Published for the Members and Friends IN THIS ISSUE: of the Harpers Ferry Special Guest Historical Association Speakers at Summer 2012 Sesquicentennial Panel Discussion on Harpers Ferry 1862: Beyond the 2012 Civil War Sesquicentennial Special Event: Battle “Prelude to Freedom: The 1862 HFHA Partners with Sharpsburg Battle of Harpers Ferry” Historical Society  September 13 - 15

arpers Ferry National Historical Park, • “African American Lives with support from the Harpers Ferry in Limbo: Contraband HHistorical Association and the West Virgin- Camp” Step back to the ia Humanities Council, will hold three days tense days when runaways of public events to commemorate the 150th and freedmen’s lives were in anniversary of the Battle of Harpers Ferry. limbo. “Prelude to Freedom: The 1862 Battle • “Songs of the Civil War” of Harpers Ferry,” will interpret the battle’s Music by Magpie duo Greg significance in the Campaign, the Artzner and Terry Leonino. role it played in the issuance of the Eman- • “The Desperate Hour” cipation Proclamation, contraband (slaves Evening lantern program who escaped to Union lines) living in Harp- (Lower Town). Who will ers Ferry, and the citizens of a border town be trapped and who will under bombardment. escape Confederate Gen- Highlights of the event include: eral Thomas Jackson’s ring of fire? • Battle of Maryland Heights Sesqui- • “Like Rats in a Cage: Yankees Trapped centennial Hike. Discover Maryland in a Ring of Fire” (). Ex- Heights, the key to defending Harpers perience the weapons, clothing, tactics Ferry. Hike with a ranger across the and the stories of the doomed garrison. to the Naval Battery. (2 • “Drive the Enemy into Extinction: 1/2 miles round trip) Confederate General A.P. Hill Out- • Archeology Discovery Tent. Engage flanks the Yankees” (Murphy Farm). in “Hands on History” as you discover Confederate living history demonstra- objects relating to everyday life in 19th tion. century Harpers Ferry. • Keynote Address: “September Sus- The picture which appears • Family/Youth Tent. Have your photo pense” Dennis Frye, Chief Historian, on our newsletter’s nameplate, dating from 1803, is one of the taken as a Civil War soldier. Dress up Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. oldest prints of Harpers Ferry. and learn Civil War drill. Go on a map Book signing to follow. Twenty years earlier, in 1783, search and win some Civil War trading • “Marching As To War” Join this Musi- Thomas Jefferson had declared cards. cal Presentation by the Wildcat Regi- that this view was “worth a • “Defeat & Victory” Ranger Walk (Boli- mental Band and experience the music voyage across the Atlantic.” var Heights). Discover how the capture and milieu of 1862. of 12,500 Union soldiers led to the continued on page 2 freedom of over 4 million people.  1 Armory Superintendent Members Jo (Kuhn) Curtis in memory of Jim Kuhn and Alexander and Mary Murphy Brandywine, MD Dr. Robert Johnson Harpers Ferry, WV Ronald Jones Our Lady of Sorrows School Farmington, MI Nancy Myers, in Honor of Don Campbell Harpers Ferry, WV Jim and Suzanne Silvia Taunton, MA & Harpers Ferry, WV

