FREDERICK, Md. — On July 9, 1864, Federal soldiers, although outnumbered three to one, fought gallantly along the banks of the Monocacy River to buy time for Union reinforcements to arrive in Washington, DC to defend the city from advancing Confederate forces. Because of their actions, the Battle of Monocacy is known as the “Battle that Saved Washington.”
Designated as a National Military Park by Congress in 1934, Monocacy National Battlefield Park officially opened to the public in 1991.
