Park Service Floats Concepts To Unify Civil War Battlefield

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- The National Park Service is seeking public comment on concepts for unifying a Civil War battlefield bisected by Interstate 270 near Frederick.

Monocacy National Battlefield Resource Management Chief Andrew Banasik said Monday that two of the four concepts include a pedestrian walkway beneath the highway where it crosses the Monocacy River.

Another concept envisions a "land bridge" over the highway, creating an unbroken view of the 1,600-acre battlefield.

Park service staff will discuss the concepts at open houses Saturday in downtown Frederick and Feb. 10 at the battlefield.

The battle on July 9, 1864, ended in a Union retreat with 1,300 men dead, wounded or missing. It's known as the "Battle that Saved Washington" because it delayed the Confederates long enough for the Union to send reinforcements to Washington.

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