Westminster in Carroll County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gettysburg Campaign
Invasion & Retreat
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 17, 2021
1. Gettysburg Campaign Marker
Inscription.
Gettysburg Campaign. Invasion and Retreat. After stunning victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Virginia, early in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee carried the war through Maryland, across the Mason and Dixon Line and into Pennsylvania. His infantry marched north through the Shenandoah Valley and western Maryland as his cavalry, led by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, harassed Union supply lines to the east. Union Gen. Joseph Hooker, replaced on June 28 by Gen. George G. Meade, led the Army of the Potomac from the Washington defenses in pursuit. The Federals collided with Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 1, starting a battle neither side had intended to fight there. Three days later, the defeated Confederates began retreating through Maryland, retracing their steps to the Potomac River and crossing into Virginia on July 14., To follow in their footsteps and to discover their stories, stop by any Welcome Center or local Visitor Center to pick up a Gettysburg: Invasion and Retreat Civil War Trail map-guide. Please drive carefully as you enjoy the history and beauty of Maryland Civil War Trails., (captions) , (top) Gen. Robert E. Lee; Gen. George G. Meade , (bottom) Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and his staff approach Mercersburg - Ron Lesser, Artist
After stunning victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Virginia, early in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee carried the war through Maryland, across the Mason and Dixon Line and into Pennsylvania. His infantry marched north through the Shenandoah Valley and western Maryland as his cavalry, led by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, harassed Union supply lines to the east. Union Gen. Joseph Hooker, replaced on June 28 by Gen. George G. Meade, led the Army of the Potomac from the Washington defenses in pursuit. The Federals collided with Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 1, starting a battle neither side had intended to fight there. Three days later, the defeated Confederates began retreating through Maryland, retracing their steps to the Potomac River and crossing into Virginia on July 14.
To follow in their footsteps and to discover their stories, stop by any Welcome Center or local Visitor Center to pick up a Gettysburg: Invasion & Retreat Civil War Trail map-guide. Please drive carefully as you enjoy the history and beauty of Maryland Civil War Trails.
(captions)
(top) Gen. Robert E. Lee; Gen. George G. Meade
(bottom) Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and his staff approach Mercersburg - Ron Lesser, Artist
Erected by
Click or scan to see this page online
Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1863.
Location. 39° 34.185′ N, 76° 59.429′ W. Marker is in Westminster, Maryland, in Carroll County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street and North Court Street, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 East Main Street, Westminster MD 21157, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 695 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on December 17, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on July 28, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
