Information Panel: Facing the Enemy

Union Commander Dixon Miles divided his forces to retain Maryland Heights and Bolivar Heights.

NPS/ Claire Hassler

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Union Commander Dixon Miles knew the Confederates were coming. His cavalry reported the Southern troops advancing from three different directions. Ordered to "hold Harpers Ferry until the last extremity," Miles divided his forces to retain Maryland Heights - the highest mountain - and to defend Bolivar Heights - the longest ridge. As Miles watched "Stonewall" Jackson's 14,000 men spread across Schoolhouse Ridge, word arrived that Miles's soldiers had lost the fight for Maryland Heights. Bolivar Heights stood as the Union army's last bastion.

Quotation: "We were greatly surprised at finding ourselves in the face of the enemy so soon... felt proud in being considered worthy of such a trust, and determined to do our duty." Sergeant Nicholas DeGraff, 115th New York