Looting in New Windsor

History: On July 9, 1864, Confederate General Bradley T. Johnson, a Frederick County native, led his cavalry brigade of 1,500 men out of the mountains north of Frederick toward Worman's Mill on Frederick Road. The column moved rapidly through Libertytown and onto New Windsor, where shopkeepers had already locked their doors and fled.

Gen. Johnson recognized Nettie Stouffer, an old classmate, and commandeered the Stouffer house on Main Street for his headquarters.. The rebels began looting the Stouffer store across the street, but stopped when Nettie interceded with Johnson. Elsewhere, the rebels raided and helped themselves to precious clothing and food staples.

General Johnson ordered Baltimore-Countian Col. Harry Gilmor forward six miles with twenty hand-picked men to capture Westminster.

More to Explore: In New Windsor, you will find Strawbridge Shrine, a replica of a 1760 Methodist meeting house, believed to be the first in the nation and home of the first American convert. Nearby in Westminster, you can visit the Carroll County Farm Museum, where you can explore several picturesque gardens and a nature trail. The Trail follows the contours of two rock quarries and is bisected by a tributary of the Little Pipe Creek. The Museum also hosts many festivals and events throughout the year. Have a picnic and take a step back in history when you visit the Union Mills Homestead. Take a tour of the family home, buy a bag of fresh ground flour, and enjoy some outdoor games. There are beautiful fields surrounding the area, a blacksmith forge, and historical displays to reflect on the history of the mill.

Photo Credits:

"New Windsor Raid, from a drawing by Frederick Dielman (1847 - 1935), originally published in Leslie's."
"Frederick Dielman in his Studio (1847-1935)." Courtesy of Historical Society of Carroll County.
"Artist Frederick Dielman (1847-1935) as a Young Man." Courtesy of New Windsor Heritage.
"Bradley Tyler Johnson." Courtesy of Library of Congress.