July 7, 1864---The Battle of West Frederick, Maryland

JULY 7, 1864: 

The Battle of West Frederick. This little-known battle took place on farmland just west of Frederick, Maryland (today within the city limits). Union troops drove off part of Jubal Early’s force slated to occupy the city of Frederick. Had the Confederates been able to take Frederick this day, they could have built up a reserve force large enough to tip the balance and overrun the Union troops engaged in the upcoming Battle of Monocacy. It is said that the residents of Frederick sat on their rooftops for a good view of the battle.

The Battle of Braddock’s Gap. Nearby to West Frederick, other Union forces move quickly over Catoctin Mountain, blocking the Confederate advance. After four hours, the stymied Confederates withdraw, moving toward South Mountain and, again, away from Frederick. 

President Lincoln issues Proclamation 114, announcing a “day for humiliation and prayer by the people of the United States.” He asks: 

 . . . his constitutional advisers at the head of the Executive Departments to unite with him as Chief Magistrate of the nation, at the city of Washington, and the members of Congress, and all magistrates, all civil, military, and naval officers, all soldiers, sailors, and marines, with all loyal and law-abiding people, to convene at their usual places of worship, or wherever they may be, to confess and to repent of their manifold sins; to implore the compassion and forgiveness of the Almighty, that, if consistent with His will, the existing rebellion may be speedily suppressed and the supremacy of the Constitution and taws of the United States may be established throughout all the States; to implore Him, as the Supreme Ruler of the World, not to destroy us as a people, nor suffer us to be destroyed by the hostility or connivance of other nations or by obstinate adhesion to our own counsels, which may be in conflict with His eternal purposes, and to implore Him to enlighten the mind of the nation to know and do His will, humbly believing that it is in accordance with His will that our place should be maintained as a united people among the family of nations; to implore Him to grant to our armed defenders and the masses of the people that courage, power of resistance, and endurance necessary to secure that result; to implore Him in His infinite goodness to soften the hearts, enlighten the minds. and quicken the consciences of those in rebellion, that they may lay down their arms and speedily return to their allegiance to the United States, that they may not be utterly destroyed, that the effusion of blood may be stayed, and that unity and fraternity may be restored and peace established throughout all our borders . . .