Snow Hill in Worcester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Worcester County Courthouse
Staging Ground
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 16, 2022
"I met one boy with a flint-lock rifle and a Confederate uniform. He acknowledged to have been in Confederate service, but that last night they all dispersed. I could see them running in every direction, hiding their arms."
—Capt. John H. Knight to Gen. Henry H. Lockwood, Nov. 16, 1861
In November 1861, Union Gen. Henry H. Lockwood led a strong force of about 4,500 army officers, infantrymen, cavalrymen, and artillerists to Snow Hill. His command included the 1st Eastern Shore Maryland Home Guard from nearby Dorchester County. Some of his men camped here in Worcester County Courthouse yard. Lockwood's command then marched south on November 14 through Eastern Shore to Accomack and Northampton Counties in Virginia in a show of Union strength. Lockwood distributed a proclamation that his troops would support the local civilian population, restore lighthouses to working order, and disarm and disperse any Confederates that his force encountered, to prevent them from invading Maryland from Virginia.
The expedition followed the Pocomoke River to Newtown (present-day Pocomoke City) and then marched overland into Virginia. Lockwood encountered a few Confederate pickets, small cannons, and rudimentary earthworks at Newtown, Temperanceville, and Drummondtown (present-day Accomac) in Virginia. Many of the Confederates fled before they could be captured, often throwing their weapons aside as they escaped. The expedition was considered successful and ended in Drummondtown on November 22. Lockwood's men constructed a telegraph line from Cape Charles near the southern end of the peninsula to Fort Monroe and he left a detail to guard it. Federal forces occupied the Delmarva peninsula for the duration of the war.
[Caption:]
Worcester county Courthouse, ca. 1861 — Worcester County Commissioners.
The courthouse, jail, and adjacent buildings were erected after a devastating fire at the center of the county seat in 1834.
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1861.
Location. 38° 10.604′ N, 75° 23.603′ W. Marker is in Snow Hill, Maryland, in Worcester County. Marker is on West Market Street (Business U.S. 113) just east of Franklin Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 W Market St, Snow Hill MD 21863, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 16, 2022
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 16, 2022
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.