Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

The First Line of Defense

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

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

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

Photographed by Mike McKeown, December 29, 2025

1. The First Line of Defense 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 Federal troops could not rest until tomorrow, however, because General "Stonewall" Jackson's Confederate troops might charge over School House Ridge at any moment.

To guard against such an attack, the Federal 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 US Army 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 date for this entry is September 14, 1862.

Location. 39° 19.343′ N, 77° 46.075′ W. Marker is in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It is on Bakerton Road. Along the walking trail at Lower Bolivar Heights Park (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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Dangerous Position (within shouting distance of this marker); A Position Strong by Nature (about 400 feet away); We Began Firing At Will: The 111th New York Regiment (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Harpers Ferry / Jackson Arrives (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Skirmish Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); School House Ridge, Harpers Ferry, W.V. (approx. ¼ mile away); No Man's Land (approx. ¼ mile away); From Skirmish Line to Burial Ground (approx. ¼ mile away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. The First Line of Defense: The Union Skirmish Line (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker Near This Location titled "The First Line of Defense: The Union Skirmish Line".

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 45 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 29, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.