Paymaster Members “JACKSON AND A. P. HILL BEFORE HARPERS FERRY” watercolor by Garnet Jex Cynthia Gayton (courtesy Sharpsburg Historical Society) Harpers Ferry, WV Prelude to Freedom The event will also feature a panel Continued from Page 1 discussion, evening lectures, and a special Master Armorer battlefield bus tour. See below for detailed Members • “Cowards of Harpers Ferry” Learn the information on these special programs. For Allison Alsdorf story of the Yankee surrender and parole a complete schedule, visit www.nps.gov/hafe. Harpers Ferry, WV and the enormous consequences. (Schedule subject to change.) Kirk Bradley Sanford, NC Donald and Patricia Harvard President, Gettysburg Historian to Speak Burgess Harpers Ferry, WV at Sesquicentennial Hon. and Mrs. Thomas Two evening lectures will highlight Sesqui- On Thursday, September 13, 7:00 to Curtis and Family centennial events at Harpers Ferry National 8:00 p.m., D. Scott Hartwig will present Baltimore, MD Historical Park. The lectures are part of “For God’s Sake, Don’t Fall Back – The Peter Dessauer the Sesquicentennial Battle for Maryland Heights.” Harpers Ferry, WV Evening Lecture Series. Hartwig is a 31-year veteran with the Kim and Frank Edwards National Park Service and is currently the Edgewood, MD Supervisory Historian at Gettysburg Nation- Laurence Freiheit al Military Park. For the sesquicentennial Berkeley Springs, WV of Antietam and the Maryland Campaign, Deborah Hale Hartwig has written a two-volume study Harpers Ferry, WV of the campaign and climactic battle, To Rebecca Harriett Antietam Creek: The Maryland Campaign of Berryville, VA September 1862. The first installment takes Tony Horwitz the reader from the controversial return of Vineyard Haven, MA George B. McClellan as commander of the continued on page 3 Army of the Potomac through the Con- federate invasion, the siege and capture of Harpers Ferry, the day-long , and ultimately, to the eve of the 2 great and terrible .  continued on page 4 Panel Discussion: Master Armorer Members (Cont’d) “Harpers Ferry 1862: Beyond the Battle” Bruce Kramer Several noted historians and authors will Baltimore, MD participate in the panel discussion “Harpers Gregory Light Ferry 1862: Beyond the Battle.” Fort Lupton, CO This panel, complemented by scheduled Anne A. Long tours and living history vignettes, will tell Myersville, MD the history of the 1862 Battle of Harpers Cynthia K. Mason Ferry and describe and discuss the war as it Baltimore, MD impacted the border town. Marc Mayer How were the thriving community of Waldorf, MD Harpers Ferry and its citizens affected by Adam Oestreich war? What happened to the homes and jobs Baltimore, MD of the civilians in the town? What was life George Rutherford like for the soldiers stationed at Harpers Ranson, WV Ferry? How did they spend their time when Ed Wheeless and Chris they weren’t fighting? What happened to Craig the 12,500 soldiers captured here? Harpers Ferry, WV The discussion will be held Saturday, September 15, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., in the Recent Donations author/sales tent. Book signing to follow. Airbus Americas, Inc. Participants include: Calvary Christian Acad- Dr. James K. Bryant, II emy Dr. William A. Blair, research professor Civil War Round Table of and Director of the George and Ann Rich- War Sesquicentennial Series published by Chicago ards Civil War Era Center, Penn State Uni- History Press, Inc., The Battle of Fredericks- John Frye versity. Having completed his B.A., M.A., burg: We Cannot Escape History, and The Noah Mehrkam and Ph.D. at Penn State, his interests focus Chancellorsville Campaign: The Nation’s High West Humanities on the Civil War era and Reconstruction. Water Mark. Council He has written two books and edited three books on the Civil War, including Lincoln’s Kathleen Ernst, full-time Proclamation: Emancipation Reconsidered. He author who has published is also the founding editor of The Journal of numerous children’s titles Battlefield Bus Tour: the Civil War Era published by the Univer- with the American Girl “Stonewall’s Greatest Victory” sity of North Carolina Press, and prior to series. She has worked Join author and Harpers Ferry NHP Chief that was the editor of Civil War History for as an education special- Historian Dennis Frye for this special Ses- ten years. ist, speaker, instructor, curator, and has served as quicentennial event. Explore sites where General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson Dr. James K. Bryant, II, Associate Profes- script writer and project conquered Mother Nature and the Harp- sor of History at Shenandoah University. director for educational ers Ferry garrison—resulting in the largest His areas of expertise include 19th and 20th public television in Wis- surrender of troops during the century American history, African Ameri- consin. She grew up in Civil War—and enabled General Robert E. can history, U.S. Military history, Civil War Pennsylvania and nearby Lee to stand at Antietam. history, American South, Virginia history, in Maryland. She received • When: September 14 and 15, 1:30 to Atlantic Slave Trade, Comparative Slav- a B.S. degree from West 3:30 p.m. ery, and Oral history. He received a B.S. in Virginia University in • Where: Meet at the Cavalier Heights History Education from Hampton Univer- Environmental Educa- Visitor Center. sity, a M.A., History from the University tion, and a M.S. degree • Due to limited bus space, advance of Vermont and a Ph. D., History, from the from Antioch University reservations are required. Call University of Rochester. He has published in History Education and 304.535.2078 for reservations. two chapters on “Antebellum Compro- Writing. Her published mises” and “Reconstruction” for “Conflicts books include Civil War in American History” series from Facts on fictionNight Riders of File. He is author of two books in the Civil continued on page 4  3 Harvard President, Gettysburg Historian Faust served as the Annenberg Professor Continued from Page 2 of History at the University of Pennsylva- Saturday, September 15, 7:00 to 8:00 nia, where she was a member of the faculty p.m., will feature “Telling War Stories: for 25 years. She is the author of six books Reflections by a Civil War including Mothers of Invention: Women of Historian” by Dr. Drew Gil- the Slaveholding South in the American Civil pin Faust. War for which she won the Francis Parkman Dr. Faust is the 28th Prize in 1997. Her most recent book, This President of Harvard Uni- Republic of Suffering: Death and the American versity and the Lincoln Civil War looks at the impact of the Civil Professor of History in Har- War’s enormous death toll on the lives of vard’s faculty of Arts and 19th century Americans. It won the Ban- Sciences. She was raised in croft Prize in 2009, was a finalist for both the , re- the National Book Award and a Pulitzer ceived her bachelor’s degree Prize. She has also received many awards for in history from Bryn Mawr her writing, teaching and research. College, and her master’s and Both evening lectures will be held at doctoral degree in American the Mather Training Center. Reception and Civilization from the Univer- book signings will follow. sity of Pennsylvania. Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust Panel Discussion Lincoln Prize. His most recent publication is Continued from Page 3 Fateful Lightning: A New History of the Civil Harpers Ferry and Bravest Girl in Sharpsburg. War and Reconstruction. She also wrote the non-fiction adult book Too Afraid to Cry: Maryland Civilians in the Antietam Campaign.

