Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1955-09-29

protection of the Nations ca
Probably the most important
and best known of these spots
was "Blockhouse Point" located
on a high cliff, a mile east OF
Violette's Lock. .l
The "blockhouSe" was merely
long, low, flat top log build
ing equipped with cannons and
port holes for the firing of small
guns. Little remains today of
this historic fort, and to our
knowledge it proved of little OF
no value to the Union, inasmuch
as no action of any importance
took place there.
While the Mason and Dixon
line is supposed to divide the
North from the South, it is more
historically correct, as far as the
Civil War is concerned, to say
that the Potomac River was &C
tually the dividing line
Historians are, i'm the main,
agreed that Marylahd's sym.
pathies were with the North,
although the attempt was made
to maintain n more or less
neutral standing. However, the
nefariOus pilfering and sabO-
tagging on the part of the im-
pecuniOus South finally turned
the tide; invading COnfederates
became something to be afraid
of; entire town and villages
were Oftimes completely eva
cuated upon word of their ap-
prOach.
This was true of the Confed
crate advance in September, 1862
Inhabitants of Montgomery anc
Frederick Counties fled pell-mel
toward Pennsylvania and Balti
more for Safety's sake.
All military stores were moved
in Frederick, leaving only a sup
ply for the 600 hospital patients
Scharf states that ut wa;
thought that not over 200 Mary
landers joined the Confederate
during this invasion!"
Montgomery County expert
enced probably its most ACTIVE
warfare Immediately following
the battle of Antietam, by thu
inroad of Confederate Cavalry
under the daring command O.
General "Jeb" Stuart.
This expedition originated a
Winchester, Va. and was dedi
Gated to the destruction of {
railroad bridge over the Conocho
cheague Creek near Chambers
burg, and the fond hope of seiz
ing desperately needed horses
and supplies.
General Lee wrote to Stuar1
that it was more desiriouS "tC
attract the enemy toward Cum
berland-but should you be led
farther East, you are to cross
the river in the vicinity of Lees
burg Leesburg was a local TO
cal point for the South-WhiteS
and Edwards Ferry were only
three and six miles distant re
spectively.
Stuart wrote of this expedition
II proceeded on the expedition
into Pennsylvania with caval
ry force of 1900 men and fouI
pieces of horse artillery. We as
sembled at Darksville. At day
light we crossed the river be
tween Williamsport and Han
cock with some little opposition
capturing two or three horses Of
the enemy's pickets. We pro
ceeded northward until we hac
reached the turnpike leading
from HagerstoWn to Hancock
Striking directly across the Ma
tional Road (Route 40) pro
ccedcd in the direction of Mer
cersburg, which point was reach
cd about midnight.
Il was extremely anxious tC
reach HagerstoWn where large
supplies we're stored, but was
satisfied from reliable informa
ton that the notice the enemy
had Of my approach and the
proximity Of his forces would en-
able him TO prevent my capturing
il. therefore turned tOwarC
Chambcrsburg. | did not reach
this point until after dark il
a rain.
Il did not deem it safe TO de
fer the attack till morning, nol
was it proper TO attack place
full Of women and children with
out summoning it first to sur
render
II accordingly sent in a flag
of truce and found no military on
civil authority in the place; but
some prominent citizens who met
the officer were notified that tho
place would be occupied and II
any resistance were made the
place would be shcllcd in three
minutes. Brig. Gen. llampton's
command bcing in advance took