Newburg in Charles County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
John Wilkes Booth
Escape of an Assassin
— War on the Chesapeake Bay —
Photographed By F. Robby, November 10, 2009
1. John Wilkes Booth Marker
Divided loyalties and ironies tore at Marylander’s hearts throughout the Civil War: enslaved African-Americans and free United States Colored Troops; spies and smugglers; civilians imprisoned without trial to protect freedom; neighbors and families at odds in Maryland and faraway battlefields. From the Eastern Shore to the suburbs of Washington, eastern Maryland endured those strains of civil war in ways difficult to imagine today.
Those strains continued even after Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. John Wilkes Booth used the help of Southern Maryland’s Confederate underground during his flight from Washington, D.C. after shooting President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865.
Discover the story of Booth’s escape and other fascinating history for yourself as you drive through some of Maryland’s prettiest countryside and most charming small towns. Follow the sign of the bugle to learn about the war on the Chesapeake, visit the site of the war’s largest prison camp and follow Booth to his eventual capture south of the Potomac River.
Please drive carefully as you enjoy the history and beauty of Maryland’s Civil War Trails.
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed
this page online
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 22.145′ N, 76° 57.646′ W. Marker was in Newburg, Maryland, in Charles County. Marker could be reached from Crain Highway (U.S. 301) 0.7 miles south of Rock Point Road (Maryland Route 257). Marker is in front of the Maryland Visitor Center building, about 1/10 mile east of Crain Highway. The visitor center is also known as Crain Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 12480 Crain Hwy, Newburg MD 20664, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Potomac Diversion (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named John Wilkes Booth (here, next to this marker); Ways to Explore Southern Maryland’s Scenic and Historic Routes (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore your Cheaspeake (within shouting distance of this marker); Discover Southern Maryland’s Amazing Stories of Exploration, Hope, and Courage
Photographed By David Lassman, January 22, 2019
2. John Wilkes Booth Marker and other nearby markers.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.
Also see . . .
1. Booth's Escape Byway. Visit Maryland website entry (Submitted on January 17, 2019.)
2. Surratt House Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on January 17, 2019.)
3. St. Catharine. Maryland's National Register Properties:
St. Catharine is also known as the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House (Submitted on January 17, 2019.)
4. Surratt House. Maryland's National Register Properties:
(Submitted on January 17, 2019.)
Photographed By F. Robby, November 10, 2009
3. John Wilkes Booth Marker
The Maryland Visitor Center building in Newburg.
Photographed By Google Books, 1893
4. Surratt House
Illustration from the book "John Wilkes Booth: An Account of His Sojourn in Southern Maryland After the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, His Passage Across the Potomac, and His Death in Virginia" by Thomas A. Jones.
Photographed By Google Books, 1893
5. Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House
Illustration from the book "John Wilkes Booth: An Account of His Sojourn in Southern Maryland After the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, His Passage Across the Potomac, and His Death in Virginia" by Thomas A. Jones.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,981 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 15, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on January 25, 2019. 3. submitted on November 15, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on January 17, 2019, by David Lassman of Waldorf, Maryland.
