State Parks |
Fort Frederick State Park |
Gettysburg Campaign Invasion & Retreat After stunning victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Virginia, early in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee carried the war through Maryland, across the Mason and Dixon Line and into Pennsylvania. His Infantry marched north through the Shenandoah Valley and western Maryland as his cavalry, led by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, harassed Union supply lines to the east. Union Gen. Joseph Hooker, replaced on June 28 by Gen. George G. Meade, led the Army of the Potomac from the Washington defenses in pursuit. The Federals collided with Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 1, starting a battle neither side had intended to fight there. Three days later, the defeated Confederates began retreating through Maryland, retracing their steps to the Potomac River and crossing into Virginia on July 14. To follow in their footsteps and to discover their stories, stop by any Welcome Center or local Vistor Center to pick up a Gettysburg: Invasion & Retreat Civil Trail map - guide. Please drive carefully as you enjoy the history and beauty of Maryland Civil War Trails. |
"...a place of Amrs...would be absolutely neccessary" Throughout the 18th Century, the major colonial powers of France and Great Britain were vying for control of North America. By the 1750's the British extended their settlement westward over the Appalachian Mountains and the French moved south out of Canada, setting the stage for war. In Maryland, Anglo - Americans settled the fertile lands of the Potomac River valley along the Conococheague, Licking, Little Tonoloway, and Big Tonoloway Creeks. Mainly English, Scots - Irish and German immigrants, these settlers organized self - sufficient communities centered on agriculture. |
In 1754 the French established Fort Duquesne (present day Pittsburgh, PA) at the
forks of the Ohio River. British armies were twice defeated, in 1754 and 1755,
while attempting to capture Fort Duquesne. Encouraged by these victories, the French,
who had enlisted the aid of Delaware and Shawnee Indians, launched raiding
parties against the frontier in habitants in the fall of 1755. The French hoped
these devastating raids would keep the British on the defensive and force them
to cede the disputed territories to France. Panic soon gripped the entire Western
Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland backcountry. |
Early attempts to protect the frontier, such as the construction of Stoddert's Fort
(near present day Hancock, MD), proved inadequate. Governor Horatio Sharpe decided
a strong fortification was needed in Maryland. After a prolonged debate
with the colonial legislature over financial support Sharpe began construction
of a large stone fortification -- Fort Frederick. Construction of Fort Frederick began in June of 1756. Work continued until December of 1757, when the Maryland Assembly, leery of the high cost of building the fort, cut off funding. In its completed form the fort included two enlisted men's barracks and an officer's quarters -- or "Governor's House" -- all surrounded by a stone wall three to four feet thick. Considered spacious and commodious for the time, the barracks could house near 400 men when necessary, although they were intended to accomodate 200 "confortably". |
Governor Horatio Sharpe |
Sharpe also recruited five companies of Maryland troops to garrison Forts Frederick
and Cumberland, and to patrol the frontier. In 1757, Fort Frederick was the scene of an important conference betwen Maryland authorities and 60 Cherokee warriors under Chief Wahachey of Keowee (in present day South Carolina). The Cherokees agreed to aid Maryland in the war with the French, and assisted the Maryland Forces, as well as troops from Virginia, in protecting the frontier. |
Portrait of Cherokee Chief Cunne Shote. While not with the group that accompanied
Wahachey to Fort Frederick, his dress is typical of Cherokee headmen in the mid
- eighteenth century. Francis Parsons, "Cunne Shote, Cherokee Chief" from the collection of Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma. |
In 1758 British General John Forbes led a successful campaign that captured Fort
Duquesne. Fort Frederick became an important supply depot and staging area for
Forbes' army. At various times, stores within the fort included 483 bushels of
oats, 1028 bushels of Indian corn, 4320 pounds of hay, 33 wagonloads of musket
balls, artillery shells, and cannon balls, and raod - building tools. With Fort Duquesne's capture the threat to the frontier was eliminated. In early 1759 the last of the Maryland Forces were mustered out and Fort Frederick was left the responsibility of a single caretaker. In 1763 the fort was pressed into brief service during Pontiac's war. Maryland Militia was sent to the frontier and Fort Frederick provided a safe haven for local residents. Soon the threat had passed, and the fort was again abandoned. |
Modern artist's interpretation of the Maryland Forces, 1756 - 1759. Owing to the
reluctance of the Colonial Assembly to provide funding for military defense, surviving
documentation suggests Maryland's troops received a variety of uniforms,
if any at all. |
"Old Fort Frederick" During the American War for Independence Fort Frederick was revitalized for military purposes. The Continental Congress turned the fort into a prison camp to house captured British soldiers. As a result the fort became extremely overcrowded, and while local militia usually guarded the prisoners, escape attemps were frequent. Following the war, finding no further use for the fort, the state of Maryland sold the fort and 99.5 acres of land at public auction in the 1790's. |
Soldier of the 2nd Battalion, 71st Regiment of Foot, also known as Fraser's Highlanders.
