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

Battle of Harpers Ferry / Jackson Arrives

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

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

 
 
Battle of Harpers Ferry / Jackson Arrives Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 21, 2021
1. Battle of Harpers Ferry / Jackson Arrives Marker
Inscription.
Battle of Harpers Ferry
Invasion rocked the United States during the second year of the American Civil War. In September 1862 Confederate General Robert E. Lee launched his army into Maryland - the North. Lee's first target became Harpers Ferry. He ordered "Stonewall" Jackson to make the attack.

Here Jackson overcame the great obstacles, defeating the Union during a three-day battle and forcing the largest surrender of U.S. troops during the Civil War. His victory at Harpers Ferry enabled Lee to make his stand at nearby Antietam.

At first their missiles of death fell far short of our camp; but each succeeding shell came nearer and nearer, until the earth was plowed up at our feet and our tents torn to tatters.
Lieutenant James H. Clark, 115th New York Infantry

Jackson Arrives
Confederate Major General "Stonewall" Jackson arrived here on Schoolhouse Ridge with 14,000 men to commence the Battle of Harpers Ferry. Jackson faced mountain obstacles and a determined Union army defending Bolivar Heights. But in a three-day battle, he forced the largest surrender of U.S. Troops during the Civil War.

Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson was the most successful Confederate general by the late summer of 1862. At the war's
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outbreak in April 1861, he began his Confederate career as a colonel in command at Harpers Ferry. Returning 17 months later, Jackson used his knowledge of the area's rugged terrain to outmaneuver the Union troops.

 
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 1862.
 
Location. 39° 19.521′ N, 77° 46.021′ W. Marker is near Bolivar, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is on 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 best reached from the parking area on Bakerton Road (CR 27). This marker stands near the parking lot, serving as a trail head for walks along School House Ridge North. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. Union Skirmish Line (within shouting distance of this marker); School House Ridge, Harpers Ferry, W.V. (within shouting distance of this marker); We Began Firing At Will: The 111th New York Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); Five Rounds into the Darkness
Battle of Harpers Ferry / Jackson Arrives Marker image. Click for full size.
October 11, 2009
2. Battle of Harpers Ferry / Jackson Arrives Marker
(about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Skirmish Line to Burial Ground (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Position Strong by Nature (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Dangerous Position (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Confederate Perspective (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bolivar.
 
More about this marker. The upper panel displays a three dimensional battle map detailing the troop positions during the battle. The location of the marker is indicated by a "you are here" flag. The lower panel features an illustration of Jackson surveying the battlefield, while his troops march past.
 
Regarding Battle of Harpers Ferry / Jackson Arrives. Both panels of this marker are duplicated elsewhere in Harpers Ferry Historical Park.
 
Also see . . .  Harpers Ferry. Battle of Harpers Ferry - Civil War Preservation Trust (Submitted on October 15, 2009.) 
 
North School House Ridge Trailhead image. Click for full size.
October 11, 2009
3. North School House Ridge Trailhead
North School House Ridge Trails Map image. Click for full size.
October 11, 2009
4. North School House Ridge Trails Map
School House Ridge North image. Click for full size.
October 11, 2009
5. School House Ridge North
NPS sign near entrance to School House Ridge North
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2009. This page has been viewed 2,225 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on August 2, 2023. Photos:   1. submitted on May 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.   2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 15, 2009. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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Apr. 19, 2024