Also participating will be D. Scott Hartwig, Supervi- sory Historian at Gettysburg National Military Park. Hartwig will also present “For God’s Sake, Don’t Fall Back – The Battle for Mary- land Heights,” on Thursday evening as part of the Ses- quicentennial Lecture Se- ries. See page 2 for details. Dr. Allen Guelzo Moderating the panel will be Dr. Allen Guelzo. A This event is being presented with financial renowned Abraham Lincoln assistance from the Humani- scholar, Dr. Guelzo is the ties Council, a state affiliate of the National Kathleen Ernst Henry R. Luce III Professor Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, of the Civil War Era at Gettysburg College, findings, conclusions or recommendations and Director of the Civil War Era Studies expressed in this program do not necessarily Program. Dr. Guelzo earned a M.A. and represent those of the National Endowment Ph.D. in history from the University of for the Humanities. Pennsylvania. He is the author of Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President and Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation: The End of 4  Slavery in America, both of which won the A Stand on the Potomac by David L. Larsen

In early September 1862, the American On the morning of Septem- Civil War was technically not about slav- ber 16, Trimble and the 60th ery. Many people, Northern and Southern, Ohio prepared to march across a white and black, cared passionately about pontoon bridge into Maryland. the subject and understood things might A Confederate cavalry squad be changing. But officially, the North con- was stationed there to keep tinued to wage war for the reunification of things orderly and make sure a United States in which slavery was sanc- no blacks slipped across with tioned. the troops. Trimble showed the On September 15, 1862, 12,500 Union Confederates the passes that troops surrendered to Confederates at Harp- General Hill had provided for ers Ferry, Virginia. Most of the southern the free blacks with the 60th forces left the scene of their victory quickly, Ohio. The Confederates, how- marching 17 miles north to Sharpsburg, ever, refused to allow the Afri- Maryland, where just two days later they can Americans to pass. fought the Battle of Antietam. Trimble responded In a way, things looked pretty good for by reaching into his holster, the 12,500 surrendered Union troops. They drawing his revolver, and hold- were likely to be paroled and sent home. ing the Confederate officer at Paroles were common at that stage of the gunpoint until the entire 60th Ohio, Af- CDV of Colonel William war. A prisoner would sign a piece of paper rican Americans and all, were across the Trimble dated September promising not to fight again until he was river. 1862. (Courtesy Nicholas duly exchanged, and then he was free to go No one knows his motivation. Trimble Picerno Collection) on his way. At Harpers Ferry the process may have been an abolitionist, may have moved quickly. Enlisted men surrendered felt some special duty to those men, may their weapons, but officers were allowed to have been tired of losing, or may simply keep their sidearms. have hated the Confederates. Colonel William Trimble, the com- In any case, Colonel Trimble’s stand on mander of the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry the Potomac River represents countless such Regiment was concerned. He had a number incidents in which individuals had to make Donations to the David L. of free African Americans who had been choices about race and slavery. The war was Larsen Memorial Fund working as servants and teamsters for his indeed changing. Just a week later, after can be sent to: regiment since they enlisted in Ohio. Con- the Battle of Antietam, Abraham Lincoln Harpers Ferry Historical federate troops were rounding up hundreds issued the Preliminary Emancipation Procla- Association of “contrabands” or runaway slaves that mation. P.O. Box 197 had previously moved behind the Union As messy and corrupt and tragic and Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 lines at Harpers Ferry. In 1862, thousands of immoral as it would continue to be, the war Attn: David L. Larsen enslaved people left bondage, went to the had also become about freedom. Memorial Fund United States military, and worked as labor- ers, teamsters, cooks, scouts, spies, making a significant contribution to the North’s military effort. The Confederates were taking the cap- The full version of this story appears tured African Americans in Harpers Ferry in The Harpers Ferry Anthology: Civil and sending them back into slavery. Colo- War-era Stories by Park Rangers and nel Trimble did not want his free blacks Volunteers (HFHA, 2011), available from Ohio to mistakenly be taken with the at the Park Bookshop or online at runaways. Trimble approached Confederate www.harpersferryhistory.org. General A. P. Hill. General Hill agreed to give passes to Trimble’s men and the issue seemed settled.  