James H. Gambrill (Araby) Mill

At or near the Gambrill (or Araby) Mill, several Union soldiers were killed and wounded by the first firing at the Battle of Monocacy. The mill also served as a Union hospital during the battle.

The Araby Mill, located in Frederick County, was established in 1830 by Colonel J. Pearson. James H. Gambrill bought the farm and mill in 1856, enlarging the latter. At the July 9, 1864 Battle of Monocacy, the mill was located to the right and rear of Union lines. As the battle opened, several soldiers from the 87^th Pennsylvania, who were stationed at or near the mill, were killed or wounded by the day’s first fire. James H. Gambrill, who sent his family to a neighbor’s house where they sought shelter in the cellar, stayed at the mill during the battle with three friends, hiding under the waterwheel. The mill was used as a Union hospital during the battle.