Richard's father, Colonel John Montgomery was born c1798 in Pennsylvania, the son of Irish natives. He married Nellie, who was born c1802 in Pennsylvania, also daughter of Irish natives. John and Nellie had five known children, the first four were born in Pennsylvania.
Richard first saw the light of day on 30 Oct 1830, Elizabeth Saretta on 2 Nov 1831, Hannah c1834, Virginia in 1837, and John B.C. Montgomery in 1839. The family removed to Ohio around 1840 where their youngest child, Henry "Hopestill" Montgomery was born 28 Apr 1841.
John Montgomery Senior was elected as Treasurer of Guilford Township in 1846. He held that position until 1853, at which time the Village of Seville was incorporated. Mr. Montgomery then became the first Treasurer of Seville, and remained so until after 1881. He was appointed Postmaster of River Styx on 3 Jun 1847, a position in which he held until 13 Apr 1861.
Mr. John Montgomery died in Seville on 20 Jan 1885, and as laid to rest in the River Styx Cemetery. As were his wife, Nellie and children Richard, Virginia, John B.C., and (a memorial marker for) Henry "Hopestill."
Richard Montgomery was among the ranks of the brave boys in blue who went forth in defense of the nation's integrity during the dark and stormy epoch of the Civil war. During which time, he demonstrated love of his country by enlisting in Co D 6 Wisconsin Inf. He was KILLED IN ACTION 14 Sep 1862 South Mountain Maryland.
6th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry
Organized at Camp Randall Madison Wis. & mustered in Jul 16 1861. Left State for Washington D. C. Jul 28. At Harrisburg Pa. till Aug 3 then moved to Washington. Attached to King's Brigade McDowell's Div Army of the Potomac to Mar 1862. 1st Brigade 3rd Div 1st Army Corps Army of the Potomac to Apr 1862. 3rd Brigade King's Div Dept. of the Rappahannock to Jun 1862. 4th Brigade 1st Div 3rd Army Corps Army of Virginia to Sep 1862. 4th Brigade 1st Div 1st Army Corps Army of the Potomac to Jun 1863. 1st Brigade 1st Div 1st Army Corps to Mar 1864. 1st Brigade 4th Div 5th Army Corps to Aug 1864. 3rd Brigade 3rd Div 5th Army Corps to Sep 1864. 1st Brigade 3rd Div 5th Army Corps to Jul 1865.
SERVICE. Camp on Meridian Hill & duty in the Defences of Washington D. C. till Mar 1862. Advance on Manassas Va. Mar 10-16. Advance to Falmouth Apr 9-19. Duty at Falmouth & Fredericksburg till Aug McDowell's advance on Richmond Mar 25-29. Operations against Jackson Jun 2-11. Reconnoissance to Orange Court House Jul 24-27. Reconnoissance to Frederick's Hail Station & Spottsylvania Court House Aug 5-8. Thornburg's Mills Aug 5-6. Bat of Cedar Mountain Aug 9. Pope's Campaign in Northern VA Aug 16-Sep 2. Fords of the Rappahannock Aug 21-23. Action at Gainesville Aug 28. Battles of Groveton Aug 29; Bull Run Aug 30; Chantilly Sep 1 (Reserve). Maryland Campaign Sep 6-22. Battles of South Mountain MD; Antietam Sep 16-17… Regiment lost during service 16 Officers & 228 Enlisted men killed & mortally wounded, 1 Officer & 112 Enlisted men by disease. Total 357.
.~·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·~.
BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN
.~·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·~.
Maryland Campaign, 14 Sep 1862; Frederick and Washington Co. Maryland. Principal Commanders: US Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan; CS Gen. Robert E. Lee. Estimated Casualties: 4,500 total Result: Union victory.
Description: After invading Maryland in Sep 1862, Gen. Robert E. Lee divided his army to march on and invest Harpers Ferry. The Army of the Potomac under Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan pursued the Confederates to Frederick, Maryland, then advanced on South Mountain. On Sep 14, pitched battles were fought for possession of the South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. By dusk the Confederate defenders were driven back, suffering severe casualties, and McClellan was in position to destroy Lee's army before it could reconcentrate. McClellan's limited activity on Sep 15 after his victory at South Mountain, however, condemned the garrison at Harpers Ferry to capture and gave Lee time to unite his scattered divisions at Sharpsburg. Union general Jesse Reno and Confederate general Samuel Garland, Jr., were killed at South Mountain.
South Mountain is often overlooked by the Civil War novice, overshadowed by the atrocities of the Battle of Antietam, which took place three days later and resulted in a loss of 23,000 men.
The battle's significance is in the fact that the Army of Northern Virginia's first campaign north was stopped not at Antietam, but here in the rugged mountain gaps of South Mountain. It was the late summer of 1862. Following a shocking Federal defeat at Second Manassas, General Robert E. Lee felt the time was right to carry the war into the North, hoping to take advantage of the region's waning sentiment toward the war and possibly influencing Northerners to pressure their government to sue for peace.
