A Union Army camp during the Civil War
A Union Army camp during the Civil WarLibrary of Congress · LC-DIG-cwpb-02637
The Civil War, 1861 to 1865

Maryland in the Civil War

Maryland was a divided border state that sent men to both armies. Of the 47 regiments recorded in Maryland, 33 served the Union and 14 the Confederacy, a division that split families and communities across the state.

On the ground

Battles and engagements fought in Maryland

Aubrey maps 169 documented Civil War engagements fought on Maryland’s soil between 1861 and 1865, from decisive battles to the raids and skirmishes that filled the years between. The surviving records account for more than 44,000 Union casualties across them.

Every point below is placed from the source record, with the date, the units engaged, and the casualties reported exactly as the compiled histories give them.

1864 · Confederate victory
Battle of Monocacy

The Battle of Monocacy (also known as Monocacy Junction) was fought on July 9, 1864, about 6 miles (9.7 km) from Frederick, Maryland, as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864 during the American Civil War. Confederate forces under Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early defeated Union forces under Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace. The battle was part of Early's raid through the Shenandoah Valley and into Maryland in an attempt to divert Union forces from their siege of Gen. Robert E. Lee's army at Petersburg, Virginia. The battle was the northernmost Confederate victory of the war. Afterward, the Union troops retreated to Baltimore, Maryland, and the Confederates continued toward Washington. But because the battle had delayed Early's march for a day, Union reinforcements had time to get to the Union capital before the Confederates. Early launched an attack on Washington on July 12 at the Battle of Fort Stevens, but the Confederates were unsuccessful and retreated to Virginia.

1862 · Union victory
Battle of South Mountain

The Battle of South Mountain, known in several early Southern accounts as the Battle of Boonsboro Gap, was fought on September 14, 1862, as part of the Maryland campaign of the American Civil War. Three pitched battles were fought for possession of three South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, commanding the Union Army of the Potomac, needed to pass through these gaps in his pursuit of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's precariously divided Army of Northern Virginia. Although the delay bought at South Mountain would allow him to reunite his army and forestall defeat in detail, Lee considered termination of the Maryland Campaign at…

1862 · Union victory
Battle of Crampton's Gap, South Mountain.

The Battle of Crampton's Gap, or Battle of Burkittsville, was fought between forces under Confederate Brig. Gen. Howell Cobb and Union Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin as part of the Battle of South Mountain on September 14, 1862, at Crampton's Gap in Western Maryland, during the Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War. Franklin's VI Corps attacked a small, hastily assembled Confederate force at Crampton's Gap in South Mountain that sought to protect the rear of Confederate Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws, who was across Pleasant Valley on Maryland Heights taking part in the siege of Harpers Ferry. Despite inferior numbers, the Confederate force held out throughout the day, taking heavy…

1863 · Inconclusive victory
Williamsport

During the night of July 4-5, Lee's battered army began its retreat from Gettysburg, moving southwest on the Fairfield Road toward Hagerstown and Williamsport, screened by Stuart's cavalry. The Union infantry followed cautiously the next day, converging on Middletown, Maryland. On July 7, Imboden (CS) stopped Buford's Union cavalry from occupying Williamsport and destroying Confederate trains. Kilpatrick's cavalry division drove two Confederate cavalry brigades through Hagerstown before being forced to retire by the arrival of the rest of Stuart's command. Lee's infantry reached the rain-swollen Potomac River but could not cross, the pontoon bridge having been destroyed by a cavalry raid. On July 11, Lee entrenched a line, protecting the river crossings at Williamsport and waited for Meade's army to advance. July 12, Meade reached the vicinity and probed the Confederate line. July 13, skirmishing was heavy along the lines as Meade positioned his forces for an attack. In the meantime, the river fell enough to allow the construction of a new bridge, and Lee's army began crossing the river after dark on the 13th. On the morning of the 14th, Kilpatrick's and Buford's cavalry divisions attacked the rearguard division of Henry Heth still on the north bank, taking more than 500 prisoners. Confederate Brig. Gen. James Pettigrew was mortally wounded in the fight. On July 16, David McM. Gregg's cavalry approached Shepherdstown where Fitzhugh Lee's and J.R. Chambliss's brigades, supported by M.J. Ferguson's, held the Potomac River fords against the Union infantry. Fitzhugh Lee and Chambliss attacked Gregg, who held out against several attacks and sorties, fighting sporadically until nightfall when he withdrew.

