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Antietam Aqueduct
The aqueduct was built in 1834 by Irish immigrant labor, who died by the hundreds during a cholera epidemic. It is one of eleven aqueducts constructed to carry the
C&O Canal across intersecting tributaries. As its name implies, this one carries the canal over the mouth of the Antietam. Troops in Gordon's division damaged the aqueduct, along with nearby canal boats and
locks, on July 6, 1864.
Antietam National Battlefield
One of America's best preserved battlefields, Antietam was the site of the bloodiest one day battle in U.S. history. On September 17,
1862, more than 23,000 men were killed, wounded, captured or missing in General Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North.
A museum located in the park visitor center holds the panoramic battle paintings of
Captain James Hope, Civil War veteran, and the award-winning 26-minute movie, "Antietam Visit." The eight and one-half mile driving tour highlights historic Dunker Church, Cornfield, Bloody Lane, Burnside
Bridge, more than 350 monuments, tablets and markers, and 41 cannon. Also located on the grounds is the National Cemetery, the final resting place for 4776 Union soldiers (1,836 unknown) who lost their lives at
South Mountain, Antietam, Monocacy and other battles in the area.
Boonsborough Museum of History
Respected as one the finest private museums in the region, the Boonsborough Museum houses
an extensive Civil War collection that includes items from the Antietam and Gettysburg Campaigns.
Boteler's Ford
Also known as Blackford's Ford, Pack Horse Ford and Shepherdstown Ford,
this area was used frequently by both sides during the war, especially during the Antietam and Gettysburg Campaigns. The Union division of Major General Franz Sigel crossed on July 4, 1864 after being driven out of
Martinsburg by the Confederate division of Major General John B. Gordon. The next day, Gordon's men crossed in pursuit and drove the Union soldiers into the defenses of Maryland Heights.
Ferry Hill Place
Ferry Hill Place was the boyhood home of Henry Kyd Douglas, the youngest member of Stonewall Jackson's staff and the author of "I Rode with Stonewall." It now houses the National
headquarters for the C&O Canal
Hancock
Hancock was shelled by Stonewall Jackson on Jan. 4, 1862 during the Romney Campaign. St. Thomas Church was used as an army hospital.
Kennedy Farm
This restored 19th century farm house was made famous in the summer and fall of 1859, when John Brown planned the raid on Harper's Ferry within its walls. Open by appointment only.
Maryland Heights
Maryland Heights, an area on the Maryland side of the Potomac, overlooks Harper's Ferry, W. Va. It was held by Union forces until Sept. 1862, when it was captured by Confederate forces, under Gen.
Stonewall Jackson, prior to the battle of Antietam. After Antietam, it remained in Union hands throughout the remainder of the Civil War. The Union Army completed an extensive series of earthworks on the Heights,
some of which are still visible and are among the best preserved in the country.
McCoy's Ferry Ford
During the Civil War, McCoy's Ferry Ford was used frequently by both sides. On October
10, 1862, the Confederates under Stuart's command crossed during the first Chambersburg raid.
Miller House Museum
The Miller House, a Federal period home in Hagerstown, features Civil War
relics and other displays related to the history of the area.
South Mountain
Battles between the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac were Turner's Gap, Fox's Gap, and
Crampton's Gap on September 14,1862. The Southern Army fought delaying actions to give General Lee time to concentrate his forces and prevent the Union Army from defeating the Confederates piecemeal. The Union
succeeded in driving the Southerners over South Mountain and on September 17th, the battle of Antietam was fought. At Fox's Gap, during the Battle of South Mountain, Union Major General Jesse Reno, Commander of the
IX Corp. was killed-the only Union General killed in action in Frederick County. In the same action at Fox's Gap, Brig. Gen. Samuel Garland of the Confederate Army was also mortally wounded. A monument to General
Reno was erected in 1889 at a spot near where he was killed, by veterans of the IX Corps. The monument, now under the care of the National Park Service is on Reno Monument Road near the crest of South Mountain.
Village of Antietam
Once the site of a thriving iron industry in the 19th century, the area also served as a campground for Gordon's division during the movement to flank the Union soldiers
on Maryland Heights in July 1864.
War Correspondents' Memorial
Erected in Gathland State Park in 1896 by former Civil War correspondent George Alfred Townsend, it is the only monument in
the world to war correspondents.
Washington Confederate Cemetery
Located within the boundaries of Rose Hill Cemetery in Hagerstown, this is the final resting place of more than 2000
Confederate soldiers who fell at the battles of South Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg.
Washington Monument State Park
Built in 1827, this is the first monument to be completed in memory
of George Washington. The monument was also used as a signal station during the war by the Union Army.
Williamsport
Changed hands between the Union and Confederate troops at least seven
times during the war. (Patterson's artillery - dug earthworks and set-up camp overlooking the Potomac) Today, remains of "Battery Doubleday" may be viewed. In September, 1862, Stonewall Jackson passed
through Williamsport during his movement on Harper's Ferry. Part of Lee's army also passed through the town during the Gettysburg Campaign. After the Battle of Gettysburg, Lee's wagon train of wounded, escorted by
Brigadier General John Irnboden's cavalry, reached Williamsport on July 5, 1863. Within the next few days, the remainder of Lee's army gathered in Williamsport and at nearby Falling Waters, WV where they waited
until the high water receded enough to cross back into Virginia.
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