Monocacy National Battlefield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monocacy National Battlefield |
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 Monocacy National Battlefield
Location in Maryland
Monocacy National Battlefield
Location in the United States
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| Location | Frederick County, Maryland, USA |
| Nearest city | Frederick, Maryland |
| Area | 1,647 acres (6.67 km2) |
| Established | October 21, 1976 |
| Visitors | 17,985 (in 2005) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Monocacy National Battlefield |
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Monocacy National Battlefield
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| Area | 1,500 acres (610 ha) |
| Built | 1864 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000908 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 8, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | November 8, 1973, |
Monocacy National Battlefield is a special place managed by the National Park Service. It's where an important battle of the American Civil War happened on July 9, 1864. This battle, sometimes called "The Battle That Saved Washington," took place near Frederick, Maryland. It was one of the last times Confederate (Southern) soldiers fought in Union (Northern) areas. General Jubal Early led the Southern troops, and General Lew Wallace led the Northern troops.
Where is Monocacy Battlefield?
Monocacy National Battlefield is in an area with many other Civil War sites. You can find it a few miles southeast of Frederick, Maryland. It's right on Maryland State Highway 355.
Other famous battlefields are nearby. Interstate 70 goes west to Antietam National Battlefield. U.S. Route 15 goes north to the Gettysburg Battlefield. To the south on U.S. 15 is the Balls Bluff battlefield. Monocacy is about 50 miles (80 km) west of Baltimore and 44 miles (71 km) northwest of Washington, D.C..
History of the Battlefield
For over 100 years after the Civil War, much of the Monocacy battlefield was owned by private citizens. In 1928, a man named Glenn Worthington, who owned a large part of the northern battlefield, asked the United States Congress to make Monocacy a National Military Park.
A bill was passed in 1934, but it took nearly 50 years for Congress to provide money to buy the land. Once the money was available, about 1,587 acres (6.42 km2) of the battlefield were bought in the late 1970s. This land was then given to the National Park Service to care for and teach people about.
The historic Thomas Farm, where some of the fiercest fighting happened, was bought by the National Park Service in 2001. Sadly, during the 1960s and 1980s, parts of the battlefield were cut through. This happened when Interstate 270 was built and later made wider.
After the battle, some groups of veterans placed markers on the battlefield. These markers honored specific units, like the 14th New Jersey (dedicated in 1907) and the 87th Pennsylvania Infantry. There are also Vermont markers.
Over the years, more monuments have been added. These include the Confederate Monument and the Maryland Centennial Monument. They are near the Best Farm. This farm is famous because Union soldiers found Robert E. Lee's lost battle plans there in 1862. The National Park Service has also added signs around the park to explain what happened.
The park's visitor center has moved to a new building on the west side of the Monocacy River. At the center, you can watch a map program that lights up to show the battle. There are also interactive computers, displays, and items from the battle.
The visitor center is where you can start a self-guided car tour that is four miles (6 km) long. There's also a half-mile (800 m) walking trail. Park rangers and volunteers lead battle walks and special programs, especially during the summer.
The Worthington Farm Trail lets visitors walk parts of the battlefield. It has two loops, one almost two miles (3 km) long and another 1.6 miles (2 km). On these trails, you can also explore the native flora (plants) of the area.
The National Park Service plans to do even more to teach people about the battlefield. They also hope to buy more land if they get funding. In 2013, a group called Preservation Maryland listed Monocacy National Battlefield as a historic property that needed protection.
