Walk the hallowed ground and landscape where armed conflicts occurred. Imagine the chaos, the carnage, and the fierce bravery.

For more great things to see and do in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, please click on the logos below for each county’s visitor information website.

In the Heat of Battle

South Mountain

Stand where the first major battle on Northern soil took place, straddling the boundary between Frederick and Washington counties. After invading Maryland less than two weeks before, Gen. Lee divided his forces upon departing Frederick. The Army of the Potomac under Major General George McClellan reached Frederick on September 12 and pursued the Confederates in a westerly direction, primarily over the National Road through Braddock Heights and Middletown to South Mountain. On September 14, pitched battles were fought for possession of the South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's gaps. By dusk, Confederate defenders were driven back, suffering severe casualties. Among the dead were Union Gen. Jesse Reno and Confederate Gen. Samuel Garland, Jr. All three gaps are part of the seven-mile South Mountain State Battlefield, and are connected by the famed Appalachian Trail. South Mountain Battlefield is open daily 8AM-4PM and features special interpretive programs and demonstrations throughout the summer months. Within the larger Battlefield area, Gathland State Park (near the village of Burkittsville) encompasses Crampton's Gap and includes the War Correspondent's Memorial Arch. www.dnr.md.gov/publiclands/western/southmountain.html

Antietam

For nearly 100 years after its founding in 1763, the small village of Sharpsburg in Washington County enjoyed a serene and peaceful existence. But the events of September 17, 1862 would change the place forever as the surrounding fields played host to "the bloodiest single day battle" in American history. The legendary engagement produced an estimated 23,000-plus casualties, more American losses than in all of the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and Spanish-American War combined. Simple landmarks took on legendary status once the smoke of battle cleared, including the Cornfield, Dunker Church, the Sunken Road, and Burnside's Bridge. Although outnumbered two to one, Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia held off the Federals in what most historians consider an inconclusive outcome. Lee was forced to order his battered army to withdraw across the Potomac into the Shenandoah Valley. Open year round from 8:30 am-5 pm (6 pm in summer), Antietam National Battlefield's Visitor Center offers films, ranger programs, museum, a bookstore and driving tour maps. The roads of the park stay open until dusk. Visit www.nps.gov/anti for additional information.

Skirmishes

Interpretive markers tell of engagements between soldiers of both armies that occurred throughout the three-county area. Early in the war, Stonewall Jackson's troops met Union resistance at Hancock while trying to cripple the canal and railroad. Many other encounters preceded the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 with fighting around the northern Catoctin Mountain passes at Monterey and Blue Ridge Summit (PA). In Westminster on June 29, 1863, elements of the Union First Delaware Cavalry engaged the vanguard of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry division. Though thoroughly lacking in experience and vastly outnumbered, companies C and D of the Delaware Regiment, about 90 men in all, rode to meet the head of the rebel column of 5000 horsemen. The brisk little cavalry fight at the junction of Main Street and Washington Road became known as “Corbit’s Charge” after Capt. Charles Corbit (inset). Following the Battle of Gettysburg, the battered Rebel Army troops were the object of numerous cavalry attacks as they retreated through Washington County toward the Potomac and Shenandoah Valley. Combat activity was recorded at Smithsburg, Hagerstown, Funkstown, Boonsboro, and Williamsport.

Monocacy

Discover the new Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center and the home of "The Battle that Saved Washington." After marching north through the Shenandoah Valley from Lynchburg (VA), the Confederate army under Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early crossed the Potomac River at Shepherdstown into Maryland on July 5 and 6, 1864. On July 9, 1864, a makeshift Union force under Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace attempted to arrest Early's invading Confederate divisions along the Monocacy River, just east of Frederick. Wallace's Federal troops were outflanked by Rebel forces and defeated after a stiff resistance. Hearing of Early's incursion into Maryland, Gen. Grant sent troops northward from Petersburg (VA). Wallace's defeat at Monocacy bought time for these veteran troops to arrive to bolster the defenses of the Nation's Capital. Early's advance reached the outskirts of Washington on the afternoon of July 11 but could not overpower the additional Union forces that were added to the ranks that afternoon and evening. The Visitor Center interpretation includes several exhibits and ranger programs. Monocacy National Battlefield is open year round, 8:30 am-5 pm with park roads open until dusk. www.nps.gov/mono/