as confederate general robert e. lee moved north in his maryland campaign of 1862, he split his forces. lee sent major general (csa) thomas j. "stonewall" jackson to capture and hold harpers ferry. his troops found the heights unguarded and placed artillery in a position to bombard the town. early on september 15, miles gathered his officers together. they were surrounded and nearly out of ammunition. at around 9:00 a.m., white flags were raised by the union troops indicating their surrender. a few minutes later a confederate shell exploded mortally wounding miles. he died the next day. general white, the second in command, arranged for the surrender. it was the largest capture of union soldiers during the war. jackson captured over 12,700 men, 13,000 arms and 47 artillery pieces. miles was blamed for the surrender.