St. Peter's or Horsehead? Is the Stage Route the Answer?

[L Verge]

(01-17-2017 03:03 AM)SSlater Wrote:  We might think of "Rt. 301" as the "Secret Line" through Maryland, and it would be the first choice for an escape. But, there was an alternate route - The Patuxent River route. Which justifies putting an Escort Troop in that area - thus Lt. Garland Smith and friends there on April 15.

Another thought. Mosby and Booth were more than 25 miles apart, when Mosby was at Frederick Hall and Booth was at the Rappahannock. It was more like 55 miles apart. 25 is a nicer number.
(More like 60 as the road wanders.

I definitely agree with your first paragraph - both the Patuxent and the Wicomico Rivers were possible routes out of Southern Maryland. That's what brought about my first and subsequent postings in relation to the Mechanicsville skirmish over the past few days. I'm glad to see that you also agree now that Garland Smith had a troop in that area, and that they were the ones who skirmished with the Yanks.

I have wondered if Oswell Swann had taken Booth and Herold to William Burtles, as they first requested and then changed their minds, would Burtles have been as accommodating as Cox and Jones. And, would Burtles, who lived near what is present-day Hughesville, have guided them to the closer Patuxent or Wicomico for their departure to the Northern Neck? I suspect that Thomas Harbin was in somewhat of a quandry - like the Yanks - as to which way the fugitives were headed.