The Battle of Smithsburg

On the morning of July 5th, General JEB Stuart made his way from the fields of Gettysburg to Emmitsburg. General Stuart came to the town of Emmitsburg during the dawn hours with the 34th Virginia Cavalry under Lt. Colonel Vincent Witcher, leading the advance into Emmitsburg. There was a sharp skirmish fought near the town's square as seventy Union men and their captain were taken prisoner. General Stuart stopped long enough to study maps and to feed and water the horses. Supplies were also taken for the wounded Confederates who fought at Gettysburg. At this time JEB Stuart learned that the action of Monterey Gap had occurred only a few hours prior to him entering Emmitsburg. The route he wanted to take had been closed since General Kilpatrick's men rode out of Emmitsburg to attack the retreating wagon train, another detour was needed.

After leaving Emmitsburg, Stuart’s Cavalry traveled to Creagerstown, and onto Thurmont. General Stuart had to get across the Catoctin Mountain and rejoin General Lee. It would seem almost impossible for General Stuart to do this while parts of General Wesley Merritt's troops were at Harman's Pass. This was a good route for the Confederate cavalry to take (The road, known today as Route 77 went from Thurmont to Smithsburg). After learning of the impasse at Harman's Pass, General Stuart traveled Old Emmitsburg Road passing through Franklinville, located between Thurmont and Emmitsburg. While at Franklinville, General Stuart and his cavalry rested in the fields near the mill and creek to feed and water their horses.

As General Stuart passed Mount Saint Mary’s College, a skirmish erupted near Emmitsburg Gap as General Stuart ran into a small body of Union cavalry. In the skirmish the Confederates pushed the Union troopers back into town, taking some prisoners. As Stuart’s men came to the base of Indian Lookout, more Union soldiers that were part of the Signal Corps were captured.

Many historians will argue the route that General Stuart took during his movements protecting General Lee’s left flank. Some speculate that General Stuart took Hampton Valley Road into Deerfield by way of Eyler's Valley. Seeing parts of Kilpatrick’s command, General Stuart diverted toward Harbaugh Valley Road to Mount Zion Church, which is outside of Sabillasville.

After passing near Sabillasville, General Stuart made his way to Deerfield. Near Deerfield, General Stuart divided his cavalry at the intersection at Zion Church. General Stuart sent Colonel Ferguson on the lower road that was a direct route to Smithsburg. General Stuart and Colonel Chambliss traveled the upper road that took them through Raven Rock Pass and back on the old Hagerstown Road.

View of Stuart's battle line from Colonel Huey's Brigade position

Colonel Ferguson's Brigade was making its way toward Smithsburg, using Raven Rock Pass and upon emerging from South Mountain, saw General Kilpatrick's Cavalry commanding the approach to Smithsburg. General Kilpatrick had deployed his cavalry on three hills. General Custer's Brigade and Pennington's guns held the hill on the left. Colonel Huey's Brigade and Fuller's Battery held the hill known as Gardenhour's Hill at the center of General Kilpatrick's deployment. To General Kilpatrick's right on Goat Hill was Colonel Nathaniel Richmond's Brigade with Elder's Battery.