The Battle of Monocacy took place on July 9, 1864. Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early’s raided towards Washington, D.C. Approximately 6,600 Union troops under Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace (including Brig. Gen. James B. Ricketts’ veteran division from the VI Corps) defended the Monocacy River crossings against roughly 14,000–15,000 Confederates. While it was a tactical Confederate victory, it was a strategic Union success, as it delayed Early by about a day, allowing reinforcements to reach Washington’s defenses.

This site uses modern park photographs enhanced with AI to give visitors a glimpse of the fighting that occurred on that day, while giving the recognition General Grant so eloquently summed up in his memoirs when he said "General Wallace contributed on this occasion by the defeat of the troops under him, a greater benefit to the cause than often falls to the lot of a commander of an equal force to render by means of a victory.” General Wallace and the troops under him couldn't fight to win, but they could "fight for time."

To understand the position taken by each player in this drama, click on the battle map.