"It is certainly not a story to please, but to pain." - Frederick Douglass, 1881
The raid at Harpers Ferry, Virginia laid the seeds to the eventual war between the North and the South. John Brown, a Jayhawker who had tried to lead a slave revolt earlier on, was the leader of this slave revolt in Virginia, with the goal of taking over the United States arsenal at Harpers Ferry. The raid would turn out to be a failure, however, as U.S. Marines, who were lead by Robert E. Lee, were able to stop John Brown and his party of 22 supporters. While the raid was a failure, and did lead to the hanging of Brown, news of the attempted revolt went around the country, dividing the Northerners and the Southerners even more. John Brown's quote before he was executed proved to be factual in the then-near future, as he stated: "I... am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood."
Primary Sources
Frederick Douglass offers his thoughts on John Brown's Raid - both immediately following the raid and once again over twenty years later. In "John Brown's Not Insane," Douglass urges his readers to consider Brown's intentions with a cool, rational objectivity and rather than rush to dismiss his actions and field by fleeting passions of vengeance or insanity. Instead, he argued, "The explanation of his conduct is perfectly natural and simple on its face. He believes the Declaration of Independence to be true, and the Bible to be a guide to human conduct, and acting upon the doctrines of both, he threw himself against the serried ranks of American oppression."
This link contains transcripts of at least three times John Brown addressed his court. In his speech after receiving the guilty verdict, Brown makes it clear what his intent was - not to murder but to free.
Secondary Sources
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Who, what, when, where, and why?
WHO
The people that were involved at the raid on Harpers Ferry include John Brown, his group of 21 supporters, and the federal army that Brown's group would be attacked by, which was led by the soon-to-be commander of the Confederate Army: Robert E. Lee.
The people that were involved at the raid on Harpers Ferry include John Brown, his group of 21 supporters, and the federal army that Brown's group would be attacked by, which was led by the soon-to-be commander of the Confederate Army: Robert E. Lee.
John Brown (left) and Robert E. Lee (right)
WHAT
John Brown lead his group of 21 supporters on a raid against a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in an attempt to start an armed slave revolt and destroy the institution of slavery.
John Brown lead his group of 21 supporters on a raid against a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in an attempt to start an armed slave revolt and destroy the institution of slavery.
WHEN
The raid took place from October 16 to October 19, 1859. A company of U.S. marines arrived on October 17, led by Colonel Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart. On the morning of October 19, ten of Brown’s men were killed, including two of his sons.
The raid took place from October 16 to October 19, 1859. A company of U.S. marines arrived on October 17, led by Colonel Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart. On the morning of October 19, ten of Brown’s men were killed, including two of his sons.
WHERE
It took place in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, which is current-day West Virginia.
It took place in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, which is current-day West Virginia.
Current-day Harpers Ferry (left) and Harpers Ferry during the 1800s (right)
WHY
Brown attended an abolitionist meeting in Cleveland, Ohio and announced his dedication to destroy slavery. He had tried in the past to fight slavery, and wanted to be successful in his fight to end it. The raid at Harpers Ferry was unsuccessful, and led to the arrest and execution of John Brown.
Brown attended an abolitionist meeting in Cleveland, Ohio and announced his dedication to destroy slavery. He had tried in the past to fight slavery, and wanted to be successful in his fight to end it. The raid at Harpers Ferry was unsuccessful, and led to the arrest and execution of John Brown.
(From left) A drawing of the scene at Harpers Ferry during the battle. Drawings of John Brown before being hanged at the gallows (middle two photos.) A wax museum creation of John Brown being prepared for death. Located in Harpers Ferry (right.)
These are the very last words that John Brown wrote before his hanging. It states:
"I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think, vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed it might be done."
"I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think, vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed it might be done."
The above photo shows the headquarters located in Harpers Ferry that John Brown and his supporters stayed in.
Citations
Authors, History.com. “John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 13 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-browns-raid-on-harpers-ferry.
"John Brown's Raid, 1859" EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com
“John Brown's Harpers Ferry Raid.” American Battlefield Trust, 17 Jan. 2019, www.battlefields.org/learn/topics/john-browns-harpers-ferry-raid.
“John Brown Headquarters.” John Brown Raid Headquarters, Sharpsburg, johnbrown.org/directions-kennedy-farm-house/.
www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/reform/jb_reform_brown_4_e.html.
"John Brown's Raid, 1859" EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com
“John Brown's Harpers Ferry Raid.” American Battlefield Trust, 17 Jan. 2019, www.battlefields.org/learn/topics/john-browns-harpers-ferry-raid.
“John Brown Headquarters.” John Brown Raid Headquarters, Sharpsburg, johnbrown.org/directions-kennedy-farm-house/.
www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/reform/jb_reform_brown_4_e.html.