Existing comment:
The 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry
September 13, 1862 -- Phase One: As the first column of Confederates attacked Maryland Heights at dawn, Northern artillery at the Naval Battery, Camp Hill and Bolivar Heights blazed away in a vain attempt to aid the Union Infantry on the mountain.
September 13, 1862 -- Phase Two: After falling back to a second line of defense, Union and Confederate troops on the mountain continued to fight until an order to retreat pulled the Northerners back to Harpers Ferry.
September 14, 1862 -- Phase One: Confederates took positions on School House Ridge, Loudoun Height [sic] and Maryland Heights surrounding the Union defenders on Camp Hill and Bolivar Heights. More than 100 cannons engaged in an artillery duel all afternoon until sunset.
September 14, 1862 -- Phase Two: After dark on the 14th, Union infantry engaged Confederates from School House Ridge at the base of Bolivar Heights. The Southerners also moved more artillery to Loudoun Heights and outflanked the Union left on the Chambers Farm.
September 15, 1862: After a one hour exchange of artillery fire, the Northern forces surrendered to the strategically positioned Confederates.
Number of troops involved: Confederate 23,000; Union 14,000. |