Military
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The trail on Maryland Heights divides between the Stone Fort Trail, a strenuous 3.3-mile round trip to the summit that passes Civil War forts and campgrounds, scenic overlooks, and weathered charcoal hearths, and the Overlook Cliff Trail, a moderate 1.4-mile round trip to a scenic overlook of Harpers Ferry and the Shenandoah Valley. The mountain road was the route defeated Federal troops descended on September 13, 1862, after Union defenders on the crest resisted a 2,000-man Confederate advance for six hours but were ordered at 3:00 p.m. to withdraw from Maryland Heights and fall back to Harpers Ferry in good order. Forty hours later, after Stonewall Jackson captured Harpers Ferry, Union commander Col. Dixon S. Miles surrendered 12,500 men, including the 2,000 defenders from Maryland Heights.
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Maryland · United States
