High Knob - Frederick, Maryland - Civil War Discovery Trail Sites on Waymarking.com

Marker Text:
The picturesque valley below is Middletown, the rendevous point for the Union forces pursuing Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia as it retreated in July of 1863 after the Battle of Gettysburg. To reach Middletown, part of Union Gen. George G. Meade's Army of the Potomac marched over High Knob, which is more than 1,500 feet above sea level.
The trek up and over this part of the Catoctin Mountains was very treacherous, as recent rain put many of the roads and narrow passes in poor condition. Union Gen. John Newton wrote that the march "would consume at least all day in getting here [Middletown]. This delay has been consequence of the extremely bad roads over the mountain." Lt Washington A. Roebling wrote, "Went over both gaps on the mountain. The roads were frightful"
Union Gen. Oliver O. Howard also described the march. "The head of the column left camp at 3:30 A.M. July 7, and about 8 P.M. the head of the coumn reached Middletown, Md. Owing to the difficulty in crossing the mountains, and the fact that the artillery horses were nearly broken down by previous fatigue, only one division (General Schurz's) succeeded in reaching Middletown; the First and Second Divisions and artillery remained near High Knob...The Road over the mountain near High Knob was steep, narrow, and very rocky, so it was with the greatest difficulty that the artillery and trains were brought over." The army finally got over the obstacle, but Lee and his army escaped a week later.

"We crossed the Catoctin Mountain [near High Knob] this evening. It took us from dark until 2 A.M. on the 9tgh to reach the summit, a distance of about three miles. In some places the mountain was very steep, and we could only crawl along. Here we were obliged to halt the Brigade for the men were used up and could go no further." - Lt. Elisha Hunt Rhodes, 2md Rhode Island Infantry, July 8, 1863

Type of site: Transportation Route or Facility Address: 8602 Gambrill Park Road Middletown, Maryland United States of America 21769 Admission Charged: $5 or less Website: [Web Link] Phone Number: Not listed Driving Directions: Not listed

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