The Heart of the Civil War

Frederick

The city of Frederick witnessed a steady stream of Northern and Southern soldiers and full-blown military occupations from both armies from 1862-1864. In the last of these, CSA Gen. Jubal Early demanded (and received) a $200,000 ransom after threatening to torch the town. Some historians believe that Early's ire with Frederick stemmed from his experience during Lee's Invasion in the fall of 1862 in which the Confederates received a "cold reception" by loyal townspeople, including flag-waving heroines Barbara Fritchie, Mary Quantrill, and Nancy Crouse of nearby Middletown. Today Frederick warmly welcomes you to experience its 50-block historic district and a variety of shopping, dining, entertainment, and public art experiences. For a comprehensive listing of Frederick area special events, historic sites, restaurants and shops, visit the website of the Tourism Council of Frederick County at www.fredericktourism.org.

Union Mills

Explore the 1797 Union Mills Homestead and Grist Mill of the German-descended Shriver family and learn about the split loyalties and troop interaction among area residents. One set of Shrivers was strongly pro-Union, while relatives across the road preferred the South. As the Battle of Gettysburg loomed, Confederate cavalry units under J.E.B. Stuart, on their way north, stayed with the Southern-sympathizing Shrivers. Almost as soon as Stuart's men rode off the next morning, Union troops set up camp with the Shrivers across the road. Interestingly enough, the pro-Southern Shrivers were not slave owners, while the pro-Union family owned slaves. Open June 1-Sept 1, Tuesday-Friday 10 am-4 pm and weekends 12 noon-4 pm. Weekends only in May and September. For a listing of special weekend events planned from April-October, please visit www.unionmills.org. $

Westminster

Now a vibrant area full of restaurants and specialty shops, Downtown Westminster was where Union troops came in August 1862 and arrested a number of local men accused of being secessionist sympathizers. Just a few weeks later, days before the Battle of Antietam, the town was occupied by Rebels. While Unionists now kept low profiles, Southern sympathizers entertained officers connected with a scouting party of Virginia Cavalry. Less than 10 months later, Gen. George Meade made Westminster a major Union supply depot on July 1, 1863 - the opening day of the Battle of Gettysburg. An estimated 5,000 wagons, 30,000 mules, and 10,000 men were quartered in the town. A Confederate force visited Westminster again on July 9, 1864, when CSA cavalry under Marylander Harry Gilmor dashed into town and cut telegraph lines. Go to www.carrollcountytourism.org for more information on special events, museum sites, retail and dining opportunities.

Hagerstown

Divided loyalty, near riots, sackings, a newspaper office burning, and other incidents took place in Hagerstown as passions erupted before and during the war years. Even "Little Heiskell," Hagerstown's symbolic weathervane (in the shape of a Hessian soldier) atop City Hall, could not escape the violence of war; a Rebel sharpshooter used it for target practice, shooting it through the heart. Today the weathervane resides in the Jonathan Hager House and Museum in Hagerstown City Park. Caught inthe line of retreat, Hagerstown was the site of multiple skirmishes in the weeks following Gettysburg. Smallpox was a major problem during the war, with an outbreak spreading through the town. In 1864, Hagerstown avoided a Confederate torching by paying a $20,000 ransom. After a vibrant rebirth, Hagerstown boasts several historic buildings, thriving retail stores, fabulous restaurants, and a busy calendar of exciting downtown events. The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau provides valuable information on upcoming events, restaurant and shopping opportunities and historic/cultural attractions. Log onto the Visitor Bureau's website at www.marylandmemories.org for more info.

Interesting Domiciles

One of the precipitating factors of the Civil War was the legendary Dred Scott vs Sanford case heard by the US Supreme Court in 1857. Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney, who launched his legal career in Frederick Town in 1801, delivered the landmark decision on behalf of the Court. Taney's gravesite is in St. John's RC Cemetery in Downtown Frederick. The Roger Brooke Taney House interprets a property once owned by the former Chief Justice and includes the family's living quarters, a summer kitchen, and slave quarters. Learn more about this man, who also swore in seven U.S. Presidents. Operated by the Historical Society of Frederick County, this site is open from 10 am - 4 pm on Saturdays and 1-4 pm on Sundays between April and mid-December. www.hsfcinfo.org/taney/index.htm

At the Kennedy Farm House, see where John Brown stayed for three months in 1859 prior to his ill-fated attack on the US Arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Special tours of the house interior by appointment only: (202)537-8900 or www.johnbrown.org. Donation

Take a drive through southern Frederick County's Carrollton Manor area, on the Antietam Campaign scenic byway where land-owners saw the Confederate Army as a liberator, not an invader. The area looks much the same now as it did when Lee's troops marched through and camped here during the 1862 Antietam Campaign.