A strong Confederate presence at Funkstown threatened any Union advance against Gen. Robert E. Lee's position near Williamsport and the Potomac River as he retreated to Virginia after the Battle of Gettysburg. Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry, posted at Funkstown, posed a serious risk to the Federal right and rear if the Union army lunged west from Boonsboro. Stuart, meanwhile, determined to wage a spirited defense to ensure Lee time to complete fortifications protecting his army and his avenue of retreat.
As Brig. Gen. John Buford's Federal cavalry division cautiously approached Funkstown via the National Road on Friday morning July 10, 1863, it encountered Stuart's crescent-shaped, three-mile-long battle line. It was Stuart's first defensive battle since reentering Maryland. The high ground constituted Stuart's extreme right, held by Preston Chew's horse artillery. A nearby stone barn and barnyard wall proved a superb defensive position for the 34th Virginia Battalion's dismounted cavalry.
Col. Thomas C. Devin's dismounted Union cavalry brigade attacked about 8:00 a.m. By mid-afternoon, with Buford's cavalrymen running low on ammunition and gaining little ground, Col. Lewis A. Grant's First Vermont Brigade of infantry arrived and jabbed at the Confederate center less than one mile away. Unbeknownst to the Vermonters, Gen. George T. Anderson's Confederate brigade now faced them, the first time opposing infantry had clashed since the Battle of Gettysburg.
By early evening, the Union Army began withdrawing south towards Beaver Creek. Stuart had kept the Federals at bay for yet another day. The day-long battle east of the road resulted in 479 casualties. The Chaney house served as a hospital. At the Keller home, Confederate Major Henry D. McDaniel, later the governor of Georgia, survived his wounds.
The house at 16 W. Cemetery St. remained a church until it burned down a second time, finally being rebuilt into the existing house in 1913.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.36 square miles (0.93 km2), all land.[7] Antietam Creek flows to the south within the city limits.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Funkstown has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[8]
Transportation
US 40 Alternate in central Funkstown
The main means of transport to and from Funkstown are by road. U.S. Route 40 Alternate is the only significant highway serving Funkstown directly. US 40 Alt follows Frederick Road, Baltimore Street and Westside Street as it traverses the town. To the west, US 40 Alt ends in Hagerstown, while heading east, it passes through Boonsboro on its way to Frederick. Interstate 70 passes just south of the town limits, but the closest interchanges are at U.S. Route 40 and Maryland Route 65, both over a mile distant.
As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 904 people, 417 households, and 226 families living in the town. The population density was 2,511.1 inhabitants per square mile (969.5/km2). There were 460 housing units at an average density of 1,277.8 per square mile (493.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.8% White, 1.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.
There were 417 households, of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.8% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.76.
The median age in the town was 46.2 years. 17.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 35.3% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.
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