By Ranger Ahna
-Letter to the Chambersburg, PA, Valley Spirit, July 27, 1864.
Walking along the old road leading up to Fort Duncan makes me wonder how the Union Army was able to get cannons and caissons up such a steep hill. Where the hillsides had once been bare, now there is a forest. As I reach the top of the hill, I suddenly come up to the edge of the ditch surrounding the parapet of the old Union fort. It is deep and wide. Following the road as it enters the fort on the east side, I wade through hip-high greenery where there was once bare earth. While 150 years ago this place must have been teeming with tension and anticipation as the men stationed here stood watch, today it is a quiet and peaceful place. Trees now serve as silent sentries where guns were once aimed at the surrounding countryside.
The construction of Fort Duncan began in October 1862, shortly after the Battle of Antietam and the surrender of Harpers Ferry to Confederate forces. The mission of the fort was to guard the land surrounding Harpers Ferry and Bolivar Heights, as well as traffic on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Located across from Bolivar Heights, Fort Duncan is the far left flank of the Bernard Line, a series of fortifications along Maryland Heights. Ever vigilant, the only action Fort Duncan saw was a small demonstration following Jubal Early's raid on Washington in 1864.
From Fort Duncan, I have a beautiful and strategic view of the C&O Canal. During the Civil War, the canal found itself on the boundary between two warring nations. It continued to transport coal from Western Maryland to the ports of Georgetown, thus fueling Washington, D.C., and its war effort. However, coal was not the only cargo shipped on the C&O Canal during the war. The Union also transported troops and supplies along the canal. This prompted the Confederate Army to consider the C&O Canal a target and make several attempts to destroy it. Cargo and mules were also stolen by Confederate raiders. Toward the end of the war, the canal company closed the canal to avoid more losses.
Standing at Fort Duncan today, it is hard to believe how much chaos and uncertainty was here 150 years ago.
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Lockhouse 33 played an important role in John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry as John Cook, one of Brown's crew, worked here prior to the raid to gather information on the armory. Today, you can see t... Read More
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Walk across the Byron Railroad Bridge from the towpath and explore the historic town of Harpers Ferry. Just off the bridge, stop at the overlook and view the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah ... Read More
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From the lock house head one half mile upstream. Follow the sign to the trail head across the road. The trail to the Overlook Cliffs is 4.2 miles (about 3 hours) round-trip. There is no water supply... Read More
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First completed in 1937 and designated the first national scenic trail in 1968, the Appalachian Trail is approximately 2,181 miles. It crosses six other units of the national park system, traverses e... Read More
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Stop in at the park contact station. Explore the exhibits and history of Harpers Ferry. Participate in a Ranger program.
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From the historic town of Harpers Ferry head up High Street about 1/10 mile. On the left take the stone steps up to St. Peters Church. Continue past the church onto the unpaved trail. Jefferson Roc... Read More
