ORDER OF BATTLE // September 12, 1862
Battle of Harpers Ferry
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 35,000–40,000 estimated
United States
14,000
Medium-confidence figure
Confederate States
21,000–26,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Harpers Ferry was a component operation of the Maryland Campaign, fought while Confederate General Robert E. Lee's army was advancing through Maryland. Jackson's force surrounded and bombarded the Union garrison, ultimately capturing it along with nearly 12,636 Union troops — making it one of the largest single surrenders of Union forces in the war. The operation cleared Lee's strategic rear and secured a significant supply of men and materiel for the Confederate army as it continued operations in Maryland. The scale of the loss removed a substantial Union force from the campaign at a critical juncture.
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