WAYNESBORO – R. Lee Royer told Rotarians about the Monterey Pass Battlefield and Museum, which he has been involved with as a volunteer for many years.
The complex Civil War battle, the second largest to occur in Pennsylvania during the war, came shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg. After the battle, the Confederates sent out two wagon trains loaded with confiscated goods and wounded men. One of them went through the Blue Ridge Summit area and along the route of old Pennsylvania 16.
Union forces got word of the movement, which resulted in a confused battle on a rainy evening in the woods surrounding the area. Union troops continued to pursue the Confederates as far as Leitersburg, Maryland, and were able to capture 1,300 prisoners and quite a bit of contraband, Royer said.
Since the battlefield group incorporated in 2011, it has acquired land for the museum, the Lions Club Park in Blue Ridge Summit and 113 acres of mountain land from the Washington Township Municipal Authority. The group has constructed more than two miles of walking trails, an observation deck and parking lots for tours.
Fundraising continues to provide more renovations, artifacts and equipment at the site.
Royer is the owner and principal of R. Lee Royer & Associates, a professionally licensed land surveying and civil engineering firm serving Pennsylvania and Maryland. The company serves residential and commercial clients.
