Hancock in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

Witness to War

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 12, 2022

1. St. Thomas Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription. On January 5, 1862, artillery shells screamed overhead from hills across the Potomac River behind you and crashed into an idyllic scene: this snow-covered town on a hilly riverbank. Up the street, Union troops took cover behind St. Thomas Episcopal Church, as well as behind Hancock Presbyterian Church down Main Street to your right. Confederate Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson had returned having already shelled the town the previous afternoon in retaliation for the earlier Federal shelling of Shepherdstown. Jackson had led his forces north out of Winchester to capture or drive Union garrisons from towns like Bath (Berkeley Springs) and Hancock, to destroy the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridges and depots, and cut telegraph wires. Having shelled Hancock for three hours on January 4, the next day he called on the Union commander there, Gen. Frederick R. Lander, to surrender. When Lander refused, Jackson opened fire again for an hour. He lacked the manpower necessary to defeat the Federals and take the town, however, especially after Union reinforcements arrived on January 6, so Jackson marched away, sparing Hancock further

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bombardments. Beginning after the September 1862 Battle of Antietam and continuing long after the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg St. Thomas Episcopal Church served as a hospital for wounded Union soldiers.

Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Religion & Religious Structures • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), and the Maryland Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is January 5, 1862.

Location. 39° 41.896′ N, 78° 10.675′ W. Marker is in Hancock, Maryland, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of North Church Street and Western Maryland Rail Trail, on the left when traveling south on North Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13 E Church St, Hancock MD 21750, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 12, 2022

2. St. Thomas Episcopal Church Marker

America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gettysburg Campaign (here, next to this marker); Hancock (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Hancock (within shouting distance of this marker); Hancock Station (within shouting distance of this marker); A panorama of the original Maryland-West Virginia river bridge / "The Light House" (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Thomas Church (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor and Remembrance (within shouting distance of this marker); These Bricks (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hancock.

Other markers no longer nearby. St. Thomas Episcopal Church (has been replaced with this marker); The National Road (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced

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the linked marker, which had a different inscription.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,099 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 12, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.