Chestertown in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Baltimore Regional Trail
A House Divided
— War on the Chesapeake Bay —
During the Civil War, Baltimore and its environs exemplified the divided loyalties of Maryland’s residents. The city had commercial ties to the South as well as the North, and its secessionist sympathies erupted in violence on April 19, 1861, when pro-Confederate mobs attacked Massachusetts troops en route to Washington, D.C. Because of Baltimore’s strategic importance, President Abraham Lincoln acted swiftly, stationing Federal troops in the city and jailing civilians suspected of disloyalty. Some area residents joined the Confederate army, but many others supported the Union. After the Emancipation Proclamation permitted African-American enlistment in 1863, U.S. Colored Troops regiments were recruited and trained in Baltimore and the vicinity. Naval vessels, such as USS Constellation, supported the Union war effort on the Chesapeake Bay and the high seas, countering the flow of contraband goods to the Confederacy. In 1864, during Confederate Gen. Jubal A. Early’s attack on the Washington defenses, Maj. Harry Gilmor’s cavalry threatened Baltimore, burned nearby bridges, and raided supplies. Throughout the war, the city served as a hospital and prisoner-of-war assembly center. Political prisoners were detained at Fort McHenry, home of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Despite the city’s divided loyalties, Baltimore remained a Union stronghold until the end of the war.
Please drive carefully as you enjoy the Baltimore Regional Civil War Trail and other Civil War Trail sites throughout Maryland.
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 April 19, 1861.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 12.631′ N, 76° 3.92′ W. Marker was in Chestertown, Maryland, in Kent County. Marker was on Cross Street, on the right. Marker is in the Visitor’s Center parking lot. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Chestertown MD 21620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. William Beck Nicholson (here, next to this marker); American Victory (here, next to this marker); War Along the Chesapeake (a few steps from this marker); Chestertown, First Population Center of the United States (within shouting distance of this marker); Chestertown Vol. Fire Co., Inc. (within shouting distance of this marker); George Vickers (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Chestertown Vol. Fire Co., Inc. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); History Tour of the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Co., Inc. (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chestertown.
Additional commentary.
1. What's this marker doing here, in Chestertown?
It's not clear why this marker is located here in Chestertown across the Chesapeake Bay from Baltimore. Perhaps to Chestertown's yachtsmen Chestertown is the gateway to Baltimore.
— Submitted January 22, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,332 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on January 10, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. Photos: 1. submitted on January 21, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on October 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on January 21, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on January 10, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 21, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.