As Lee invaded the north he hoped to rally the support of the people of Maryland, resupply his exhausted army, and draw the Union army far beyond its supply depots and fortifications, where they might be dealt a more decisive blow. On September 9 he ordered his Chief of Staff to write and distribute Special Orders 191, which laid out his plans for splitting the army and the movements for the next three days. A lost copy of the order was left behind in a field near Frederick, MD wrapped in an envelope with two cigars, waiting for the Union Army to find it... "Here is a paper with which, if I cannot whip Bobby Lee, I will be willing to go home" - General George B. McClellan
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Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Chapter 1: Taking the Battle North
Lee was on the move North and bringing the battle closer to Union homes Read more
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Chapter 2: The Special Orders are Written
Writing and distributing Special Orders 191 Read more
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Chapter 3: McClellan Gets A Hold of the Orders
Special Orders 191 are lost and McClellan get a hold of them Read more
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Chapter 4: Confederate Plans
How the Confederates were going to divide and conquer, while moving further north Read more
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Chapter 5: The Mystery
The mystery behind Special Orders 191 Read more
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Monocacy National Battlefield
Chapter 6: Special Orders 191 Today
The legacy of Special Orders 191 Read more