Existing comment:
Capture of Harper's Ferry
September 15, 1862
No. 3
Col. Dixon S. Miles, Second U. S. Infantry, commanded the Union forces at Harpers Ferry. After Gen. White joined from Martinsburg, September 12 and Col. Ford from Maryland Heights on the 13th, Miles had about 14,200 men. On the morning of the 14th, the greater part of this force was in position on Bolivar Heights 15/8 miles west, its right resting on the Potomac, its left near the Shenandoah; Artillery distributed on the line. Artillery and a small force of Infantry occupied Camp Hill, nearly midway between this and Bolivar Heights. The Cavalry was under partial cover of the irregularities of the ground.
On the morning of the 14th Walker placed five long range guns near the northern part of Loudon Heights, and, at 1 P.M., opened on the Union Batteries on Bolivar Heights and Camp Hill, which was replied to. An hour later Jackson's Artillery opened on Bolivar Heights from School House Hill and, still an hour later, McLaws opened from two Parrott Guns that he had succeeded in placing near the southern extremity of Maryland Heights. The fire from these three Divisions was continued until dark silencing and dismounting some of the Union Guns. |