ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY
September 15, 1862
Confederate Forces Capture Harpers Ferry
in the American Civil War
On this day in 1862, after a battle that began September 13, Confederate troops captured Harpers Ferry, a town
in Jefferson County, Virginia. This victory was important to the Confederates because of its strategic location on
the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley on the railroad where troops from both sides passed through frequently.
Its importance caused it to change hands eight times during the war years.
Although Harpers Ferry played an important part in the American Civil War, it is probably best known as the site of
John Brown's Raid on October 16, 1859.
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