Gordon’s Decisive Attack

A marker on Confederate General John Gordon's Decisive Attack during the Battle of Monocacy is on the National Park service road to the Worthington Farm

The road and marker are in a treeline bordering Interstate 270. Neither freeway nor trees were here during the battle. In 1864 there would have been an unobstructed view to the nearby Thomas farm.

Location and Directions

The marker is on the east side of the National Park service road to the Worthington Farm north of Baker Valley Road. (39.355671° N, 77.395321° W; see map)

Text from the marker:

Gordon’s Decisive Attack

3:00-4:30 p.m. July 9, 1864

So profuse was the flow of blood from the killed and wounded of both sides of these forces that it reddened the stream [on the Thomas Farm] for more than 100 yards below.

Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon

The first Confederate troops to cross the Monocacy River had been repulsed by the Federals massing across the Thomas farm. Then Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon's infantry emerged over the crest of Brooks Hill and with rebel yells and flying banners, swept down the hill toward the farm.

Gordon ordered his three brigades to attack sequentially from right to left. Union volleys ravaged the first brigade and bloodied the second. But the third brigade and other Confederate units drove the Federals off the Thomas farm and forced them into a general retreat toward Gambrill Mill.