ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY

September 12, 1862

The Battle of Harpers Ferry Begins
in the American Civil War

On this day in 1862, the Battle of Harpers Ferry began as Confederate General Robert E. Lee advanced on Maryland Heights which was the high ground just North of the town of Harpers Ferry. It quickly became obvious to the arriving Confederate armies that the Union General, Col. Dixon S. Miles, had decided to keep his troops near the town rather than vigorously defend the surrounding high ground.

The first day consisted of minor skirmishes but the battle began in earnest the following day and continued until September 15 when Miles decided the situation was hopeless and decided to raise the white flag. Minutes later a shell exploded, tearing into Miles' left leg. He died the next day.

Although the casualties were far less than many of the other battles in the Civil War, it turned out to be the largest surrender of Union forces during the war. giving up 12,419 men, 13,000 small arms, 200 wagons, and 73 artillery pieces as well as a large amount of food supplies upon which the Confederate forces feasted.