Bolivar in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
A Union Predicament
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 22, 2007
1. A Union Predicament Marker
"Do all you can to annoy the rebels should they advance on you...You will not abandon Harpers Ferry without defending it to the last extremity."
Maj. Gen. John G. Wool, USA
Telegraph message to Col. Dixon S. Miles, USA
September 7, 1862
The first large-scale Federal occupation of Harpers Ferry began in February 1862. Despite the destruction of the armory and arsenal the previous year, Harpers Ferry remained important in protecting Union communication and supply lines and in deterring Confederate invasions of the North.
The Confederates invaded the North for the first time in September 1862. By September 7, Gen. Robert E. Lee's army had crossed the Potomac River and encamped outside Frederick, Maryland. The large Union force at Harpers Ferry, now located behind the invading Confederates, threatened Southern communication and supply lines. In response, Lee boldly divided his army into four parts, sending three columns to capture or destroy the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1862.
Location. 39° 19.361′ N, 77° 45.682′ W. Marker is in Bolivar, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker can be reached from Whitman Avenue, 0.2 miles north
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate Victory (here, next to this marker); Casualties of War (within shouting distance of this marker); Rats in a Cage (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Year of War (within shouting distance of this marker); Closing the Doors (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Facing the Enemy (about 300 feet away); Historic Heights (about 400 feet away); Bolivar Heights Trail (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bolivar.
More about this marker. On the left is a drawing showing, "By early September 1862, 14,000 Federal troops occupied Harpers Ferry and vicinity, with more than half encamped on Bolivar Heights."
An operational map on the right details the movements of each part of the Confederate army. "Maj. Gen. Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson's Confederate force of 14,000 traveled 51 miles in three days and occupied School House Ridge, 1/2-mile west of Bolivar Heights, on September 13."
"Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws' Confederate force of 8,000 captured Maryland Heights after a battle there on September 13."
"Brig. Gen.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 21, 2021
2. A Union Predicament Marker
Unfortunately, the marker has weathered.
"After Jackson's column cornered the Federals into an inescapable position on Bolivar Heights, the trap was set. For five hours on Sunday afternoon, September 14, the Confederates fired their artillery from the captured heights. One hapless Federal wrote, '...the hissing and screeching of shot and shell discharged at us was a strange medley for a Sabbath day's worship.'
A duplicate of this marker stands near the Visitor Center.
Also see . . . 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry. National Park Service summary of the battle. (Submitted on February 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. Two Markers on the Bolivar Heights Trail
Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,398 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on April 26, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1. submitted on February 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on May 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on February 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
