Near Shepherdstown in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 1

Boteler's Ford War Department Marker B. F. 1 Marker image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, July 28, 2007

1. Boteler's Ford War Department Marker B. F. 1 Marker

Inscription. This crossing of the Potomac was known as Boteler’s, Blackford’s or the Shepherdstown Ford. By it five Divisions of the Army of Northern Virginia, coming from Harpers Ferry, crossed into Maryland, September 16 and 17, 1862, and marched to the field of A.ntietam. Jackson’s and Ewell’s Divisions crossed the Ford on the morning of the 16th; McLaws’ and R. H. Anderson’s Divisions before sunrise on the 17th, and A. P. Hill’s Division about noon of the same day. During the night of the 18th, and early morning of the 19th, the entire army recrossed from Maryland covered by Artillery in position on the Virginia bluffs overlooking the river. (Marker Number B.F. 1.)

Marker series. This marker is included in the Antietam Campaign War Department Markers marker series.

Location. 39° 25.668′ N, 77° 46.728′ W. Marker is near Shepherdstown, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of River Road (County Route 17/1) and Trough Road (County Route 31/1), on the left when traveling west on River Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shepherdstown WV 25443, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Boteler’s Ford Tablet B. F. 3 (here, next to this marker); Pack Horse Ford

Markers at the Intersection of River and Trough Roads image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, July 28, 2007

2. Markers at the Intersection of River and Trough Roads

(here, next to this marker); Packhorse Ford (approx. 0.3 miles away in Maryland); In Honor of James Rumsey (approx. 1.1 miles away); Ferry Hill Place (approx. 1.1 miles away in Maryland); Blackford’s Ford (approx. 1.2 miles away in Maryland); Swearingen’s Ferry and Pack Horse Ford (approx. 1.2 miles away in Maryland); The James Rumsey Bridge / The Battle of Antietam or Sharpsburg (approx. 1.2 miles away in Maryland). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shepherdstown.

More about this marker. This is one of two remaining War Department Tablets placed at Boteler’s Ford. Three others have been removed from the site. The title of this tablet is based on secondary sources. Some also cite this tablet as "Blackford Ford No. 1."

Also see . . . Discussion of War Department Tablets and Markers. Specific to the Antietam battlefield, but explains the research, politics, and methods involved. (Submitted on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Categories. • War, US Civil •

Vicinity of Boteler's Ford image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, July 28, 2007

3. Vicinity of Boteler's Ford

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,084 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.