COMMUNITY
HISTORY , HIKING , FUN FOUND ALL SUMMER
AT MONOCACY BATTLEFIELD
The Battle of Monocacy , the only Confederate victory on Union soil , happened just outside of the City of Frederick , and the land upon which it was fought has been preserved as a national park , and is ready for visitors daily .
In the Summer of 1864 , Confederate Lt . Gen . Jubal Early launched a campaign down the Shenandoah Valley with a corps of about 15,000 troops . The campaign was a last attempt to carry the war into the north and to relieve some pressure from General Robert E . Lee in the south . Early ' s ultimate objective for the campaign was to march down the Valley , to swing to the east through Frederick , and to attack and capture Washington , D . C . from the north .
Though it was the only Confederate victory on Union soil , it was also a defeat . The time spent fighting the battle cost the Confederates a crucial day of marching and provided the Union time to send reinforcements to Washington , D . C . Gen . Early ’ s army returned to Virginia and the remainder of the war was fought on Southern soil . Because of Gen . Wallace ’ s valiant delaying action , the Battle of Monocacy became known as “ The Battle that Saved Washington , D . C .”
Ranger programming is available daily , and self-guided tours and hikes are always an option for visitors . But a variety of additional programming is available this summer at the battlefield , including :
July 9 and 10 Anniversary Celebration Join the park as it commemorates the
152nd anniversary of the Battle of Monocacy and the 25th anniversary of the park , with civilian and military living history encampments . There will be handson activities for children of all ages , battlerelated programming and infantry and artillery firing . Ranger talks are scheduled for 9:30 and 11:30 a . m ., and 2:30 p . m .; infantry demonstrations at 10 a . m ., 12:30 and 3 p . m .; and artillery demonstrations at 10:30 a . m ., 1 and 3:30 p . m .
July 16 – 17 Historic House Series : Worthington Farm The beautifully situated Worthington Farm became a staging area for the Confederate Army to attack the Union line during the Battle of Monocacy . Stand at the window where Glen Worthington watched the battle that inspired him to write “ Fighting For Time ,” which helped the battlefield become a national park . Rangers and volunteers will provide access to the house and information on the history of the home . Living historians will be on hand to demonstrate life in the 19th century . Open house from 11 a . m .– 4 p . m . 4235 Baker Valley Road .
July 23 Guided Canoe / Kayak Trip Frederick County Parks and Recreation is offering this first-of-its-kind canoe / kayak trip on the Monocacy River with a river guide and ranger . This float trip is uniquely designed to discuss strategic parts of the battle from a completely new perspective . The trip begins at Pine Cliff Park and ends at Buckeystown .
There is a fee associated with the float trip , please register through Frederick County Parks and Recreation .
August 20 – 21 Historic House Series : Thomas Farm The Thomas Farm saw the heaviest fighting during the Battle of Monocacy and the house sustained significant damage while the family took shelter in the basement . Rangers and volunteers will provide access to the house and information on the history of the home . Living historians will also be on-hand to demonstrate life in the 19th Century . 4460 Baker Valley Road , Frederick .
August 25 100th Birthday of the National Park Service Visit your national park and celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service . The first 100 visitors will receive a cupcake and can put their name in for a one-of-a-kind Centennial gift package . Ranger programs will focus on the history of the National Park Service .
14 FREDERICK COUNTY GUIDE | SUMMER 2016