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145th anniversary of the 'Battle that saved Washington'
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Photo of Civil War Washington on display at Monocacy
National Battlefield. (Photo by CW Brown)
If you enjoy exploring historic Civil War battlefields when costumed soldiers make history come alive, a historic anniversary weekend may be one to mark on your calendar.
National rangers and volunteers in replica Civil War battle gear will commemorate the 145th anniversary of the "Battle that saved Washington" at Monocacy National Battlefield, July 11 and 12, 2009.
Lt. General Jubal Early's Confederate soldiers were marching toward Washington when they met resistance July 9, 1864 just south of Frederick, Maryland. The city of Washington was just down the Georgetown Pike and poorly protected.
Union General Lew Wallace and his irregular soldiers did their best but they couldn't hold back the Confederates from crossing the bridges over the Monocacy River and ceizing the dusty road that led to the nation's capital. All they could do was delay them. But General Ullysess S. Grant needed that time to send reinforcements to the defenses around the under defended capital.
The Confederates won the battle, but lost valuable time that cost them the capital.
July 11 and 12 weekend events to commemorate the Battle of Monocacy at Monocacy National Battlefield will feature a living history encampment of Union and Confederate infantry. On both days children will have opportunities to join a camp to muster and drill with Civil War soldiers.
Gambrill Mill will be the site of firing demonstrations.
Signal Corps at Best Farm will demonstrate communication techniques that troops commonly used during the Civil War.
Rangers will provide discussions of battlefield events in three hikes that last approximately 2 hours each. The hikes will explore in-depth battle events at the Junction area, Worthington Farm and Thomas Farm.
For a full list of events with scheduled times, see the
program for the 145th Anniversary of the "Battle that Saved Washington."
5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, Md
Monocacy National Battlefield is located south of Francis Scott Key Mall, Frederick, Maryland, off Route 355.
Phone: 301-662-3515
Operating Hours & Seasons: The park is open from dawn to dusk. Visitor Center is open daily, 8:30 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free.
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