5 HFHA Partners With Sharpsburg Historical Society on New Publication Harpers Ferry Historical Association in exposition, or highlights something in the The Harpers Ferry Historical Association is partnership with the Sharpsburg Historical painting itself. The paintings chronologi- now on Facebook! Search Society is proud to announce the publica- cally depict battles and skirmishes along the Facebook for “Harpers tion of The Upper Potomac During the Civil Upper Potomac. Ferry Historical Associa- War, a collection of watercolors by artist The paintings will be on exhibit the tion”. “Like” our page Garnet W. Jex. month of September at the Washington to receive notifications In the 1960s, Jex—a Washington, D.C. County Arts Council, 14 W. Washington of upcoming park special artist and Civil War enthusiast—painted 51 Street, Hagerstown, MD, 21740. See www. events, bookshop news, opaque watercolor images to commemorate washingtoncountyarts.com for hours. and related park informa- the Civil War’s 100th anniversary. The The Sharpsburg Historical Society, tion. collection originally appeared in black and owner of the collection, will host three white in a booklet published by the District Friday evening programs in addition to the of Columbia Civil War Centennial Com- exhibit: mission. Now, after nearly five decades of • - Opening Reception, 5:00 obscurity, the collection has been repub- September 7 to 8:00 p.m. There will be presentations lished to commemorate the Civil War Ses- by John Frye, curator and archivist of quicentennial and to share these full-color the Washington County Free Library’s paintings with a new audience. Western Maryland Room, and by ap- This new book contains the 1965 Fore- praiser Cliff Springer. Noted singer/ word by D.C. Centennial Chairman Paul “THE UPPER POTOMAC songwriter Jennie Avila will be singing IN THE CIVIL WAR” J. Sedgwick, a new Preface, and a short bio songs of the Civil War. watercolor by Garnet of Garnet Jex. Each image includes Jex’s • September 14 – 6:00 p.m. Historian Jex (courtesy Sharpsburg original margin notes and new text which (and HFHA member) Timothy Historical Society). expands the original narrative, clarifies Jex’s R. Snyder will discuss the his- torical content of the Jex paint- ings. Tim’s insight and hours of research for the new book were invaluable. Tim is the author of Trembling in the Balance: The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Dur- ing the Civil War. • September 28 – 6:00 p.m. HFHA Executive Director Debbie Pi- scitelli will present Jex: The Artist and the Art. The programs as well as the month-long exhibit are free and open to the public. Books as well as prints of ten selected images will be available for purchase during the programs. For more information call 301.791.3132.

Save the Date! Membership Meeting, Sunday September 16 The 2012 annual membership meeting will Watch for an email or postcard with more be a catered breakfast in Lower Town Harp- details. We look forward to seeing all of you 6  ers Ferry on Sunday morning, September 16. there! With Sincere Gratitude HFHA wishes to say good wind) and evacuations. luck and thank you to Marsha She has been our NPS ally, Wassel, charter member and officemate, and friend, and former interpretive specialist/ will be truly missed around public information officer at the Bookshop. On behalf of Harpers Ferry National His- all of the Harpers Ferry His- torical Park. Our publications torical Association Board of (including The View) would Directors, staff, and mem- not have been possible with- bers, we extend our sincere out Marsha’s photographs, appreciation and best wish- media information, guidance, es for the future. Even if she and expert eye. For over doesn’t bring her camera, two decades she has helped we look forward to seeing us through all of the events Marsha at all of our HFHA (rain, shine, or ferocious events!

