About South Mountain State Battlefield

South Mountain State Battlefield seeks to preserve and interpret the first major Civil War battle to take place in Maryland. Fought on September 14, 1862, the Battle of South Mountain was a critical turning point in the American Civil War. The Union victories at South Mountain and Antietam (fought three days later) led President Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
 
The state battlefield, located along the gaps of South Mountain, includes valuable farm and forestland, and is home to diverse wildlife. Only here does the Appalachian National Scenic Trail intersect a major Civil War battlefield
 
Visiting The Battlefield
 
All visits to South Mountain State Battlefield should begin with a visit to the battlefield’s office at Washington Monument State Park. While battlefield preservation is an ongoing, nearly two-thirds of the battlefield remains unprotected. Because of this, please respect the property rights and privacy of our friends and neighbors when visiting and touring the battlefield.
 
The Battlefield holds annual events that interpret the Battle of South Mountain. Some of these events feature living history.