Near Middletown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
1862 Antietam Campaign
Lee Invades Maryland
Fresh from victory at the Second Battle of Manassas, Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Potomac River on September 4-6, 1862, to bring the Civil War to Northern soil and to recruit sympathetic Marylanders. Union Gen. George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac pursued Lee, who had detached Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's force to capture the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry. After the Federals pushed the remaining Confederates out of the South Mountain gaps, Lee awaited Jackson's return near Sharpsburg and Antietam Creek.
On September 17, at the battle of Antietam, the two armies clashed in the bloodiest single day in American history and suffered some 23,000 casualties. Lee soon retreated across the Potomac, ending his first invasion of the north.
Follow in the footsteps of Gens. Lee and McClellan along Maryland Civil War Trail's Antietam Campaign: Lee Invades Maryland, a 90 mile tour route that allows you to explore the stories of triumph and tragedy at more than 60 Civil War sites. Please travel carefully as you enjoy the beauty and history along the trail.
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition,
this page online
Location. 39° 29.065′ N, 77° 37.203′ W. Marker is near Middletown, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is at the intersection of Old National Pike (Alternate U.S. 40) and Washington Monument Road, on the right when traveling east on Old National Pike. Located in the parking lot for the Old South Mountain Inn. Very close to the Frederick and Washington County line. The Appalachian Trail passes a few feet from the marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2169 Old National Pike, Middletown MD 21769, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle at South Mountain (here, next to this marker); 19th Century Backpacker (here, next to this marker); John Collins (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 3 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 4 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 5 (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2020
2. Three Maryland Civil War Trails Markers in the Inn's Parking Lot
More about this marker. The marker displays pictures of Gens. Lee and McClellan, newspaper drawing of Confederates crossing the Potomac, a drawing of Franklin’s Corps at Compton’s Gap, and a strategic map showing the trail stops.
Regarding 1862 Antietam Campaign. This marker is one of the standard set used to orient travelers to the Antietam Campaign.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers related to the Battles of Fox and Turner's Gaps and South Mountain.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield Driving Tour. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on March 30, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Antietam Campaign Maps. Antietam on the Web entry (Submitted on July 2, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Additional keywords. Antietam Campaign
Julian Vannerson (photo courtesy of the Library of Congress), circa 1864
3. General Robert E. Lee
by Julian Vannerson
by Julian Vannerson
Matthew Brady (photo courtesy of the Library of Congress), circa 1861
4. General George B. McClellan
Harper's Weekly (via the Internet Archive), September 27, 1862
5. The Rebel Army Crossing the Fords of the Potomac for the Invasion of Maryland
by Th. Nast, Harper's Weekly, September 27, 1862.
Internet Archive
6. Battle of South Mountain
Franklin's Corps Storming Crampton's Pass
Franklin's Corps Storming Crampton's Pass
by A R Waud, Harper's Weekly, Oct 25, 1862.
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 24, 2009
7. Old South Mountain Inn
Markers are located in parking lot next to Old South Mountain Inn
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,416 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 12, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 17, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on April 19, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on August 9, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
