Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hagerstonians in the Civil War
The Rebels MacGill
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 25, 2019
1. Hagerstonians in the Civil War Marker
On September 30, 1861, Union troops came to his home to arrest him “on the authority of the Secretary of State”. Believing it a violation of his Constitutional rights, he pushed two Federal soldiers down the first steps of his home and his daughter attacked the soldiers with a buggy whip. A scuffle ensued in which his son was wounded by a saber cut to the neck.
MacGill was sent as a political prisoner to Fort Warren in Boston. There he befriended Confederate Major (later Brigadier General) Hiram Granbury, and arranged to have Granbury's young cancer-stricken wife transported to Hagerstown. In July, 1863, he opened a hospital for sick and wounded Confederate soldiers that arrived in the Gettysburg Campaign. He left with the Confederate army and served in the Confederate Medical Corps through the end of the War.
Four of his sons also served in the Confederate army: William, James and Davidge served as privates in Company C, of the 1st Maryland Cavalry. His son Charles G.W. (1833-1907) was commissioned surgeon of the 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment (Stonewall Brigade). MacGill returned to Hagerstown after the War, but then moved to Richmond, Virginia
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, US Civil.
Location. 39° 38.463′ N, 77° 43.272′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on South Potomac Street (Maryland Route 65 Frontage Road), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 49 South Potomac Avenue, Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Hose Company (within shouting distance of this marker); 200 Years of the Arts and Humanities (within shouting distance of this marker); The Last Confederate Incursion North of the Potomac River (within shouting distance of this marker); Retreat from Gettysburg (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Our Journey Transports Us Through Time (about 400 feet away); Hagerstown Commercial Core Historic District (about 500 feet away); A City Divided (about 500 feet away); Hagerstown Ransomed (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 25, 2019
2. Hagerstonians in the Civil War Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 25, 2019
3. Surgeon Charles MacGill
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 25, 2019
4. Hiram Granbury
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 25, 2019
5. MacGill House
The MacGills lived just north of Antietam Street on South Potomac Street.Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 25, 2019
6. Charles G. W. MacGill
Internet Archive
7. James MacGill, later in life, wearing his veterans' organization uniform.
from Men of Mark in Virginia, 1906, by Lyon Gardiner Tyler. Private James MacGill of the 1st Maryland, Co. C, became Brigadier General James MacGill of the United Confederate Veterans.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 465 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 26, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on January 28, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 26, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