The stakes were high on Sep 4 as General Lee and his army crossed the Potomac into Maryland, proceeding north. They eventually camped in and around the small town of Frederick, where Lee prepared and issued Special Order 191 detailing his plan to divide his army into five parts. Major Generals Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson and Lafayette McLaws, along with Brigadier General John G. Walker, were to surround and contain a 12,000 man Union garrison at Harper's Ferry, preventing any interference to Lee's supply and communication lines. At the same time, Major General James Longstreet would lead a supply mission through Boonsboro and Hagerstown, while Major General Daniel Harvey Hill's command was left to guard the rear of the army along the South Mountain passes.
As the Confederate plan went into effect, the Army of the Potomac, under the command of General George B. McClellan, moved into the area around Frederick that the rebel army had just vacated. In one of the war's more memorable twists, Union soldiers stumbled upon a copy of Lee's Special Order 191 wrapped around a bundle of cigars in a field on the neighboring Best Farm. This discovery allowed McClellan to move with uncharacteristic speed to catch Lee while the Confederate army was still divided.
THE BATTLE BEGINS
The Battle of South Mountain (which was actually two separate battles), broke out on September 14 in the Fox's Gap and Turner's Gap areas after Confederate gunners opened fire on Federal forces moving toward the base of the mountain. Confederate General Samuel Garland and Federal General Jesse Reno both received mortal wounds during the heavy fighting near Fox's Gap. Here too, future presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley participated in the battle.
Hayes, a lieutenant colonel with the 23rd Ohio, was severely wounded. Left on the field until after the battle was over, he was then taken to a house in Middletown to recover. McKinley, a supply sergeant, did not actually take part in the combat; however, it is interesting to note that he was assassinated in office on 14 Sep 1901, 39 years to the day of the battle.
The fighting in these areas continued most of the day as charges and counter charges were made by both sides. By evening the ends of the Confederate line had been turned and were in danger of being flanked. Recognizing this, General Lee ordered his forces to withdraw during the night. Further south at Crampton's Gap, General William B. Franklin's Union VI Corps moved into the area from its camp in nearby Jefferson. The fighting didn't begin until around noon, as Franklin allowed four crucial hours to pass while devising a battle plan against a thin Confederate line that he outnumbered by as much as ten to one.
As the Federal assault began, the Confederate troops broke and retreated back up the mountain and through the gap. Just as these troops reached the gap, Confederate General Howell Cobb's brigade arrived, and in a heroic attempt to stem the flight, his 1,300 men held their ground, bravely firing on the Federal charge. In a mere 15 minutes Cobb's legion was nearly decimated. When roll was called the following day only 300 men answered.
After Crampton's Gap had been cleared of Confederate forces, Franklin ordered his troops into camp for the night. Had his attack not been delayed earlier in the day, he might have continued his pursuit of the Confederates into the valley beyond, driving a wedge between the two parts of Lee's divided and disorganized army, thereby allowing McClellan the opportunity to attack each section separately. The result could have been an early end to the war, as McClellan's troops would likely have overwhelmed each half. However, the attack was not renewed and Harper's Ferry fell to the confederates on September 15.
GENERAL LEE'S RETREAT
Once the Federal army had cleared the gaps and taken up a position on the same side of the mountain as the Confederates, Lee realized his campaign could not possibly continue. He relayed word to his generals to proceed on the most expedient routes to Sharpsburg, a very defendable position should the Federal army follow and attack. The army would then continue its withdrawal back into Virginia.
The following day, after pulling his army back behind the Antietam Creek, Lee learned that the Union stronghold at Harper's Ferry had fallen. With those units now available and able to partially reorganize, he decided to hold his ground. It was there that McClellan found him waiting when the Federal army attacked on the morning of September 17. The horrific conflict that resulted would go down as the single bloodiest day in American history.
The Battle of South Mountain was significant in several respects. For the Confederate forces, it marked the end -- at least temporarily -- of Lee's hopes of a sustained campaign in the North. A near disaster averted, the battle resulted in a costly stand of the Southern army three days later at Antietam, a disheartening retreat back into Virginia, and several more years of war. And for the Federal army, it marked another missed opportunity where, with better coordination and conviction, the Southern army could have been divided and defeated, possibly bringing about an early end to the war. On the heels of the Federal success at Antietam, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, thereby elevating the destruction of slavery to preservation of the Union as official Northern war aims.
Gathland State Park is located in Crampton's Gap, where thousands of soldiers, both blue and grey, fought and died. Nearly $4 million has been spent to protect approximately 1,313 acres of the historic battlefield at South Mountain -- through Program Open Space. Much of this acreage has been preserved through easements rather than outright purchase, enabling the Department to accomplish more for its dollar. Recent legislation has been passed and signed by the Governor to preserve, protect and interpret South Mountain Battlefield as a state park. The Battle of South Mountain has finally receive the recognition it deserves as a critical part of the 1862 Maryland Campaign and ultimately, in the history of the American Civil War
Richard first saw the light of day on 30 Oct 1830, Elizabeth Saretta on 2 Nov 1831, Hannah c1834, Virginia in 1837, and John B.C. Montgomery in 1839. The family removed to Ohio around 1840 where their youngest child, Henry "Hopestill" Montgomery was born 28 Apr 1841.
