Rowser's Ford Overlook Traditional Geocache

This cache is located within the confines of Blockhouse Park. It is a beautiful park so please only leave footprints.

The cache is a regular sized ammocan hidden next to an old log a hillside, so please use caution when going for the cache during wet weather! You also do not need to leave the trail until the last 100 feet.

A brief History of Rowser's Ford.

Part 1: How the ford came to be.
When the C&O canal was built they made a dam across the Potomac River named Dam #2 (not very exciting) which was designed to feed the canal water at Violet's Lock #23 from the Potomac River. The dam was built of loose rubble, covered with an arch of dry-laid stone. The lock built in the regular form of a lock with a 9-foot lift to let boats pass to and from the Potomac. The dam of course made it easy to cross the Potomac River below Dam #2 during periods of low water.

Part 2: John S. Mosby
The famous partisan raider, had used Rowser's Ford. He left our point of rendezvous yesterday for the purpose of making a night attack on two cavalry companies of the enemy on the Maryland shore. Had he succeeded in crossing the river at night, as expected, He would have had no difficulty in capturing them; but, unfortunately, his guide mistook the road, and, instead of crossing by 11 o clock at night, he did not get over until after daylight. The enemy (between 80 and 100 strong), being apprised of Mosby's movement, were formed to receive him. A charge was ordered, the shock of which the enemy could not resist, and they were driven several miles in confusion, with the loss of 7 killed, a considerable number wounded, and 17 prisoners; also 20 odd horses or more. They burned their tents, stores, camp equipage, etc..

Part 3: J.E.B. Stuart.
While the Union was crossing Edwards Ferry on the 25th and 26th J.E.B. Stuart was planning to cross further down the river. While getting prepared it had been necessary to halt the command several times since the 25th to graze the horses, for the country was destitute of provisions, and Stuart had no vehicles with him save ambulances. Upon reaching Dranesville Hampton's brigade was sent to Rowser's Ford, and made the passage early in the night ; but the Potomac was so wide, and the current so strong, that the ford was reported impracticable for the artillery and the ambulances. Another ford in the vicinity was examined, under circumstances of great danger, by Captain R.B. Kennon of Stuart's staff, but it was found to offer no better prospect of success, and Stuart determined to cross at Rowser's, if it were within the limits of possibility. The caissons and limber-chests were emptied on the Virginia shore, and the ammunition was carried over by the cavalrymen in their hands. The guns and caissons, although entirely submerged during nearly the whole crossing, were safely dragged through the river and up the steep and slippery bank, and by three o'clock on the morning of the 28th the rear-guard had crossed and the whole command was established upon Maryland soil. No more difficult achievement was accomplished by the cavalry during the war. The night was calm and without a moon. No prominent object marked the entrance to the ford on either side, but horse followed horse through nearly a mile of water, which often covered the saddles of the riders. Where the current was strong the line would unconsciously be borne down the river, sometimes so far as to cause danger of missing the ford, when some bold rider would advance from the opposite shore and correct the alignment. Energy, endurance, and skill were taxed to the utmost ; but the crossing was effected, and so silently that the nearest neighbors were not aware of it until daylight. The soldiers captured a number of canal boats in the area of Violette's lock, turning one sideways to creating a bridge for his soldiers to cross. They abandoned their plan to burn the other boats after the boat captains persuaded them to have mercy on small businessmen. Instead, Stuart's men transformed the boats into obstructions by turning them sideways and then draining the water from that section of the canal which crippled one of the lines of supply for Hooker's army. After the arduous labors of the night some rest was indispensable, especially for the artillery horses, and the sun was several hours high before the command left the Potomac for Rockville. Hampton's brigade moved in advance by way of Darnestown, and found Rockville in the possession of a small force of the enemy, which was speedily scattered.