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Touring Northern Frederick County
Lewistown:
Lewistown is one of a
those little towns that has an interesting Civil War history very
seldom covered when it comes to the Civil War History of Frederick
County. Lewistown witness troop movements during the Antietam
Campaign of 1862, the Gettysburg Campaign of 1863, and also during
the battle of Monocacy in 1864.
On June 29th 1863, before the battle of
Gettysburg, thousands of Union troops marched through Lewistown
heading toward
Emmitsburg. On Tuesday July 7, members of the 13th
Massachusetts received a warm welcoming by a group of local ladies
who were dressed in red, white and blue. The ladies all sang “The
Battle Cry of Freedom as the Massachusetts boys march through
Lewistown. The 1st Corps was then redirected to march over the
Catoctin Mountain by way of Hamburg Pass to Bellsville. From this
point the 1st Corps would cross into the Middletown Valley.
During the summer of 1864, on July 10th, Union Major J.
B. Burt stated a force Confederate troopers were in the Lewistown
and Creagerstown area stealing horses. Confederates troopers were
also reported looting the stores in the Woodsboro area. One or Two
companies of Confederate Cavalry with a organized company of
bushwhackers were observed. Two scouts were sent from General David
Hunter’s Cavalry force to investigate the Confederate Scouting
parties and none were found as they had traveled back to Frederick
and rejoined their main command.
Civil War Trails has a marker located at the Lewistown Church
across from the Lewistown Fire Department. Continue through Lewistown,
you'll see another Civil War Trails sign that will take you to another
Civil War Trails Marker.
Thurmont:
Thurmont known as
Mechanicstown during the Civil War was a pro Union town in Northern
Frederick County. The raised Company D of the
6th Maryland Infantry
under the command of Colonel
John R. Rouzer. On
October 11th, 1862, at around 9:00 p.m., portions of Stuart’s
Cavalry reached Rocky Ridge where they met a Federal scouting party
of General Pleasonton’s. Around 10:30 p.m. Stuart’s Cavalry observed
the passing through Woodsboro. Stuart’s location was dispatched to
General Pleasonton only few miles away at Thurmont.
Roddy Covered Bridge |
During the Gettysburg Campaign, Union troops marched nearby
Thurmont as they traveled to Emmitsburg. After the battle of
Fairfield on the night of July 3rd, members of the 6th U.S. Cavalry
had fallen back to Thurmont to tend to their overwhelming defeat
against General Jones' Cavalry. On the afternoon of July 5th,
portions of General Stuart's Cavalry came through Thurmont as they
traveled northward to Emmitsburg to cross the Catoctin Mountain.
Roddy Covered Bridge is located a mile north from Thurmont and
was used by both Union and Confederate troops during the Gettysburg
Campaign.
General Stuart and his cavalry passed through Roddy Bridge during
the afternoon of July 5th, as he made his way toward Franklin Mills.
However, there are no accounts of Roddy Bridge or any official
reports of skirmishing occurring at or near Roddy Covered Bridge
during the Civil War. Again stories such as these can add a petite
appeal to create a fascinating tale for such a magnificent place.
Parking is located in easy walking distance to the bridge.
Thurmont History | Civil
War Trails marker is located at the square in Thurmont. Civil War
Trails marker is located off of Route 15
North on Rt. 806 at the Catoctin Furnace. The Catoctin Furnace made
the Iron plates for the Monitor during the Civil War.
Other areas of interest near Thurmont: Visit Catoctin Mountain
National Park.
Creagerstown:
The Creagerstown area is recorded to be the first
settlement in Northern Frederick County. During the Civil War, both
Union and Confederate troops traveled through Creagerstown.
Creagerstown after the battle of Gettysburg was occupied briefly by
General Jeb Stuart's Cavalry. Portions of the Union Army traveled
through and encamped at Creagerstown while en-route of trying to cut
off General Lee's movements toward the Potomac River near Hagerstown
and Williamsport. General Meade himself road through Creagerstown on
the afternoon of July 7th, as he traveled toward Middletown. In
1864, Confederate details were spotted raiding the local farms for
fresh horses.
Loy's Station Covered Bridge:
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Loy's Covered Bridge |
Loys Station Covered Bridge
was
originally built at its current location crossing Owens Creek around
1860 on old Frederick Road which was a major route to Emmitsburg
from Frederick during the time of the Civil War. This 90 foot bridge
is a single span multiple King post truss.
On the morning of July 5th, General JEB Stuart made his way from the
fields of Gettysburg to Emmitsburg. There was a sharp skirmish
fought in the town's square as seventy Union men and their Captain
were taken prisoners. After studying maps and feeding and watering
their horses, the Confederate cavalry headed toward Old Frederick
Road. This led him and his men to the town of Cooperstown,
(Creagerstown as its known today).
The Confederate Cavalry divided the column and some wound up in
Graceham. Mr. Cramer a resident of Graceham did not have time to
hide his horses and the black powder that he kept in his store.
Outside of his store troopers and their mounts were thirsty. A girl,
Belva Anne Elizabeth Cramer, pumped the water for the horses and
men. Tears started to roll down her face as she pumped. A trooper
told her ""Don't cry little girl. We're dirty and ragged, but we are
all gentlemen and we will not hurt you."" The trooper did not know
that Belva had a bad tooth, and pumping the water from the well made
the pain worse.
On July 7th,
after the battle of Gettysburg, General Meade rode through
Emmitsburg and briefly stopped to visit the town. The residents
hailed him; thanking him for all that he had done to protect the
town from the main Confederate Army. General Meade rode out of town
heading down Old Frederick Road. The commander crossed Loys
Station-Covered Bridge and made his headquarters in the small
community of Creagerstown.
Traveling to Loys Station Covered
Bridge from Thurmont take Route 550 South to Creagerstown. A sign
will be at the intersection of Old Frederick Road on your left. Take
Old Frederick Road to Loys Station Regional Park. Parking is also
located in a short walking distance to the bridge with picnicking
facilities. A Civil War Trails marker is located at the
Loy's Station Parking lot. |
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