John Montgomery Senior was elected as Treasurer of Guilford Township in 1846. He held that position until 1853, at which time the Village of Seville was incorporated. Mr. Montgomery then became the first Treasurer of Seville, and remained so until after 1881. He was appointed Postmaster of River Styx on 3 Jun 1847, a position in which he held until 13 Apr 1861.
Mr. John Montgomery died in Seville on 20 Jan 1885, and as laid to rest in the River Styx Cemetery. As were his wife, Nellie and children Richard, Virginia, John B.C., and (a memorial marker for) Henry "Hopestill."
Richard Montgomery was among the ranks of the brave boys in blue who went forth in defense of the nation's integrity during the dark and stormy epoch of the Civil war. During which time, he demonstrated love of his country by enlisting in Co D 6 Wisconsin Inf. He was KILLED IN ACTION 14 Sep 1862 South Mountain Maryland.
6th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry
Organized at Camp Randall Madison Wis. & mustered in Jul 16 1861. Left State for Washington D. C. Jul 28. At Harrisburg Pa. till Aug 3 then moved to Washington. Attached to King's Brigade McDowell's Div Army of the Potomac to Mar 1862. 1st Brigade 3rd Div 1st Army Corps Army of the Potomac to Apr 1862. 3rd Brigade King's Div Dept. of the Rappahannock to Jun 1862. 4th Brigade 1st Div 3rd Army Corps Army of Virginia to Sep 1862. 4th Brigade 1st Div 1st Army Corps Army of the Potomac to Jun 1863. 1st Brigade 1st Div 1st Army Corps to Mar 1864. 1st Brigade 4th Div 5th Army Corps to Aug 1864. 3rd Brigade 3rd Div 5th Army Corps to Sep 1864. 1st Brigade 3rd Div 5th Army Corps to Jul 1865.
SERVICE. Camp on Meridian Hill & duty in the Defences of Washington D. C. till Mar 1862. Advance on Manassas Va. Mar 10-16. Advance to Falmouth Apr 9-19. Duty at Falmouth & Fredericksburg till Aug McDowell's advance on Richmond Mar 25-29. Operations against Jackson Jun 2-11. Reconnoissance to Orange Court House Jul 24-27. Reconnoissance to Frederick's Hail Station & Spottsylvania Court House Aug 5-8. Thornburg's Mills Aug 5-6. Bat of Cedar Mountain Aug 9. Pope's Campaign in Northern VA Aug 16-Sep 2. Fords of the Rappahannock Aug 21-23. Action at Gainesville Aug 28. Battles of Groveton Aug 29; Bull Run Aug 30; Chantilly Sep 1 (Reserve). Maryland Campaign Sep 6-22. Battles of South Mountain MD; Antietam Sep 16-17… Regiment lost during service 16 Officers & 228 Enlisted men killed & mortally wounded, 1 Officer & 112 Enlisted men by disease. Total 357.
.~·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·~.
BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN
.~·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·~.
Maryland Campaign, 14 Sep 1862; Frederick and Washington Co. Maryland. Principal Commanders: US Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan; CS Gen. Robert E. Lee. Estimated Casualties: 4,500 total Result: Union victory.
Description: After invading Maryland in Sep 1862, Gen. Robert E. Lee divided his army to march on and invest Harpers Ferry. The Army of the Potomac under Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan pursued the Confederates to Frederick, Maryland, then advanced on South Mountain. On Sep 14, pitched battles were fought for possession of the South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. By dusk the Confederate defenders were driven back, suffering severe casualties, and McClellan was in position to destroy Lee's army before it could reconcentrate. McClellan's limited activity on Sep 15 after his victory at South Mountain, however, condemned the garrison at Harpers Ferry to capture and gave Lee time to unite his scattered divisions at Sharpsburg. Union general Jesse Reno and Confederate general Samuel Garland, Jr., were killed at South Mountain.
South Mountain is often overlooked by the Civil War novice, overshadowed by the atrocities of the Battle of Antietam, which took place three days later and resulted in a loss of 23,000 men.
The battle's significance is in the fact that the Army of Northern Virginia's first campaign north was stopped not at Antietam, but here in the rugged mountain gaps of South Mountain. It was the late summer of 1862. Following a shocking Federal defeat at Second Manassas, General Robert E. Lee felt the time was right to carry the war into the North, hoping to take advantage of the region's waning sentiment toward the war and possibly influencing Northerners to pressure their government to sue for peace.
