Cresaptown in Allegany County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Brady's Crossing
Partisan Ranger Raid
October 7, 2007
1. Brady's Crossing Marker
Inscription.
Brady's Crossing. Partisan Ranger Raid. In the early morning darkness on February 21, 1865, Lt. Jesse McNeill and his 66 Partisan Rangers (Confederate guerrillas) descended Knobly Mountain and stopped briefly at the residence of Felix R. Seymour, a Southern sympathizer. They then forded the icy waters of the North Branch of the Potomac River and drew a halt at Samuel D. Brady’s house just north of here. Brady was a wealthy farmer, a large landowner, and, like Seymour, a Confederate supporter. His son, John, who had just arrived from Cumberland, reported to McNeill on Federal troop dispositions in the vicinity. George Staunton, a Southern sympathizer who worked as a watchman for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Brady’s Station, described the positions of Union cavalry in the area. After hearing the reports, McNeill decided to proceed to Cumberland on his railroad raid by way of the heavily guarded New Creek Road. In the town, McNeill captured Union Gen. George Crook as well as Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley, who commanded the troops protecting the vital railroad. The episode created an uproar, and the Federals soon arranged a special exchange of prisoners for the two generals.
In the early morning darkness on February 21, 1865, Lt. Jesse McNeill and his 66 Partisan Rangers (Confederate guerrillas) descended Knobly Mountain and stopped briefly at the residence of Felix R. Seymour, a Southern sympathizer. They then forded the icy waters of the North Branch of the Potomac River and drew a halt at Samuel D. Brady’s house just north of here. Brady was a wealthy farmer, a large landowner, and, like Seymour, a Confederate supporter. His son, John, who had just arrived from Cumberland, reported to McNeill on Federal troop dispositions in the vicinity. George Staunton, a Southern sympathizer who worked as a watchman for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Brady’s Station, described the positions of Union cavalry in the area. After hearing the reports, McNeill decided to proceed to Cumberland on his railroad raid by way of the heavily guarded New Creek Road. In the town, McNeill captured Union Gen. George Crook as well as Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley, who commanded the troops protecting the vital railroad. The episode created an uproar, and the Federals soon arranged a special exchange of prisoners for the two generals.
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil
Location. 39° 35.8′ N, 78° 49.522′ W. Marker is in Cresaptown, Maryland, in Allegany County. Marker is on Darrows Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cumberland MD 21502, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. On lower left is a photo of the Brady house. On the right is a photo of the Seymour house captioned, "The Seymour (above) and Brady (left) houses reflected the wealth of their owners. Brady's dwelling is believed to have been constructed about 1853 on land once owned by Joseph Cresap, founder
October 7, 2007
2. Brady's Crossing Marker
The North Branch of the Potomac River is between here and the distant Knobbly Mountain range.
of Cresaptown."
Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2008. This page has been viewed 2,387 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 11, 2008. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
