Jefferson

Jefferson (HMQ0)

Location: Jefferson, MD 21755 Frederick County
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Country: United States of America
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N 39° 21.621', W 77° 31.898'

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Inscription

Prowling Confederates and Pretty Girls

In June 1863, Federal troops marched through Jefferson as the Army of the Potomac pursued Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, a menacing force to the west—but where was it headed? Fearing that Lee would push through the gaps in South Mountain west of Jefferson, Gen. Joseph Hooker sent Union I, III, and XI Corps to the Catoctin Valley to watch them. Many of the men marched through Jefferson June 24-28 on their way to Burkittsville, at the foot of Crampton's Gap, and Middletown, just below Turner's Gap and not far from Fox's Gap.

For many Federals, tiny Jefferson was one of the first towns they encountered after crossing the Potomac River. Numerous regiments unfurled their flags and marched through to the beat of drums. The residents welcomed them, and some fed the dusty men free of charge. Maj. Charles Mattocks later recalled "the fine little village of Jefferson": "Here for the first time for 9 months our entrance was greeted with the ?red, white, and blue.'... Here for the first time in 9 months our eyes were feasted upon pretty girls and well-dressed citizens! One beautiful damsel threw me a nice bouquet."

A Union private grumbled that his regiment marched "far enough (beyond Jefferson) that the men won't go back to bask in the sunlight of the smiling females." Part of the army later passed through the town again while pursuing Lee's army after the Battle of Gettysburg.
Details
HM NumberHMQ0
Series This marker is part of the Maryland Civil War Trails series
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Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Tuesday, October 7th, 2014 at 1:35am PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)18S E 281883 N 4359823
Decimal Degrees39.36035000, -77.53163333
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 39° 21.621', W 77° 31.898'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds39° 21' 37.26" N, 77° 31' 53.88" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)301
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 4629-4635 Lander Rd, Jefferson MD 21755, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

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