19th Century Backpacker - The Civil War Soldier - Middletown, MD
N 39° 29.063 W 077° 37.199
18S E 274671 N 4373808
This markers gives a first hand account of how the townspeople viewed the invading Confederate troops. The interpretive, part of a set of three, is located along the National Road/Route 40 and part of the Antietam Campaign 1862 interpretive series.
Waymark Code: WMD79R
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 11/29/2011
Views: 5
These markers are fantastic and can be fond all along the National Pike/Route 40. There are three signs here, all side by side, overlooking the highway. This particular marker is a compliment to the standard Antietam marker, which is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails marker series. This marker is located in the parking lot for the Old South Mountain Inn and really close to the Frederick and Washington County line. I found an Appalachian Trail marker as it passes a few feet from the marker, crossing over the highway and continuing into the woods. Of the three markers this one is the one on the far right if facing Route 40, standing in the parking lot.
These interpretives are similar to the ones not too far away in Gettysburg. They are held horizontally in place by a thick, black, metal frame, about 3-4 feet off of the ground and angled just right for easy viewing. The marker displays three pictures of a modern day living historian wearing standard Confederate field gear of the day. The text reads:
An unnamed citizen of Frederick City said the following of the Confederates he had beheld marching through his hometown: “I have never seen a mass of such filthy strong-smelling men. Three in a room would make it unbearable, and when marching in column along the street the smell from them was most offensive... The filth that pervades them is most remarkable... They have no uniforms, but are all well armed and equipped, and have become so inured to hardships that they care but little for any of the comforts of civilization... They are the roughest looking set of creatures I ever saw, their features, hair and clothing matted with dirt and filth, and the scratching they kept up gave warrant of vermin in abundance.” Another observer described the Confederates simply as “a lean and hungry set of wolves.”
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Historical Marker Database