These markers mention members of the Georgia Lamars.
Submitted by S. L. Hemp, a descendant of the Robert Tyler family of Maryland [SLHEMP at aol dot com ]
Civil War markers from Crampton's Gap near Burkittsville, Maryland part of the Battle of South Mountain September 14, 1862. Fighting occurred at three mountain gaps; Crampton's
being the southernmost.
Padgett's Field: Confederate Last Stand
On September 14, 1862, this area was an open field belonging to George W. Padgett. A wooden, rail fence lined the road on the east. A low, stone wall bordered the field to the west. As the shattered remnants of Brigadier General Howell Cobb's forces streamed up Whipp's Ravine and through the gap toward the safety of Pleasant Valley, Cobb attempted to check the retreat. He would put up a "last ditch" defense here on the summit of Crampton's Gap. With most of his troops in headlong retreat, Cobb stopped as many as he could and threw up a hastily formed line behind the stone wall. The 24th Georgia still held a position southeast of the gap along Gapland Road. They concentrated their fire on the Federals, who were pursuing the Confederates up the ravine. Suddenly the New Jersey troops, charging up the road from the southeast, hurled a deadly volley on the 24th's right flank.
The Georgians broke under the pressure. Cobb, taking their colors, ordered them to take a stand. Some ignored him and continued their flight. Others stopped and formed behind the wall to wait for the Federals. They didn't have to wait long. As the head of the Union column turned the corner and approached the gap, the Federals were met with fire from Confederate muskets and two guns of the Troup Light Artillery. The artillery had just arrived on the field. The blast caught the Federals off guard. The column briefly recoiled and then moved forward again. The New Jersey Brigade's blood was up, and they were not to be denied. As the Federal tide moved inexorably forward, the New Jersey troops again turned the right flank of the Confederate line. Resistance collapsed and the remaining Confederate troops joined their comrades in headlong retreat into the valley below.
On the right lower corner of this marker:
A bullet struck Colonel John Basil Lamar in the chest. General Cobb carried Lamar who was his brother-in-law and aide-de-camp, dying from the field
"Sealed with their Lives"
Just before the Confederate line along Mountain Church Road gave way, Brigadier General Howell Cobb arrived in Crampton's Gap with his Georgia and North Carolina troops. After meeting with Colonel Thomas Munford, who had been directing the battle, Cobb allowed Munford to deploy Cobb's troops. Munford ordered the 15th North Carolina to the Arnoldstown Road. There they took a position behind a stone wall facing Whipp's Ravine. The 24th Georgia was ordered into the ravine, while Cobb's Legion followed by the 16th Georgia, moved down Gapland Road. Near here Cobb's Legion formed line of battle on the mountain slope about half way down between the two roads, the 16th Georgia to its left. As remnants of Munford's shattered line rushed through the Legion's rank Torbert's New Jersey Brigade surrounded it on three sides, the 3rd New Jersey wheeling down onto the Legion from behind after climbing to Gapland Road unopposed.
Twelve hundred New Jersey soldiers surrounded the 248 men of Cobb's Legion. If Lieutenant Colonel Jefferson Lamar, the Legion's commander, retreated, he might start a stampede of the entire Confederate line; but, if he stayed where he was, he might buy time for the rest of the Confederates to retreat. He chose to stay. Shortly after, a bullet smashed into his leg, toppling him to the ground. Eventually, Captain William Lowe of Company F, also wounded in the leg, called to Lamar that the Legion was being annihilated. Lowe helped Lamar to his feet so he could order the Legion out of the killing field. No sooner had Lamar done so than a bullet tore through his chest, mortally wounding him. In about twenty minutes, the Legion sustained 72% casualities - killed, wounded, and missing.
Submitted by S. L. Hemp
Crampton's Gap is the cleft in the ridge. Burkittsville, Maryland. Photo taken about 2 miles east of the town along Gapland Road.