The Raid on Harpers Ferry
There were a lot of preparations made by John Brown before the raid. On the night of October 16, 1859, John Brown and his "Army" of some of 18 men drove wagons into the twon of Harpers Ferry. They cut off telegraph wires and captured the watchman at the armory, bringing the building to a seize. When a train traveled throught the town, they caught wind of the raid and carried on the news. Brown and his men shot at the innocent train, causing some deaths. When the news arrived to the town, the forces started to go after them. The raiders then barricaded themselves in buildings, and attempted to seige. The raid on Harpers Ferry that they hoped for never happened. On October 16, Brown set out for Harpers Ferry with 21 men -- 5 blacks. (Brackett, Virginia)
including Dangerfield Newby, who hoped to rescue his wife who was still a slave, and 16 whites, two of whom were Brown's sons. Leaving after sundown, the men crossed the Potomac, then walked all night in heavy rain, reaching the town at 4am. They cut telegraph wires, then made their assault. First they captured the federal armory and arsernal. They then captured Hall's Rifle Works, a supplier of weapons to the government. Brown and his men rounded up 60 prominent citizens of the town and held them as hostages, hoping that their slaves would join the fight. No slaves came forth. One of John Brown's sons went and tried to negotiate with the citizens, he was shot and killed. News of the insurrection, relayed by the conductor of an express train heading to Baltimore, reached President Buchanan. Marines and soldiers went dispatched, under the leadership of then Colonel Robert E. Lee. By the time they arrived, eight of Brown's 22-man army had already been killed. Lee's men moved in and quickly ended the insurrection. In the end, ten of Brown's men were killed including two blacks and both of his sons), seven were captured (two of these later), and five had escaped. (EyeWitness to History )
including Dangerfield Newby, who hoped to rescue his wife who was still a slave, and 16 whites, two of whom were Brown's sons. Leaving after sundown, the men crossed the Potomac, then walked all night in heavy rain, reaching the town at 4am. They cut telegraph wires, then made their assault. First they captured the federal armory and arsernal. They then captured Hall's Rifle Works, a supplier of weapons to the government. Brown and his men rounded up 60 prominent citizens of the town and held them as hostages, hoping that their slaves would join the fight. No slaves came forth. One of John Brown's sons went and tried to negotiate with the citizens, he was shot and killed. News of the insurrection, relayed by the conductor of an express train heading to Baltimore, reached President Buchanan. Marines and soldiers went dispatched, under the leadership of then Colonel Robert E. Lee. By the time they arrived, eight of Brown's 22-man army had already been killed. Lee's men moved in and quickly ended the insurrection. In the end, ten of Brown's men were killed including two blacks and both of his sons), seven were captured (two of these later), and five had escaped. (EyeWitness to History )