Near Bolivar in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Jackson at Harpers Ferry
The Stonewall Brigade
As you explore Jefferson County’s Civil War sites, you will learn about some of the notable exploits on the native soil of Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, one of the war's most famous figures. Jackson was born in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). He graduated from West Point and distinguished himself in the Mexican-American War. He left the army to become the Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy and Instructor of Artillery at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia.
Jackson led cadets to Charles Town in 1859 to provide security at John Brown’s execution. After the war began in April 1861, Jackson’s first command was at Harpers Ferry, where he formed and trained one of most famous units in the Civil War, the Stonewall Brigade. Both Jackson and his brigade earned their nickname at the First Battle of Manassas in July 1861. Jackson also acquired Little Sorrel, his favorite mount for the rest of his life, while he was here.
Jackson returned here in September 1862 and captured Harpers Ferry and 12,500 Union soldiers to eliminate a potential Union threat to the rear of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s army in Maryland. Jackson rejoined Lee in September 17 in time for the Battle of Antietam. Technically a draw, the battle gave President Abraham Lincoln sufficient political capital to issue the
this page online
"My great-grandfather was up on that ridge with Stonewall Jackson." — County Commissioner Edgar Ridgeway, May 2000, as he voted to preserve a portion of the battlefield surrounding this site.
Erected by West Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1861.
Location. 39° 19.188′ N, 77° 45.588′ W. Marker is near Bolivar, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Washington Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the grounds of the Jefferson County Visitors Bureau. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37 West Washington Street, Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fortifying Bolivar Heights (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Union Predicament (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Victory (approx. 0.2 miles away); Protecting the Supply Lines (approx. 0.2 miles away); Casualties of War (approx. ¼ mile away); Harpers Ferry Bolivar Veterans Memorial (approx.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 19, 2016
3. Nearby Mystery Marker
Also at the Visitor Center is this marker that must have gone along with a numbered list of sites of interest. Unfortunately, that list no longer seems to exist.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 764 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on August 21, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 25, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
