The Battle of Monocacy on the Monocacy River near Frederick in July 1864 played an important role in the Union's victory in the Civil War.
Confederate Gen. Jubal Early was leading his troops to attack Washington when they became locked in a battle with Union soldiers led by Gen. Lew Wallace, delaying their advance.
That delay, and poor Confederate communications, gave Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant time to reinforce troops in Washington.
Those events 137 years ago were recounted this week by Gloria Baker, a National Park Service ranger at the Monocacy National Battlefield.
Baker presented "Aspects of Monocacy," a short lecture which is one in a continuing series dubbed Box Lunch Talks - B.L.T. for short.
The historical lectures are sponsored once a month by the Carroll County Historical Society in Westminster.
The historical society has held the lectures since January.
Cathy Baty, historical society curator, said the group hopes to broaden the range of topics in order to attract the interest of a wider audience.
"We really just try to reach the public," she said.
Guest speakers volunteer for the free lectures, which require participants to take their own lunches.
The organizers provide free desserts and beverages, Baty said.
Future programs in the series will include a presentation on the milling industry in Carroll County in July and one on the county's role in the founding of Methodism in August.
"These have been very interesting programs," said Priscilla Teeten, a volunteer for the historical society, and one of seven attending last week's lecture.
"Not a lot of people attend these things," Teeten said. "But we really enjoy them."
For information on Box Lunch Talks, call the county historical society at 410-848-6494.
