Stone Fort Trail ~ Harper's Ferry, WV

[@chuckbarlow5532]

My grandfather was garrisoned on Maryland Heights. He was a private in Company F. of the 1st Maryland infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Weldon Railroad during the Wilderness campaign. He survived the war and lived to the age of 91 and died in 1933. He was born in 1842, fathered my dad in 1898 and I was born in 1949. I'm 70, but it's kind of amazing to say my grandad was a Civil War vet.

[@heden1460]

One time, when I was in college, I walked up the mountains by the university with a book. I found a rock to sit on and read for a while. When I looked up, I was surrounded by a herd of deer. I sat still and watched them for a while. It was kind of nice.

[@bertkelly7650]

As young as those trees are, lead me to believe it was a little bare up there.

[@onwardsandupwardsrockhounding]

Great video again Cliff!! - As always Onwards and Upwards!! - I caught it - HaHa----

[@lokilove868]

I will probably never get to the U.S so thanks for the history tour.

[@sharondelaney5346]

What an Incredible hike Cliff..all those Wows were certainly justified 😲👍was cool to see the deer as well..I'm sure they knew you didn't pose a threat..Enjoyed the history and the views..Thanks for taking me along!😀👍👍👍

[@steel5886]

Cliff, Love the history also . You really show us viewers so much of your personal enjoyment . I believe it is what separates your channel from others . Really special to walk on that hallowed ground it must have been walking in the footsteps of the men from the Civil war . WOW .. Is perfect thing to sum it up . Deer were added treat awesome .Thanks JoeM

[@karenpacker8862]

Beautiful...historical hike and awesome deer footage!!! Thank you Cliff really enjoy your channel!!!

[@suzantonn1188]

Thanks for taking us along on this hike, your enthusiasm is contagious! Most of us will never get to see these places so your videos are like travelogues of historic sites.

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Cliff, when you really sit and think about the logistic's of the actual building of the stone fort, that must have been one horrendously tough order to carry out as you are talking not only the cannon but all supplies of food, artillery, munitions etc having to be hauled up there in the first place. All of this also was carried out in the Winter of 1862-1863 so the men would have had to battle against the elements as well on top of everything else. It would have been a logistical nightmare, the troops must have gone through hell, not to mention the horses. Thank you so much for sharing, a very awesome hike and a tough one too if it's even making you breathless and sweaty. x💖x

[@lindadaniel9416]

One of my ancestors fought for the South. He was a POW at Harper's Ferry. He died there.

[@Julianne955]

My Great Great Grandfather was one of the 22,000 Union soldiers captured at Harper's Ferry. He was taken to Andersonville and held there until he was part of a prisoner exchange. I've hiked to Maryland Heights but I never knew the Stone Fort was there. I'll make a return trip just to see it. This is a great video! Thank you for taking us with you.

[@brendakrieger7000]

Always love seeing your adventures💜

[@jeniw8586]

Great hike and loved the deer. Looks like it was a bit of a workout but very much worth it. Thanks

[@reneereb6499]

The deer looked right at you. Probably said " Oh wow, the Wandering Woodsman " 😊🦌

[@glennjohnson5487]

Being able to walk, touch and see historical remnants of the past is exactly why I too love history...I really admire your channel. Keep on Keepin' on!

[@Quentin217]

Up there on Maryland Heights in '61, some mostly untrained federal soldiers, some of Lincoln's 75,000 90-day enlistments, built a warming fire on some cannon balls that they imagined to be solid shot. The ordnance blew up the entire lot, I would guess about a dozen or so.

[@dscobellusa]

Wow isn't that a sad event. Thanks for sharing.

[@joshdelaet3536]

My 4th Great grandpa was a 90 day soldier at Harpers Ferry 😂 that’s a crazy story

[@jameshuggins4300]

I drove through Harper's ferry several years ago heading to New Jersey to work . Traveling in a group I couldn't stop but as a southern boy and civil war history buff I sure wanted to!

[@jgwood10]

I have driven through Harpers Ferry in the past and didn’t know all this history was here to view. Thank you.

[@karendworschack756]

That was a nice hike! Those deer wanted to be your friends! That was a pretty steep trail! 👍

[@brooklyngraham1151]

What a workout! Love the history, and the whitetail. Very cool.

