The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-11-30
THE DAY BOOK.

The Confession of Cook.-The confession
OF John e. Cook, one of John Browns &C
conplices, now under sentence of death, has
been published. AS we have heretofore
stated, it does not disclose any new fact Of
Importance, nor implicate any persons whose
names have not already been mentioned in
connection with the Harper's Ferry affair
In regard to the more prominent citizens at
the North, he discaims all knowledge which
could implicate them
The story of their journey from Kansas
across the country with supply of Sharpe's
rifles and ammunition, batting here and there
and finally settling at Harper's Ferry, is re-
lated, but developes nothing new of impor-
Sance. The outsiders who had any knowl
edge of Browns operations were few radi,
cal abolitionists, such as Fred. Douglas, ana
az Cook thinks, Gerrit Smith. All that
Cook says apparently duplicating them is as
follows:
CHE (Brown) came to Harper's Ferry
about the last OF June, though did not see
him till late in July or the early part Of
August; when we met on Shenandoah street
Harper's Ferry, opposite Tearney's store. |
do not kLew who were his aiders or abat-
tors, but have heard him mention in con-
nection with it the names of Gerrit Smith, of
New York, Howe, of Boston, and SanborA.
and Thaddeus Hyatt, New York city.
The attack at Harper's Ferry was made
sooner than it was intended, owing to some
friends in Boston writing letter finding
fault with the management of Captain b.,
and what to them seemed his unnecessary
delay and expense. | do not know who
those persons were, or how far they were
cognizant Of his (Capt B.'s) plans. But l
do know that DIR. Howe gave Captain
Brown breech-leading carbine and pair
OF muzzle-losding pistols, all of government
manuiature. They were left either at the
house of Captain Brown, or at the school
ed.
A shart time before the attack on Harper's
Ferry, Captain Brown requested me to find>
out in some way, without creating suspi-
Glen, the number OF male slaves on or near
the roads leading from the Ferry, for dis
lance OF eight or ten miles, and to make
such memorandum that it would be unintel-
ligible to others, but in such manner that
could make it plain to him and the rest of
the company.
The remainder of the confession relates
principally to the absrtive attack on Har
per's Ferry. Ofhis own participation in the
tight, he says:
After going down opposite the Ferry as
cended the mountain in order to get better
view Of the position OF oar opponents.
saw that our party were completely sur
rounded, and as saw body of men on
High street firing down upon them-they
we're about half mile distant from mel
thought would draw their fire upon my
self /; therefore raised my rifle and took
the best aim could and fired. 1t had the
desired effect, tor the very instant the party
returned it, Sevaral shots were exchanged
The last one they fired vt me cut a small
limb had hold OF just below my hand, and
gave me a fall OF about fifteen feet, by which
I was severely bruised and my flesh some
what iaeeratad.
He then narrates his subsequent move
ments, after despairing OF rescuing Brown
and his confederates. With Merriam and
others they slept on the side Of the mountain
beysnd Browns house, until three O'Clock
next morning when they went to the top of
the mountain, and in a few hours passed
over to the opposite side, remained until
dark and then escaped.
8 Those who desire to read the entire docu'
ment will have to procure pamphlet copy,
as it is said to have been copyrighted and
published for the benefit OF one OF the wound
ed at Harper's Ferry. The pith of it, given
above, IS taken from what purpOrts to be
the confession, as published in the New York.
Tribune.