Alicia & John Miller

On February 5th, the battle of Monterey Pass, near Blue Ridge Summit, was remembered as the Pennsylvania Civil War Trails kicked off its Civil War Discovery Weekend.

The towns of Blue Ridge Summit, Waynesboro, Chambersburg, Mercersburg, Greencastle and Shippensburg celebrated their Civil War history by hosting events such as lectures, living histories, and small social activities for the public.

A Civil War period church service delivered by the Rev. Col. William Hammann and Sunday social was held at the Hawley Memorial Church near Blue Ridge Summit. The Sunday social featured lectures about the battle and was hosted by the One Mountain Foundation led by Gary Muller. About 80 to 100 people attended and were educated on the importance of preserving this forgotten battle, the only battle of the Civil War to be fought on both sides of the Mason Dixon Line.   

Re-enactors who had knowledge of the Civil War history in the Monterey area were on hand to give presentations and answer questions. Captain George Emack of the Confederate 1st Maryland Cavalry was portrayed by Mr. Brian Woodyard. Mr. Woodyard quoted parts of Emack’s letter that described the battle "As soon as the Federal Cavalry had passed, I ordered the cannon to fire directly into the head of the column. I charged with my little party, in all only eight mounted men, and succeeded in driving them back for more than a mile."

John Horner, a member of the Emmitsburg Historical Society and direct descendant of Captain John Horner, who fought with the Federal unit of Cole’s Cavalry during the Civil War, portrayed a Federal soldier. Mr. Horner read excerpts from Union soldiers that described weather conditions during this midnight battle. "The darkness was so intense that the guns could be of little use, except to make the night terribly hideous.  It poured, making every mountain stream a raging flood. Many rebels gave themselves up being heartily tired of this war."

John Miller, Emmitsburg’s Civil War Historian and Historical Advisor to the One Mountain Foundation portrayed Private Charles McVicar of Chew’s Confederate Artillery. He quoted McVicar stating that "The Road was littered with wagons and the dead from the battle the day before. We could hear the roar of the cannon at Monterey in the distance about 2 miles away. It was a night of horror that I ever spent and would never forget."

Rick Mummard told stories that were passed on to him by his grandfather, who up until the 1920s saw wreckages of wagons and caissons that fell from the mountain road. John Shindledecker, a local storyteller shared tales regarding the Civil War in the area, including an interesting and humorous story of how the Confederate Army took his Grandma Cook’s Cow and how she marched into their camp a demanded it back. Alicia Miller and Lindsay Hoover mingled with the guests dressed as Civil War civilians, answering questions regarding the battle and surrounding areas.

Mr. Miller worked with the One Mountain Foundation under the leadership of Gary Muller, whose organization helped bring the history of a once forgotten battle to life. Miller said "Our main objective was to raise awareness and educate the public about the historical significance the battle of Monterey Pass had during the Gettysburg Campaign. The Battle of Monterey is often overshadowed by the battle of Gettysburg."   One of the goals of the One Mountain Foundation and Mr. Miller will come to life in 2006 when a historical roadside marker will be dedicated as part of the Pennsylvania Civil War Trails honoring the battle of Monterey Pass.