Did you know that the anniversary of John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry is coming up? Sometimes referred to as the “dress rehearsal” for the American Civil War, the famous act took place beginning on the night of October 16, 1859, with its fateful conclusion on October 18.
Despite its grim outcome, the heroic martyrdom of those who were involved is still remembered today as a very telling indication about the feelings surrounding American Abolitionism at the time. It also not only served as a precursor to the War that broke out in 1861 but also as one of its potential catalysts.
In this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m recounting the detailed history behind John Brown’s famous Raid on Harpers Ferry. From stirring sentiments to John Brown’s initial motivation and intent, here is the summary account for what transpired nearly 164 years ago.
Abolitionist Beliefs in America
Even before the official start of the American Civil War, tensions were already at boiling point surrounding the hotly debated concept of slavery. Interestingly enough, American Abolitionist beliefs not only predate the Civil War but can actually be traced back to before the United States became its own independent nation. In 1652, Rhode Island even declared it “illegal” for any person, black or white, to be bound longer than 10 years. Of course, that law was altogether ignored, even by Rhode Island. Ironically, the very first people famously credited with vocally denouncing the practice of slavery were the Quakers (the Religious Society of Friends).
As the 19th century emerged, so did the increasing vocalizations against slavery. Eventually the United States started to see regional divides where it was either outlawed or a way of life. The southern states in particular largely depended on the free labor for economic reasons. But the major issue at hand was how the practice involved the cruel mistreatment and dehumanization of living, breathing people. And the use of the term “mistreatment” was a gross understatement. Owners were pretty much permitted to do what they wanted to do to those seen as property.
The injustice for such an institution and the regional divides eventually led to the establishment of the Underground Railroad. The first mentioning of this elaborate series of routes designed to lead escaped slaves to freedom in northern states came about in the 1830s. However, it may actually date back even earlier.
So, while the issue of slavery was prevalent in the United States even before the American Civil War, it was the years leading up to it that saw a rise in strong sentiments surrounding the practice on both sides.
Who Was John Brown?
There were many notable Abolitionists of the day, one of which was John Brown. Originally from Torrington, Connecticut, John Brown was a man of strong religious faith who adamantly felt the act of slavery was a sin against God. Even as a youth, he and his father Owen Brown were active in the Underground Railroad. By the 1850s he had already made a name for himself as an Abolitionist, having been involved in many causes. But the passing of the Fugitive Slave Law was what really set him off—eventually leading him to devise a plan he believed would incite the ultimate slave revolt.
Brown’s Ultimate Goal
In order to carry out his planned slave revolt, John Brown intended to gather up a team of men, some who would ride out to nearby plantations and rally slaves. Others would join him in riding out to the town of Harpers Ferry, (in what was then) Virginia and take over the United States Arsenal. The expectation was that many other volunteers (white and black alike) would join him along the way. The goal was to act fast, moving south via the Appalachian Mountains into Tennessee and eventually reaching Alabama, all while sending armed bands to free more slaves, obtain food, gather horses, and take hostages. John Brown even invited both Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman to be participants in this great event. While Harriet Tubman did have a hand in helping John Brown make plans, she did not participate in the action. Frederick Douglass too declined, believing the plan to be more of a suicidal mission.
Making Plans Under a Façade
Prior to carrying out his plan, John Brown rented the Kennedy Farmhouse, located in Washington County, Maryland, just four miles north of Harpers Ferry. It was there that he assumed the identity of Isaac Smith, acting the part of a miner. Under this façade nobody questioned what he was doing here or the different “tools” and “equipment” being sent to him. Eventually his small team of men grew to include 21 in addition to himself (16 white men and five black men).
A Fateful Raid
The fateful event got underway late on the night of October 16, 1859, leading into the early morning hours of October 17. The strategy to be orchestrated was all very elaborate, requiring different members in the group to carry out different calls to action. Some rode out to various farms, freed slaves, and rounded up hostages, including a number of very prominent citizens. Others controlled the Potomac and Shenandoah bridges. And then others joined Brown in his ride directly into town, even in his capture of the Armory. The middle of the night saw just one single watchman on duty, so forcing him to turn over his keys wasn’t too difficult.
Things were at first going well, although Brown had hoped that the freed slave population would join in the fight. Unfortunately, the delayed response led to word spreading much quicker than anyone involved in the attack had hoped. Brown and his men even had to take refuge in the arsenal’s engine house. But that was only temporary as before the day was up, a company of U.S. Marines under the direction of Colonel Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant J.E.B. Stuart arrived onsite, storming the engine house, killing many of the raiders, and then capturing John Brown himself.
The Aftermath
Of the party of 22 men that participated in what would go on to be known as “The Raid on Harpers Ferry” 10 were killed in action. Five escaped, and seven others—John Brown included—were tried and later executed. The official indictment charge against Brown came on October 25, 1859. He was hanged on December 2, 1859.
A Lasting Legacy
Even though the outcome of the Raid on Harpers Ferry was grim, it was still an instrumental event for igniting strong sentiments surrounding Abolitionism and the eventual resulting Civil War between the states. The solid defining of the strong opinions expressed regionally in this part of Virginia and nearby eventually led to a breakaway from the rest of the state and the formation of West Virginia in 1863.
John Brown has gone down in history as a very controversial, albeit, well-meaning and courageous man, who was deeply passionate about his anti-slavery beliefs. While some—even supporters of what he stood for—considered his antics to fundamentally radical and extremist, others commend his bold actions and eventual martyrdom for the cause. For better or worse, John Brown made a lasting impression for his heroic stance against slavery during his historic Raid on Harpers Ferry.