Battles & Campaigns · 1864
Battle of Monocacy
Monocacy River, near Frederick, Maryland, USA
What happened
Jubal A. Early's Confederate army fought a smaller Union force under Lew Wallace. Early was marching toward Washington, D.C. Wallace placed his troops along the Monocacy River to block him. The Union line held through the afternoon before Wallace retreated toward Baltimore.
Why it matters
Early won the fight but lost a full day. That gave Union reinforcements time to reach the capital first, which is why it is called 'The Battle That Saved Washington'.
What came next
Early attacked Fort Stevens on 12 July but failed, and his army was back in Virginia by 14 July.
Did you know?
Lew Wallace later became famous as the author of the novel Ben-Hur.
Timeline
- 9 Jul 1864Battle of Monocacy.
- 12 Jul 1864Early attacks Fort Stevens and fails.
- 14 Jul 1864Early's army crosses back into Virginia.
- 2001The National Park Service acquires the Thomas Farm, scene of heavy fighting.