Existing comment:
1864 -- Washington Saved!
In July of 1864, Confederate General Jubal Early departed the Shenandoah Valley to attack Washington DC. Intent on crossing the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, Early found his path blocked by Union troops. After skirmishing on July 4, Early forced Union General Max Weber and 400 West Virginia reserves to evacuate Harpers Ferry. Weber burned the bridges as he fell back to Maryland Heights and was joined by Franz Sigel.
The Confederates attacked from the north for two days, halting 600 yards from the Federal line. Jubal Early then gave orders to abandon the attack and bypass Maryland Heights. The Confederates lost three days, giving the Federals time to fight again at the Monocacy River and to reinforce the defenses of Washington DC.
"My desire had been to maneuver the enemy out of Maryland Heights, so as to enable me to move directly from Harpers Ferry for Washington."
-- General Jubal Early
General Jubal Early, CSA:
Early marched approximately 20,000 troops to Silver Spring, Maryland -- within sight of the Capitol dome -- where he demonstrated against Ft. Stevens before retreating. Had it not been for the Union defenses at Harpers Ferry and on Maryland Heights, there may well have been Confederate troops in the White House.
General Franz Sigel, USA:
As the Confederates approached Martinsburg, West Virginia, General Sigel withdrew 6,000 Union soldiers south to Harpers Ferry. Despite his successful defense of Maryland Heights, Sigel was relieved of command on July 8, 1864. |