Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A City Divided
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 5, 2009
1. A City Divided Marker
The Hagerstown Mail offices were located on the second floor of this building during the Civil War. Due to the newspaper's pro-Southern columns, the Mail's editor and co-owner, Daniel Dechert, was arrested in 1862 and sent to Old Capitol Prison in Washington DC, and held until he took the "Oath of Allegiance". Following the defeat of Federal Maryland troops by Maryland Confederates in the Battle of Front Royal, Virginia, Dechert's newspaper was sacked and burned by a Unionist mob.
John Wagoner's barber shop was located in this corner of Public Square during the Civil War. Wagoner, a free black, operated a popular establishment, catering mostly to white customers. In November 1861, the shop was looted by a mob of Union soldiers. Grocery stores and other businesses, owned by men whose sons joined the Confederacy, also were targets from time to time.
The Ransom of Hagerstown
On July 6, 1864, General John McCausland's Confederate cavalry demanded a ransom of $20,000 under penalty of destruction by fire. It was within this building that General McCausland first met City Councilman Matthew Barber to make his ransom demands.
Erected by Maryland Heritage Area.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
this page online
Location. 39° 38.533′ N, 77° 43.215′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of North Potomac Street (State Highway 65) and West Washington Street (U.S. 40), on the right when traveling south on North Potomac Street. Located on the Public Square in the center of Hagerstown. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 W Washington St, 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: Hagerstown Ransomed (a few steps from this marker); Hagerstown Commercial Core Historic District (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Hagerstown (within shouting distance of this marker); Gettysburg Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Treatment of the Wounded (within shouting distance of this marker); First Battle of Hagerstown (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Battle of Hagerstown (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ransom of Hagerstown (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Hagerstown (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 5, 2009
2. A City Divided Marker
More about this marker. In the upper right is a photo of the Public Square shortly after the Civil War looking westward along Washington Street. In the center right is a portrait of City Councilman Matthew Barber. At the lower left are two copies of the Hagerstown Mail mastheads.
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 5, 2009
3. Store Front off the Public Square
The marker indicates the Hagerstown Mail's offices were on the second floor.
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 5, 2009
4. National Register of Historic Places Plaque
Located on the Washington Street side of the building.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,812 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2024, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 14, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
