Worthington-McKinney Ford

The Worthington-McKinney Ford marker is on the right side of the trail.

The exact location of the ford cannot be plotted accurately as the river course has changed somewhat since the battle. Primary sources locate it near the mouth of Ballenger Creek, which has been diverted somewhat due to development on the west bank.

While the Monocacy is not a terribly deep course, nor very wide, from a military perspective just simply being able to cross a river is not enough. Military units require ground to stage prior to crossing, a wide enough trace to afford multi-file or two way traffic, and finally ground to reassemble the unit on the far side. Additionally, the crossing point should have some nearby terrain feature, such as a ridge or hill, to place artillery in order to suppress the enemy resistance to the crossing. Lastly, if possible, the crossing site should allow some degree of concealment from the enemy, lest the unit be attacked in mid-crossing. The commander's reports of the Monocacy Battle underscores these requirements as leaders struggled to locate proper military fords to bring their units into action.

Around this field, and several others on the banks of the Monocacy to the southwest of Worthington House, Confederates under Gen. John B. Gordon re-assembled after crossing the ford. In the background looms Brooks Hill, which concealed them from Federal artillery and observers.