Preserving Monterey Pass Battlefield
On the evening of July 4, 1863, one of the most confusing battles of the Civil War occurred during the retreat from Gettysburg known as the Battle of Monterey Pass. Around 9 p.m. on South Mountain, the Union cavalry under the command of Gen. Judson Kilpatrick came in contact with the Confederate 1st Maryland Cavalry under Capt. George Emack, who had a small detail guarding the approach to Monterey Pass, reinforced by one cannon from Cap. William Tanner’s Battery. Darkness set in during a blinding rainstorm. The Confederate artillerists, wearing gum blankets to protect them from the weather, open fire on the head of Kilpatrick’s advance. As the confusion subsided, the Confederate cavalrymen charged, pushing the Kilpatrick back until they reached the Federal artillery that was positioned near Fountain Dale. For several hours, during the blinding thunderstorm in the middle of the night, the battle was carried out in between lightning strikes and muzzle flashes. Six hours of heavy fighting had spilled over to Fairfield Gap as well as Leitersburg, Md., while General Kilpatrick gained the South Mountain summit of Monterey Pass. At Fairfield Gap, a portion of the 1st Michigan Cavalry was beaten back by Confederate cavalry, while at the Monterey House two guns of Pennington’s battery began shelling the Confederate wagons. By 3:30 a.m. on July 5, Kilpatrick successfully reached the turnpike where Ewell’s wagon train was located, capturing and destroying nine miles worth of wagons, taking 1,360 prisoners and a large number of horses and mules as they moved on toward Ringgold, Md. Monterey Pass is the second largest battle that occurred in Pennsylvania and was the only battle ever fought on both sides of the Mason and Dixon Line, taking place in four counties, Frederick and Washington Counties, Maryland, and Adams and Franklin Counties, Pennsylvania. Monterey Pass is situated on the South Mountain range and, being a direct route to the Potomac River, it was used by the bulk of the Confederate Army during its withdrawal from Gettysburg. The Monterey Pass Battlefield Association (MPBA) was formed in the spring of 2006 with the goal of raising awareness and educating the public on the Battle of Monterey Pass and the Civil War history of the nearby areas of Emmitsburg, Md., and Waynesboro, Pa. As part of our educational process we also interpret the importance of the South Mountain Range during the Pennsylvania Campaign of 1863, as well as Early’s Raids that took place in 1864. Our programs and uniform standards are based upon the National Park Service and South Mountain State Battlefield’s standards of interpretation. As a community organization, the Monterey Pass Battlefield Association understands the importance of interpretation. Without it, one would not be able to understand the events of the past. This is why we consider our interpretational programs a very important aspect of what we do. Our interpretive programs and guided tours provide visitors with a wealth of knowledge regarding several different topics relating to the area’s Civil War history. We are continually creating new programs to educate the public about the different aspects of the Civil War and how they relate to our community. Since its formation in 2006, the MPBA has dealt with more than 15,000 people with very little support outside of the community. In addition to giving tours and lectures, we also focus attention on the younger generation, educating them on the importance of the average Civil War soldiers and what they experienced as well as what day-to-day life was like for those on the home front. These programs are based upon the National Park Service teaching standards for students. The MPBA has done programs for historical societies, libraries, battlefield sites, state and national parks, school and various youth groups. Some of our current programs include: Understanding the Common Soldier of the Civil War, Confederate Uniforms, The Knapsack & Haversack Program, Christmas During the Civil War and The Battle of Monterey Pass History Expedition. The MPBA’s completed major projects include development of temporary wayside exhibits that explain the key points of the Battle of Monterey Pass as well as a 26-mile driving tour. Tourists and Civil War enthusiasts can experience the natural beauty and the related Civil War history that South Mountain has to offer and gain an understanding of how the Battle of Monterey Pass was fought on both sides of the Mason and Dixon Line. Early in 2010, the MPBA formed a partnership with Washington Township in Franklin County, Pa. This partnership was established to preserve the remaining undeveloped land of the Monterey Pass Battlefield site. Also in 2010, the Franklin County Visitors Bureau sponsored all of the MPBA’s Civil War-related battlefield programs. These two partnerships have had a huge impact on preserving the battlefield site as well as providing quality educational programs. To assist Washington Township preserve the battlefield, the MPBA designed a battlefield conceptual and interpretive management plan. With the adoption of these plans by Washington Township, the Battle of Monterey Pass Committee was formed. This committee is comprised of MPBA members, township representatives, members of other local non-profit organizations and private citizens, giving all those interested a chance to be part of this monumental project to establish the Monterey Pass Battlefield. The Monterey Pass Battlefield needs your help. The Battle of Monterey Pass Committee has acquired a matching grant of $41,900 from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to obtain a prime portion of battlefield property. We need $58,000 more to purchase the land. This property is already home to a Vietnam memorial, has a building that will be used for interpretive programs and is the key position of Custer’s Michigan Cavalry. By preserving the battlefield, not only are you assisting in preserving history, but the natural resources, recreational uses and tourism that it will bring. Please show your support and help preserve this key battlefield along the retreat route. All funds donated will be used to purchase lands and interpret the battlefield for the enjoyment of visitors and to promote tourism to our area. By establishing an interpretive center using an existing building, we can interpret Lee’s Invasion of Pennsylvania, the Battle of Monterey Pass, as well as Lee’s Withdrawal from Pennsylvania, equally telling the story of both the invaders and the defenders. Your donation will help to secure the land necessary to establish, interpret and preserve the Battle of Monterey Pass for future generations to enjoy. For more information about how you can help preserve the Monterey Pass Battlefield or to learn more about the battle, please log onto www.emmitsburg.net/montereypass or follow my blog “War Returns to South Mountain” at www.montereypass.blogspot.com.
John A. Miller is a historian with the South Mountain State Battlefield in Maryland and the Monterey Pass Battlefield in Pennsylvania and a living historian and certified Historic Weapons Safety Officer for the state of Maryland. He has written numerous articles on this area’s Civil War history, has a monthly column in the Emmitsburg News Journal, and is the author of the only book dedicated to the Battle of Monterey Pass.
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