What was the significance of Harper's ferry?
1 Answer
Harper's ferry was a strategic point before and during the Civil War controlling the joining of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.
Explanation:
Harper's ferry became a federal arsenal under George Washington. The town became a major military manufacturing center using the water power provided by the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Large amounts of rifles and cannons were stored at the arsenal at Harper's Ferry.
Harper's Ferry perhaps became most famous for John Brown's raid on the arsenal. John Brown took control of the Arsenal and called for the slaves to rise up against their oppression. John Brown promised to arm the freed slaves with the rifles and weapons from the arsenal. John Brown was disappointed that so few joined him in his revolt. Federal forces (ironically) under Robert E. Lee defeated and took John Brown prisoner. John Brown and his captured followers were later hung.
When Virginia succeeded from the Union, Federal forces took 15,000 rifles from the arsenal as they retreated to the north. ( There were plenty of weapons for John Brown's raid to succeed).
Fighting over the town and its weapons would continue throughout the Civil War. The town would change hands 8 times during the war.
The most notable when Stonewall Jackson conquered the town in a brilliant military maneuver capturing 12,500 federal troops.
Harper's ferry became famous because of its arsenal and military manufacturing. The fighting for control of the Harper Ferry arsenal and weapons put Harper's Ferry in the history books.
