Interpretive Panel: Retreat

After a long day of intense fighting, the Union Army retreated through this meadow.

J. Fitzgerald

Quick Facts

Location:

Frederick, Maryland

Significance:

Battle of Monocacy

Designation:

National Battlefield, National Register of Historic Places, National Historic Landmark

Amenities

4 listed

Audio Description, Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Trailhead

The Retreat wayside is located on the Grambrill Mill Trail roughly four tenths of a mile from the parking lot trailhead by the Gambrill Mill. The wayside is located on the trail facing south along Bush Creek where the trail makes a right turn to head south into a meadow between two fence lines.

The wayside is a typical National Park Service wayside roughly 3 feet tall and is rectangular in shape with a brown metal frame supporting a laminated informative panel that is roughly 2 feet by 3 feet. The panel has an artist’s rendering of Union troops in retreat with one solider carrying two US Flags in retreat, one solider firing his weapon, another running to in retreat and lastly one wounder solider laying on the ground. There is a battle map showing where both Union and Confederate forces were on the battlefield just before the retreat was ordered.

The main body of text on the upper third of the wayside reads as follows: 

Retreat 

At about 5:00 p.m. on July 6, 1864, the Confederates stormed the Union line on the Georgetown Pike. Union General Wallace ordered the withdrawal and chaos soon followed. With Confederates in hot pursuit, Union troops fled past Gambrill Mill, then through the field in front of you, and across Bush Creek behind you. After two miles the Confederates finally abandoned their chase.  

“The lines were thrown into great confusion. The advancing Confederates who, in great numbers, are bearing down upon us.” Private Alfred Roe, 9th New York Heavy Artillery 

There is a photographic inset in the lower right corner with an oval picture of Corporal Alexander Scott post war in a suite with a tie and vest on wearing his Civil War medals with the following description: 

During the retreat, the color guards form the 10th Vermont Infantry were under heavy Confederate fire and unable to continue. Corporal Alexander Scott, fearing the Union flags might be captured, ran both flags to safety. For his valor in saving the national flag he received the Medal of Honor on September 21, 1897. 

There are two notes along with black and white circular pictures on the maps about key command officers in the battle and a map key that describes symbols used to portray Union and Confederate units on the battlefield. 

The first note reads: 

Brigadier General James B. Ricketts, commanded the Union defense at the Thomas Farm until ordered to retreat.

The second note reads: 

Major General John B, Gordon commanded the Confederate division that defeated the Union Forces.  

Duration:

3 minutes, 31 seconds

Two Medals of Honor were earned for actions during the Battle of Monocacy. This video discusses the two Vermont soldiers that received the Medals of Honor and covers the final shots of the Battle.