The Raid of John Brown at Harper's Ferry as I Saw It

EXCERPT:
THE town of Harper’s Ferry is located in Jefferson County, West Virginia. Lucerne, in Switzerland does not excel it in romantic grandeur of situation. On its northern front the Potomac sweeps along to pass the national capital, and the tomb of Washington, in its silent flow towards the sea. On its eastern side the Shenandoah hurries to empty its waters into the Potomac, that in perpetual wedlock they may greet the stormy Atlantic. Across the Potomac the Maryland Heights stand out as the tall sentinels of Nature. Beyond the Shenandoah are the Blue Ridge mountains, fringing the westward boundary of Loudon County, Virginia. Between these rivers, and nestling inside of their very confluence, reposes Harper’s Ferry. Back of its hills lies the famous Shenandoah Valley, celebrated for its natural scenery, its historic battles and “Sheridan’s Ride.” At Harper’s Ferry the United States authorities early located an Arsenal and an Armory.