The Battle That Saved Washington

The Battle of Monocacy took place on July 9, 1864, in the valley before you, pitting North against South with Washington, D.C., as the prize. With Richmond and Petersburg endangered, General Robert E. Lee sent General Early north to threaten Washington, D.C., and at least force Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant to send soldiers back from Richmond to defend the capital. On Saturday, July 9, 1864, about 6,000 Union troops under General Lew Wallace fought about 18,000 Southern troops, giving battle despite being heavily outnumbered in order to delay the Southern advance until Northern reinforcements could reach Washington. Fighting began in mid-morning and continued through the day. Late in the afternoon, Southern troops in battle line streamed out of the woods on Brooks Hill, broke the Northern lines, and forced Wallace's small force back toward Baltimore. The way to Washington was then open, but too late, because the outnumbered Union force had stopped Early for the day, allowing reinforcements to arrive before he could enter the capital.

Maryland · United States