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Hill’s Division advanced toward the Federals on Bolivar Heights, meeting stiff resistance. The inexperienced Federal gunners returned fire, but their shots were haphazard and poorly aimed. Early the next morning, well-placed Confederate artillery on Maryland Heights shelled the Union positions. Realizing he was now surrounded on three sides, Miles wrote McClellan that he would have to surrender if the garrison was not reinforced within 48 hours. The remainder of Jackson’s men, successful in chasing the Yankees out of Martinsburg, were about three miles west of Bolivar Heights. Walker’s division reached the summit of Loudoun Heights unopposed and planted more Confederate guns there. McLaws heavy artillery on the captured ground, threatening both Bolivar Heights across the river and Camp Hill below. William Barksdale’s Mississippi brigade caused the Yankees to fall back down the heights. The Federals held against repeated assaults until a Confederate flanking maneuver by Gen. Lafayette McLaws’ men advanced up the steep slopes of Maryland Heights and attacked the Union defenders. Jackson’s 30,000 men left Frederick on September 10, and fighting began two days later on Maryland Heights.Īt 9:00 a.m. Miles ignored Loudoun Heights, convinced that the oncoming Confederates would be unwilling or unable to maneuver artillery up the steep rise. On Camp Hill, a gentle slope outside the town, Miles posted a brigade of mostly untrained militia. Up on Maryland Heights, Miles deployed his weakest brigade, which contained many troops yet to experience combat.

Disregarding the advice of his subordinates, Miles divided his 13,000 men into four brigades, with the main force tasked with defending Bolivar Heights, a ridge two miles west of town on the southern bank of the Potomac. Surrounded by high ground on three sides, a successful defense relied on holding Bolivar Heights, Maryland Heights, and the 1,200-foot Loudoun Heights. The topographical features of the town rendered it nearly indefensible. Miles, infamous for his drunkenness during the Battle of Bull Run, began preparations to defend the town. Meanwhile, the Union commander at Harpers Ferry, Col. Once these objectives were accomplished, the Confederates would reunite in Maryland. “Stonewall” Jackson’s wing would march to Martinsburg, capture a small Federal garrison there, and besiege Harpers Ferry. Hill covered the gaps in South Mountain, preventing the Union army from following Longstreet. James Longstreet’s wing would continue west into Maryland, while a division under D. Lee issued Special Order 191, an audacious plan that involved splitting his army. On September 9, while encamped near Frederick, Gen. “Stonewall '' Jackson to capture the garrison.

Fearing this Union force could hamper with his communication and supply lines, Lee decided to send Gen. Once he moved into Maryland, his plans were disrupted when the 13,000-man garrison at Harpers Ferry decided to hold their positions rather than retreat. Lee launched the Maryland Campaign intending to attract European support for the Confederacy and gain recruits for his army. “Stonewall” Jackson on September 15, 1862.ĭuring the fall of 1862, Confederate Gen. Miles decided to surrender his 13,000-man garrison to Gen. After Confederate artillery took positions on Maryland and Bolivar Heights that overlooked the town, they unleashed a barrage that threatened Union garrison commander Col. “Stonewall” Jackson besieged the 13,000-man garrison at Harpers Ferry resulting in the largest surrender of American troops until World War II.Ĭonfederate Victory. Saved Land Browse Interactive Map View active campaignsįrom September 12 to 15, 1862, Confederate forces under Gen.Protect Virginia Battlefields from Massive Data Centers.Speak Out to Protect Wyse Fork Battlefield.Fight Against Development Threats in Culpeper County.Gettysburg’s Day One Battlefield Threatened.Help Restore Three Sites to Their Wartime Appearance.Save 170 Threatened Acres at Lookout Mountain, Mill Springs and Fort DeRussy.Help Save 52 Hallowed Acres at Three Virginia Battlefields.Help Preserve 177 Acres at Buffington Island.Help Protect 52 Threatened Acres in Virginia, Georgia and Mississippi.Phase Three of Gaines’ Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign.Virtual Tours View All See Antietam now!.