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 walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Battle of Funkstown (approx. 0.4 miles away); Claggett's Mill Bridge (approx. half a mile away); Claggett’s Millrace Bridge (approx. half a mile away); This Plot is Dedicated to Public Use (approx. 0.6 miles away); Keller Home (approx. 0.6 miles away); Baltimore Street (approx. 0.7 miles away); Civil War Hospital Site (approx. ¾ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Funkstown.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Battle of Funkstown (has been replaced with this marker).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old CWT Marker At This Location also titled "Battle of Funkstown".

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2024, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 640 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 2, 2024, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 27, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?