Boonesborough Days

For this 37th anniversary year, the Boonsboro Historical Society will feature more than 150 early American art, crafts, antiques and food vendors. Rain or shine, the event will be held September 6 & 7, from 9am to 5pm in Boonsboro’s Shafer Memorial Park. Proceeds from the festival are the Society’s main source for maintaining the Bowman House on Main Street and providing donations throughout the community.

There will be free trolley rides to Washington Monument State Park both days, courtesy of the Hagerstown-Washington County CVB. Local artists will showcase their talents in various media with area landscapes, still life and other art works. Antique vendors will have a variety of quality collectibles, postcards, glassware and other memorabilia. Activities for children include pony rides and the Shafer Park playground.

Civil War enthusiasts and history buffs will be treated to historic demonstrations including colonial candle making as well as the age old skills of blacksmithing, chair caning, basket weaving, broom, soap and pottery making, and the South Mountain Coin and Relic Hunters Association’s display of artifacts and relic collections. Visit the Patuxents Encampment of Frontiersmen and experience what life was like way back then!

ADMISSION IS FREE! COME OUT AND JOIN US!

History

During the fall of 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee finds himself with his Army of Northern Virginia poised along the banks of the Potomac River ready to make an offensive thrust into northern territory. The Federal Army had just suffered yet another defeat at the hands of his army and had retreated towards Washington. Lee feels that now is the time to carry the war to the northern people and let them see what it is like. On September 4th, 1862, he crosses the Potomac near White’s Ford beginning what we now know as the Maryland Campaign. Over the next two weeks, General Lee and Federal General George B. McClellan will carry on a huge chess match across many miles of the Maryland countryside involving tens of thousands of men, both blue and gray, resulting in two major battles, South Mountain and Antietam.

While many people are familiar with the Battle of Antietam, which is the single bloodiest day of the war, fewer are aware of the details of the Battle of South Mountain. Yet the two battles are inextricably connected. South Mountain is fought on September 14, 1862, and as such, is the first major battle of the Civil War fought on Federal soil here in the east, as well as the first fought in Maryland. The battle becomes the point at which the Maryland Campaign turns, Lee having been controlling things prior to the battle with McClellan reacting to him. But after the battle the roles have been reversed. Lee is now on the defensive with McClellan being the aggressor. In fact, after the battle, Lee issues orders to his subordinates that the army will cross the Potomac back into Virginia, ending the campaign. It is only with the surrender of the Federal Garrison at Harper’s Ferry that Lee decides to stay and fight, resulting in the Battle of Antietam.

South Mountain State Battlefield Living History Weekend

Throughout this weekend, Civil War living historians will present
demonstrations and talks to illustrate the life of the soldiers and
civilians during this tumultuous period in our history. The programs
are being presented at Washington Monument State Park with
demonstrations being presented in artillery firing and infantry tactics
as well as talks about the Washington Monument during the Civil
War, Civilians during this period, and a battle overview.

There will also be a tour of Confederate artillery positions, and a hike
of the area where the Kanawha Division lead the attack on that fateful
morning. This weekend's events are being held in conjunction
with the Town of Boonsboro and the Boonesborough Days festival.
Further support is being provided by the Hagerstown-Washington
County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - Saturday, September 6

8:00 Park Opens
9:00 Washington Monument during the Civil War, meet at the museum
10:00 Battle Overview talk at the museum
11:00 Civil War Artillery Demo at the field in front of museum
12:00 Civilians During the Civil War, meet at the Museum
1:00 Tour of Confederate artillery positions during the battle, meet at
museum
2:00 Civil War Artillery Demo at the field in front of museum
3:00 The Civilian Conservation Corps at Washington Monument
4:00 Programs end for the day
5:00 Museum Closes

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - Sunday, September 7

8:00 Park Opens
9:00 Washington Monument during the Civil War, meet at the museum
10:00 Battle Overview talk at the museum
11:00 Civil War Artillery Demo at the field in front of museum
12:00 Civilians During the Civil War at the Museum
1:00 "Kanawha Division to the Front" Ohio Regiments at South
Mountain-Meet at Fox's Gap
2:00 Civil War Artillery Demo at the field in front of museum
3:00 Walking Tour to Monument at Washington Monument St. Park
4:00 Programs end for the day
5:00 Museum closes