http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?MarkerID=3294

I reside a short drive from the battlefield and often travel those backroads. Certainly an interesting topic to cover.

Back in the day I conducted Staff rides out in training Area Z (Military name of the battlefield area). Several key teaching points from leadership, to snatch operations, to base camp security were subjects we covered during the visits. I used the battlefield in my instruction in the Special Forces Operations and Intelligence course as a teaching ad as well.

I also by chance landed on the battlefield when one halo jump came up short. At the time I did not know of the battlefield. A few weeks later I was reading about the campaigns in the Carolinas when I discovered a reference to a fight at Cross Creek just west of Fayetteville. From then on I read everything I could find on the battle in the area and finally found the site with the assistance of Bill Kerns.

I look forward to reading your book one of these days. I have read several of your articles on the net several years back and Scott Mingus speaks highly of you.

VR
James Mattes

We will definitely pursue those leads.

Eric

Eric and I just ordered copies of your book… I had intended to purchase it this year anyway, but your comments motivated us to pick it up sooner 🙂

Keep the Monocacy info coming, guys – any leads such as this are of great assistance to us.

J.D.

Take Care
-Nick

Well, I guess you’ll be visiting the C Burr Artz Library in Frederick, MD and the Historical Society of Frederick County eventually. You may also want to check on the railroad side of the events leading up to the battle by visiting the B&O Railroad Museum and Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore, MD to find out about John W Garrett’s role in gathering intel about Early’s movements and working with Wallace to get the troops of the VIII Corps to Frederick in time.

I think there’s also some Garrett stuff at the Museum of American History in DC but it won’t be open again until the summer.

This sounds like a great research project!

Take Care
-Nick

You’re correct about the 8th Illinois. There were some other miscellaneous units, but the 8th was the primary mounted unit with Wallace.

The 17th Virginia became a pretty good unit, although it didn’t start out that way. Part of the 17th fought on East Cavalry Field, but not the entire unit.

Sit tight. It’s going to be a while. But we hope nobody will be disappointed.

Eric