Friends of South Mountain Battlefield Group Forms

BURKITTSVILLE, Md. - The Friends of Gathland State Park (FOG) have reorganized into the Friends of South Mountain State Battlefield. After eight years of support for Gathland State Park, located at Crampton's Gap, on Maryland's South Mountain, the FOG members and board voted to broaden the mission and change the name of the friends' organization.

The South Mountain State Battlefield was created this past summer by the State of Maryland to protect, preserve and interpret the historical events of the Civil War battle that took place Sept. 14, 1862, at Turner's, Fox's, and Crampton's Gaps on South Mountain. Although classified as a Federal Army victory since the Confederate Army was chased from the South Mountain on that day, some historians believe that more decisive and quicker action by the Union Army could have prevented the surrender of Harpers Ferry Federal garrison, the re-unification of the Southern Army at Sharpsburg, and the subsequent Battle of Antietam on Sept. 17.

More than 6000 casualties including the deaths of two generals were suffered in the Battle of South Mountain. Many survivors of the battle referred to the fighting as some of the most intense they saw in the Civil War.

South Mountain State Battlefield encompasses property already owned by the State of Maryland in the South Mountain Recreational Area stretching from Brownsville Gap to the Washington Monument State Park. South Mountain is the first state battlefield to be established in Maryland.

The Friends of South Mountain State Battlefield's mission will be to assist the state in creating public-private partnerships to better interpret the Civil War battle and other historical events as well as cultural and natural resources on South Mountain.

Other resources on South Mountain within the state battlefield include the War Correspondent's Arch, George Alfred Townsend's Gathland Estate, Washington Monument, and 8 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Preliminary plans are to develop Civil War interpretive centers in existing buildings at Gathland and Washington Monument parks and to develop interpretative signs and audio programs for a driving tour of the battlefield. The creation of South Mountain State Battlefield may be an economic development opportunity to support tourism in Washington and Frederick Counties.

The first general planning meeting for the Friends of South Mountain State Battlefield (FSMSB) was held Jan. 13 at Greenbrier State Park in Boonsboro. By-laws, committee structure, organization, dues and other operating policies were discussed. Any interested volunteers and prospective members should call (301) 791-4656.