Araby View near Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Civilians Under Siege

Monocacy National Battlefield

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 2, 2014

1. Civilians Under Siege Marker

Inscription. On the morning of July 9, 1864, C. Keefer Thomas hosted two Union officers at his breakfast table, talking about the impeding battle. Later that morning as the battle drew near, the Thomas family, with several houseguests, neighbors, enslaved laborers, and dogs, entered the farmhouse cellar.Here they experienced "hours of suspense, anxiety, and at times, terror," as one guest later recalled. Caught in a tug-of-war, the house was bombarded by artillery and minie balls, suffering significant damage. As the Union troops retreated, the cellar occupants emerged to find the farm in shambles with hundreds of dead and wounded soldiers scattered about the farm.

Erected by Monocacy National Battlefield.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 9, 1864.

Location. 39° 21.425′ N, 77° 23.444′ W. Marker is near Frederick, Maryland, in Frederick County. It is in Araby View. It is on Baker Valley Road 0.3 miles south of Araby Church Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4486 Baker Valley Road, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Final Attack (here, next to this marker); A Bold Plan (here, next to this marker); 10th Vermont Monument

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); State of Pennsylvania Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Final Stand (approx. 0.3 miles away); Clustered Spires of Frederick (approx. half a mile away); History of the Monocacy River Valley (approx. half a mile away); The Battle That Saved Washington (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frederick.

Other markers no longer nearby. Federal Retreat (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Thomas Farm (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Thick of the Battle (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Gordon’s Decisive Attack (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This marker replaced an older marker at this location titled, "Thomas Farm" (see nearby markers)

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 2, 2014

2. Civilians Under Siege Marker

Major Peter Vandenburgh image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 2, 2014

3. Major Peter Vandenburgh

I rushed into the house...and found them in the cellar frightened to death. - Major Peter Vrendenburgh, 14th New Jersey Regiment, had befriended the Thomas family two years earlier when his regiment guarded the junction. Close-up of photo on marker

Thomas House, 1893. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 2, 2014

4. Thomas House, 1893.

Close-up shows battle damage in front porch column. Close-up of photo on marker

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 2, 2014

5. Thomas House, 1893

with 10th Vermont veteran Captain George E. Davis at left. Close-up of photo on marker

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 2, 2014

6. Neighbors

Cornelius, Richard, and Antoinette Gambrill (circled at left in this 1880's photograph) took refuge with the Thomases in the cellar during the battle. Close-up of photo on map

Araby - The Thomas Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 2, 2014

7. Araby - The Thomas Farm

C. Keefer Thomas purchased "Araby" in 1860 to escape the dangers of the war in Baltimore. Little did he know that four years later the severest fighting of the Battle of Monocacy would take place on his farm.Close-up of image on nearby "Bold Plan" marker

Trail Map<br>You Are Here image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 2, 2014

8. Trail Map
You Are Here

Close-up of map on nearby trail marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 20, 2025

9. Civilians Under Siege Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 945 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on October 26, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 4, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 9. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.