Rob Shenk

Civil War

Gallery

Harpers Ferry

The Trust's collection of photos depicting Harpers Ferry during the Civil War.

(15 photos in gallery)

Allstadt's Tavern

Garry Adelman

The Trust worked to save this 13-acre tract of land on the Harpers Ferry battlefield that holds the historically significant Allstadt's Tavern.

Original Tavern Walls

Garry Adelman

The Allstadt House still shows evidence of its original construction.

"Geographic Epicenter" at Harpers Ferry

Garry Adelman

The farm and tavern sit atop 13 acres of land that historian and preservationist Dennis Frye has termed the "geographic epicenter" of the battle, and is only a few moments ride from Stonewall Jackson's battlefield headquarters at Harpers Ferry.

Modern Road

Garry Adelman

Allstadt's Ordinary is seen at left. The high ground in the distance is the built-up Route 340.

Sarah Cromwell

Garry Adelman

Numerous family members are buried in a small cemetery on the grounds, including John and Mary Allstadt's daughter, Sarah Cromwell. The gravestone reads: "In memory of Sarah E., wife of Henry Cromwell, & daughter of John and Mary Allstadt, who died March 25, 1862, Aged 24 years, 2 Mo. & 3 days."

Allstadt's Tavern

Garry Adelman

Allstadt's Ordinary featured exterior porch access to the rooms where travelers would stay.

Harpers Ferry

Rob Shenk

The vital transportation hub of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, located at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers and surrounded by three towering heights, became a hotbed for conflict during the Civil War.

Jefferson's Rock

Rob Shenk

The Founding Fathers ensured the significance of Harpers Ferry, when George Washington established an armory there and Thomas Jefferson, standing on the rock above, proclaimed the view "worth a voyage across the Atlantic for."

John Brown's Raid

Library of Congress

Fresh from Bleeding Kansas, in October 1859 abolitionist John Brown staged a raid on the Harpers Ferry arsenal, hoping to distribute weapons to enslaved Virginians and begin a slave revolt.

John Brown's Fort

Rob Shenk

Brown's raid was a quick failure. Unable to recruit any slaves to his cause, Brown and his men were captured by US forces led by Robert E. Lee.

Destroying the Arsenal

Library of Congress

When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, U.S. forces burned the armory and drowned its machinery. Despite their efforts, much machinery was salvaged and used to supply the Confederate armies.

Remains of the Armory

Library of Congress

Already bearing the signs of war, Harpers Ferry became an important Union camp. Combat came to the town again in September 1862 when Gen. Robert E. Lee ordered Stonewall Jackson to capture the garrison.

Bolivar Heights

Rob Shenk

Jackson carefully placed artillery aimed at Harpers Ferry on the heights surrounding the town. In the face of concentrated Confederate artillery fire, the garrison at Harpers Ferry surrendered.

Sheridan's Headquarters

Library of Congress

Harpers Ferry became prominent once again during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, when Camp Hill at Harpers Ferry served as the headquarters for Union Gen. Philip Sheridan.

Harpers Ferry Today

Rob Shenk

Today, Harpers Ferry has been preserved by the National Park Service and the Civil War Trust. The Civil War Trust has saved 325 acres of battlefield land at Harpers Ferry.