Military Confiscation of Zion
On this Sunday, September 14, 1862, the bloody Battle of South Mountain on the ridge about 5 miles west of
town occurred throwing the community into turmoil and as the wounded from the fighting were brought into
town the churches were commandeered as emergency hospitals for their care and convalescence. The beautiful
new sanctuary, just three years old, is now confiscated from the congregation, The pews were torn out and cots
installed to care for the wounded and dying, the steeple was used as a lookout tower, and as the battle at
Antietam was just a few days later, casualties from that bloody battle added to the already crowded facilities of
the church hospital.
The Valley Register gives us a glimpse of what was happening in
Middletown:
“Our town at present one vast hospital. About 1,200
wounded, including some rebels, of Sunday’s battle, have
been brought here, and all the churches, lecture rooms, and
many rooms of private homes are being used as hospitals.
Our citizens, and particularly the ladies, are untiring in their
attention to these unfortunates, whilst our resident
physicians are rendering all the aid in their power to
mitigate the sufferings of the wounded.” Valley Register,
September 19, 1862
“All the buildings in this place recently used as Hospitals, with the
exception of the Lutheran Church, have been vacated. Those of the
wounded who were in a condition to be moved have been taken to
Frederick, whilst those more seriously wounded have been placed in
the Lutheran Church, which has been converted into a General
Hospital. A number of deaths have occurred among the inmates
since our last issue, but we are still unable to obtain their names for publication.” Valley Register September 26, 1862
“A few deaths continue to occur at the Hospital in this place. Since the establishment of Hospitals in our town for the
wounded of the recent battles, at least 130 deaths have occurred in them. The bodies of only a few of these have been
taken in charge of by their friends and the others have been buried in the Academy yard, adjoining the Lutheran and
Methodist burying grounds.” Valley Register, October 3, 1862
The kind hearted ladies of this place, assisted by the contributions of our citizens, provided a sumptuous Thanksgiving
dinner yesterday for the wounded soldiers in the Hospital at this place. A table, teeming with an abundance of edibles and
all the luxuries to be obtained, was spread in the Hospital building, from which the wants of the “inner man” were
bountifully supplied; and the recipients, who are far from home and friends, will bless the hand that administered to their
comfort on this occasion. In this connection we may state that there are yet remaining in the Hospital here about thirty five
wounded, very many of whom have been so unfortunate as to lose either a leg, arm or foot. With but a few exceptions
however, all are doing well. The Ladies Relief Association of this place continues to minister to their wants.”
Valley Register November 28, 1862
Jan 1863, the government surrendered the accommodations and turned the church building back to the Council of Zion.
Most of the wounded still remaining in the building were removed to the Frederick Hospital, although about six were
taken into private homes in Middletown for further care and convalescence.
In May 1863, the government awarded Zion with $2,395 for damages during the occupation of the church as hospital
during the Fall and Winter of 1862-1863. The work commenced at this time to restore the damaged sanctuary and
education rooms of the first floor.
Although the immediate danger is gone, the war continues and the quiet and tranquil Middletown will again be visited
with the threats of “War at the Door.”