2 THE BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD AND THE CIVIL WAR. B. & O., and keep it open from the Ohio River to Washington. The defenses of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from Monocacy to the Ohio River, including the forts at Harper's Ferry, Cumberland, New Creek (Keyser), Piedmont, Winchester and those across the mountains, were placed in the hands of competent engineers, and block houses were built at every convenient point along the railway. Harper's Ferry was one of the towns to suffer at the beginning of hostilities, where the Confederates destroyed the great arsenal and government armories, together its way through the Alleghenies, whose rocky ridged walls rise sheer for 1,000 feet from the water's edge, and is joined by the Shenandoah. It was here, as all the world knows, that John Brown in his fanatical zeal defied the power and pride of the Old Dominion. If the spirits of the dead visit the scenes of their earthly struggles, the ghost of the rigid old agitator must surely hover over the place where the turbulent waters of these two historical rivers fret the base of the soaring clefts that guard this gateway to the Valley of Virginia. with a water power, then second to none. The foundation of the arsenal may still be seen. Harper's Ferry is one of the most beautiful spots in the world, as well as one of surpassing interest. It nestles on the side of Bolivar Heights-the mountain which forms the wedge in the extreme eastern portion of West Virginia-with the Potomac River on one side and the Shenandoah River on the other; whilst beyond, the towering Maryland Heights on the north bank of the Potomac, and Loudon Heights, of Virginia on the south bank of the Shenandoah completely encase the little village. It is at this point the historical Potomac, disdaining impediment, has literally cleft At one time or another during the war almost the entire Union Army were at Harper's Ferry. It was looked upon as the key to the safety of Washington from the opening to the close of the war. It was taken, retaken or evacuated every time the Confederates crossed the Potomac, except in '64, when General Sigel determined to hold it at all hazards, a thing which at the time seemed impossible, for no army had been able to cross the Potomac and remain across without a proper garrison. But, as stated before, Sigel did it with 6,500 men, and taking a position upon the Heights, withstood Early's army of 25,000, though completely surrounded most of the time. A few years ago General J. B. Gordon THE BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD AND THE CIVIL WAR. was asked why they did not storm the works. His reply was that he had his division ready on Maryland Heights, but General Early would not allow him to do so, saying it would cost the lives of more men than it was worth. The Shenandoah was known in the army as the "Valley of Dispute" and there was probably not a day from July 3 to October 19, 1864, that the roll of artillery or crack of musketry was not heard within its confines. 3 to be careful and remember to just which power he had last given allegiance. In a few weeks the Confederates evacuated the Ferry, moving to Winchester, the Federals taking possession and holding it until September, 1862, when General Stonewall Jackson captured it and compelled General White, the Federal commander, to surrender with 11,000 men. The Union forces were paroled and Jackson marched immediately to join Lee at Antietam. Harper's Ferry is about ten miles from Sharpsburg, where |