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Interesting US History
A Website Devoted to Interesting Events in U.S. History

 

 
 

 

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.