Near Bolivar in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

The First Line of Defense: The Union Skirmish Line

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

The First Line of Defense: The Union Skirmish Line Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 21, 2021

1. The First Line of Defense: The Union Skirmish Line Marker

Inscription. After sunset on September 14, 1862, the Confederate cannons across the road on School House Ridge vanished in the darkness. The features of the landscape began to blur as the shell-shocked Union soldiers on Bolivar Heights wondered if they could survive another day of artillery bombardment. The Union troops could not rest until tomorrow, however, because General "Stonewall" Jackson's Confederate Army might charge over School House Ridge at any moment. To guard against such an attack, the Union command established a human alarm system on this field in the form of a skirmish line. It was the first line of defense. If the Confederates advanced, the gunfire from the Union soldiers on the skirmish line would reveal the location of the attack. "Stonewall" Jackson was counting on it.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1861.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 39° 19.371′ N, 77° 45.992′ W. Marker was near Bolivar, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker could be reached from Bakerton Road (County Route 27), on the right when

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traveling north. Located along the Union Skirmish Line Trail, in the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America.

We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A Position Strong by Nature (a few steps from this marker); A Dangerous Position (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); We Began Firing At Will: The 111th New York Regiment (about 700 feet away); Union Skirmish Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Harpers Ferry / Jackson Arrives (approx. 0.2 miles away); From Skirmish Line to Burial Ground (approx. 0.2 miles away); School House Ridge, Harpers Ferry, W.V. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fortifying Bolivar Heights (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bolivar.

More about this marker. The background of the marker is a photograph of cannons in the sunset.

Also see . . . 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry. National Park Service summary of the battle. (Submitted on February 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 21, 2021

2. The First Line of Defense: The Union Skirmish Line Marker

School House Ridge from the Marker Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 28, 2007

3. School House Ridge from the Marker Location

Union Skirmish Line Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 28, 2007

4. Union Skirmish Line Trail

Photographed By Mark P Brock-Cancellieri, March 3, 2024

5. The First Line of Defense: The Union Skirmish Line Marker

I am very sorry to report that this and an adjacent sign have been replaced with comparable QR codes. Rest assured I have registered my complaints with the Park Service.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,666 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on February 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on March 6, 2024, by Mark P Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland.