Battle of Rockville

On July 13, 1864, the small village of Rockville saw one of the few truly urban street fights of the Civil War. Join us to learn about the outnumbered Federal cavalrymen from California who stood their ground in the streets of Rockville against a powerful Confederate army and proved their worth to the Union cause. Californians of the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry had spent two frustrating years in the static defenses of Washington, DC, dealing with guerrilla Confederate Partisan Rangers that infested northern Virginia. They longed for an opportunity to confront the full might of the Confederate Army. In 1864, they followed Jubal Early’s retreat after his repulse at Fort Stevens in northwest Washington, DC. At Rockville, the Confederates finally launched a major rear-guard counterattack to overwhelm and turn back their Federal pursuers. Here, at last, the Californians would get their wish to test their mettle against the full might of a regular Confederate army.

Seating is limited.

Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation Ltd. is supported in part by a grant from the City of Rockville and funding from the Montgomery County Government and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.