Existing comment:
Civilians Under Fire:
Though local residents had grown accustomed to the passage of troops over the last two years of war, they had never experienced battle. That changed on July 9, 1864.
At Monocacy, as at most battles, soldiers noted the suffering of civilians but had little time to offer relief. Civilians coped on their own. The memory of battle would reverberate through this community for 100 years.
"... when we reached the house [the rebels] commenced shelling it and in less time than I write it had sent half a dozen shells into it. I rushed into the house as soon as I got there to see what had become of Thomas and his family and found them in the cellar and frightened to death. He [Thomas] did not come out so I went through his home and locked the drawers -- some of the doors and brought downstairs a basket of silver that they had packed up. They all hung on me and wanted me to stay but I couldn't do it..."
-- Major Vredenburgh, 14th New Jersey, 6th Corps |