Harper's Ferry

a town of West Virginia. It is situated at the junction of the Shenandoah and Potomac, at very nearly the extreme eastern point of the state. It is fifty-five miles northwest of Washington with which it is connected by the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. The Potomac breaks through the Blue Ridge at this point. The site is one of the most picturesque in America. A United States arsenal was established here in 1796. For this reason John Brown chose Harper's Ferry as a base of operations in his attempt to free the slaves of the South. During the Civil War Harper's Ferry was considered a position of strategical importance and changed hands repeatedly. In September, 1862, the Confederate general, Jackson, captured the post, taking 12,500 prisoners, 13,000 small arms, 200 wagons, and a vast quantity of military stores and provisions. See John Brown; West Virginia; Potomac