Dickerson in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mount Ephraim Crossroads
Confederate Rearguard Holds
— Antietam Campaign 1862 —
Each side brought up artillery and reinforcements. Dismounted troopers of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry fired on the Federals from slope of the mountain. Cannon fired rumbled and echoed off Sugarloaf throughout the day as the fight continued. By evening neither side had budged.
Early on the morning of September 11, the Confederates slipped away after brief exchanges of gunfire, also abandoning a mountain-top signal station. The sharp fight at Sugarloaf Mountain proved to be a successful rear guard action for the Army of Northern Virginia as it marched northwest out of Frederick.
"There is some beautiful country here. I am particularly charmed with the country this side of Frederick ... I think if I owned one of the many fine farms I have passed, I could spend my days on it very happily." —William Hazelton, 8th Illinois Cavalry
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Farm To Inn
In 1862, Robert Johnson built a log house here, which is encased in the north end of the Comus Inn. The logs can be seen on the interior. In 1885 and later around 1900, the original cabin was enlarged, with, respectively, a wing to the south and a rear extension. The name Comus (Roman god of revelry) was not used until a post office was established here in 1930. In 1973, the building became a restaurant, fitting for its classical name.
Erected by 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 date for this entry is September 9, 1862.
Location. 39° 14.893′ N, 77° 20.999′ W. Marker is in Dickerson, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Old Hundred Road (Maryland Route 109) north of Comus Road, on the left when traveling north. Located in the rear of a parking lot for the Comus Inn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23900 Old Hundred Rd, Dickerson MD 20842, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 1862 Antietam Campaign (here, next to this marker); Comus Inn (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sugarloaf Mountain (approx. 2.3 miles away); Sugar Loaf Mountain (approx. 2.4 miles away); Barnesville (approx. 2˝ miles away); a different marker also named Barnesville (approx. 2˝ miles away); Women on the Homefront in Montgomery County (approx. 2.8 miles away); Hyattstown Mill (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dickerson.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Mt. Ephraim Crossroads"
Also see . . . History of the Eighth cavalry regiment, Illinois volunteers, during the great rebellion.
History of the 8th Illinois cavalry includes a section on the fight.(Submitted on December 4, 2023, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2023, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2023, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.