Military
10
On September 14, 1862, Stonewall Jackson ordered Major General A. P. Hill's division to flank the Federal left on Bolivar Heights. Although his Confederate army surrounded the fourteen thousand-man garrison, Jackson realized an artillery bombardment alone would not force a Union surrender. About 4:00 p.m., Hill's division of three thousand soldiers swung right toward the Shenandoah River using School House Ridge as cover. As Jackson staged a feint attack to distract the shell-shocked Federals, Hill's men quietly marched along the river bluffs to gain the Union rear on Bolivar Heights. At dusk, the Confederates approached the Chambers (Murphy) Farm, where Hill found the ground bare of earthworks, with only fallen timber as obstacles. Despite several volleys from the surprised Federals on Bolivar Heights, the Confederates occupied the hill after darkness. During the night of September 14, the Confederates dragged five artillery batteries up ravines to commanding ground at the Chambers Farm, and with infantry in position and artillery aimed at the Federals' exposed flank, Hill concluded that the fate of Harpers Ferry was sealed.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free
FIND IT
Bolivar, West Virginia · United States
