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

Mountains, Men, and Maneuvers

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

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

Mountains, Men, and Maneuvers Marker image. Click for full size.

March 1, 2008

1. Mountains, Men, and Maneuvers Marker

Inscription. Confederate Major General “Stonewall” Jackson could not see this view. His lower vantage on Schoolhouse Ridge, 1000 yards upriver, blocked his sight of this strategic position. Yet Jackson remembered this farm from his time as Confederate commander at Harpers Ferry during the first days of the war. He knew if he seized this ground he would threaten the rear of the Union army atop Bolivar Heights. Despite overwhelming odds, Jackson’s men secured the Chambers (Murphy) Farm and the plateau on Loudoun Heights, overcoming rivers, cliffs, ravines, poor roads, and narrow shorelines. They forced the surrender of Harpers Ferry. With cannon now in close firing range from these surprise positions, Jackson was ready to launch his final attack on the Union forces.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 39° 18.46′ N, 77° 45.776′ W. Marker is near Bolivar, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from Shoreline Drive. Located on the Murphy Farm trail in the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in the Eastern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Murphy Farm (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Moving Symbol (about 400 feet away); Pilgrimage (about 400 feet away); Holy Ground (about 400 feet away); Sheridan Dug In (about 400 feet away); The Fate of Harpers Ferry was sealed. (approx. ¼ mile away); Struggle to the Heights (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gun Position #6 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bolivar.

More about this marker. The marker narrates two troop movements - "Crutchfield's soldiers worked feverishly through the night following a road up the mountainside and dragging 10 cannon into position on Loudoun Heights" and "Hill's troops moved down the Shenandoah River and struggled with their 20 cannon until they reached the high ground of Chambers (Murphy) Farm."

March 1, 2008

2. Mountains, Men, and Maneuvers Marker

Looking southwest at Shenandoah River.

The Chambers (Murphy) Farm image. Click for full size.

March 1, 2008

3. The Chambers (Murphy) Farm

View is with the marker at one's back

View from the Overlook image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 11, 2007

4. View from the Overlook

The overlook provides a picturesque view of Bull Falls and the upper Shenandoah Valley.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2008. This page has been viewed 1,374 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2020. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 2, 2008. 4. submitted on March 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.