The Maryland Campaign Trivia Quiz

Answer: To destroy railroad lines that shipped supplies from the northern states

Lee envisioned that his troops could destroy the B&O Railroad tracks at strategic locations, blow up important railroad bridges, and generally disrupt railroad traffic that shipped war materials from the factories in the northern states.

Answer: Poolesville, Md

In the early morning hours of September 4, 1862 Lee's army began crossing the Potomac River near Poolesville. He knew that the river was shallow at this point and that troops, wagons, and horses could easily cross the river. The only witnesses to this event were a few Maryland farmers.

Answer: White's Ford

White's Ford is not to be confused with White's Ferry which is located about four miles downstream from White's Ford. Today White's Ferry, which has been in operation for over a hundred years, is the only crossing of the Potomac between Md Route 495 and Point of Rocks, Md. White's Ford is a shallow portion of the Potomac River and is a popular location today for fishermen.

Answer: A copy of the Confederate battle plans

On the morning of September 13, 1862 a soldier found three cigars on the ground near where he had slept. Upon inspection he found that the cigars were wrapped with paper. Up the chain of command went the paper and it was realized that the paper contained a copy of the Confederate battle plan including the division of the army. Since numerous copies of the plan had been written it has never been determined who had lost their copy.

Answer: Barbara Fritchie

Whether this entire episode actually happened has been debated for years. Some believe that Barbara Fritchie, who was very elderly, did lean out the window with the flag, but whether Stonewall Jackson actually said "he who harms a hair on ... dies like a dog" is doubted by many.

In later years a chain of candy stores bearing Barbara Fritchie's name was established in the Middle Atlantic states.

Answer: The Battle of Kernsville

The battles of Harpers Ferry, South Mountain, and Antietam were all fought within a period of six days and the terrain in the first two battles was very rugged and soldiers on both sides were exhausted by the time Antietam was fought.

Answer: That the Confederate Army had withdrawn overnight, crossed the Potomac, and escaped into Virginia.

General McClellan, in command of the Union Army, was criticized for not actively pursuing the Confederate Army across the Potomac River. Later President Lincoln relieved him of his command citing this incident as one of his reasons.

Answer: That McClellan had a "case of the slows"

Lincoln was openly critical of McClellan's reluctance to pursue the Confederate army and sent him several messages inquiring why he didn't do this. Eventually Lincoln had to take a train to Sharpsburg where he met with McClellan and relieved him of command.

Answer: The road to Bladensburg

This force of soldiers marched out of Washington with the intent of guarding the major roads leading into Washington City. They were about evenly split and spent several days waiting for an attack that never came. When it word reached Washington that the Confederates were in Frederick the troops left their camps and marched northward.

Answer: Maryland Heights

Maryland Heights overlooks the town of Harpers Ferry and was a strategic location during the war. The Union army built a fort at the top of the mountain and placed artillery pieces there. A trail leads to the top of Maryland Heights and people climb the trail for an amazing view of the town and the two rivers that meet here.