Araby View near Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ambush
Monocacy National Battlefield
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Shawn Oliver, April 2, 2015
1. Ambush Marker
On the morning of July 9, 1864, John T. Worthington sent his family to safety in the cellar. From an upstairs window he watched Confederate General McCausland lead his cavalry brigade of 1,400 men into an ambush. Concealed behind a fence and waist high corn, 1,400 Union troops awaited the dismounted cavalrymen. As the cavalrymen drew closer, the Union line opened fire. They decimated the Confederates, who quickly fell back. Later in the afternoon McCausland launched a second attack and took the Thomas House. The outflanked Union line fell back to the Georgetown Pike, launched a counterattack, and drove the Confederates once more back to Worthington Farm.
We remained under the terrific fire about one hour, in which time we lost one-third of the command killed and wounded.
Corporal Alexandria St. Clair, 16th Virginia Cavalry
(captions)
Brigadier General James B. Ricketts commanded the Union defense at the Thomas Farm.
Brigadier General John McCausland commanded the Confederate dismounted cavalry attacks.
The Worthingtons purchased this farm and settled here with their family in 1862.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed
this page online
Location. 39° 21.701′ N, 77° 24.099′ W. Marker is near Frederick, Maryland, in Frederick County. It is in Araby View. It can be reached from Baker Valley Road 0.6 miles south of Araby Church Road, on the right when traveling south. This Marker is located on the grounds of the Worthington House & Farm, Stop 3 on the Auto-Tour route. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Frederick MD 21704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Through a Child's Eyes (here, next to this marker); A Bold Plan (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Caught in the Crossfire (approx. 0.6 miles away); L'Hermitage (approx. 0.6 miles away); 1862 Antietam Campaign (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Lost Order (approx. 0.6 miles away); Final Attack (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frederick.
Other markers no longer nearby. McCauslands Attack (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Worthington House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Worthington-McKinney Ford (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Gordons Decisive Attack
Photographed by Shawn Oliver
2. Ambush Marker looking toward the parking area
More about this marker. This marker replaced an older marker at this location titled, "McCausland's Attack" (see nearby markers)
Also see . . . Monocacy National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on April 5, 2015.)
Photographed by Shawn Oliver, April 2, 2015
3. Worthington Farmhouse
Like many historic structures at Monocacy National Battlefield, the Worthington House has not had it's interior restored and is an outdoor exhibit only.
Photographed by Shawn Oliver, April 2, 2015
4. Confederate artillery
This cannon was part of a four-gun battery used by the Confederates during the battle of Monocacy. Out of those four guns, it is the only one remaining.
Photographed by Shawn Oliver, April 2, 2015
5. Nearby Trail Marker
Photographed by Shawn Oliver, April 2, 2015
6. View atop Brooks Hill
This overlook can be accessed by hiking the 1.9-mile Brooks Hill trail, one of two trails located at the Worthington Farm.
Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 20, 2025
7. Ambush Marker
Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 20, 2025
8. Ambush Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 812 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on October 26, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 4, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 7, 8. submitted on March 28, 2026, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
