Battle of Harpers Ferry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Harpers Ferry |
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| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
 Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 1865. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
 Confederate States |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Dixon S. Miles †, Julius White |
A.P. Hill | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 14,000 | 21–26,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 12,636 total 44 killed 173 wounded 12,419 captured The Union garrison also surrendered 13,000 small arms, 200 wagons, and 73 artillery pieces. |
286 total 39 killed 247 wounded |
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The Battle of Harpers Ferry was an important fight during the American Civil War. It happened from September 12 to 15, 1862. This battle was part of the Maryland Campaign.
General Robert E. Lee led the Confederate forces. He sent a part of his army, led by Stonewall Jackson, to capture Harpers Ferry. Jackson's soldiers surrounded the town. They attacked the Union soldiers stationed there. The Confederates won a big victory with few losses.
Why Harpers Ferry Was Important
During the 1862 Maryland Campaign, General Robert E. Lee moved his army north. They went through the Shenandoah Valley into Maryland. Lee wanted to capture the Union soldiers at Harpers Ferry. This would help protect his supply lines back to Virginia.
The Union Army was following Lee's troops. Even though the Union forces had more soldiers, Lee decided to split his army. He sent one part to attack Harpers Ferry from three different directions.
The Union commander at Harpers Ferry was Dixon S. Miles. He kept most of his troops near the town. He did not move them to the higher ground around it. General George B. McClellan had ordered Miles to hold the town. McClellan promised to send more soldiers soon.
The Battle Begins
On September 12, Confederate soldiers approached Maryland Heights. This was a key defensive spot. There was only a short fight at first. But on September 13, two Confederate groups attacked strongly. They pushed the Union soldiers off the heights.
While fighting on Maryland Heights, other Confederate groups arrived. They were surprised to see that important spots to the west and south of Harpers Ferry were not defended.
The Final Attack
General Jackson carefully placed his cannons around Harpers Ferry. He ordered A.P. Hill to move along the Shenandoah River. This was to prepare for an attack on the Union's left side the next morning.
By the morning of September 15, Jackson had almost 50 cannons ready. They were on Maryland Heights and Loudoun Heights. He started a very strong cannon attack from all sides. He then ordered his foot soldiers to charge.
Commander Miles realized that there was no hope. He agreed with his officers to surrender. Before he could officially surrender, he was badly hurt by a cannon shell. He died the next day.
After taking over 12,000 Union prisoners, Jackson's men quickly left. They rushed to Sharpsburg, Maryland. They rejoined General Lee for the Battle of Antietam.
Images for kids
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William MacLeod, Maryland Heights - Siege of Harpers Ferry, 1863
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Battle of Harpers Ferry
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Union military positions near Harpers Ferry in both 1862 and 1864. Restored Civil War period map.
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Map of Harpers Ferry Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program
