Snow Hill in Worcester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Worcester County Courthouse
Staging Ground
In November 1861, a force of about 4,500 United States officers, soldiers, cavalrymen, and artillerists assembled in and around Snow Hill. Some of the troops camped here on the Worcester County Courthouse yard. Gen. Henry H. Lockwood commanded the expedition, which marched south through the Eastern Shore to Accomack and Northampton Counties in Virginia via the Pocomoke River as a show of Union strength on the Eastern Shore. Lockwood's orders were to reassure the civilian population, restore lighthouses to working order, and to disarm and disperse any Confederates that his command encountered.
When Lockwood began marching south on November 14, his force included a diverse collection of units, including detachments of the 4th and 14th Wisconsin Infantry, 2nd Indiana Infantry, 1st Michigan Infantry, 2nd Delaware Infantry, 1st Eastern Shore Maryland Home Guard, Capt. Ormand F. Nims's Boston Battery (six brass rifled field pieces), Capt. Thomas S. Richard's Company of Independent Cavalry (later Co. M. 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry), Col. William H. Purnell's Legion, and 500 of Duryée's Zouaves (Col. Abram Duryée's 5th New York Infantry). The expedition followed the Pocomoke River to Newtown (present day Pocomoke City) and then marched overland to Drummondtown in Virginia. Lockwood encountered small numbers of Confederate troops and rudimentary defenses at Newtown and also in Virginia at Temperanceville and Drummondtown. The Confederates fled, and many of them threw their weapons aside as they escaped. Lockwood, along with his family, occupied the Drummondtown house of Dr. Peter F. Brown, who had fled across the Chesapeake Bay. The expedition was considered successful and ended on November 22.
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 November 1861.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 10.602′ N, 75° 23.607′ W. Marker was in Snow Hill, Maryland, in Worcester County. Marker was on Market Street (Business U.S. 13) near Franklin Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Snow Hill MD 21863, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Worcester County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Snow Hill Town (a few steps from this marker); World War I Memorial (a few steps from this marker); World War II Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Vietnam War Memorial Marker (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean War Memorial Marker (within shouting distance of this marker); Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Western Auto Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Snow Hill.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 621 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on June 27, 2014, by Barry Spinak of Pocomoke City, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.