The stakes were high on Sep 4 as General Lee and his army crossed the Potomac into Maryland, proceeding north. They eventually camped in and around the small town of Frederick, where Lee prepared and issued Special Order 191 detailing his plan to divide his army into five parts. Major Generals Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson and Lafayette McLaws, along with Brigadier General John G. Walker, were to surround and contain a 12,000 man Union garrison at Harper's Ferry, preventing any interference to Lee's supply and communication lines. At the same time, Major General James Longstreet would lead a supply mission through Boonsboro and Hagerstown, while Major General Daniel Harvey Hill's command was left to guard the rear of the army along the South Mountain passes.
As the Confederate plan went into effect, the Army of the Potomac, under the command of General George B. McClellan, moved into the area around Frederick that the rebel army had just vacated. In one of the war's more memorable twists, Union soldiers stumbled upon a copy of Lee's Special Order 191 wrapped around a bundle of cigars in a field on the neighboring Best Farm. This discovery allowed McClellan to move with uncharacteristic speed to catch Lee while the Confederate army was still divided.
THE BATTLE BEGINS
The Battle of South Mountain (which was actually two separate battles), broke out on September 14 in the Fox's Gap and Turner's Gap areas after Confederate gunners opened fire on Federal forces moving toward the base of the mountain. Confederate General Samuel Garland and Federal General Jesse Reno both received mortal wounds during the heavy fighting near Fox's Gap. Here too, future presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley participated in the battle.
Hayes, a lieutenant colonel with the 23rd Ohio, was severely wounded. Left on the field until after the battle was over, he was then taken to a house in Middletown to recover. McKinley, a supply sergeant, did not actually take part in the combat; however, it is interesting to note that he was assassinated in office on 14 Sep 1901, 39 years to the day of the battle.
The fighting in these areas continued most of the day as charges and counter charges were made by both sides. By evening the ends of the Confederate line had been turned and were in danger of being flanked. Recognizing this, General Lee ordered his forces to withdraw during the night. Further south at Crampton's Gap, General William B. Franklin's Union VI Corps moved into the area from its camp in nearby Jefferson. The fighting didn't begin until around noon, as Franklin allowed four crucial hours to pass while devising a battle plan against a thin Confederate line that he outnumbered by as much as ten to one.
As the Federal assault began, the Confederate troops broke and retreated back up the mountain and through the gap. Just as these troops reached the gap, Confederate General Howell Cobb's brigade arrived, and in a heroic attempt to stem the flight, his 1,300 men held their ground, bravely firing on the Federal charge. In a mere 15 minutes Cobb's legion was nearly decimated. When roll was called the following day only 300 men answered.
After Crampton's Gap had been cleared of Confederate forces, Franklin ordered his troops into camp for the night. Had his attack not been delayed earlier in the day, he might have continued his pursuit of the Confederates into the valley beyond, driving a wedge between the two parts of Lee's divided and disorganized army, thereby allowing McClellan the opportunity to attack each section separately. The result could have been an early end to the war, as McClellan's troops would likely have overwhelmed each half. However, the attack was not renewed and Harper's Ferry fell to the confederates on September 15.
GENERAL LEE'S RETREAT
Once the Federal army had cleared the gaps and taken up a position on the same side of the mountain as the Confederates, Lee realized his campaign could not possibly continue. He relayed word to his generals to proceed on the most expedient routes to Sharpsburg, a very defendable position should the Federal army follow and attack. The army would then continue its withdrawal back into Virginia.
The following day, after pulling his army back behind the Antietam Creek, Lee learned that the Union stronghold at Harper's Ferry had fallen. With those units now available and able to partially reorganize, he decided to hold his ground. It was there that McClellan found him waiting when the Federal army attacked on the morning of September 17. The horrific conflict that resulted would go down as the single bloodiest day in American history.
The Battle of South Mountain was significant in several respects. For the Confederate forces, it marked the end -- at least temporarily -- of Lee's hopes of a sustained campaign in the North. A near disaster averted, the battle resulted in a costly stand of the Southern army three days later at Antietam, a disheartening retreat back into Virginia, and several more years of war. And for the Federal army, it marked another missed opportunity where, with better coordination and conviction, the Southern army could have been divided and defeated, possibly bringing about an early end to the war. On the heels of the Federal success at Antietam, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, thereby elevating the destruction of slavery to preservation of the Union as official Northern war aims.
Gathland State Park is located in Crampton's Gap, where thousands of soldiers, both blue and grey, fought and died. Nearly $4 million has been spent to protect approximately 1,313 acres of the historic battlefield at South Mountain -- through Program Open Space. Much of this acreage has been preserved through easements rather than outright purchase, enabling the Department to accomplish more for its dollar. Recent legislation has been passed and signed by the Governor to preserve, protect and interpret South Mountain Battlefield as a state park. The Battle of South Mountain has finally receive the recognition it deserves as a critical part of the 1862 Maryland Campaign and ultimately, in the history of the American Civil War
Richard's father, Colonel John Montgomery was born c1798 in Pennsylvania, the son of Irish natives. He married Nellie, who was born c1802 in Pennsylvania, also daughter of Irish natives. John and Nellie had five known children, the first four were born in Pennsylvania.