After surrendering at Yorktown in 1781, this regiment was imprisoned at
Fort Frederick. Courtesy National Park Service |
Throughout most of the 19th Century, Nathan Williams, an African American who had
purchased the property in 1860, farmed Fort Frederick. Williams and his family
were very successful in the venture, acquiring additional land and constructing
several dwellings, as well as a barn in the northwest bastion of the fort. Also
during the 51 years of occupation by the Williams family, one of Washington
County's first school for African Americans was established on the property. The fort and surrounding grounds were used for agricultural purposes until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. By this time the barracks had disappeared and the fort was little more than a large stone wall. During the winter of 1861 - 62, a company of Union Soldiers from the 1st Maryland Regiment garrisoned the fort. On Christmas Day, 1861, these soldiers skirmished with Confederate raiders who had crossed the Potomac River. With the main theater of action shifting elsewhere in 1862, the was again abandoned. This was the final instance of the fort's use for military purpose. |
Throughout the 19th Century the fort's walls deteriorated and became overgrown with
vegetation. Livestock often roamed inside as well as outside the walls. In the course of its' use as a farm, livestock pens were constructed inside the fort. By the late 19th Century, public interest in preserving Fort Frederick for its historic value increased. It soon became a popular site for patriotic celebrations. In 1922 the State of Maryland acquired the fort and 189.5 acres. During the 1930's the Civilian conervation Corps (CCC) established a camp at Fort Frederick. The CCC performed archeological excavations, reconstructed the fort walls, and capped the fort's original building foundations at ground level. The important work of the CCC ensured the preservation of Fort Frederick and enabled the debelopment of the site as a State Park. |
Union soldiers occupied Fort Frederick during the early months of the Civil War.
Throughout the war, troops were frequently in the area. Courtesy of National Park Service |
By the late 19th Century, public interest in preserving Fort Frederick for its historic
value increased. It soon became a popular site for patriotic celebrations.
In 1922 the State of Maryland acquired the fort and 189.5 acres. During the
1930's the Civilian conervation Corps (CCC) established a camp at Fort Frederick.
