Known as the "Battle That Saved Washington", the battle of Monocacy on July 9, 1864 between 18,000 Confederate forces under General Jubal Early, and 5,800 Union forces under General Lew Wallace, marked the last campaign of the Confederacy to carry the war into the north. One of the objectives of this campaign was to capture Washington, D.C.

Although this battle was a military victory for the Confederates, it was also a defeat. Time spent for battle cost the Confederates a day's delay in marching on the federal capital. General Lew Wallace's defense along the Monocacy bought critical time to allow Washington to be reinforced. Early's raid would be thwarted and the war would be taken to the south for the rest of the war.

 Directions 

Car - From the North, East, or West use I-70, take Exit 54 (Market Street), then turn south on Maryland Route 355. The Gambrill Mill Visitor Center is located one-tenth of a mile south of the Monocacy River bridge. From the South use I-270, take Exit 26 (Urbana). Turn left onto Rt. 80 and proceed two-tenths of a mile to stop sign. Turn left onto Rt. 355 North. The Gambrill Mill Visitor Center is located 3.7 miles north on Rt. 355.