Rider's Journal Part 2

...continued from Rider's Journal Part 1.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s and Union General George B. McClellan’s armies met in the Battle—the single bloodiest day of the American Civil War and all of American military history, with nearly 23,000 casualties. This truly is sacred ground.

Feel free to take any diversions or side trips to the battlefield, but return to Burnside Bride Road to finish the loop.

Burnside Bridge Road escorts you through parts of the Antietam Battlefield, and permits you to see many preserved and conserved structures that were here during that part of our American history. You even get to cross over the famous Antietam Creek, where at times in the summer you can see people floating on inner tubes down the creek.

Ride this serpentine segment of road for 4.6 miles to the stop with Mt. Briar Road. Turn right then in 0.3 mile turn right again onto Chestnut Grove Road.

Travel on this cool, green and shady rural valley road about 4.5 miles until you see the sign for the Kennedy Farm House. This is the site where John Brown and his followers trained and launched their attack on Harpers Ferry.

It was here in early July of 1859 that the “wanted man” and abolitionist John Brown and his sons and one follower arrived posing as Issac Smith & Sons, cattlemen from New York. They said they wanted a small farm to serve as a feeding lot for cattle when in fact they were searching for a "staging area" for their intended raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

Today, the old farmhouse has been completely restored and is a welcomed stop along any quest to learn more about the history of John Brown and his raid on Harpers Ferry. The Federal Government has designated this place a National Historic Landmark because of the significant role it played in the history of the United States.

Continue another 0.8 mile to the stop with Harpers Ferry Road. Turn left and follow the road for 5.6 miles to Keep Tryst Road. As you enjoy this scenic part of Harpers Ferry Road note the many historic landmarks along the way. Off across the Potomac lies Harpers Ferry itself. It is a beautiful sight — a view that might have been observed by John Brown as he exited the train here at Sandy Hook prior to moving into the farm house.

Between you and the river lays the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, complete with the remaining locks and lockmasters house. Also, you’ll see the tracks and tunnel for the railroad — once the Baltimore & Ohio property. Both the C&O and the B&O were locked into a race to open up the west for transport. Both tied their routes to the natural path of the Potomac River but only one victor lived to claim the prize. And as we know that even turned into a short-lived victory — for where today do you see any B&O trains.

At Keep Tryst Road turn left and left again at the stop/flashing light at Rt. 340. Follow 340 for about 2.6 miles then turn right onto Shenandoah Street. You may recognize this tree lined avenue if you did the shuttle bus tour of the town before you ‘hit the road” at the visitor center. You will recognize the ruins of Virginius Island, and see part of the old canal system. Once in town your tires will hum as they roll over the cobblestone pavement. Just prior to John Brown’s Fort turn left onto High Street / Washington Street. As you climb the hill glance over towards the Potomac. There where the train station and parking area was once the Armory works of the town.

About 2 miles from John Brown’s Fort turn right and head up Whitman Avenue. A short distance up at the intersection of Prospect Avenue is a great place to park the bike and enjoy the view. It is a parking area for a hiking trail and historical markers. One marker notes the Battle of Harpers Ferry. It reads: “Invasion rocked the United States during the second year of the American Civil War. In September 1862 Confederate General Robert E. Lee launched his army into Maryland - the North. Lee’s first target became Harpers Ferry. He ordered “Stonewall” Jackson to make the attack.”

It was here that Jackson overcame great obstacles, defeating the Union during a three-day battle and forcing the largest surrender of U.S. troops during the Civil War. His victory at Harpers Ferry enabled Lee to make his stand at nearby Antietam.”

According to Lieutenant James H. Clark of the 115th New York Infantry “At first their missiles of death fell far short of our camp; but each succeeding shell came nearer and nearer, until the earth was plowed up at our feet, and our tents torn to tatters.”

If you feel like stretching your legs for a bit to reflect upon the ride, and enjoy some departing scenic sights of Harpers Ferry and Jefferson County take a stroll on the Bolivar Heights Trail. It takes you over wooded terrain on the very site of Jackson’s triumphal Civil War battle here. It’s an easy trail and is a leisurely walk that lets your mind digest all that you’ve seen and experienced on this route.

From John Brown and John Wilkes Booth to Mosby and Stonewall and more — this region is prime to commemorate the sesquicentennial anniversary of not only abolitionist John Brown’s raid on the arsenal at Harpers Ferry, but of the whole of the Civil War.