[@daveyjoweaver5183]

What a fantastic and beautiful view WW! When you think of all the work that was required to build the fort, dig out the magazines and stone work and everything else, it is quite a wonder! Then the 9700 lb gun plus the base and all the wood for the platform and all the clearing of trees? And of course the 100 lb cannon balls and tons of powder required? I forget how many pound of powder required, as I did know this at one time. So all this had to be done. Wow, Wow, Wow! A lovely post indeed if you survived all the work to make it a post! Thank You Kindly WW! And what a great and perfect day for the occasion! I have a set of books, 10 volumes, called A Photographic History Of The Civil War by Miller. I do believe this is where I read about the required amount of powder for the 100 pounder. I'll let you know when I can find this info again. Thanks Again WW! I'm Bery Appreciative for your Historical video in this Beautiful Envvironment! DaveyJO

[@rickm8456]

Great video. I’m definitely driving down to check this out and make a day out of Harpers Ferry.

[@vantastic9367]

You'll love Harpers Ferry, and it's dog friendly.

[@brdhunt1973]

I've hiked this trail many times and it is awesome! It is strenuous but very rewarding. I cant imagine how hard it was pulling those cannons up there.Nice job on the video!

[@chrisiiams4303]

I remember when I was about eight years old they had a deer park in PA, we went there and I feed a few deers and all of a sudden they were all on to me food. I loved going there

[@pjdemario1328]

I had no idea this trail existed. I’ll have to put it on my list of places to explore here in Maryland. Thanks!

[@lindamccaughey8800]

Well that was totally awesome. Just love your enthusiasm. I love the history lesson I find it fantastic. What a rotten thing for those soldiers to have to do. I do hope the stone was already there and they didn’t have to transport that too. I did love the stonework. I really loved that, thanks so much for taking me along. Haha I may need a nap after all that hiking with you

[@mathewhenderson5757]

Excellent video

[@michaelstrong3634]

Thanks for sharing love Civil war history. You are so lucky to live close by.

[@maryannanaya905]

This trip was amazing, I could never have made that hike.

[@chrisiiams4303]

I was just thinking that same thing that you were walking where our civil war men walked, I find that fascinating. Thank you for sharing your great video.

[@robertcates4066]

I was at Harper's Ferry last May 2019, had no idea there anything other side of river, glad I found your channel love everything about it, Unfortunately even if would it was there I wouldn't have been able to walk the trail you are definitely doing it for me, Thank you for posting al that you do!

[@jhmorgan72753]

There it is again you have friends in the woods !!! Maybe somebody feeds them, so they looked at you to see if you had some treats !!!!

[@vantastic9367]

I love Harpers Ferry, especially the pet friendly beer garden. I can imbibe then walk around and see Civil War stuff with my dogs, and beautiful views. Can't beat that

[@sharrontaylor4744]

Plan on watching this whole video after news &???. I happened to look over sometime in this video-deer, how nice Cliff maybe next time finds some apples for the deer. Catch ya later 🤗

[@pennsylvaniaridgerunnersatv]

another great video interesting historical facts keep them coming

[@Quentin217]

When Harper's Ferry was running full-bore in the 1850's, the landscape was so badly polluted by the smoke of the forges that the plant life was debilitated. It is a much more scenic area now. Harper's Ferry became de-industrialised after the war by the increased reliance on steam technology.

[@sumnerwaite6390]

Really enjoyed this. If I ever get up there I’m hiking this trail. Thanks for the easy hike! 😉

[@fokkerd3red618]

To think of all the efforts that were put into these fortifications must have been grueling on the troops. Digging everything out and getting the guns in place, is one helluva feat. Thank you Cliff for one fine tour.

[@eileenbauer4601]

I’ve hiked Maryland Heights many times.....what a view from the top! What a good idea to go to the fortifications in the Winter, much easier to see everything. Last time I was there it was Midsummer, very overgrown. I noticed some cut trees in the video, maybe the Park Service is returning the fortification area to its 1862 appearance similar to what they’ve been doing at Gettysburg. Great video....I need to go back now!

[@57Banjoman]

Amazing history-thank you!

[@GaerHampton]

It sure seems that this little corner of West Virginia/Maryland has seen quite a bit of history over the years!

[@wilfredomendez3450]

Wandering how they managed to push up hill huge iron cannons, btw something similar happened here at the Kennesaw mountain GA, great video thx for sharing.

[@martyjones9374]

Enjoyed this history hike very much. Tidbit about Lincoln interesting. Imagining these soldiers having to not only walk up the steep terrain, also push heavy artillery really puts things into perspective. Stone work & beautiful views were Amazing!! You do have a way with animals. Those deer were precious & not afraid of you at all. Loved this very much. Thanks for taking me along. :)

[@davemi3213]

It’s so cool how you take time to enjoy your surroundings

[@carlavision6143]

Cliff, awesome, beautiful and very interesting! Really enjoyed your video.