1862 · Inconclusive victory
Antietam

On September 16, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan confronted Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Sharpsburg, Maryland. At dawn September 17, Hooker's corps mounted a powerful assault on Lee's left flank that began the single bloodiest day in American military history. Attacks and counterattacks swept across Miller's cornfield and fighting swirled around the Dunker Church. Union assaults against the Sunken Road eventually pierced the Confederate center, but the Federal advantage was not followed up. Late in the day, Burnside's corps finally got into action, crossing the stone bridge over Antietam Creek and rolling up the Confederate right. At a crucial moment, A.P. Hill's division arrived from Harpers Ferry and counterattacked, driving back Burnside and saving the day. Although outnumbered two-to-one, Lee committed his entire force, while McClellan sent in less than three-quarters of his army, enabling Lee to fight the Federals to a standstill. During the night, both armies consolidated their lines. In spite of crippling casualties, Lee continued to skirmish with McClellan throughout the 18th, while removing his wounded south of the river. McClellan did not renew the assaults. After dark, Lee ordered the battered Army of Northern Virginia to withdraw across the Potomac into the Shenandoah Valley.

1864 · Confederate victory
Monocacy

After marching north through the Shenandoah Valley from Lynchburg, the Confederate army of Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early side-stepped the Federal garrison at Harpers Ferry and crossed the Potomac River at Shepherdstown into Maryland on July 5-6. On July 9, 1864, a makeshift Union force under Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace attempted to arrest Early's invading Confederate divisions along the Monocacy River, just east of Frederick. Wallace, joined by Ricketts's Division of the VI Corps that had been rushed from the Petersburg lines, was outflanked by Gordon's Division and defeated after putting up a stiff resistance. Hearing of Early's incursion into Maryland, Grant embarked the rest of the VI Corps on transports at City Point, sending it with all dispatch to Washington. Wallace's defeat at Monocacy bought time for these veteran troops to arrive to bolster the defenses of Washington. Early's advance reached the outskirts of Washington on the afternoon of July 11, and the remaining divisions of the VI Corps began disembarking that evening. Monocacy was called the "Battle that Saved Washington."

