Information Panel: Mountains, Men, and Maneuvers

Confederate General Stonewall Jackson seized this spot to gain an advantage.

NPS / Claire Hassler

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This is one of the best views in the whole park. The overlook is hundreds of feet above the rapids in the Shenandoah River. On a clear day the Massanutten Mountains 50 miles to the south are visible. It's not unusual to spot a bald eagle soaring over the river.

Confederate Major General "Stonewall" Jackson could not see this view. His lower vantage on Schoolhouse Ridge, 1,000 yards upriver, blocked sight of this strategic position. Yet Jackson remembered this farm from his time as the Confederate commander at Harpers Ferry during the first days of the war. He knew if he seized this ground he would threaten the rear of the Union army atop Bolivar Heights. Despite overwhelming odds, Jackson's men secured the Chambers (Murphy) Farm and the plateau on Loudoun Heights, overcoming rivers, cliffs, ravines, poor roads, and narrow shorelines. They forced the timely surrender of Harpers Ferry. With cannon now in close firing range from these surprise positions, Jackson was ready to launch his final attack on the Union forces.