The Watchful Eye

Historical marker location:

12698 Catoctin Furnace Rd, Thurmont, Maryland

( Marker can be reached from Catoctin Furnace Road (Maryland Route 806) 0.2 miles north of Catoctin Hollow Road, on the left when traveling north.)

Catoctin African American Cemetery Interpretive Trail.

The Battle of Antietam was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War: The Battle of Antietam, which took place on September 17, 1862, was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. More than 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing after 12 hours of fighting. The battle is considered a turning point in the war, as it gave President Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.