Monocacy National Battlefield Welcomes Vermont’s Civil War Memorial

A memorial erected in 1915 honors soldiers of the 10th Vermont Infantry Regiment who fought in the Battle of Monocacy in Frederick, Md.

NPS Photo

Today, a historic Vermont memorial becomes part of Monocacy National Battlefield, honoring the 10th Vermont Infantry Regiment that helped slow a Confederate advance on Washington, D.C., in July 1864.

“This land and its memorial occupy an important place in our park’s history,” said Monocacy National Battlefield Superintendent Derek Carter. “Having served in the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets), I have a deep appreciation for service and sacrifice. Monocacy tells a story of courage and resilience that shaped our nation, and this land transfer is an important milestone as we continue to honor that legacy.”

The Battle of Monocacy

In the summer of 1864, Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal Early advanced into Maryland to draw Federal (also known as Union) forces away from Virginia and threaten the nation’s capital. Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace quickly gathered about 6,600 Federal troops near Monocacy Junction to slow him down.

Confederate forces outnumbered them more than two to one, but Federal troops fought across the farms, fields and bridges along the Monocacy River. About 2,200 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing.

The Confederates won the battle, but Wallace’s stand bought time for reinforcements to reach the capital. That sacrifice gave Monocacy its lasting name: “The Battle That Saved Washington.”

A Civil War-era cannon poised at Monocacy National Battlefield.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

The Role of the 10th Vermont Infantry Regiment

The 10th Vermont Infantry Regiment helped hold the line at Monocacy. They fought in two key areas:

1. At Monocacy Junction: Approximately 75 men defended two bridges crossing the Monocacy River
2. At Thomas Farm: Most of the regiment joined intense fighting on the left flank of the Federal line

Two soldiers from Company D earned the Medal of Honor for their valor at Monocacy, the nation’s highest award for bravery in combat. Cpl. Alexander Scott, under heavy fire, carried the national colors and state flag off the field to safety. First Lt. George E. Davis led a small group positioned between two bridges, where they fought off repeated attacks by larger Confederate forces.

56 soldiers were killed, wounded, captured or missing. In 1915, Vermont honored the regiment’s sacrifice with an eight-foot granite memorial.

The inscription on the memorial in Frederick, Md., reads: “This monument was erected by the state of Vermont to designate the position of the Tenth Vermont Infantry during the battle fought here on the ninth day of July 1864 to save Washington, ‘and we saved it.’ Seven companies occupied the Washington Pike, while three companies occupied the Buckeystown Road opposite the Thomas House.”

NPS Photo

Their Story Lives On with the National Park Service

As of May 2026, the National Park Service oversees this parcel. With its acquisition, the NPS can permanently protect, maintain and interpret the state of Vermont’s monument marking the 10th Vermont’s position during the battle.

Visit Monocacy National Battlefield to walk the battlefield, see the Vermont memorial and learn how one day of fighting helped protect the nation’s capital.

Tags: monocacy national battlefield, battle of monocacy, civil war