Richard first saw the light of day on 30 Oct 1830, Elizabeth Saretta on 2 Nov 1831, Hannah c1834, Virginia in 1837, and John B.C. Montgomery in 1839. The family removed to Ohio around 1840 where their youngest child, Henry "Hopestill" Montgomery was born 28 Apr 1841.
John Montgomery Senior was elected as Treasurer of Guilford Township in 1846. He held that position until 1853, at which time the Village of Seville was incorporated. Mr. Montgomery then became the first Treasurer of Seville, and remained so until after 1881. He was appointed Postmaster of River Styx on 3 Jun 1847, a position in which he held until 13 Apr 1861.
Mr. John Montgomery died in Seville on 20 Jan 1885, and as laid to rest in the River Styx Cemetery. As were his wife, Nellie and children Richard, Virginia, John B.C., and (a memorial marker for) Henry "Hopestill."
Richard Montgomery was among the ranks of the brave boys in blue who went forth in defense of the nation's integrity during the dark and stormy epoch of the Civil war. During which time, he demonstrated love of his country by enlisting in Co D 6 Wisconsin Inf. He was KILLED IN ACTION 14 Sep 1862 South Mountain Maryland.
6th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry
Organized at Camp Randall Madison Wis. & mustered in Jul 16 1861. Left State for Washington D. C. Jul 28. At Harrisburg Pa. till Aug 3 then moved to Washington. Attached to King's Brigade McDowell's Div Army of the Potomac to Mar 1862. 1st Brigade 3rd Div 1st Army Corps Army of the Potomac to Apr 1862. 3rd Brigade King's Div Dept. of the Rappahannock to Jun 1862. 4th Brigade 1st Div 3rd Army Corps Army of Virginia to Sep 1862. 4th Brigade 1st Div 1st Army Corps Army of the Potomac to Jun 1863. 1st Brigade 1st Div 1st Army Corps to Mar 1864. 1st Brigade 4th Div 5th Army Corps to Aug 1864. 3rd Brigade 3rd Div 5th Army Corps to Sep 1864. 1st Brigade 3rd Div 5th Army Corps to Jul 1865.
SERVICE. Camp on Meridian Hill & duty in the Defences of Washington D. C. till Mar 1862. Advance on Manassas Va. Mar 10-16. Advance to Falmouth Apr 9-19. Duty at Falmouth & Fredericksburg till Aug McDowell's advance on Richmond Mar 25-29. Operations against Jackson Jun 2-11. Reconnoissance to Orange Court House Jul 24-27. Reconnoissance to Frederick's Hail Station & Spottsylvania Court House Aug 5-8. Thornburg's Mills Aug 5-6. Bat of Cedar Mountain Aug 9. Pope's Campaign in Northern VA Aug 16-Sep 2. Fords of the Rappahannock Aug 21-23. Action at Gainesville Aug 28. Battles of Groveton Aug 29; Bull Run Aug 30; Chantilly Sep 1 (Reserve). Maryland Campaign Sep 6-22. Battles of South Mountain MD; Antietam Sep 16-17… Regiment lost during service 16 Officers & 228 Enlisted men killed & mortally wounded, 1 Officer & 112 Enlisted men by disease. Total 357.
.~·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·~.
BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN
.~·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·.`·´.·*¨*·~.
Maryland Campaign, 14 Sep 1862; Frederick and Washington Co. Maryland. Principal Commanders: US Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan; CS Gen. Robert E. Lee. Estimated Casualties: 4,500 total Result: Union victory.
Description: After invading Maryland in Sep 1862, Gen. Robert E. Lee divided his army to march on and invest Harpers Ferry. The Army of the Potomac under Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan pursued the Confederates to Frederick, Maryland, then advanced on South Mountain. On Sep 14, pitched battles were fought for possession of the South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. By dusk the Confederate defenders were driven back, suffering severe casualties, and McClellan was in position to destroy Lee's army before it could reconcentrate. McClellan's limited activity on Sep 15 after his victory at South Mountain, however, condemned the garrison at Harpers Ferry to capture and gave Lee time to unite his scattered divisions at Sharpsburg. Union general Jesse Reno and Confederate general Samuel Garland, Jr., were killed at South Mountain.
South Mountain is often overlooked by the Civil War novice, overshadowed by the atrocities of the Battle of Antietam, which took place three days later and resulted in a loss of 23,000 men.
The battle's significance is in the fact that the Army of Northern Virginia's first campaign north was stopped not at Antietam, but here in the rugged mountain gaps of South Mountain. It was the late summer of 1862. Following a shocking Federal defeat at Second Manassas, General Robert E. Lee felt the time was right to carry the war into the North, hoping to take advantage of the region's waning sentiment toward the war and possibly influencing Northerners to pressure their government to sue for peace.
