Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Second Battle of Hagerstown
Custer Captures the Town
— Gettysburg Campaign —
Six days had passed since the Federals had failed in their first attempt to seize Hagerstown as they pursued Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederate army retreating to Virginia after the Battle of Gettysburg. On Sunday morning, July 12, 1863, a decisive event occurred - the Union army determined to secure its northern flank. The mission to capture Hagerstown was assigned to Gen. George Armstrong Custer and his Michigan cavalry brigade.
Custer's Wolverines rode into town from the east, scattering and capturing stunned Confederates, seizing almost 100 prisoners, and setting free nearly 40 Federal soldiers, missing after the fighting of July 6. Local citizens sympathetic to the Union cause has been sheltering these men.
After the victorious Custer led his column through town, doffing his hat to handkerchief-waving ladies, XI Corps commander Gen. Oliver O. Howard climbed into a church steeple and for the first time viewed the extensive Confederate fortifications located west and south of town. Difficult days remained ahead.
"[Hagerstown was] a hornet's nest of sharpshooters armed with telescopic rifles, who could pick a man's ear off half a mile away. The bullets from their guns had a peculiar sound, something like the buzz of a bumble bee, and the troopers' horses would stop, prick up their ears and gaze in the direction whence the hum of those invisible messengers could be heard."
- Capt. James Kidd, Custer's Michigan Cavalry Brigade.
Tuesday, July 14: "Sunday (July 12) was a day of intense anxiety. The Yankees came and took possession of the town. The Rebels had all gone. Yesterday all the streets were crowded with horse and no one could go near the door as the street was used as a stable. ... It is reported that the Rebels have crossed the river but we know nothing. Oh this dreadful suspense. ... I fear we've seen the very last of the Rebels." Louise Kealhofer diary
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
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 July 12, 1739.
Location. 39° 38.565′ N, 77° 43.19′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on North Potomac Street (Maryland Route 65), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Battle of Hagerstown (here, next to this marker); Treatment of the Wounded (a few steps from this marker); Hagerstown (within shouting distance of this marker); Gettysburg Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Ransom of Hagerstown (within shouting distance of this marker); A City Divided (within shouting distance of this marker); Hagerstown Ransomed (within shouting distance of this marker); Hagerstown Commercial Core Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.
More about this marker. The marker includes photographs of Gen. George A. Custer and Gen. Oliver O. Howard.
Also see . . . Gettysburg 1863: Invasion and Retreat. Maryland Civil War Trails map PDF (Submitted on June 27, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,588 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 24, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 2. submitted on July 12, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on March 24, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.