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Known as the "Battle That Saved Washington", the battle of Monocacy
on July 9, 1864 between 18,000 Confederate forces under General Jubal Early,
and 5,800 Union forces under General Lew Wallace, marked the last campaign
of the Confederacy to carry the war into the north. One of the objectives
of this campaign was to capture Washington, D.C.
Although this battle was a military victory for the Confederates, it was
also a defeat. Time spent for battle cost the Confederates a day's delay
in marching on the federal capital. General Lew Wallace's defense along
the Monocacy bought critical time to allow Washington to be reinforced.
Early's raid would be thwarted and the war would be taken to the south for
the rest of the war.
The Visitors Center offers an electric map orientation program, an interactive
computer program, interpretive displays, and artifacts of the battle. The
visitor center is the starting point for a self-guided auto tour and 1/2
mile loop walking trail.
Monocacy National Battlefield also presents a series of living history
programs throughout the year. These programs illustrate the Civil War
era, the Battle of Monocacy Junction and give accounts of the men and
woman whose contributions made Monocacy and the surrounding area a significant
part of our national heritage.
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