Near Keedysville in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
1862 Antietam Campaign
Lee Invades Maryland
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2013
1. 1862 Antietam Campaign Marker
Fresh from victory at the Second Battle of Manassas, Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Potomac River on September 4-6, 1862, to bring the Civil War to Northern soil and to recruit sympathetic Marylanders. Union Gen. George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac pursued Lee, who had detached Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s force to capture the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry. After the Federals pushed the remaining Confederates out of the South Mountain gaps, Lee awaited Jackson's return near Sharpsburg and Antietam Creek.
On September 17, at the Battle of Antietam, the two armies clashed in the bloodiest single day in American history and suffered some 23,000 casualties. Lee soon retreated across the Potomac, ending his first invasion of the north.
Follow in the footsteps of Gens. Lee and McClellan along Maryland Civil War Trail’s Antietam Campaign: Lee Invades Maryland, a 90 mile tour route that allows you to explore the stories of triumph and tragedy at more than 60 Civil War sites. Please travel carefully as you enjoy the beauty and history along the trail.
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1906.
Location.
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Baltimore Metro Region and in Western Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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 of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (here, next to this marker); Antietam National Battlefield (here, next to this marker); Explore Maryland Civil War Trails (a few steps from this marker); History or Memory? (a few steps from this marker); 4th and 12th U.S. Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA (within shouting distance of this marker); Third Indiana Cavalry (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel James H. Childs (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keedysville.
Other markers no longer nearby. Gettysburg Campaign (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Early's Washington Raid
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2013
2. 1862 Antietam Campaign Marker
More about this marker. The background of the marker contains a map showing the locations of Civil War Trails markers pertaining to the 1862 Antietam Campaign. Also present on the marker are portraits of the commanders of the opposing armies during the Battle of Antietam: Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and Union Gen. George B. McClellan. Sketches on the marker depict “Franklin’s Corps storming Crampton’s Gap on South Mountain” and “The Confederate army cross[ing] the Potomac River into Maryland.”
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2013
3. Marker on the Antietam Battlefield
The marker is located in front of the Newcomer House, seen in the background. The Antietam Campaign marker is the leftmost of the three shown here.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2013
4. Dunker Church
The Union attack was directed at the area around this church during the early phase of the Battle of Antietam.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2013
5. Bloody Lane
Intense fighting took place along this sunken road during the mid-morning phase of the battle. More than 2,000 Confederates used this lane as a fortification and held off repeated attacks by almost 10,000 Union troops before finally falling back.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2013
6. Burnside Bridge
The final phase of the battle involved this lower bridge over Antietam Creek. A small group of Georgians and other Confederates held off troops under Gen. Ambrose Burnside until late in the day.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 784 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 15, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
