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The Appalachian Trail passes directly through Gathland State Park, located on South Mountain in Maryland. This is a historic preserve of the former estate of war correspondent George Alfred Townsend (1841-1914). He wrote during the Civil War under the pen name GATH. The park is operated by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.[ while the arch is a National Historic Monument maintained by the National Park Service.
Gathland State Park, Maryland
Appalachian Trail Sights
In 1896, the War Correspondents Memorial Arch was completed. This was the most famous and longest-lasting project on the property. It was the first monument in the world dedicated to journalists killed in combat.
The Mausoleum is the remnants of a mausoleum built for Townsend in 1895 but never used. It was originally topped with the figure of a large bronze dog. On the chamber are the words Good Night Gath inscribed on its marble lintel.
General Robert E Lee directed Major General Lafayette McLaws to close in on the Federal garrison at Harpers Ferry, west of South Mountain. McLaws route from Frederick took him through Middletown, where he turned southwest on the Middletown – Burkittsville Road. At Burkittsville, he marched southwest to Brownsville Pass. McLaws left Brigadier General Paul Semmes and his brigade at the western foot of the mountains at Brownsville on September 11. Semmes stayed at Brownsville until the 13th, when he moved back into the gap. Though Semmes knew of Crampton’s Gap, about one mile north, he chose to occupy this position, believing ant Federal thrust would follow the same route McLaws had taken. As he watched the Federal VI Corps move across Catoctin Valley, he knew there would soon be a fight for the mountain passes. Semmes sent Colonel William A. Parham’s undersized brigade, the 6th, 12th, and 16th Virginia Infantry regiments, and his own 10th Georgia regiment to Crampton’s Gap.
Convinced the Federals would attack Brownsville Pass, Semmes remained here and kep his own, much larger, brigade with him. He also retained the six-gun battery of Captain Basil Manly’s 1st North Carolina Artillery and one gun each from the Richmond (Virginia) Fayette Artillery and the Magruder (Virginia) Light Artillery. Even as the defenders of Crampton’s Gap called for help later that day, Semmes steadfastly believed the attack there was only a feint. He thought the real attack would soon turn his way. Only when the long blue lines assailed the Confederates behind the stone wall west of Burkittsville did Semmes realize his error. He then advanced several guns down the Brownsville Pass Road to strike the Federal left. Finally, he sent the 15th and 32nd Virginia and 53rd Georgia regiments down the road to help the Rebels fighting desperately along Mountain Church Road.
Semmes’ reinforcements reached their objective only to find themselves behind enemy lines. They returned to Brownsville Pass without firing a shot. Semmes and his staff hurriedly rode to Crampton’s Gap to offer assistance but arrived just as the Federals approached the top of the gap – too late to be of any help.
Entrance to Gathland State Park
Lots to learn and read if you are interested but I was there to hike, keep moving.
Far Out App showing the route through Gathland State Park.
The Appalachian Trail passing through the upper part of the park.
1887 Barn Ruins
1887 Barn Ruins
Route of the Appalachian Trail goes to the far end of the grass field by those ruins.
Gathland State Park restrooms and museum.
Map of the state park and region.