Gathland S.p., Cramptons Gap, Md, 09/13/08

Gathland State Park is the former estate of George Alfred Townsend, a noted Civil War Correspondent, who used the pen name "Gath." He named the estate Gathland, sometimes called Gapland. The A.T. traverses the park, which is also the site of the Civil War Battle of Cramptons Gap, a part of the larger Battle of South Mountain, on September 14, 1862. This marker notes that Brig. Gen Paul Semmes, CSA, chose to heavily fortify Brownsville Gap, located a few miles south, and left Col. William A. Parham, CSA, to defend Cramptons Gap with an undersized brigade. Federal forces chose to assault Cramptons Gap, instead of Brownsville Gap. Despite being outnumbered 6 to 1, Confederate forces gave still resistance before being overwhelmed. SoBo 1154.8. NoBo 1023.5.