Near Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Federals Take a Stand
After skirmishing on July 8 with Confederates west of Frederick, MD, Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace’s 5,800 Union troops—many of them “raw and untried”—took a stand at the Monocacy River. Wallace carefully chose this critical intersection of the river, road, and railroad to prevent Jubal A. Early’s 15,000 to 16,000 Confederates from attacking Washington.
Wallace positioned Brig. Gen. James B. Ricketts’ veteran troops on the river’s south bank. He sent 300 skirmishers to the north bank and a strong contingent to protect the road to Baltimore—his retreat route.
“All the gateways of the Shenandoah Valley—its roads, passes, gaps—were standing wide open, with Washington exposed, its very nakedness inviting attack. I lost no time also in picketing and placing strong guards over the bridges, especially the wooden one.” —Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace.
Erected by Monocacy National Battlefield
National Parks Service.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 39° 22.248′ N, 77° 23.529′ W. Marker is near Frederick, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker is on Urbana Pike (State Highway 355), on the right Touch for map. Located at stop 2 of the Monocacy National Battlefield driving tour, near the 14th New Jersey Monument. Marker is in this post office area: Frederick MD 21704, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Commemoration (a few steps from this marker); 14th New Jersey Infantry Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); Nick of Time (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Slave to Soldier (about 400 feet away); Desperate Escape (approx. ¼ mile away); Burning the Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Burning of the Bridge (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been reported missing. ); L'Hermitage (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frederick.
More about this marker. On the left is a map showing the Federal movements on the battlefield. Next to it is a photograph of “The Monocacy Junction station” which “was located between the tracks where the main line continued west toward Harpers Ferry and the spur turned north to Frederick, Maryland” and is known today as Frederick Junction. On the right is a portrait of Gen. Wallace with a background rendition of a train loaded with soldiers. “Wallace and some of his troops raced by train from Baltimore
This marker was replaced by a new one named Commemoration (see nearby markers).
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Monocacy. National Parks Service site. (Submitted on October 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. General Lew Wallace. Gen. Wallace had a storied career. His Civil War service included a lack-luster performance on the first day of the Battle of Shiloh. But more important was his role as the “Savior of Washington” here at Monocacy. He served as the military judge for the trial of the Lincoln assassins and that of Henry Wirz, commandant of Andersonville Prison. Later he was appointed Governor of the Territory of New Mexico, helping to resolve the Lincoln County War. But he is most often recalled as the author of Ben-Hur. (Submitted on October 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. The 14th New Jersey Infantry Regiment. (Submitted on November 4, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
4. Monocacy Battlefield Markers. This marker is among several describing the battle of Monocacy, to "tour" the battlefield see the related markers. (Submitted on November 4, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
1. Federal Skirmish Line Detachments
The skirmishers sent forward were detachments from the 9th New York, 10th Vermont, 1st Maryland (Potomac Home Brigade), and 106th New York.
— Submitted November 3, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
Categories. • War, US Civil •
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on October 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,554 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on October 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 23, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. 3. submitted on October 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on November 3, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 6. submitted on November 3, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7, 8, 9. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 10. submitted on October 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 11. submitted on November 3, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 12, 13. submitted on November 4, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.