A group of Cumberland, MD citizens are working together and with the state to preserve the historic Folck’s Mill site.

Folck’s Mill was the site of a summer 1864 battle in western Maryland, between Confederate General John McCausland and Union Brigadier General Benjamin F. Kelley. Gen. McCausland set out for western Maryland towards Cumberland, to disrupt the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad and demand a ransom from the town or torch it as well. On August 1, the Confederates arrived at Folck's Mill east of Cumberland. There, Kelley and three divisions of untested "100-days" troops and six pieces of artillery met the Confederate advance. As the Confederates arrived at the outskirts of town, Kelley's artillery fired on the cavalry. Unsure of what he was up against and being unfamiliar with the local terrain, McCausland decided against an assault and brought up his own artillery. The gunners from both armies dueled until about 8 p.m. at which point McCausland withdrew, heading southeast to Old Town on the Potomac River. *

After his retreat to the Potomac, McCausland attempted to cross into West Virginia, but was stymied by destroyed bridges, courtesy of Col. Israel Stough. This marked the first time McCausland had been fought since burning Chambersburg, PA. Kelley’s fight against McCausland saved the town of Cumberland from being burned and likely destroyed.

Now located just off Interstate 68, a group of concerned Cumberland residents are working to make sure the site is preserved and used as a tourist attraction and educational landmark. The primary problem is access to the site – it’s in an awkward place and difficult to reach from I-68, says Gary Clites, Folck's Mill Committee co-chair and roundtable member.

Most important to the group is the cultural and historic significance from the site. The Cumberland Times –News reports that, “We would like to preserve the place so that people can go down and touch the foundation where the battle occurred,” said Clites. “Preserving the site would ensure that it wouldn’t be lost. I don’t want it to be lost.”

“Preserving the Folck’s Mill battle site is important because it was an important battle in history and if you don’t preserve it then it will disappear,” said Buehl. “Too often we let things disappear.”

Folck’s Mill is just one of the many historic sites and areas in our region, from pre-Revolutionary War era to WWII manufacturing sites. Do you have suggestions for other places to highlight? Email us at info@powerof32.org!

*Historical information taken from Wikipedia