The stakes were high on Sep 4 as General Lee and his army crossed the Potomac into Maryland, proceeding north. They eventually camped in and around the small town of Frederick, where Lee prepared and issued Special Order 191 detailing his plan to divide his army into five parts. Major Generals Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson and Lafayette McLaws, along with Brigadier General John G. Walker, were to surround and contain a 12,000 man Union garrison at Harper's Ferry, preventing any interference to Lee's supply and communication lines. At the same time, Major General James Longstreet would lead a supply mission through Boonsboro and Hagerstown, while Major General Daniel Harvey Hill's command was left to guard the rear of the army along the South Mountain passes.
As the Confederate plan went into effect, the Army of the Potomac, under the command of General George B. McClellan, moved into the area around Frederick that the rebel army had just vacated. In one of the war's more memorable twists, Union soldiers stumbled upon a copy of Lee's Special Order 191 wrapped around a bundle of cigars in a field on the neighboring Best Farm. This discovery allowed McClellan to move with uncharacteristic speed to catch Lee while the Confederate army was still divided.
THE BATTLE BEGINS
The Battle of South Mountain (which was actually two separate battles), broke out on September 14 in the Fox's Gap and Turner's Gap areas after Confederate gunners opened fire on Federal forces moving toward the base of the mountain. Confederate General Samuel Garland and Federal General Jesse Reno both received mortal wounds during the heavy fighting near Fox's Gap. Here too, future presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley participated in the battle.
Hayes, a lieutenant colonel with the 23rd Ohio, was severely wounded. Left on the field until after the battle was over, he was then taken to a house in Middletown to recover. McKinley, a supply sergeant, did not actually take part in the combat; however, it is interesting to note that he was assassinated in office on 14 Sep 1901, 39 years to the day of the battle.
The fighting in these areas continued most of the day as charges and counter charges were made by both sides. By evening the ends of the Confederate line had been turned and were in danger of being flanked. Recognizing this, General Lee ordered his forces to withdraw during the night. Further south at Crampton's Gap, General William B. Franklin's Union VI Corps moved into the area from its camp in nearby Jefferson. The fighting didn't begin until around noon, as Franklin allowed four crucial hours to pass while devising a battle plan against a thin Confederate line that he outnumbered by as much as ten to one.
As the Federal assault began, the Confederate troops broke and retreated back up the mountain and through the gap. Just as these troops reached the gap, Confederate General Howell Cobb's brigade arrived, and in a heroic attempt to stem the flight, his 1,300 men held their ground, bravely firing on the Federal charge. In a mere 15 minutes Cobb's legion was nearly decimated. When roll was called the following day only 300 men answered.
After Crampton's Gap had been cleared of Confederate forces, Franklin ordered his troops into camp for the night. Had his attack not been delayed earlier in the day, he might have continued his pursuit of the Confederates into the valley beyond, driving a wedge between the two parts of Lee's divided and disorganized army, thereby allowing McClellan the opportunity to attack each section separately. The result could have been an early end to the war, as McClellan's troops would likely have overwhelmed each half. However, the attack was not renewed and Harper's Ferry fell to the confederates on September 15.
GENERAL LEE'S RETREAT
Once the Federal army had cleared the gaps and taken up a position on the same side of the mountain as the Confederates, Lee realized his campaign could not possibly continue. He relayed word to his generals to proceed on the most expedient routes to Sharpsburg, a very defendable position should the Federal army follow and attack. The army would then continue its withdrawal back into Virginia.
The following day, after pulling his army back behind the Antietam Creek, Lee learned that the Union stronghold at Harper's Ferry had fallen. With those units now available and able to partially reorganize, he decided to hold his ground. It was there that McClellan found him waiting when the Federal army attacked on the morning of September 17. The horrific conflict that resulted would go down as the single bloodiest day in American history.
The Battle of South Mountain was significant in several respects. For the Confederate forces, it marked the end -- at least temporarily -- of Lee's hopes of a sustained campaign in the North. A near disaster averted, the battle resulted in a costly stand of the Southern army three days later at Antietam, a disheartening retreat back into Virginia, and several more years of war. And for the Federal army, it marked another missed opportunity where, with better coordination and conviction, the Southern army could have been divided and defeated, possibly bringing about an early end to the war. On the heels of the Federal success at Antietam, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, thereby elevating the destruction of slavery to preservation of the Union as official Northern war aims.
