the battle of harpers ferry was fought september 12–15, 1862. it was part of the maryland campaign of the american civil war. as gen. robert e. lee's confederate army invaded maryland, a portion of his army under major general thomas j. "stonewall" jackson was sent to capture harpers ferry. his troops surrounded, bombarded, and captured the union garrison at harpers ferry, virginia (now west virginia). this was a major victory at relatively minor cost.