Way back in 2020, I conducted research into the lost roads on South Mountain that affected troop movements on both sides during the Battle of South Mountain. My research was included in a manual published by A.D. Marble & MDOT. As today is the anniversary of the Battle of South Mountain, I'm posting a portion of my research and the maps I drew that show where the roads where in 1862 that are no longer there along with the roads that are currently there.
In September 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee moved the Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac River into Maryland. His reasons for this were; a recent series of smashing victories against the Union armies in Virginia, the hope to continue the momentum of these victories and influence the upcoming November elections thereby bringing a close to the war, potential recognition of the Confederacy by England and France, liberation of Maryland so the state could secede into the Confederacy, and finding desperately needed food and materials for his army. Lee’s move across the Potomac resulted in the 1862 Maryland Campaign during September 2-20 with a series of skirmishes and three major battles; South Mountain September 14, Antietam September 17, and Shepherdstown September 20. This study will focus on how geography affected the initial troop movements throughout September 9-15 and, more specifically, at the Battle of South Mountain ...
In general, “roads” is a generic term for small wagon paths/trails that were used by the local farmers to get to their fields. The exceptions are: Old Sharpburg Road which is now Reno Monument Road, Ridge Road (which has been altered from its original form), and Gapland Road.
Crampton’s Gap (map not included as it is all private property):
- Distillery Lane.
- Road to Confederate position at Brownsville Pass.
- Wagon road on Arnold Farm that connects to #4.
- Wagon road from Gapland Road to Brownsville Pass.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Western path off of the AP Trail that was created by Confederates pulling their artillery up the mountain from the turnpike, this path did not exist until the battle.
A portion of the original Ridge Road.
Trail from current Park Hall Road/Moser Road intersection to North Carolina position. Current Moser Road existed as a trail but did not have the name Moser.
Wagon road from Old Sharpsburg Road to Ridge Road.
A portion of Old Sharpsburg Road that runs adjacent to Reno Monument Road.
Roads from Ridge Road to Rohersville Road and Lamb’s Knoll.
Road leading from Ridge Road to fields further up the mountain.
Wise Cabin & Well (current parking lot).
1. Farmer’s Gap Road.
- Dahlgren Road did exist but was not named Dahlgren. It was a connecting loop called Frosttown Road which included current Dahlgren, Michael, and Frosttown Roads.
- Trail from modern Dahlgren Road connecting to Farmer’s Gap Road that spiked shortly after Farmer’s Gap Road to circle back to Dahlgren Road near Frosttown Road or could continue straight to Mount Tabor Road near the church.
- Both Wagon Depot (Corner of Fox Gap Road & Turnpike) and Toll House (Corner of Farmer’s Gap Road & Turnpike) are gone.
