Existing comment:
Capture of Harper's Ferry
September 15, 1862
No. 1
On September 10, 1862 General R. E. Lee, Commanding the Army of Northern Virginia then at Frederick Md. set three columns in motion to capture Harper's Ferry. Maj. Gen L. McLaws with his own Division and that of Maj. Gen. R. H. Anderson, marched through Middletown and Brownsville Pass into Pleasant Valley. On the 12th, the Brigades of Kershaw and Barksdale ascended Maryland Heights by Solomon's Gap, moved along the crest and, at nightfall were checked by the Union forces under command of Col. T. H. Ford, about two miles north of this. Eight Confederate Brigades held Weaverton, Sandy Hook and approaches from the east. On the 13th, Kershaw and Barksdale drove the Union Troops from the Heights. Ford, abandoning seven guns, retreated across the pontoon bridge, a few yards above the railroad bridge, to Harpers Ferry. The Union loss was 38 killed, 134 wounded; Confederate loss 35 killed, 178 wounded.
Brig. Gen. John G. Walker's Division crossed the Potomac at Point of Rocks, 10 miles below this during the night of September 10, and, on the 13th occupied Loudoun Heights and the roads south of the river leading east and south. |