Harper's Ferry, WV

Date(s): September 12-15, 1862

Location: Please click on link below for map.

Campaign(s): Maryland Campaign [September 1862]

Battles in Campaign:

• Harpers Ferry, WV - September 12-15, 1862 B

• South Mountain, MD - September 14, 1862 B

• Antietam, MD - September 16-18, 1862 A

• Shepherdstown, WV - September 19-20, 1862 C¹

Situation:

Commanders:

• Union: Col. Dixon S. Miles

• Confederate: Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson

Principal Forces:

• Union: Corps

• Confederate: Corps

Description:

• Learning that the garrison at Harpers Ferry had not retreated after his incursion into Maryland, Lee decided to surround the force and capture it.

• He divided his army into four columns, three of which converged upon and invested Harpers Ferry.

• On September 15, after Confederate artillery was placed on the heights overlooking the town, Union commander Col. Miles surrendered the garrison of more than 12,000.

• Miles was mortally wounded by a last salvo fired from a battery on Loudoun Heights. 

• Jackson took possession of Harpers Ferry, then led most of his soldiers to join with Lee at Sharpsburg.

• After paroling the prisoners at Harpers Ferry, A. P. Hill’s division arrived in time to save Lee’s army from near-defeat at Sharpsburg.

Slide Presentation: None

Classification²: B

Casualties³:

• Union: 44k/173w/12,419 captured

• Confederate: 39k/247w

Results: Confederate Victory

Battlefield Websites: 

• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

• 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry

Recommended Resources:

¹ National Park Service summary.

² Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 07/26/2008