Gathland State Park is located in Crampton's Gap, where thousands of soldiers, both blue and grey, fought and died. Nearly $4 million has been spent to protect approximately 1,313 acres of the historic battlefield at South Mountain -- through Program Open Space. Much of this acreage has been preserved through easements rather than outright purchase, enabling the Department to accomplish more for its dollar. Recent legislation has been passed and signed by the Governor to preserve, protect and interpret South Mountain Battlefield as a state park. The Battle of South Mountain has finally receive the recognition it deserves as a critical part of the 1862 Maryland Campaign and ultimately, in the history of the American Civil War
Richard first saw the light of day on 30 Oct 1830, Elizabeth Saretta on 2 Nov 1831, Hannah c1834, Virginia in 1837, and John B.C. Montgomery in 1839. The family removed to Ohio around 1840 where their youngest child, Henry "Hopestill" Montgomery was born 28 Apr 1841.
John Montgomery Senior was elected as Treasurer of Guilford Township in 1846. He held that position until 1853, at which time the Village of Seville was incorporated. Mr. Montgomery then became the first Treasurer of Seville, and remained so until after 1881. He was appointed Postmaster of River Styx on 3 Jun 1847, a position in which he held until 13 Apr 1861.
Mr. John Montgomery died in Seville on 20 Jan 1885, and as laid to rest in the River Styx Cemetery. As were his wife, Nellie and children Richard, Virginia, John B.C., and (a memorial marker for) Henry "Hopestill."
Richard Montgomery was among the ranks of the brave boys in blue who went forth in defense of the nation's integrity during the dark and stormy epoch of the Civil war. During which time, he demonstrated love of his country by enlisting in Co D 6 Wisconsin Inf. He was KILLED IN ACTION 14 Sep 1862 South Mountain Maryland.
6th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry
Organized at Camp Randall Madison Wis. & mustered in Jul 16 1861. Left State for Washington D. C. Jul 28. At Harrisburg Pa. till Aug 3 then moved to Washington. Attached to King's Brigade McDowell's Div Army of the Potomac to Mar 1862. 1st Brigade 3rd Div 1st Army Corps Army of the Potomac to Apr 1862. 3rd Brigade King's Div Dept. of the Rappahannock to Jun 1862. 4th Brigade 1st Div 3rd Army Corps Army of Virginia to Sep 1862. 4th Brigade 1st Div 1st Army Corps Army of the Potomac to Jun 1863. 1st Brigade 1st Div 1st Army Corps to Mar 1864. 1st Brigade 4th Div 5th Army Corps to Aug 1864. 3rd Brigade 3rd Div 5th Army Corps to Sep 1864. 1st Brigade 3rd Div 5th Army Corps to Jul 1865.
SERVICE. Camp on Meridian Hill & duty in the Defences of Washington D. C. till Mar 1862. Advance on Manassas Va. Mar 10-16. Advance to Falmouth Apr 9-19. Duty at Falmouth & Fredericksburg till Aug McDowell's advance on Richmond Mar 25-29. Operations against Jackson Jun 2-11. Reconnoissance to Orange Court House Jul 24-27. Reconnoissance to Frederick's Hail Station & Spottsylvania Court House Aug 5-8. Thornburg's Mills Aug 5-6. Bat of Cedar Mountain Aug 9. Pope's Campaign in Northern VA Aug 16-Sep 2. Fords of the Rappahannock Aug 21-23. Action at Gainesville Aug 28. Battles of Groveton Aug 29; Bull Run Aug 30; Chantilly Sep 1 (Reserve). Maryland Campaign Sep 6-22. Battles of South Mountain MD; Antietam Sep 16-17… Regiment lost during service 16 Officers & 228 Enlisted men killed & mortally wounded, 1 Officer & 112 Enlisted men by disease. Total 357.
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BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN
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Maryland Campaign, 14 Sep 1862; Frederick and Washington Co. Maryland. Principal Commanders: US Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan; CS Gen. Robert E. Lee. Estimated Casualties: 4,500 total Result: Union victory.
Description: After invading Maryland in Sep 1862, Gen. Robert E. Lee divided his army to march on and invest Harpers Ferry. The Army of the Potomac under Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan pursued the Confederates to Frederick, Maryland, then advanced on South Mountain. On Sep 14, pitched battles were fought for possession of the South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. By dusk the Confederate defenders were driven back, suffering severe casualties, and McClellan was in position to destroy Lee's army before it could reconcentrate. McClellan's limited activity on Sep 15 after his victory at South Mountain, however, condemned the garrison at Harpers Ferry to capture and gave Lee time to unite his scattered divisions at Sharpsburg. Union general Jesse Reno and Confederate general Samuel Garland, Jr., were killed at South Mountain.
South Mountain is often overlooked by the Civil War novice, overshadowed by the atrocities of the Battle of Antietam, which took place three days later and resulted in a loss of 23,000 men.
The battle's significance is in the fact that the Army of Northern Virginia's first campaign north was stopped not at Antietam, but here in the rugged mountain gaps of South Mountain. It was the late summer of 1862. Following a shocking Federal defeat at Second Manassas, General Robert E. Lee felt the time was right to carry the war into the North, hoping to take advantage of the region's waning sentiment toward the war and possibly influencing Northerners to pressure their government to sue for peace.
