Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

full: our little Virginia hamlet is easily imagined
to have been very Eden unto itself. hidden
away from the cold outer world. wholly free
from the harassments of sordid and selfish
struggles after wealth and power. But the
disturbances engendered, first by the slavery
contest and then a long and bloody war, en-
tIrely changed the conditions of life in Har-
per's Ferry.
1t Is peculiar that old John Brown and
Thomas Jonathan jackson, whose exploits
have most served to give the town and vicinity
well as themselves a name and fame through
out the world, were singularly alike in their
more conspicuous characteristics. Both were
perfectly honest in their convictions; both
were intensely religious throughout their lives,
fervently calling on the same God for support
and direction; both were endowed with a
gloomy, brooding fanaticIsm in favor of prin-
ciples as Numerically opposite as light and
darkness, and both were silent deliberate men;
yet all their actions were governed by an en-
ergy and earnestness bordering on fury. They
were men Of war. Their pecularities trended
closely to crankism, but there was wonderful
method in their madness.
1t was the scene of old John Browns mad
attempt to free the slaves which fired the con-
unent, and in the ensuing war became the
fortified camp of armies and the focus of bat
tie. In the trying times OF this period many
of the happy and contented burghers of former
days sullenly plunged into the vortex of war
and lost their lives. while others abandoned or
were driven from their homes never to return
The old town. deep down in its sylvan valley,
was riddled now and again from the mountain
heights with the shot and shell of both friend
and foe. and life was travail to its remaining
inhabitants, no matter which was at hand
The old town emerged from these troubles
all shattered and shorn, 20 find itself in a new
state and with a name famous throughout the
civilized world; just as quaint and far more
interesting than ever; its shores still washed
by the ripping waters of its magnificent
rivers which fiery could not quench; en-
vi-oned and overshadowed by the everlasting
clifssan mountains that cannon could not
leyel-the same which 100 years ago excited
the wonder and admiration of Thomas Jeffer-
son, who wrote that this scene was worth cross
ing the Atlantic to view. But notwithstanding
the beauty and grandeur OF its site and the ad-
vantage OF being point of debouche from the
valley Harper's Ferry never exceeded the
limits of small country village, even after
the government established there a military
arsenal. In 1850 the population was only
1889. In 1880 it had dwindled down to 764.
Now it is about l,5Oo. Since the war it has re-
sumed its old happy state of ease and content
ment, with of late the additional manifestation
of growth and enterprise.
THE VIEW FROM THE HEIGHTS.
A short carriage ride up its winding street
of ancient houses brings the tourist quickly
out upon the adjacent heights through which
the Shenandoah bursts TO reach the Potomac
and from which the great Shenandoah valley
otherwise the Valley of Virglnia-spreads on:
before and beyond his ken toward the south
The welssmarked line of the lofty Blue Ridge
hedges the valley just at hand on the left far
TO the southwark. while many miles toward the
dim horizon on the right are seen the tower
ing Alleghanies, which form its western wall !
The Valley of the Shenandoah proper is fully !
$50 miles long and varies in width from forty
or fifty miles down to ten or fifteen miles, but I,
the lower and main valley averages generally |
about twenty-five miles in width. Within the 4
lines OF its mountain walls the valley presents 4
the aspect of beautiful rolling country of !
&c tle swells and slopes IN a high and thrifty \
state of cultivation. With its mountain back |
ground il forms of the richest and grand !
est agricultural landscapes on this continent ]
The entire length of the valley is now covered l
by two trunk lines of railway. with still others
crossing 1t at various points, but in the war |
days there was bat one line up the valley and \
that penetrated but a short distance into the (
interior. But its fine turnpike roads afforded 4
every facility for marching armies; its fat cat
tie and pigs and its mills. supplied from full |
granaries. fed thousands of soldiers OF both |
sides during the war.
Some of the greatest military operations OF I
the rebellion occurred in this lovely valley aud /
around Harper's Ferry. From Maryland 1
Heights. opposite the village, several great /
of the war are in easy view pota- |
bly, those Of South mountain. Antietam and |
Monocacy.
As A STRATEGIC POINT.
When hostilities broke out between the north |
and south undue importance was attached by I,
both sides to Harper's Ferry as a strategic base
for offensive and defensive operations Tho |
national military arsenal located here tended /
greatly to give it consequence in the Begin |
ming. but aside from this very many Intelligent
virginians firmly believed that the fate of thu, /
newly born southern confederacy depended ON |
seizing and holding Harper's Ferry, which was |
promptly done early in April, 1861. by Col.
Kenton Harper and some Virginia troops bv |
order OF Gov. Letcher. Lieut.. Roger Jones. n
regular officer, had command OF the post with |
. handful Of men, and ON Harpers approach be 4
set hre to the arsenal buildings, destroving |
some 100 stands Of small arms and Other
valuable military stores. and abandoned the |
On the 10th Of April, 1861. only two v..r.
after The fall Of sumter Stone xsil J.cr -
then virginia oo1onei wns <,-d.-.S x.Af