Harpers Ferry Historical Association Membership Application

❏ I wish to join the Harpers Ferry Historical Association (new member) ❏ I would like to make a donation to the David ❏ I wish to renew my membership (renewal) L. Larsen Memorial Fund to support Harpers Ferry Park internships. Please enroll me in the following member category (check one): ❏ $25 Armory Worker – Basic membership for a family household. ❏ I am not interested in receiving member ben- Benefits include a newsletter subscription, a 15% discount on all efits, but I would like to make a contribution bookshop purchases, a vinyl decal, and invitations to annual meeting in the amount of ______to aid the mission and events. of the Harpers Ferry Historical Association. ❏ $25 Sarah Jane Foster – An alternative basic membership for edu- ❏ I am a Charter Member and would like to cators. Benefits include the above plus open house for teachers and make a donation of ______. discounts on programs for teachers. ❏ $45 Millwright – For those members who are frequent visitors to ❏ Check if this is a new address for you the park. Benefits are the same as Armory Worker category plus a 12-month Harpers Ferry Park entrance pass. ❏ $100 Master Armorer – A supporting membership category. In- ______Name cludes all benefits of the Millwright category plus a Harpers Ferry in the Civil War pictorial book, member recognition in our newsletter ______and at our annual meeting, and a special tour. Address ❏ $250 Paymaster – For businesses, vendors or family donors who ______wish to contribute to the Association’s mission. Benefits include City State Zip 15% discount on all bookshop purchases; a newsletter subscription; vinyl decal; invitations to annual meetings, events, and association- ______sponsored education programs; a 12-month park pass; Harpers Ferry Telephone in the Civil War pictorial book; recognition in newsletter and at an- ______nual meeting; special tour; and additional membership card. E-mail ❏ $500 Armory Superintendent – For supporters (individual and corporate) who wish to perpetuate Association and Park education Please clip and mail to: programs. Benefits include 15% discount on all bookshop purchases; Harpers Ferry Historical Association a newsletter subscription; vinyl decals; invitations to annual meet- P.O. Box 197 Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 ing, events, and education programs; Harpers Ferry in the Civil War pictorial book; recognition in the newsletter and at annual meeting; Phone: (304) 535-6881 special tour; an Amercia the Beautiful pass (for use in all parks) for Fax: (304) 535-6749 individuals; and a display plaque for businesses. Email: [email protected]

 7 The Harpers Ferry Historical Harpers Ferry Historical Association Non-Profit Organization Association operates the Na- Post Office Box 197 U.S. Postage tional Park Bookshop in Lower Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 PAID Town Harpers Ferry. Profits Harpers Ferry, WV from sales are returned to the 25425 park to support interpretive­ and Permit No. 12 educational programs to enhance your visit. You are invited to join this unique organization and be a part of Harpers Ferry’s special family. For more information call (304) 535-6881, send e-mail to [email protected], or visit our website at www. harpersferryhistory.org.

ARPERS FERRY istorical Association

Executive Director Deborah K. Piscitelli New Titles in the Bookshop

Editor Author and historian Dennis Frye has two of the September Cathy Baldau new titles in the Park Bookshop. September 1862 capture of

Graphic Designer Suspense: Lincoln’s Union in Peril (Antietam the Harpers Ferry Dave Gilbert Rest Publishing, 2012), explores September garrison with 1862 as the most trying month for President photos, maps, and Board of Directors James Silvia, President Abraham Lincoln and the nation. General a driving tour of George Rutherford, Vice Robert E. Lee has marched his Confederates the entire Harp- President onto Union soil, sending major Northern ers Ferry National Dave Gilbert, Secretary cities like Baltimore, Harrisburg, Philadel- Historical Park Wayne Welty, Treasurer phia, and Cincinnati into a panic. No one battlefield. Much Kirk Davis knows Lee’s exact of the narrative Carol Gallant target, or where the originally ap- David Guiney Jim Jenkins Rebels will strike peared as Stone- Anne Long first. The dramatic wall Attacks! in Carol Polkinghorn story unfolds mostly the August-Sep- Suzanne Silvia through the words of tember 1987 issue period newspapers, of Blue & Gray Magazine, and proved instru- bringing the reader mental in the fight to preserve the Harpers through the first- Ferry battlefield. hand fears and frus- Both titles are also available at our trations of the time. online Bookshop at www.harpersferryhistory. Scheduled to be org. Members, don’t forget to apply your in print by Septem- 15% discount at checkout! ber is the History and Tour Guide of Stone- wall Jackson’s Battle of Visit the Park Bookshop at Harpers Ferry (Blue & Gray Magazine, www.harpersferryhistory.org 2012). This book is an in-depth exploration 8 