The Battle of Harpers Ferry

MAY 11, 1861.]

HARPER'S WEEKLY

293

THE BURNING OF THE UNITED STATES ARSENAL AT HARPER'S FERRY, 10 P.M. APRIL 18, 1861.-[SKETCHED BY D. H. STROTHER.]

The movement was regarded as a military necessity, and as such executed. To many of us who looked on, the scenes of that night were inexpressibly sad and solemn. The clouds of fire rolled up magnificently from the depths of the romantic gorge, illuminating the confluent rivers and the encircling cliffs for miles around, each rock and pinnacle associated with the name of some one of our great historic

 founders. In the martial column revealed by the blaze there stood arrayed, with deadly ball and bayonet, the first-born pride of a hundred hitherto peaceful and happy families. In the town below, between them and their enemy, were neighbors, friends, and fellow-citizens—the enemies themselves our late patented defenders and countrymen. Brethren, what has forced this fatal necessity upon us?

" As the smoke and vapor of a furnace goeth before the fire, so reviling before blood." D. H. S. We also publish a view of FORT McHENRY, at Baltimore. This fort is held by the United States, and in the event of a fight at Baltimore would probably shell the city. It stands at the extremity of a tongue of land near the geographical centre of the city. In the war of 1812 it

was bombarded by the British fleet, without success. It was of this bombardment that the famous song " The Star Spangled Banner" was written.

The small cut on the opposite page exhibits the burning of the bridge at Canton by the Baltimore mob. Both of these pictures are from photographs by W. H. Weaver, of Baltimore.

THE MARCH OF THE VIRGINIANS ON HARPER'S FERRY, 9.30 P.M. APRIL 18, 1861,-[SKETCHED BY D. H. STROTHER]