Cumberland in Allegany County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Civil War in Allegany County
Strategic Location
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, September 16, 2019
1. Civil War in Allegany County Marker
Note#1: Viewing south towards marker.
During the Civil War, thousands of
United States soldiers were stationed
here in Cumberland and Allegany
County to guard against raids and
incursions by Confederate forces.
Located only about 130 miles from
the capital at Washington. D.C.,
and a short march from Winchester,
Virginia, and Romney, West Virginia,
at the lower end of the Shenandoah
Valley, this area was strategically important to both sides in the conflict. Here in Cumberland was the
western terminus of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal. The National Road,
a principal east-west thoroughfare, also ran through the area. Most significantly, Cumberland was a major stop on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, an artery used for the rapid transportation of Federal troops,
supplies, and equipment. The protection of this vital lifeline between Wheeling, West Virginia, and Washington was concentrated in Cumberland. Because of its importance to the Union war effort, the railroad
in Allegany County became a prime target for Confederate raiders. Allegany County also became home to a large United States military hospital complex, where thousands of
sick, injured, and wounded soldiers
By J. J. Prats, May 16, 2007
2. Civil War in Allegany County Marker
Please enjoy your Maryland Civil War Trails tour and drive carefully. We hope you learn a great deal about the important role our community played in the conduct and outcome of the Civil War.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and the Maryland Civil War Trails marker series.
Location. 39° 38.961′ N, 78° 45.807′ W. Marker is in Cumberland, Maryland, in Allegany County. Marker is on Canal Street south of Baltimore Street, on the left when traveling south. It it on the left edge of the Western Maryland Railway Station Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cumberland MD 21502, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gettysburg Campaign (here, next to this marker); Boat Building at the Cumberland Basin (a few steps from this marker); Life on the Canal (a few steps from this marker); The National Road (a few steps from this marker); Cumberland Terminus: Yesterday and Today (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cumberland.
Categories. • War, US Civil •
By J. J. Prats, May 16, 2007
3. Two Civil War Trails Markers
By J. J. Prats, May 16, 2007
4. Two Civil War Trail Markers
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, September 16, 2019
5. Landscape surrounding marker.
Note#1: Viewing south towards marker.
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, September 16, 2019
6. Mule and Handler Statue (foreground) and Western Maryland Train Station (background).
Note #1: Viewing east towards statue and structure.
Note #2: Marker is about 100 feet south of statue.
Note #2: Marker is about 100 feet south of statue.
More. Search the internet for Civil War in Allegany County.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2019. This page originally submitted on May 28, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,762 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 24, 2019. 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 28, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on September 24, 2019.
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