Harper’s Ferry.
Harper’s Ferry was the gateway to the south. It was captured and retaken many times during the war by both Union and Confederate armies. Situated at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, with Loudon and Maryland Heights surrounding it, it was a natural fortress. The town was the target for both sides, and many of its homes carried the marks of shot and shell. The United States Arsenal which was burned early in the war, stood with roofless walls and tottering chimneys a silent monument of the ravages of the conflict.
A pontoon bridge spanned the Potomac river a short distance above the railroad bridge, over which the armies passed. When we marched across the pontoon, orders were given to “break step,” least the swing of the time step would break the bridge. This bridge was laid on boats that were lashed together side by side, and anchored in the river, on these stringers were laid and a floor on the stringers, rails were placed on the edge to keep the wagons from slipping over. This, however did not prevent some from going over, for I saw two wagons with their teams lying overturned on the bottom of the river.
While in the town we went into the old engine house called “John Brown’s Fort” where he put up his stubborn fight against the Virginia militia. The loop holes through which he fired were still there. Every time we passed through this town was on a Saturday, so we nick-named it “Harper’s Weekly.”