Existing comment:
Advance on Washington:
"When we reached the right of the enemy's fortifications, the men were almost completely exhausted and not in condition to make an attack."
-- Lieutenant General Jubal Early
After the Battle of Monocacy, Early's army resumed its advance on Washington, 35 miles away. But much had changed. Early had lost a critical day along the Monocacy. He also now knew veteran Union troops had arrived in Maryland. Hoping to reach Washington ahead of Union reinforcements, Early rushed toward the United States' capital.
Two days' marching through Urbana and Rockville brought Early to the outskirts of Washington. The march left his troops exhausted. Any assault on the capital would have to wait until July 12.
July 18, 1864
Our boys are nearly worn out marching. We have marched over 600 miles since the 13th of June and did what no other troops have ever done -- went in 2 miles of Washington City, near enough to throw shells into the city.
-- Letter from I.K. Walker to his father |