Oakland in Garrett County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Colonel Mulligan's Telegram
Photographed by Bradley Owen, September 12, 2024
1. Colonel Mulligan's Telegram Marker
In March 1863, Major-General Robert Schenk, Commander of the Middle Department, ordered the construction of Blockhouses to protect vital bridges and structures along the line of the B&O Railroad. This included blockhouse protection of the bridge over the Youghiogheny River west of Oakland. At the time of the Jones-Imboden Raid on April 26, 1863, there were only rifle pits for defense. Construction of the Blockhouse was begun after May 14th, 1863 according to a letter from General Schenk of Baltimore, Maryland.
On April 19, 1864, Colonel Mulligan, commanding officer in New Creek (Keyser), sent a telegram to the Commanding Officer of Co. "D" 2nd Maryland Infantry advising him to occupy the large blockhouse at the Youghiogheny Bridge 1 1/2 miles west of Oakland. The telegram also stated a detachment of Co. "F" of the 6th Virginia (West Virginia) Infantry Regiment will occupy the small blockhouse.
The mound in front of where you are standing was the location of the large blockhouse. The location of the small blockhouse is not known.
(Caption):
Reprint from the book titled, Guarding the Rivers, the Canal and the Railroad, by Jack Sanders.
Erected by The Town of Oakland, Maryland.
Topics and series. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 39° 25.219′ N, 79° 25.372′ W. Marker is in Oakland, Maryland, in Garrett County. It can be reached from West Liberty Street south of Liberty Square Drive, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located on the Fort Alice Trail and is accessible on foot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 West Liberty Street, Oakland MD 21550, 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: The Blockhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Little Youghiogheny River (within shouting distance of this marker); The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and Garrett County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Alice (approx. Ό mile away); Oakland, the B&O, and The Jones / Imboden Raid (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Tribute to Garrett County's Civil War Soldiers
Photographed by Bradley Owen, September 12, 2024
2. Colonel Mulligan's Telegram Marker
The site of the large blockhouse was located approximately in the center of the photo.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, September 12, 2024
3. The Mound and Site of the Blockhouse
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 217 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 14, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
