The
Battle That Saved Washington
Page 2
Frederick Junction, also called Monocacy Junction, three miles southeast of Frederick was the logical point of defense for both cities
The
Georgetown Pike to Washington and the National Road to Baltimore both
crossed the Monocacy River there as did the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
If Wallace could stretch his little army over six miles of riverfront
to protect both turnpike bridges, the railroad bridge, and several fords,
he could make Early disclose the strength and objective of the Confederate
force and delay him as long as possible.
Wallace's prospects brightened with word that the first contingent of Grant's Veterans, the troops commanded by General Ricketts, had reached Baltimore and were rushing by rail to join Wallace at the Monocacy.
On Saturday, July 9, combined forces of Walllace and Ricketts, numbering about 5,800 were positioned at the bridges and fords of the river. The higher elevation of the river's east bank formed a natural breastwork for some of the soldiers. Others occupied two block-houses, the trenches they had dug with a few available tools, or took what cover they could among the fences and crops of once peaceful farms.
Confederate General Dodson Ramseur's division encountered Wallace's troops on the Georgetown Pike near the Best Farm; General Robert Rodes's division clashed with the Federals on the National Road. Believing that a frontal attack across the Monocacy would be too costly, Early sent John McCausland's cavalry down Buckeystown Road to find a ford and outflank the Union line. Confederates penetrated the Monocacy defenses below the McKinney-Worthington Ford and attacked Wallace's left flank. Some of the heaviest fighting that day took place where they confronted Ricketts's veterans at a fence separating the Worthington and Thomas farms.
The Federals fought fiercely to hold position, but it was only a matter
of time before the superior force nearly 15,000 Confederates--gained control.
A three-pronged attack of Confederate's from General
John Gordon's Division led by Terry, York, and Evans pushed Ricketts
back toward the National Road where he was joined by the beleaguered troops
who had fought Ramseur and Rodes all day.