[@donnaklingbeil4468]

I enjoyed this hike. Thank you for taking it for me! What are great teacher you are. Loved the history lesson. You kept me glued to my screen. Oh, and the up close of the deer was really cool!!!

[@catwoman472]

Beautiful scenery

[@kateclark7250]

This is an interesting place with the earthworks and pits. I can't imagine men hauling that big cannon up that hill! Thank you for your research and for taking folks to see this place.

[@naybur74]

civil war finds are the best,do more!

[@mrSarcastic1984]

The way you took down is the way i took up. It was very steep and wasnt easy to climb

[@cwb0051]

This was Awesome, Ive been to Harpers Ferry awhile ago, didnt venture where you did, Very Interesting, and Very Historic..Stay Safe..

[@briankesterson4365]

Thanks for sharing the adventure! I am taking my 8th grade West Virginia history classes & my 10th grade U.S. history classes to Harper's Ferry in early June of this year. All 150 of them! Yep, I am one of those types of teachers, a bit eccentric and a bit of a history fanatic. Your video was very nicely done. I have watched several of your videos lately. Great job!

[@dscobellusa]

Brian--Wish I had teachers like you and Cliff when I was young. It sounds like you were meant to be teachers.

[@lindsaymacpherson8782]

Great history and loved the deer

[@harrysouthwell5075]

Hello from UK

[@bekleidungu.ausrustung7068]

Very cool. Sounds like it was very quiet and those deer are probably used to being around tourists. Some animals in parks such as Yellowstone, actually will walk right up to you, looking for a meal.

[@crystalfabulous]

Thanks for sharing

[@Mia-rb5lj]

Fantastic video Thank you.

[@user-David-Alan]

Thanks for sharing. Quite impressive.

[@dscobellusa]

I can't add any more kudos than you have already received from other viewers. Great job! I had ancestors who lived in the area back in the 17th and 18th centuries, so I'm very interested in the history. I'm not sure if they were still in the area during the Civil War, but I think most of them had moved out. Thanks so much for the visuals!

[@charlesnye1736]

Thanks for the video I plan to hike it this Spring.

[@chrisgray8774]

Great video!

[@chrisackerley1842]

Is there an easier route to the top of the hill from the other side? How did they haul the cannon to the top of the hill? No matter how many horses they used, that must have been a ball-breaker!

[@daveperryman291]

Massive amount of work for those men. And, of course, war. After hauling up all that artillary, I wouldn't give up that fort easily.

[@HD-J.R.]

Dr. Doolittle! Soldiers would've been wearing wool pants, wool tunic, cotton shirt and or cotton union suit. Leather shoes with leather soles. Plus gear! That's work hiking in all that.

[@wadewatson3286]

The walkway over the parapet of the 6 gun battery was my Eagle Scout project in 1987.

[@robdwy1708]

Cool

[@justincassidy4512]

Cool wish my teacher’s history lessons was as interesting maybe I’ll stay awake. 👍👍✌️

[@lindavaldez3047]

The deer were awesome

[@nickmad887]

Thank you.

[@jasonpayneuk]

Hi Cliff, another great video - thank you! Out of interest does the modern trail follow the original survey route that the military would have mapped out to build the fort? Looking forward to adding Harper’s Ferry to my US road trip!

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

I would assume that some of the trails do.

[@maryannanaya905]

The deer are saying follow us !

[@Quentin217]

I spent a day in the town of Harper's Ferry back in the summer of '91. I found the place depressing as H. I was very well impressed by the Park Service in the way that it took care of the site and guided and instructed tourists like myself. Regarding the guns on the heights, I learned the following account: One of the park rangers other than the one telling me this story had to move out of a building that he was living in. He pointed to it from where we stood. That was because the noise was depriving him of his proper rest. The noise was that of a crying baby. The baby had been crushed to death under the collapse of a chimney after it had been hit by a cannon ball. More than a hundred years after the crushed little body was pulled out of the rubble, the poor little thing was still crying in the night.

[@Quentin217]

@cloudtoground Harper's Ferry changed hands eight times during the war. I was not told when the death of the baby happened, but I would guess that it was an unintended consequence of the Maryland campaign by the Army of Northern Virginia in September of '62. The invading force split into five columns. One was headed by General Thomas Jackson ("Stone Wall of the Valley") His infantry captured the guns on the heights after blasting them and the town with his own guns. The building pointed out to me was very close to where we were standing in the town. After the town was secured, the Federal arsenal was dismantled and sent south. Then the town was abandoned back to the enemy so that Jackson's forces could joined the main body under General Lee to participate in the Battle of Sharpsburg.

