The Battle of South Mountain, fought on September 14, 1862, is the site where Gen. Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North was stopped. It was also the first battle of the war fought in Maryland. A seventeen-stop driving tour leads visitors through the battle that was a prelude to Antietam. The free driving tour brochure, "Battle of South Mountain, " is available from the park address or at Gathland State Park. Also request a brochure of other Washington County Civil War sites called, "Maryland Civil War Crossroads." Gathland State Park has a museum with Civil War exhibits.