Gambrill
Mill Trail
The Gambrill Mill Trail is a wonderful one half mile walk through history, and provides, depending on the season, dividends to those who use it. During the spring and summer, the trail is alive with a wide variety of wildflowers. During the fall the sounds of ducks and geese, are framed in the brilliant colors of changing leaves along along the Monocacy River and Bush Creek. You will find wayside exhibits along the trail to help understand the battle
The Gambrill Mill Trail is located adjacent to the park visitor center located 3 miles from Frederick, Maryland on Route 355.
GAMBRILL'S MILL
Located near Bush Creek, the mill was
built in 1830. In 1856 it was purchased by James H. Gambrill who realized
the mill's full potential. The mill was run by an inside undershot water
wheel that had a maximum of 30 horsepower. The output of the mill was
sixty barrels per day and 6 to 8 coopers were employed to produce barrels
for the mill products. A newspaper article further described Gambrill's
Mill:
"By far, the Gambrill's Mill did the most extensive business of all,
both in grist and wheat. Its products were first class and known far
and wide as such. The neat, well-appointed mill was up-to-the-minute,
and its output was greatly appreciated in the homes of a considerable
radius. It was pleasure to accompany the big wagon team on its stated
trips to Gambrill's. The squat neat old mill sitting well down on level
from the sharp elevation to the east; the well-whitewashed dwelling
back against the hill, bright as a new pin; the more than comfortable
atmosphere of the place; and, last but not least; the handsome jolly
miller, all these combined to make one's visits a genuine pleasure."
During the Battle of Monocacy, Union forces were positioned in lines of battle in the yard of the mill The mill was set up as a field hospital although as Major General Lew Wallace declared in his autobiography, "the place appeared well selected for the purpose, its one inconvenience being that it was under fire." As the Federal forces fell back towards Baltimore, Confederate troops moved in and occupied the mill and surrounding area.
MILL RACE
This section of race is all that remains of the elaborate system designed to operate the Gambrill Mill. A dam along Bush Creek (beyond the current pastures at the mill) provided the supply of water. The water flowed along a race across the field, through the mill to operate the wheel, and emptied into the Monocacy River.
OVERLOOK TO THE BRIDGES
Strategic in the Union defense of Washington and Baltimore were two
bridges over the Monocacy River. Union forces valiantly defended the wooden
covered bridge on the Georgetown Pike (Rt. 355) and the B & O Railroad
bridge. The Federals burned the wooden bridge to keep the Confederates
from crossing the river, and in so doing, about 350 men from the 10th
Vermont, the 9th New York Heavy Artillery, and the 1st Maryland Potomac
Home Brigade were cut off from their avenue of retreat. As pressure from
the Confederates in their front intensified, they were forced to withdraw
across the railroad bridge. Stepping along on the ties, looking through
to the river below, the troops withdrew under heavy fire. Congressional
Medals of Honor were awarded to Lieutenant George
E. Davis of the 10th Vermont for his actions at the bridge. Lt Davis
and Corporal Alexander Scott, also of the 10th
Vermont, were the only such recipients at the Battle of Monocacy.
BUSH CREEK CROSSING
An old wagon road crossed Bush Creek at this location connecting the Georgetown Pike with Reels Mill Road to the Northeast. It was along this road that Federal troops withdrew towards Baltimore, leaving the field to the Confederate victors. You will follow a portion of the road as you return to the Gambrill Mill.
