Extracted from a rare 123-year-old book, History of Western Maryland, this booklet gives a detailed account of the Civil War as it effected the people of Frederick, Montgomery, Carroll, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. The original book was written by J. Thomas Scharf in 1882. The NEW spiral-bound 147 page booklet is printed on 8.5" x 11" 60# paper. The front cover is protected by a vinyl sheet. (Individual county histories, extracted from Scharf's book, are currently in production and will be available on eBay and through our website  in the near future.)

This booklet covers everything from emergency public meetings in reaction to the election of Abraham Lincoln to news of his assassination and the end of the war.

As Scharf explains: "Public feeling was, perhaps, even more intense in Maryland than in other states, from the obvious danger to which she was exposed by her geographical position..., and from the very strong counter-currents which existed in popular sentiment." 

The writer uses a variety of sources -- letters, newspaper accounts, recollections of those involved, and official data. Unfortunately the booklet has no index, but genealogical researchers will find a gold mine of names to sift through, both of civilians and military personnel.

Some of the major military activities covered were Harper's Ferry, Battle of Leesburg, Manassas, Battle of Antietam (or Sharpsburg), Lee's Invasion of Maryland and Occupation of Frederick City, Battles of Crampton's Gap and South Mountain, Stuart's Cavalry Raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania, Confederate Occupation of Cumberland, Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of Winchester, Pursuit of Lee through Maryland, Capture of the Ninth Maryland Federal Regiment, the Gettysburg Campaign, Early's Invasion of Maryland, Battle of Monocacy, Captures of Generals Crook and Kelly in Cumberland, etc.

A separate chapter gives a "record of Maryland Volunteers in the Union Army of the War of 1861-85."

The footnotes throughout the booklet add much color to the material. Here's a sample: A Washington correspondent who accompanied President Lincoln in this visit to the battle-fields of Sharpsburg and South Mountain relates the following incident: "After leaving Gen. Richardson the party passed a house in which was a large number of Confederate wounded. By request of the President, the party alighted and entered the building. Mr. Lincoln, after looking, remarked to the wounded Confederates that if they had no objection, he would be pleased to take them by the hand. He said the solemn obligations which we owe to our country and posterity compel the prosecution of this war, and it followed that many were our enemies through uncontrollable circumstances, and he bore them no malace, and could take them by the hand with sympathy and good feeling. After a short silence the Confederates came forward, and each silently but fervently shook the hand of the President..."