By-Monthly Newsletter April-May

The Monterey Pass Interpretive Pathfinder

The Monterey Pass Interpretive Pathfinder Wayside Marker has been delayed as the April 1st, 2008 deadline was missed, so the State of Pa moved ahead with the other seven markers for Franklin County without the Battle of Monterey. The property owners of the site at the last minute changes it’s mind and sent a list of demands to the state rather than working with the community. This was an unfortunate loss to the community of Blue Ridge Summit, and when we learned of the situation the day of the deadline it was too late and nothing could be done.

However, a week and a half later after the April 1st Deadline, things got back on track with an agreement by the property owners, the township and the state and we should now have our marker placed at Rolando Park which is part of the Lion's Club sometime during the fall. During this twist of events, the One Mountain Foundation and the Monterey Pass Battlefield Association are under way making plans for a huge event, where authors Kent Masterson Brown, Eric Wittenberg and Ted Alexander will be hand signing books that related to the Battle of Monterey and talking to the public about their research.

The One Mountain Foundation is looking into having John Miller's 33 page booklet printed and would be for sale by the Blue Ridge Summit Heritage Days in June. Mr. Miller has agreed to donate 90% of the proceeds to go into preservation of the Monterey Pass area. The other 10% would be used on more research efforts of the Civil War events along the Emmitsburg-Waynesboro Pike. We are currently selling the CD-ROM version of our booklet that is available now and our booklet will be printed in a few months and be sold for $15.00. Be sure to check our web site for more information.

Monterey Pass Artifacts

John Miller a member of the One Mountain Foundation and founder of the Monterey Pass Battlefield Association has signed a contract with the South Mountain Maryland State Battlefield to have our artifacts to be displayed at their museum. Mr. Miller said “The artifacts are sitting in my house. It’s time for people who are interested in the Civil War to be able to see the artifacts. If I can help South Mountain State Battlefield with artifacts for their museum, then it’s worth it. At least they'll be viewed by the public."

John is employed at South Mountain State Battlefield and signed the contract on April 9, 2008 for his collection to be displayed for the duration of the summer. "I hope that people in our community will take an interest and drive to South Mountain State Battlefield and stop in to look at the artifacts along with the artifacts that are currently displayed at South Mountain State Battlefield. I also hope they take an interest and tour the South Mountain State Battlefield as well".

The contract was finalized on April 16th and the artifacts are currently on display at Gathland State Park where the battle of Crampton's Gap took place. The artifacts are in the Civil War museum which is located near the Gathland House.

A New Program Announced

The Monterey Pass Battlefield Association is launching a new program called “The Fighting Spirits of Monterey Pass”. We hope that people will participate and contribute to this project. It’s one thing to read about the battle of Monterey Pass and visit the battlefield, but when you have faces to go with it, it takes on a whole new meaning. The images will be made for the public's viewing through our display. This will not only benefit our organization, but help others who are researching the Gettysburg Campaign as well.

We are seeking high quality photos of the men who fought at the battle of Monterey Pass for a new display for our database. This project will cover the men who fought at Monterey Pass and Fairfield Gap and the detachment that was sent to Leitersburg. If you have photocopies of your ancestor and would like to donate a copy we would love to have to it. We would also like to have the Regiment your ancestor served with, the company if you know it and finally a small detail of his service. You may send us a copy of the photo on a cd-rom or a high quality photocopy via the U.S. Postal Service.

Fountain Dale Interpretive Marker:

The newly restored Fountain Dale Marker

During the last week in April, the Monterey Pass Battlefield Association repainted the Fountain Dale marker and also the flyer box. Among the other maintenance we mowed the area and also rededicated a new set of Civil War flags to honor the less than 50 men who participated in the skirmish that occurred on June 28, 1863 making this skirmish the first on Adams County Soil preceding the Battle of Gettysburg by two days.

Over the years, Mark Dudrow has given us many copies of photos of the men who fought in Cole's Cavalry among them were two participants of the Skirmish of Fountain Dale. Oliver Horner's photo proudly is displayed on the Fountain Dale marker. The other photo is of William Horner, the commanding officer of the expedition that led to Fountain Dale.

3 Year Outlook for the Monterey Pass Battlefield Association

Research Tools: Start archiving the regimental histories of the regiments that took part in the battle of Monterey Pass. This will allow us to follow in the foot steps of each regiment through out the Civil War. We would benefit from this because local people who are researching the Gettysburg Campaign would be able to research different aspects of not only the battle, but also the Gettysburg Campaign.

Maps: Start compiling battlefield maps outlying troop positions and the core of the Monterey Pass Battlefield. The map would show the battle of Fairfield Gap and the 1^st Vermont’s movements down the mountain to Smithsburg. This map would then show us the whole story or the battle and not just what took place on the Old Waynesboro Road.

Touring Map: We started the driving tour, but we need to establish a driving map to go with the driving tour so people won’t get lost. The driving tour then can be made available through a brochure that can be picked up at various places such as Gettysburg, Blue Ridge Summit, Emmitsburg and Waynesboro. The outline portions of the battlefield have been established as to where the important parts of the battle occurred.

New Programs: Just as Gettysburg Battlefield Guides did the Battlefield Walks and we did the living histories, we need to introduce new programs to the public to make it interesting. South Mountain State Battlefield has some really nice programs during the summer. Maybe have a lecture in April, a display in May, the encampment in June and things of that nature. Keeping it fresh and getting people’s attention. Find a way to make the Fighting Spirits of Monterey Pass a success and keep adding to that program. Book signing of Eric Wittenberg would be great as well.

Gaining Support: Start talking with other communities around Monterey Pass. Get them involved as well. See if they will link our website to theirs in order to gain support through the community. Keep a record of those who have written about Monterey Pass in one form or another support us. This way when we run into problems, they can lend a helping hand.

Getting the Community Involved: The C.W.P.T. has a yearly program. This is where they get volunteers from the communities of Civil War Battlefields together and clean up the area. Removing brush, trash and doing something to improve the look of the community, and figure out what we can do for that. The establishment of a Civil War Roundtable that discusses Monterey, Emmitsburg, Fairfield and Waynesboro during the Civil War, this way all of the areas are covered.