Gilmor's Raid: Capturing Cockeysville

History: During the Battle of Monocacy, Confederate General Jubal A. Early ordered General Bradley T. Johnson to march his cavalry eastward toward Baltimore. Johnson's mission was to cut railroad and telegraph communications north of Baltimore, then move south to free Confederate prisoners at Point Lookout. Johnson sent 25 mounted troopers under Major Harry Gilmor to seize Cockeysville.

On Sunday, July 10, 1864, Gilmor and his troopers arrived in the undefended village. They set up pickets and burned the Northern Central Railway's bridge across the Big Gunpowder Falls. Johnson's main force moved south to burn Maryland Governor Augustus Bradford's house. Plans to liberate Point Lookout were abandoned.

More to Explore: At Gunpowder Falls State Park, you can travel the Torrey C. Brown Trail, a 21-mile rail-trail extending from Ashland to the Pennsylvania line, by bike on foot or horseback. Points of interest along this trail include the restored 1898 Monkton Train Station, and the Sparks Bank Nature Center, which features interpretive displays and family activities.

Nearby, Oregon Ridge Park is filled with hiking trails, and features a man-made lake and beach. Sign up for a fishing expedition, or a guided canoe trip at the nature center, which also hosts exhibits of fauna, flora, animals, and archaeology. Loch Raven Reservoir is another nearby location, where you can enjoy beautiful water vistas, wildlife, hiking, and fishing.

For something more relaxing, Boordy Vineyards, is a great place to enjoy winetasting. Tours of the facility, concerts, holiday picnics, and festival events are held here weekly.

Photo Credits:

1. "Lincoln’s Funeral Train arrives at Harrisburg Station via the Northern Central Railway on April 21, 1865." Courtesy of Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.