April 3, May 1, June 5, July 7, August 10, September 4
In early 1861, Maryland was in a precarious position, both due to its location between the Union and the Confederacy and because it relied on both sides for its economy. As during the American Revolution and the War of 1812, no major military actions took place in or near the city during the Civil War, but it did play a major role in the conflict in other ways. Thousands of paroled Northern prisoners-of-war camped two miles outside the city in an area still known as Parole and military hospitals on the grounds of St. John’s College and the Naval Academy treated sick and wounded soldiers. Some Annapolitans, like Alexander Randall, backed the northern cause, while others, like John Shaw Franklin, left to fight for the Confederacy—come learn about these and other historical figures on our Civil War Tour of Annapolis.
Did you know?
.. that President Lincoln came through Annapolis on his way to a secret meeting with Confederate officials.
...an incident of stolen chickens resulted in one US. Naval officer at the Academy to resign his commission and enlist in the Confederate Navy.
...the first Superintendent of the U.S., Naval Academy was a Marylander and resigned his commission as U.S. Naval officer and went South and commanded the famous C.S.S Virginia (Merrimack). His first action was against a U.S. Ship in which his brother was an officer aboard.
... that Annapolis had 4 hospitals that treated wounded soldiers and union paroled prisoners of war
....that Clara Barton had an office at Camp Parole and tended to soldiers at the hospitals and at Camp Parole.
...that the U.S. Naval Academy was moved to Portsmouth, Rhode Island during the war.
The tour departs at 10:00 am from the Information Booth at the Annapolis City Dock. Duration 2 ¼ hours.