Excursion to Harpers Ferry

HARPER’S FERRY.
Since the announcement that Industry Lodge No. 2 A. O. U. W., would give an excursion to Harper’s Ferry on Thursday, July 29th over the new B. & O. Railroad we have frequently been asked what is there to be seen at this place? Harper’s Ferry even before our late war was brought to the attention of the world by Jefferson whose wonderful description brought many a traveler to view the scene. The place takes its name from Robert Harper a native of Oxford, England who emigrated to this country in 1723. He first discovered this pass while making a trip from Philadelphia to the place near where Winchester now stands where he was engaged in building a Meeting House for the members of the Society of Friends in the year 1747. He bought a tract of land here which was subsequently confirmed to him by Lord Fairfax. The town of Harper’s Ferry is built at the foot of the narrow tongue of land that thrusts itself out like a cut-water, separating the Potomac and the Shenandoah rivers and known as Bolivar Heights. Its principal street runs parallel with the Shenandoah, with a side street ascending the hill to the right perpendicular to which numerous stairs cut in the solid rock, lead up to still steeper ascents. As we approach the ancient town the costly and graceful bridge built by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is crossed. The bridge spans the Potomac on fine substantial piers, just at its junction with the Shenandoah. After we have stepped out upon the platform and the train has allowed an unobstructed view we see directly before us the rocky sides of Maryland Heights. The first thing the traveler eagerly tries to scan is the well-known Profile Rock. And as we look we catch the briar and shrubbery cropping out from a crevice in the wall and exclaim “I see the hair” and a little lower down we see a patch of stunted brush which forms the opaulets and while imagination is becoming more and more a reality we quickly see features, and exclaim Eureka! We ascend the mountain and view the wonderful panormic view that sweeps from horizon to horizon. To the left is Loudoun Heights crowned with its wealth of foliage its sides seamed with innumerable fissures and dry ravines made in the rock by winter torrents. In the gap between the two mountains and the Shenandoah which comes down skirting the Blue Ridge and the Potomac which flows south from the table lands of the Alleghenies dividing the water-shede of the Ohio River and Chesapeake Bay unite. As we gaze on the scene our thoughts turn backward and with wonder we think how the opening through which their waters pass was formed. But the question is left for the geologist to solve and content ourselves with the scene before us.

During the administration of Washington Harper’s Ferry was chosen as the site for the National Armory. Subsequently Bolivar and Loudoun Hieghts were acquired and the buildings of the armory and the dwellings of the operatives formed in themselves a thriving settlement. The reader should be reminded that Harper’s Ferry was a prosperous town until Sunday night, October 16, 1859, when at the hour of ten o’clock a band of twenty men crossed the railroad bridge then a clumsy covered structure over the Potomac. But those who are familiar with history at once recoginize John Brown and his followers as the historic party. We cannot picture the scene, yet it lives in history as the commencement of our civil war! The old engine house is still standing, where Brown retreated and fought until Col. Robert E. Lee, arriving with a detachment of marines (from Washington) soon forced him to surrender. The ‘oldest inhabitant’ of the town will point out to you the rock in the Potomac where Lehman, one of Brown’s raiders, was shot as he tried to escape by swimming across the piers. The many incidents located here during our late war are of great interest and the old veteran of the G. A. R., who chances to accompany us on our excursion will tell of the sharp conflict between Northern and Southern forces to hold this point during the early part of the civil war.

When the ordinance of seccession was passed by the Virginia convention the Ferry was the station of a company of United States regulars under the command of Lieutenant Jones. As the news spread thick and fast that the Virginia Militia was coming to capture the Ferry and the aspect of affairs was threatening JOnes was ordered to retreat but before doing so he applied the torch to the armory. The arsenal was completely destroyed with fifteen thousand stand of armor. On the 18th day of April Stonewall Jackson assumed command and the Ferry was in possession of the Southern forces. On the 5th of Septemeber 1862 the last important struggle for this pass occurred, which lasted until the 13th. After the battle of Antietam McClellan concentrated his army here.

The American of to-day visits this historic palce to view not only the wonderful works of nature but to see the devastation that war makes. As he looks upon the scene he prays that peace may always reign within our borders. Yet he swears by the eternal that not one star shall ever be blotted from the proudest flag that floats in the world to-day. Those who accompany Industry Lodge No. 2 A. O. U. W., on Thursday July 29th to this ancient town will see the many changes wrought and will be more than repaid as they spend the day roaming over the mountains or rowing upon the Potomac or the Shenandoah. The committee will spare no pains to make it the most enjoyable excursion ever run out of our city.