Maryland's Civil War

Antietam Battlefield
Hagerstown, Sharpsburg, more

Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam Visitor Center
5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg MD 21782
301-432-5124
 ROAD MAP 
    Intense fighting here in cornfields and woods, along creeks and roads, and around a tiny country church Sept. 17, 1862, resulted in the bloodiest day of the war. Federal losses were 12,410, Confederate casualties totaled 10,700. A driving tour takes visitors to key parts of the battlefield including the Dunker Church, the Mumma Farm, the Sunken Road and the Burnside Bridge. It covers the three phases of the battle from the initial Federal attacks early in the morning through the North Woods, into midday at the Roulette Farm, and then the final afternoon phase along Antietam Creek. A National Cemetery holds the remains of more than 4,500 Union soldiers. The visitor center offers ranger help and a film. Ask for information about South Mountain and Shepherdstown. Hours are 8:30 am–5 pm (open 8:30 am–7 pm May 28-Sept 25, 2010). Individuals $4, families $6. Click to book a guided tour.

More Maryland Civil War Sites

Pry House Field Hospital Museum
Located on the national battlefield just off Route 34 east of the main park
www.civilwarmed.org, 301-695-1864
    This building, used by the Union high command during the battle, now houses medical exhibits emphasizing the challenges faced on the Antietam battlefield. A recreation of a field hospital is located in one room. The museum is operated by the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick. Open daily 11 am–5 pm June–October and weekends May and November, 11 am–5 pm. $2 suggested donation.

Grove Farm
Trails sign located on Route 34 just west of Sharpsburg
Farm buildings here were a backdrop for a famous meeting between Union Gen. George McClellan and President Abraham Lincoln following the Battle of Antietam. Famous photographs reproduced on the sign here.

South Mountain Battlefield
Listed under Frederick Area.

Boonesborough Museum of History
113 E Main St, Boonsboro
301-432-6969
    Exhibits include Civil War material. Open Sunday 1–5 pm (May–September) or by appointment.

Kennedy Farm
In Samples Manor, 2406 Chestnut Grove Road, off Harpers Ferry Road (follow signs from Sharpsburg or Route 67)
202-537-8900
    John Brown rented this farm in July 1859 to train his men and stockpile arms and ammunition for his raid on Harpers Ferry. He and his "Provisional Army" struck in October. The farm is privately owned and is open by appointment for a fee. You can stand in front of the house and listen to several recorded messages played on the front porch. Civil War Trails sign.

First and Second Battles of Hagerstown
Trails signs in the Hagerstown public square near the visitor center
    The citizens of Hagerstown witnessed fighting in the streets twice following the Battle of Gettysburg. On July 6, 1863, while Lee was retreating to the Potomac River, Union cavalry tried to clear the town of Confederate defenders but were unsuccessful. Six days later, a second Union attempt, led by Gen. George A. Custer, succeeded in taking the town.

Rose Hill Cemetery (Washington Confederate Cemetery)
Route 65 at Memorial Blvd, south of downtown Hagerstown
    More than 2,000 Confederate soldiers who died during battles of Antietam and South Mountain are buried here. The remains were relocated here from the battlefields nearly a decade after the war ended. Only 346 graves are identified.