The First Major Action marker is on private property in the Harpers Ferry KOA campground. The campground is located on Campground Road, which runs west from Shenandoah Road (the road to the National Park Visitor Center).  (39°18’57.0″N 77°45’45.7″W; map) The marker is next to the half scale replica of John Brown’s Fort at the center of the campground.

From the marker:

First Major Action

On Sept. 13, 1862 Stonewall Jackson’s forces approaching from the west were shelled by 2 Union artillery guns under Col. Miles from this position. On Sept. 14, Gen. A.P. Hill outflanked these Union troops while Jackson swept past this location. Col. Miles surrendered over 11,000 men and valuable military stores on Sept. 15. He was killed by a stray shot.

(go to the main Union Skimish Line page)
(go to the main KOA Campground page)