Jefferson
Prowling Confederates and Pretty Girls
In June 1863, Federal troops marched through Jefferson as the Army of the Potomac pursued Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, a menacing force to the west—but where was it headed? Fearing that Lee would push through the gaps in South Mountain west of Jefferson, Gen. Joseph Hooker sent Union I, III, and XI Corps to the Catoctin Valley to watch them. Many of the men marched through Jefferson June 24-28 on their way to Burkittsville, at the foot of Crampton’s Gap, and Middletown, just below Turner’s Gap and not far from Fox’s Gap.
For many Federals, tiny Jefferson was one of the first towns they encountered after crossing the Potomac River. Numerous regiments unfurled their flags and marched through to the beat of drums. The residents welcomed them, and some fed the dusty men free of charge. Maj. Charles Mattocks later recalled “the fine little village of Jefferson”: “Here for the first time for 9 months our entrance was greeted with the ‘red, white, and blue.’... Here for the first time in 9 months our eyes were feasted upon pretty girls and well-dressed citizens! One beautiful damsel threw me a nice bouquet.”
A Union private grumbled that his regiment marched “far enough (beyond Jefferson) that the men won’t go back to bask in the sunlight of the smiling females.” Part of the army later passed through the town again while pursuing Lee’s army after the Battle of Gettysburg.
Marker is on Lander Road, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