Federally recognized battlefieldDocumented engagement168 of 169 placed on the map
EngagementYear ▲TypeResultUnion losses
Occupation of Cumberland1861Skirmish--
Expedition to Rockville1861Skirmish--
Skirmish, Great Falls1861Skirmish--
Skirmish near Berlin1861Skirmish--
Skirmish near Berlin1861Skirmish--
Skirmishes opposite Seneca Creek1861Battle--
Operations about Budd's Ferry1861Skirmish--
Skirmish, Goose Creek (Edward's Ferry)1861Skirmish-1 killed, 4 wounded
Skirmish, Point of Rocks1861Skirmish--
Skirmish, Great Falls1861Skirmish-2 killed
Skirmish, Sandy Hook1861Skirmish--
Action, Edward's Ferry1861Skirmish--
Skirmish, Great Falls1861Skirmish--
Skirmish, Point of Rocks1861Skirmish--
Skirmish, Edward's Ferry1861Skirmish--
Skirmish, Pritchard's Mills, near Antietam Ford1861Skirmish--
Attack in streets of Baltimore1861Battle-4 killed, 20 wounded
Action, Point of Rocks1861Skirmish--
Occupation of Baltimore by U. S. Troops1861Skirmish--
Skirmish, Frederick Fort1861Skirmish--
Skirmish, Middletown1862Skirmish--
Battle of Crampton's Gap, South Mountain.1862BattleUnion victory113 killed, 418 wounded, 2 missing/captured
Defense of Harper's Ferry1862Battle--
Reconnaissance from Sharpsburg to Shepherdstown and Martinsburg, W. Va1862Skirmish-12 wounded, 3 missing/captured
Skirmish, Frederick1862Skirmish--
Action. Sharpsburg, Shepherdstown and Blackford's Ford, or Botler's Ford and Williamsport, Potomac River1862SkirmishConfederate victory71 killed, 161 wounded, 131 missing/captured
Skirmishes, Williamsport1862Battle-9 killed, 10 wounded, 8 missing/captured
Bombardment of Hancock1862Battle--
Retreat to Williamsport1862Battle--
Skirmishes, Edward's Ferry1862Battle-2 killed, 1 wounded
Skirmish, Mouth of Monocacy1862Skirmish--
Reconnaissance from Sharpsburg to Smithfield, W. Va.1862Skirmish-3 killed, 6 wounded, 3 missing/captured
Battle of South Mountain1862BattleUnion victory325 killed, 1403 wounded, 85 missing/captured
Raid on Poolesville1862Raid--
Skirmishes, Poolesville1862Battle--
Skirmish, Point of Rocks1862Skirmish--
Action, Boonsborough1862Skirmish-1 killed, 15 wounded, 3 missing/captured
Skirmish, South Mountain1862SkirmishUnion victory-
Skirmish, Poolesville1862Skirmish-2 killed, 6 wounded
Skirmish, Catoctin Mountain1862Skirmish--
Skirmish, Middletown1862Skirmish-5 killed, 22 wounded, 5 missing/captured
Skirmish, Hagerstown1862Skirmish--
Action, Boonsborough1862Skirmish--
Skirmish, Four Locks1862Skirmish--
Expedition from Sharpsburg to Shepherdstown, W. Va.1862Skirmish--
Skirmish, Jefferson1862Skirmish--
Skirmish, Barnesville1862Skirmish--
Affair near Harper's Ferry1862Skirmish--
Skirmish, Antietam Creek, near Keedysville1862Skirmish-4 wounded
Skirmish, Poolesville1862Skirmish--
Battle of Antietam, Sharpsburg1862Battle-2108 killed, 9549 wounded, 753 missing/captured
Affair, opposite Williamsport1862Skirmish--
Skirmish, White's Ford1862Skirmish--
Skirmish near Williamsport1862Skirmish--
Skirmish, Boonsboro1862Skirmish--
Skirmishes, Sharpsburg and Hagerstown Pike1862Battle--
Skirmish, Hagerstown1862Skirmish--
Skirmish near Petersville1862Skirmish--
Action, Maryland Heights1862Skirmish--
Skirmishes, Point of Rocks and Berlin1862Battle--

Sources · Official Records & compiled regimental histories · American Battlefield Protection Program · Aubrey Historical Database

47
Regiments raised
59,233
Men in the records
14
Confederate
33
Union
9
Pinned to a town

Civil War regiments were raised locally: each was recruited from the eligible men of one or more nearby counties, organized at a rendezvous camp, and sent to the front. In Maryland, 9 of the 47 regiments below are pinned to the specific town where they formed; the rest are recorded honestly at the state level. The largest single unit raised in Maryland was the 1 Maryland Infantry, with 3,932 men in the records.

To search these regiments by a family surname and read the individual men who served, with their rank, company, and side, explore any location in Maryland.

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Confederate regiments raised in Maryland

14 recorded, largest first. Raising town shown where documented.