[@dscobellusa]

How sad!

[@shallshall3107]

The views were so beautiful . Please Cliff don't mention it but when you view his videos hit the like button so other people that comes across his blogs knows that are beautiful

[@maljcross4634]

An interesting video....not being from the USA, I found it quite fascinating to hear your historic telling about the Civil War cannon placements. The trail you followed, who made them? Volunteers or a government agency? Awesome to see some wildlife in their natural settings on your hike.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

the trails were originally made by the soldiers, probably cleared by volunteers in later years.

[@Ppurk]

How about doing something on the Cedar Creek battel?

[@gaylakellner720]

Stonewall was only 39yrs old when he died of pneumonia.

[@eckhal2]

Excellent!, new sub 👌💯

[@TainoXtreme]

Very good video. Have you found any pistols yourself? Much for sharing this video. God bless you.

[@alexandria8255]

You need to carry some oatmeal cookies with you for the deer. My bro has some that come onto his patio and he feeds them oatmeal cookies...the eat from his hand. Sweet furbabies lol.

[@johnpremkumar77]

Thank you for the detailed information and great history lesson. How long will it take from the Train Bridge to complete these hikes.

[@katiefyock9607]

Soldiers probably snacked on hardtack and beef jerky. Maybe berries if there were any on the surrounding bushes.

[@jimmytheyoutubewatcher8002]

Are you allowed to metal detect along there Cliff? I could only imagine the relics, and little treasurers buried beneath the soil.

[@brdhunt1973]

No because it's Federal Property.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

It's a national historic site, so no

[@jimmytheyoutubewatcher8002]

Ah ok. Im not American, so i wasnt sure if it was a national park or not.

[@alexsummy7509]

Maryland Heights and the C & O Canal trail which is nearby get a lot of people, which is why the deer were not afraid of you.

[@sandrahunter5749]

I live beside of a mountain and I have deer's in my front yard and back yard. I feed the deer's and they come to me and got pet one deer.

[@jayrivera5506]

The deer want some of your snickers.

[@karenhansen1945]

Just stumbled across your channel and love it! Been binge watching. The only thing I worry about is your safety. Have you reconsidered carrying anything for protection? Have you heard of David Paulides' Missing 411 Books? Great stuff and stay safe.

[@danmathers141]

There are always trees and tree stumps. If there could be a comment on these such as when they were cut and who may have done it or anything else interesting. There were probably trees cut down by the soldiers. Maybe some we are looking at are those. Maybe there are some scars in them or bullets. Just a thought.

[@debs9049]

How do you find out where all the ruins are ?

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

Lots of research

[@darrellkeister8452]

Awesome👍

[@joshueabelis473]

As always great video, and thanks. Anyone should KZbin a PC game called 'war of rights'. They have recreated dozens of battlefields, 120 players. And that bridge and the hills/ and town of harpers is a map you can play. Cool to see the accuracy. Off topic. But if intested in civil war history, youll appreciate checking it out.

[@myraandersen9881]

a lot of work for a war that was suppose to be over in a month or two

[@wooderdsaunders6801]

Do you think the y hsd builfings or slept in tents?

[@OlWolf1011]

Wow! You was outside of Pennsy! I was wondering how long it took you to get to the stone fort from your vehicle? Couple hours? Half a day?

[@joeryanstrialbook2005]

Actually not exactly. The "stone fort" otherwise known at the time as "the lookout" was built by Jackson in the spring of 1861, a wall of stone square not more than four feet high and say 15 square feet. After September 1862, the Union troops added a stone wall to enclose the three acres of ground on the summit, and a block house was built.

[@johnmurray4918]

A deer's instinct is to run from anything not normally in the woods, I think the deer are simply use to humans being in those woods.

[@waylonhickerson3254]

Lee right ✋ 😭😭😭😭😭 if only

[@janecharlton6780]

Thanks for cheering up my day a bit , my husband s just been told he has advanced lung cancer .

[@dscobellusa]

So sorry Jane! I find these KZbin videos help take me to other places and I thank Cliff for the opportunity to armchair travel. Bless you both.

[@chrisiiams4303]

And the is still standing, they don’t make stuff like they use too

[@vikkinicholson2300]

during the civil war animals were scared into another state with all the shooting and canons and major noise of all kinds.....wildlife on land and sea suffer from man and his wars. Awesome how steep those hills are. You were walked on hallowed ground.

[@wvangler1325]

I’ll never move from this state, west by god Virginia