Perry Hall and Kingsville's Brush with the Civil War

This past April, our nation commemorated the 150th anniversary of the attack on Fort Sumter, the opening battle of the Civil War. Over the course of the next four years, there will be many opportunities to reflect on these trying days in the history of America. The communities of Perry Hall and Kingsville were, for the most part, spared direct exposure to the conflict. In spite of this, we should be mindful that members of both communities fought on both sides of the War Between the States.

Maryland found itself at the crossroads of both northern and southern sympathies. Certain areas, especially the Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland, were heavily dependent on the institution of slavery to maintain their large tobacco plantations. Additionally, many of the merchants working in Baltimore relied upon trade with southern cities for their livelihood, and thus were sympathetic to the Confederacy.

In contrast to these sentiments, farmers working areas just outside of Baltimore typically had much smaller holdings and were not slaveholders.  Beyond this, many of these small farmers were recent immigrants, whose original cultures were not supportive of slavery. This was particularly true here in Perry Hall, where—starting in the 1850s—many German immigrants chose to settle.

Given these dynamics, it should not be surprising that our state produced military units serving on both sides of the conflict. Sons of Maryland fought and died at battles like Gettysburg and Antietam, serving with both Union and Confederate armies.

It wasn't until three years into the war that our area had its first direct exposure to military action. On July 10, 1864, Maj. Harry Gilmor led 135 men of the 1st and 2nd Maryland Cavalry. They travelled through northeastern Baltimore County into Harford County, with the intent of disrupting commerce. Initially, the soldiers raided homes and a general store located at (in today's Kingsville), taking horses and other supplies. 

The next morning, Gilmor's men approached the and discovered a crossing of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad. Near Magnolia Station, the 159th Ohio Infantry, who were defending the crossing, engaged Gilmor's troops. Ultimately, the raid proved to be successful, with two trains destroyed and the supplies on these trains being captured. Gilmor's men then set fire to one of the trains before backing it over and partially destroying the railroad bridge. Telegraph communications lines were also cut in the immediate area. Among the passengers captured on the northbound train was Union Maj. General William Franklin.

For the past eight years, the Friends of Jerusalem Mill sponsor a Civil War Weekend Encampment. This event commemorates , and offers visitors the opportunity to see, firsthand what life was like for Civil War-era soldiers. Beyond this, there will most certainly be a number of events over the next several years where you and your family members can learn more about the Civil War and its place in our history.