Civil War Returns to Rockville, MD
Jubal Early Marches on Washington City - 1864
June 12—13, 2004

In and around Court House Square, Rockville, Montgomery County

The Jubal Early Steering Committee would like to thank everyone who
attended and everyone who volunteered to make this event such a success.

We hope to have pictures of the event available soon.

Click here for more information from the Jubal Early Steering Committee  (opens in new window).  

Music | Tours | Debate | Encampment | Demonstrations

In 1864, Rockville – seat of Montgomery County – was strategically located in a slaveholding border state on the major road between Washington, D.C. and the West. In July, Jubal Early led a Confederate army in a raid on Washington DC from the west. On July 10th, the leading portion of Early´s Confederate army pushed into Rockville, driving back withdrawing Union cavalry. After taking the town, this vanguard Confederate force stopped and encamped for the night. General Early and the main body of his army arrived the next day and then proceeded to the outskirts of Washington City. << Montgomery House on Courthouse Square served as Early's temporary headquarters during the advance and retreat through Rockville.

After being rebuffed at reinforced Washington City defenses, Early´s army returned to Rockville on July 13th in a retreat march. As the Confederate army marched out of town, two pursuing Union cavalry regiments charged along Commerce Lane (now Montgomery Avenue). A substantial, see-sawing cavalry clash ensued on the western streets of Rockville. Soldiers in blue and grey fought and some died in the streets of Rockville.

Join Rockville for a living history of Jubal Early’s passage through Rockville to help today’s residents and visitors appreciate the events and emotions experienced in this Maryland town during the Civil War.

The program is open to the public.