south mountain state battlefield

We did the State Park Ranger guided tour on the 152nd anniversary of the battle. I have already done all the ranger guided tours at the nearby national parks, so I wanted to see this other battlefield and do the tour. They do not do these tours often, so check the Maryland DNR's website for their schedule. Knowing that these tours normally do occur on the battle anniversary I planned my trip for that weekend. The tour is just as good as any I have ever done at a national park. In some respects is better than some of the national parks I have been to since this one is way less spoiled by development. This tour is nice if you have already been to or know about the battles at Antietam and Harper's Ferry since these particular battles at South Mountain fill in all the missing details.Note: Some of the smaller roads in and around this park are narrow and windy and hilly. Also, to get to the North Carolina monument you have to walk some through the woods to get to it.

This out of the way Maryland park includes the site of one of the most important 1862 Civil War battles- it set the stage for the horrible battle at Antietam a few days later. As the battle occurred in three places along the crest of beautiful South Mountain, this park is long and in different locations. We visited Fox's Gap, where some bitter fighting involving NC troops, partly led by an ancestor, took place. There is a small museum with an excellent LED display of the entire battle. The ranger present was very knowledgeable and helpful. Well worth the time.

The southmountain battlefield was at three area Foxes, turners and Cramptons gaps, I found the Foxes gap site and walked into the woods to the memorial to the north soldiers who fought here , its behind the monument to Gen Reno who was killed here.there are some good information boards around here, and a map shows you where the other battlefields are, there are some more information markers at the old south mountain inn , on the national road, just at the turn off to the Washington Monument.However I failed to find the other battlefield site, Foxes gap was well worth the visit.

The Battle of South Mountain was an intrigale part of Lee's 1862 campaign in Maryland. In fact it directly lead to the large battle of Antietam taking place. This is a beautifully maintained state park that features the ruins of several structures, a monument to the battle which is an architectual beauty, and an interpretive trail. For the historician or Civil War enthusiast it is a must see and If you like to backpack or hike its trails are ideal.