The stakes were high on Sep 4 as General Lee and his army crossed the Potomac into Maryland, proceeding north. They eventually camped in and around the small town of Frederick, where Lee prepared and issued Special Order 191 detailing his plan to divide his army into five parts. Major Generals Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson and Lafayette McLaws, along with Brigadier General John G. Walker, were to surround and contain a 12,000 man Union garrison at Harper's Ferry, preventing any interference to Lee's supply and communication lines. At the same time, Major General James Longstreet would lead a supply mission through Boonsboro and Hagerstown, while Major General Daniel Harvey Hill's command was left to guard the rear of the army along the South Mountain passes.
As the Confederate plan went into effect, the Army of the Potomac, under the command of General George B. McClellan, moved into the area around Frederick that the rebel army had just vacated. In one of the war's more memorable twists, Union soldiers stumbled upon a copy of Lee's Special Order 191 wrapped around a bundle of cigars in a field on the neighboring Best Farm. This discovery allowed McClellan to move with uncharacteristic speed to catch Lee while the Confederate army was still divided.
THE BATTLE BEGINS
The Battle of South Mountain (which was actually two separate battles), broke out on September 14 in the Fox's Gap and Turner's Gap areas after Confederate gunners opened fire on Federal forces moving toward the base of the mountain. Confederate General Samuel Garland and Federal General Jesse Reno both received mortal wounds during the heavy fighting near Fox's Gap. Here too, future presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley participated in the battle.
Hayes, a lieutenant colonel with the 23rd Ohio, was severely wounded. Left on the field until after the battle was over, he was then taken to a house in Middletown to recover. McKinley, a supply sergeant, did not actually take part in the combat; however, it is interesting to note that he was assassinated in office on 14 Sep 1901, 39 years to the day of the battle.
The fighting in these areas continued most of the day as charges and counter charges were made by both sides. By evening the ends of the Confederate line had been turned and were in danger of being flanked. Recognizing this, General Lee ordered his forces to withdraw during the night. Further south at Crampton's Gap, General William B. Franklin's Union VI Corps moved into the area from its camp in nearby Jefferson. The fighting didn't begin until around noon, as Franklin allowed four crucial hours to pass while devising a battle plan against a thin Confederate line that he outnumbered by as much as ten to one.
As the Federal assault began, the Confederate troops broke and retreated back up the mountain and through the gap. Just as these troops reached the gap, Confederate General Howell Cobb's brigade arrived, and in a heroic attempt to stem the flight, his 1,300 men held their ground, bravely firing on the Federal charge. In a mere 15 minutes Cobb's legion was nearly decimated. When roll was called the following day only 300 men answered.
After Crampton's Gap had been cleared of Confederate forces, Franklin ordered his troops into camp for the night. Had his attack not been delayed earlier in the day, he might have continued his pursuit of the Confederates into the valley beyond, driving a wedge between the two parts of Lee's divided and disorganized army, thereby allowing McClellan the opportunity to attack each section separately. The result could have been an early end to the war, as McClellan's troops would likely have overwhelmed each half. However, the attack was not renewed and Harper's Ferry fell to the confederates on September 15.
GENERAL LEE'S RETREAT
Once the Federal army had cleared the gaps and taken up a position on the same side of the mountain as the Confederates, Lee realized his campaign could not possibly continue. He relayed word to his generals to proceed on the most expedient routes to Sharpsburg, a very defendable position should the Federal army follow and attack. The army would then continue its withdrawal back into Virginia.
The following day, after pulling his army back behind the Antietam Creek, Lee learned that the Union stronghold at Harper's Ferry had fallen. With those units now available and able to partially reorganize, he decided to hold his ground. It was there that McClellan found him waiting when the Federal army attacked on the morning of September 17. The horrific conflict that resulted would go down as the single bloodiest day in American history.
The Battle of South Mountain was significant in several respects. For the Confederate forces, it marked the end -- at least temporarily -- of Lee's hopes of a sustained campaign in the North. A near disaster averted, the battle resulted in a costly stand of the Southern army three days later at Antietam, a disheartening retreat back into Virginia, and several more years of war. And for the Federal army, it marked another missed opportunity where, with better coordination and conviction, the Southern army could have been divided and defeated, possibly bringing about an early end to the war. On the heels of the Federal success at Antietam, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, thereby elevating the destruction of slavery to preservation of the Union as official Northern war aims.
Gathland State Park is located in Crampton's Gap, where thousands of soldiers, both blue and grey, fought and died. Nearly $4 million has been spent to protect approximately 1,313 acres of the historic battlefield at South Mountain -- through Program Open Space. Much of this acreage has been preserved through easements rather than outright purchase, enabling the Department to accomplish more for its dollar. Recent legislation has been passed and signed by the Governor to preserve, protect and interpret South Mountain Battlefield as a state park. The Battle of South Mountain has finally receive the recognition it deserves as a critical part of the 1862 Maryland Campaign and ultimately, in the history of the American Civil War
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