Burkittsville in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Confederate Forces
Munford’s Brigade and Mahone’s Brigade
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
1. Crampton’s Pass War Department Tablet C.P. 5 (Confederate Forces) Marker
Col. T. T. Munford, 2nd Virginia Cavalry, Commanding,
Munford’s Brigade,
2nd & 12th Virginia Cavalry.
Mahone’s Brigade,
Lt. Col. Wm A. Parham, 41st Virginia, Commanding.
6th, 12th, 16th, 41st, and 61st Virginia Infantry.
(September 14, 1862.)
Upon the approach of the Sixth Corps, Army of the Potomac, Munford’s Cavalry fell back through Jefferson and Burkittsville and prepared to dispute the passage of South Mountain. Mahone’s Brigade was marched over Crampton’s Pass from Pleasant Valley and put in position behind the stonewall and rail fences running north from this point. The Cavalry (dismounted) was disposed on either flank of Mahone's Infantry. Chew’s (Va.) Battery, and two guns of Grimes’ Portsmouth (Va.) Battery were placed about half way up the mountain and five guns of Manly’s (N. C.) Battery and Macon’s (Va.) Battery were placed in Brownsville Pass. About 3 P. M. Munford was attacked and for nearly three hours held position, then his line began to yield. As it retired up the mountain making several stands, it was reinforced by the 10th Georgia of Semmes’ Brigade and, when near the top,
this page online
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number C.P. 5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Antietam Campaign War Department Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 14, 1862.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 23.839′ N, 77° 38.128′ W. Marker was in Burkittsville, Maryland, in Frederick County. It was at the intersection of Gapland Road / West Main Street and Mountain Church Road, on the right when traveling west on Gapland Road / West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Burkittsville MD 21718, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Central Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
2. Crampton’s Pass War Department Tablet C.P. 5 (Confederate Forces) Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Arnold Farm (approx. ¼ mile away); “Sealed With Their Lives” (approx. 0.3 miles away); Chew’s Ashby Artillery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Burkittsville: Henry Burkitt’s Town (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cobbled Stagecoach Stop (approx. 0.4 miles away); Burkittsville (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Confusion of Battle (approx. half a mile away); Gath's Empty Tomb (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burkittsville.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Burkittsville (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. One of nine markers listed by the Antietam Battlefield Board as erected at Crampton’s Pass in the report dated 1898. Four are at the War Correspondence Memorial Arch, the remainder were placed between the Pass and Burkittsville to the east.(Source: George R. Large and Joe A. Swisher, “Battle of Antietam: The Official History by the Antietam Battlefield Board”)
Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Crampton's Gap.
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 5, 2007
3. Mahone's Brigade Lines
Near the present day Mountain Church Road ran a stone wall, part of the Arnold Farm. Mahone's Brigade deployed along the wall and defended here until forced back.
2. Historical Profile of the 12th Virginia, and Mahone's Brigade. 12th Virginia Reenactors website homepage (Submitted on August 11, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Additional commentary.
1. Gravity Hill (AKA Spooky Hill)
As a side note, right next to this marker, the road seemingly goes downhill but when your car is at the bottom of the "hill," and you place your transmission in neutral, your car rolls back up hill. The local story is that the Confederate military rolled their cannons up the hill and their ghosts are now pushing your car uphill. It is actually an optical illusion and nothing to do with gravity having an effect. Also the horror film, Blair Witch Project, was made nearby.
— Submitted August 10, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,400 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on June 20, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