  • 1 Maryland Cavalry · Raised in Maryland · 1,705 men
  • 1 Maryland Infantry · Raised in Maryland · 1,139 men
  • 2 Batt'n Maryland Infantry · Raised in Maryland · 975 men
  • 2 Batt'n Maryland Cavalry · Raised in Maryland · 693 men
  • 3 Battery Maryland Artillery · Raised in Maryland · 370 men
  • 2 Battery Maryland Artillery · Raised in Maryland · 344 men
  • 1 Battery Maryland Artillery · Raised in Maryland · 333 men
  • Weston's Batt'n. Maryland · Raised in Maryland · 187 men
  • 4 Battery Maryland Artillery · Raised in Maryland · 185 men
  • Capt. Walters' Co. (Zarvona Zouaves), Maryland · Raised in Maryland · 68 men
  • Md. Line (Misc.) · Raised in Maryland · 38 men
  • Q.M. Dept., Maryland · Raised in Maryland · 8 men
  • 1 Batt'n Maryland Infantry · Raised in Maryland · 5 men
  • Unattached Md. Co. (Misc. File) · Raised in Maryland · 1 men

Union regiments raised in Maryland

33 recorded, largest first. Raising town shown where documented.

  • 1 Maryland Infantry · Raised in Maryland · 3,932 menFought at: Action, Front Royal, Skirmish near Winchester
  • 1 Maryland Cavalry · Raised in Maryland · 3,853 men
  • 2 Maryland Infantry · Raised in Maryland · 3,765 men
  • 3 Maryland Infantry · Raised in Maryland · 3,672 men
  • 5 Maryland Infantry · Raised at Baltimore · 3,302 men
  • 13 Maryland Infantry · Raised in Maryland · 3,232 men
  • 1 Potomac Home Brig., Md. Cav. · Raised in Maryland · 2,890 men
  • 11 Maryland Infantry · Raised at Baltimore · 2,655 men
  • 3 Potomac Home Brig., Md. Inf. · Raised in Maryland · 2,256 men
  • 8 Maryland Infantry · Raised at Baltimore · 2,192 men
  • 3 Maryland Cavalry · Raised at Baltimore · 2,059 men
  • 2 Potomac Home Brig., Md. Inf. · Raised in Maryland · 1,944 men
  • 7 Maryland Infantry · Raised at Baltimore · 1,742 men
  • 6 Maryland Infantry · Raised in Maryland · 1,735 men
  • 1 Eastern Shore Maryland Inf. · Raised in Maryland · 1,646 men
  • 4 Maryland Infantry (New Organization) · Raised at Baltimore · 1,541 men
  • Purnell Legion, Maryland Inf. · Raised in Maryland · 1,459 men
  • 2 Eastern Shore Maryland Inf. · Raised in Maryland · 1,398 men
  • 10 Maryland Infantry (6 Months, 1863-4) · Raised in Maryland · 1,197 men
  • 1 Maryland L. Art'y. · Raised in Maryland · 1,185 men
  • 9 Maryland Infantry (6 Months, 1863-4) · Raised at Baltimore · 1,031 men
  • 2 Maryland Cavalry (6 Months, 1863-4) · Raised at Baltimore and Annapolis · 691 men
  • Purnell Legion, Maryland Cav. · Raised in Maryland · 629 men
  • 4 Maryland Infantry (Old Organization) · Raised in Maryland · 591 men
  • 12 Maryland Infantry (100 Days, 1864) · Raised at Baltimore · 554 men
  • Baltimore Light Inf., Md. Vols. · Raised in Maryland · 531 men
  • 4 Potomac Home Brig., Md. Inf. · Raised in Maryland · 385 men
  • Baltimore Batt'y., Maryland Light Art'y. · Raised in Maryland · 312 men
  • Batt'y B, Maryland Light Art'y. (6 Months, 1863-4.) · Raised in Maryland · 205 men
  • Batt'y. A, Maryland Junior L. Art'y. (6 Months, 1863-4) · Raised in Maryland · 180 men
  • Smith's Indpt. Co., Maryland Cavalry · Raised in Maryland · 176 men
  • McGowan's Indpt. Co., Patapsco Guards, Maryland Infantry · Raised in Maryland · 140 men
  • 1 Maryland H. Art'y. · Raised in Maryland · 102 men

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