Monocacy National Battlefield (U.S Civil War Site)

My Hubby and I enjoy visiting historical sites.  So, during one of our visits to the eastern United States, we toured several battlefields - including the Monocacy National Battlefield.

Monocacy National Battlefield is a 1,500+ acre park that was established on October 21, 1976.  The Battle of Monocacy was fought on July 9, 1864.  It is also referred to as "The Battle That Saved Washington," and was one of the last battles the Confederates would carry out in Union territory.   It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark on November 8, 1973.

Entrance Sign

NPS Map

I would allow 1-2 hours to see this Park.   Starting at the Visitor Center is a good way to begin a visit to the Battlefield.  The main floor features the flags from the States that fought in this battle as well as a book store.  We go to the second floor where there are exhibits and an electronic map describing the events of the day.  There are restrooms at the Visitor Center too.

Visitor Center

State Flags

2nd Floor - Electronic Map of the Battle

The Park has six hiking trails.  They are located at the Visitor Center as well as the Worthington Farm (stop 3), the Thomas House (stop 4), and Gambrill Mill (stop 5). You might consider allowing a little extra time to hike some of thesw trails.

Now that we know a little about the battle, it's time to begin the auto tour ...

The brochure for the self-guided auto tour is available at the Visitor Center or you can go on-line to print it.  We begin the six-mile driving tour which features five stops.  While I enjoy history, I am not an authority of the American Civil War.  So, I will let the informational signs at each location provide a brief explanation of the battle.   

Stop #1 Best Farm and L'Hermitage (a slave village):  The National Park Service acquired the Best Farm in 1993.  *“During the Battle of Monocacy, Confederate artillery set up on his farm and sharpshooters took positions in the barn.  They fired at Union troops guarding the covered bridge over the Monocacy River on the Georgetown Pike.  The Union returned fire, however, setting the Best's barn ablaze and destroying the grain, hay, tools, and farming implements kept there. Confederate infantry, using the farm as a staging area, soon destroyed any crops left standing in the fields.  The Best Farm was originally a 748-acre plantation known as L’Hermitage and was home to VIctoire Vincendiere.  The Vincendieres sold the farm in 1827.” 

Best Farm House

NPS Map

L'Hermitage Building

Stop #2 New Jersey Monument: The State of New Jersey placed the first monument on the battlefield.  Other monuments were added later:  Pennsylvania (1908 – 35’ tall); United Daughters of the Confederacy (1914); Vermont (1915); and Maryland (1964). 

New Jersey Monument

Pennsylvania Monument

Vermont Monument

Stop #3 Worthington Farm:  We drive a tree-lined road to Stop #3.  The Worthington House (built in 1851) is a typical farmhouse for this time period.   *“During the Battle of Monocacy, Confederate troops crossed the Monocacy River onto the Worthington Farm.  From the farm fields, the Confederates initiated three advances toward the Union line positioned at the neighboring Thomas Farm.   The House was subsequently used as a field hospital.” 

Road to Worthington House

Worthington House

Stop #4 Thomas Farm:  The Thomas Farm was acquired by the National Park Service in 2001. *“During the Battle of Monocacy, the Thomas Farm was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting of the day.  Caught between Union and Confederate lines, the house and outbuildings were captured and recaptured by both armies several times.  Confederate artillery posted at the nearby Worthington Farm caused severe damage to the house while attempting to dislodge Union sharpshooters.  C. K. Thomas and his family took refuge in the cellar of the house during the battle.”  

Thomas Farm

Thomas Farm House

Stop #5 Gambrill (aka Araby) Mill:  The mill was built in 1830.  Originally it was three-story structure but the upper floor was removed in the 1920’s and converted into a house.  Today, the building is used as offices for NPS staff.    *“During the Battle of Monocacy, Union forces were positioned in battle lines in the yard of the mill.  The building was set up as a field hospital.   As the Federal forces fell back towards Baltimore, Confederate troops moved in and occupied the mill and the surrounding area.”

Gambrill Mill/NPS Offices

Pond & Picnic Area at Gambrill Mill

We walk the boardwalk trail near the pond.  Pretty purple flowers along the edge of Bush Creek add a vibrant touch of color to the springtime scene.  

NPS Trail Map

Handicap Accessible Trail

We continue walking to a wooden deck that overlooks the Monocacy River.  From here, we look to the left where the covered bridge was located before it was burned by the Union soldiers.  Today, the modern-looking Urbana Pike Bridge spans the river.  To our right is the railroad bridge used by the Union soldiers to cross the river because they had burned the covered bridge. 

Urbana Pike Bridge over Monocacy River

Railroad Bridge

Before you leave Stop #5, take a few extra minutes to see the mansion on the hill known as Edgewood (aka Gambrill House). It was built in 1868 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 18, 1985.  The National Park Service acquired the Gambrill House in 1983. Today, the house is used as the NPS Historic Preservation Training Center which trains workers in historic preservation skills.  The house is not open to the public but you can walk around the grounds.

Mansion on the Hill

LOCATION & CONTACT INFORMATION:  Monocacy National Battlefield (U.S. Civil War Site), 5201 Urbana Pike in Frederick County, Frederick, Maryland.   

Telephone:  (301) 662-3515

The Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park grounds are open from 7 a.m. to 20 minutes following sunset.   The Battlefield is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

Currently, Monocacy National Battlefield does not charge an entrance fee. 

Frederick, Maryland (population 65,000) is about 3 miles from Monocacy National Battlefield.  You will find a wide variety of dining and lodging options here.  Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews on places to eat and sleep.  

If you are a Civil War history buff, I invite you to view my other blog posts by clicking on the following links:

Gettysburg NMP (PA)

Antietam National Battlefield

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories.  To start planning your memorable trip to Monocacy National Battlefield click on the “Plan Your Visit” link below:

NPS - Visiting Monocacy NB

*Source:  National Park Service