High on a Hill

.....……overlooking the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers on a rainy day,  

I am viewing three states.  I am standing in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.  Across the Potomac where the railroad lines go into the tunnel is Maryland and across the Shenandoah River coming in on the right is Virginia.  The foliage is almost past peak here but still putting on a bit of a show.  The railroad bridge on the left is still used and at least 5 trains came through there while we were walking around town.  The bridge on the right is a pedestrian bridge that connects up with the C&O Canal Towpath and the Appalachian Trail.  

Harper’s Ferry is almost the midpoint on the Appalachian Trail (2200 miles, 3500 km) which runs from Georgia to Maine and a few hikers could be seen in town today, probably picking up supplies, having a shower and an overnight in a real bed at one of the hostels. Much of the town has been restored and is part of the National Park system.  Harper’s Ferry played a very significant role in the Civil War, changing hands 8 times and is the site of John Brown’s abolitionist insurrection against slavery in 1859, that escalated tensions that, a year later, led to secession and the start of the war.  Harper’s Ferry was part of Virginia at that time and John Brown was tried for treason, convicted and hanged.  The song  “John Brown’s Body,” sung to the tune of the what later became the Battle Hymn of the Republic, became a Union marching song during the war.

♫“John Brown’s body lies a mouldering in his grave but his soul is marching on”♫