The CCC performed archeological excavations, reconstructed the fort walls, and
capped the fort's original building foundations at ground level. The important
work of the CCC ensured the preservation of Fort Frederick and enabled the debelopment
of the site as a State Park. "...to protect, preserve...and provide access thereto for the public." Today Fort Frederick State Park continues to operate as an educational facility |
dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history or Maryland and the
United States. Throughout the summer months, as well as weekends in the spring and fall, individuals dressed in period clothing occupy the fort presenting living history programs that are designed to show both the military and civilian aspects of life at Fort Frederick during the 18th Century. Demonstrations include musket firing, cooking, drilling, garrison life, sewing, laundry, and music, to name a few. Several times during the year special events, which involve several hundred volunteers, feature tactical demonstrations, drills, encampments, and sutlers selling period wares. Group tours are available by contacting the park Visitors Center. Numerous historical displays are located in the fort barracks, CCC Museum, and Visitors Center, where an introductory film is also available. Periodically, archeological excavations are conducted in the fort and surrounding grounds. These excavations provide valuable evidence pertaining to life at Fort Frederick as well as structures associated with the fort. Future reconstruction and interpretation of the fort will be made possible through these discoveries. In addition to historic programs, Fort Frederick State Park Presents opportunities for recreational activities. The park encompasses almost 600 acres and provides access to Big Pool for boating and fishing. Camping and pinicking are available as well. The park also offers access to the C&O Canal National Historical Park and the Potomac River. Located one mile from the park is the eastern terminus of the Western Maryland Rail Trail. This trail, which follows the path of the Western Maryland Railway, is a perfect place for hiking, biking, and in - line skating. |
Fort Frederick A Witness to War Built by the Maryland Colony in 1756 during the French and Indian War, Fort Frederick's stone walls surrounded three large buildings. The colonists abandoned the frontier fort in 1759, when the threat of Indian raids subsided. During the Revolutionary War, the fort confined hundreds of British prisoners. The state auctioned the fort and about 100 acres in the 1790s. The Property changed hands several times; in 1860, Nathan Williams, a free African American, bought the place and farmed the land. By then, time and scavengers had demolished the buildings. With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the area around Fort Frederick again became |
strategically significant. The U.S. Army acted to protect the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal a quarter - mile south of the fort and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad across
the Potomac River in present - day West Virginia. The 1st Maryland Infantry
(U.S.) under the command of Colonel John Kenly arrived in December 1861 to guard
the canal and the fords and ferries between Four Locks, to the east, and Cherry
Run, to the west. Company H occupied Fort Frederick. On Christmas Day 1861,
the regiment skirmished nearby with Confederate raiders who tore up the railroad.
Company D relieved Company H here in January 1862, the crossed the river
at the end of February to protect the railroad while it was under repari. In October
1862, a 12th Illinois Cavalry picket guarded the canal "immediately south
of old Fort Frederick," and other Federals later occupied the area. |
Fort Frederick, 1894 |
Infantryman on picket, Edwin Forbes sketch |
Nathan Williams A Prosperous Farm Nathan Williams was the son of Samuel "Big Sam" Williams, a slave who who in 1826 bought freedom for himself, his wife, and his four children. In 1839, the elder Williams purchased a farm near Four Locks, about 3.5 miles east of |
Fort Frederick. There, Nathan Williams fell in love with a slave named Ammy on an
adjoining farm and bought her freedom for $60 in 1847. In 1860, just before the
Civil War, the couple acquired the Fort Frederick tract for $7,000. When the 1st Maryland Infantry (U.S.) garrisoned the fort in 1861 - 62, officers occupied the Williams house, which was located near the present park gift shop, and Ammy Williams cooked their meals. Nathan Williams sold produce to the soldiers here well as to the Confederates across the Potomac River. He justified his fraternization with the Confederates by passing information to the Federals. After the war, Williams dismantled most of the fort's north - west bastin to construct a barn. Inside the fort he built animal pens and planted grapevines, vegetables, and a small orchard. He also cultivated the fields outside and bought more land to expand his farm as he prospered. In 1884, Nathan Williams died, and the farm passed to his family. By the 1890s, public sentiment in Maryland spurred efforts by the start to reacquire the fort. In 1911, the Williams family sold 189.5 acres with the fort. The state bought it in 1922 to create Fort Frederick, Maryland's first state park. |
Has Been Designated A National Historic Landmark This site possesses National Significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America 1974 National Park Service United States Department of the Interior |
Enlisted Men's Quarters Although this room might appear rude and cramped by modern standards, it was by the standards of 1758, very "commodious" indeed. A colonial soldier could have been asigned to much less desirable quarters. |
This well restored by Janet Montgomery Chaper July 1930 |
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