War Returns to South Mountain: Battle of Monterey Pass

History: On the night of July 3, defeated at Gettysburg, Lee ordered his wagon trains to retreat through the mountain gaps. The next night, Union Gen. H. Judson Kilpatrick caught up with the Confederate wagon at Monterey Pass and attacked the retreating Confederate column. A chaotic and vicious fight began around 9 P.M. that raged for more than five hours until Kilpatrick broke through the defenders and the Confederates continued their retreat. Kilpatrick pursued the wagon trains to the western base of South Mountain. Local resident C.H. Burman guided the regiment through Raven Rock Pass to Smithsburg. After capturing several wagons at Leitersburg, the First Vermont Cavalry rejoined Kilpatrick at Ringgold and rode south to Smithsburg.

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Photo Credits:

1. "Photograph of Major General H. Judson Kilpatrick."
2. "Photograph of General William E. "Grumble" Jones." Photos courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.