This cache brings you to three roadside markers honoring the events
that took place here on September 19-20, 1862. The cache you seek
should be a quick and easy find; it's placed simply to highlight an
area which has some interesting Civil War history.
The Battle of Shepherdstown, also known as the Battle of
Boteler's Ford, was the final battle of Robert E. Lee's Maryland
Campaign, his first invasion of the North. Here, just two days
after the events at Antietam: "On September 19, a detachment of
Major General Fitz John Porter’s V Corps pushed across the
river at Boteler’s Ford, attacked the Confederate rearguard
commanded by Brig. Gen. William Pendleton, and captured four guns.
Early on the 20th, Porter pushed elements of two divisions across
the Potomac to establish a bridgehead. Major General A.P.
Hill’s division counterattacked while many of the Federals
were crossing and nearly annihilated the 118th Pennsylvania (the
“Corn Exchange” Regiment), inflicting 269 casualties.
This rearguard action discouraged Federal pursuit. On November 7,
President Lincoln relieved McClellan of command because of his
failure to follow up Lee’s retreating army. Maj. Gen. Ambrose
E. Burnside rose to command the Union army."
(description taken from American
Battlefield Protection Program website)
If you have the time and interest, consider following the
podcast walking tour of the battlefield. This podcast, created by
WVU and the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association,
gives an informative retelling of the events of this battle. The
audio file can be accessed from the link at the top of this
cache page. Stop 1 on the podcast walking tour is just across the
road from this cache, and subsequent stops are nearby the other two
caches in this series
Shepherdstown Battlefield #2 and
Shepherdstown Battlefield #3. (March 22 Update: While the podcast link is currently unavailable, this video gives more information on the area, if you are interested.)
In regards to parking, roadside parking is permitted along River
Road, however, please do access appropriate caution when parking
and exiting vehicles as there are no areas large enough to pull
completely off the road.
