Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-20

Inc building III whlcn tile insurgents nau
made their stand, was the fire engine house,
and no doubt the most defeusibe building
in the Armory 1t has dead brick walls ON
three sides, and on the fourth large doors,
with window-sashes above. some eight feet
from the ground. A dead stiffness surroun-
ded the building, and except that now and
then a man might be seen pcepinS from the
nearly closed centre door, or dogs nose
slightly prntrnding. there was no sign of
life. much less Of hostility. given. Various
opinions were given ~ t" hrnumber Of per-
SONS within. and the amount OF resistance
they would be able Ia offer Cannon could
not be used without endangering the safety
OF Col. Washington. Mr.. Dangerheld MIR.
Ball aud other citizens, VIII" they stiil held
prisoners. The doors and walls of the build
ing had been pierced for rifles. but it was
evident that from these holes no range could
be had. and that without opening the door
they would be shooting in the dark. The
murder of the prisoners held, was thought
by many to be determined upon. and then Il
fight 10 the death - IN ending of their des-
perate attempt. Whilst people thus looked
and speculated, the door was thrown open
and one of prisoners was sent out with II
flag Of truce and delivered what was sup.
posed to be terms Of capitalization. The CON
tinuance of the preparations for assaults show
ed they were not accepted.
Shortly after seven o'clock. Lieut. }. +. B..
Stuart, of the lst Cavalry who was acting
Us aid for Col. Lee. advanced to parley with
the be-eiged, Samuel Strider. esq. an old
and respectable citizen. bearing u flag Of
truce. They were received at the door by
Capt. Cook Lieut. Stuart demanded an un-
conditional surrender. only promising them
protection from immediate violence, and trial
BY law Capt Brown refused MI terms but
those previously demanded, which were sub
stantially: That he should be permitted to
march out with his men and arms, taking
their prisoners with thcm that they should
proceed unpursued to the second tOll-gatc
when they would free their prisoners. The
soldiers were then at liberty to pursue and
they would fight if they could not escape
OF course this was refused and Lieut.. Stuart
pressed upon Brown his desperate position,
and urged a surrender. The expoStulation
though beyond ear-shot was evidently very
earnest, and the Goodness of the Lieutenant
and the courage of his aged flag bearer, won
warm praise.
At this moment the interest Of the scene
was intense. The volunteers were arranged
all around the building, cutting off escape
in every direction. The marines divided i'll
two squads, were ready for dash ut the
door. Finally, Lieut.. Stuart, having ex-
haustcd all argument with the determined
Capt. Brown, walked slowly from the door
Immediately the signal for attack was given,
and the marines, headed by Col. Harris and
Lieut.. Green advanced in two lines on each
side the door. Two powerful fellows sprang
between the lines and with heavy sledge
hammers attempted 10 batter down the door.
The door swung and swayed, but appeared
to be secured with rope, the spring of
which deadened the effect of the blows
Failing thus To obtain a breach, the marines
were ordered to fall back, and twenty Of
them took hold Of ladder, some forty feet
long and advancing al Il run brought 1t with
tremendous power against the door. At the
second blow 1t gave way, one Leaf falling III
ward in a slantlng position. The marines
Immediately advanced to the breach. Maj or
Russell and Lieut.. Green leading. \ ma
rlne in the front fell; the firing from the in
terror was rapid and sharp, they fired with de-
liberate aim. and for the moment the rcsis-
lance was serious and desperate enough to
excite the spectators to something like a
pitch of frenzy. The next moment the ma
rincs poured in, the firing ceased, and the
work was done, whilst the cheers rang from
every side, the general feeling being that
the marines had done their part admirably.
When the insurgents were brought out
some dead, others wounded were
greeted with excavations, and only the pre-
cautions that had been taken saved them
from immediate execution. The crowd.
nearly every man of which had gun.
swuyed with tumutuous excitement, and
cries of "shoot them" 'shoot them rang
from every side. The appearances of the
liberated prisoners, all of whom, through
the steadiness of the marines, escaped I'M u-
ry, changed the current Of feeling, and pro-
longed cheers took the place of bowls and
excavations In the assault. private Rup-
pert, Of the marines, received n ball in the
stomach and was believed to BE- fatally
wounded; another received slight flesh
wound IN the face.
The lawn in front Of the engine house al.
ter the assault, presented a dreadful sight
Living on it were two bodies OF men killed
the previous day and found inside the house;
three wounded men, one Just at the last gasp
Of life, two others grooming IN pam. One
of the dead was Capt. Browns son, Ottowa,
the wounded man his son Watson, whilst
the father himself laid upon the grass n CORY
spectacle, his face and hair clotted with
blood and severe bayunet wound III hls side.
A short time after he was brought out he
revived and talked earnestly to those about
him, defending his course and avowmg that
he had done only what was right. lie re-
piled to questions substantially n follows:
q. Are you Captain Brown, OF Kansas?
A. | am sometimes called -.
q. Are you Osawattamic Brown?
a. | tried To do my duty there.
q. What was your present object?
A. To free the slave, from bondage.
q. Were any other persons but those
with you now, connected with the move.
ment?
A. No.
q. Did you expect aid from the North?
A. No: there was none connected with
the movement but those who came with me.
q. Did you expect to kill people in order
to carry your point.
A. did not wish to do it, but you forced
me tn do 1t.
Various questions of this kind were put to
CAPTAIN Brown, which he answered clearly
and freely, and seemed anxious to yindicate
his course. lie urged that he had the town