I don't have a ton of time to post a lot right now with company coming soon, but will put up more when I can.
Years ago, when I was recovering from an injury and my wife & I were starting to hike to build up strength, we hiked Gambrill State Park here in Maryland. It's just west of Frederick and sort of a foothill to the Catoctin Mountain & South Mountain chain that runs about that part of the state. It was an early summer day, a bit warm for me then. We climbed and I remembered being rather worn out when we stumbled upon a family grilling hot dogs and thinking how good the hot dogs looked/smelled! We had gotten a little lost and didn't quite have a lot of snacks. Either way the point is we also stumbled on this CWT sign that talks about Meade's pursuit. The below photo is from Google, though I have one of my own, somewhere. If not I'll take one someday.
I can't imagine doing it in the rain & mud back then. It stunk enough in the warmth & with more modern aspects. Since that hike we live closer to the area and spend a lot of time out and about in it. It's one of those Ed Bearss things, where getting out and seeing the land helps you better understand.
The Pipe Creek Circular has been getting more traction after long being ignored, especially in the larger public eye. The major north & south roads are still the same. The rail line running behind it was crucial to Meade as well.