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

Fake Attack - September 14th

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

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

Fake Attack - September 14th Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 5, 2008

1. Fake Attack - September 14th Marker

Inscription. "Stonewall" Jackson understood the principle of military deception. On the second evening of the battle, he used deception here. To lure the Union attention away from the south end of Bolivar Heights, Jackson faked an attack against the north end of the heights in front of you. Using darkness to disguise the deceit, the Stonewall Division marched forward from near this location, creating a commotion that successfully distracted the Federals from Jackson's real advance, one mile to the south. This fake maneuver ultimately helped Jackson position Confederates behind the main enemy line.

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° 19.23′ N, 77° 46.665′ W. Marker is near Bolivar, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker can be reached from Bakerton Road (County Route 27), on the right when traveling south. Located in the north section of the School House Ridge unit of the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. The marker is along a walking trail just north of the William L. Wilson Freeway (US 340). The trail is best reached from the parking area on Bakerton Road (CR 27). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Destined for Antietam (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederates Converge (about 400 feet away); Assessing the Obstacle (about 700 feet away); Flag Talk (approx. 0.3 miles away); Battle of Harpers Ferry (approx. 0.3 miles away); No Man's Land (approx. 0.3 miles away); Allstadt House (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Dangerous Position (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bolivar.

More about this marker. The background of the marker is a depiction of the Confederate infantry involved in the fake attack.

Also see . . . 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry. National Park Service summary of the battle. (Submitted on May 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Fake Attack Wayside image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 5, 2008

2. Fake Attack Wayside

Confederate Positions image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 5, 2008

3. Confederate Positions

Looking east toward Bolivar Heights. At this point, just north of Highway 340, Early and Hays Brigades of Lawton's (Ewell's) Division demonstrated to attract the attentions of the Federals.

Confederate Position image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 22, 2020

4. Confederate Position

Looking north along Schoolhouse Ridge North, the Confederates demonstrated here to attract the attention of the Federals.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,217 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.