Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-12-04
9alIp Clinton ( american
The CorseseioD Or CooI-

The confession OF JoHS E Cook, one of JoHS
Browns accompices. now under sentence of death.
u published in several Of the Northern papers. It
does not disclose any new fact Of importance. nor
impiicateany persons whose names have not alrea-
dy been mentioned in connection with the Harper,s
Ferry affair. In regard to the more prominent cit-
zens at the North, he disclams al knowledge which
would impicate them
The story Of their journey from Kansas across
s the country with supply of sHARFE's rifles and
ammunition hating here and there, and finally set
Ting at Harpers Ferry, is related, but deveIopes
nothing new Of Importance. The outsiders who had
any knowledge of BRowN's operations. were a few
radical aboitouists, such FRED DOUGLASS. and as
Cook thinks, GEERu SMITH. AN that Cook saws an
parently duplicating them is as follows:
BE Brown came to Harpers Ferry about the
last OF June though did see him till late in J
ly or the early part of August: when we met IN
Shenandoah street, Harper's Ferry. opnosite Tear
neys store 1 do not know who were his aiders or
abettors, but have heard him mention in connection
with II the names of Gerritt Smith of New York.
howe OF Boston and Sanborn, and Thadeus Hyatt,
of New York city.
The attack upon Harper's Ferry was made soon
er than was intended owing to some friends in Bos
Ton writing letter finding fault with the manage
ment OF Capt B. and what to them seemed his nm
AlO~coooAa u64dF DcIi-c- 10 not know Wha
these persons were or how far they were cornizant
of his Capt B's) plans. But do krow tbatDr Howe
gave Capt Brown breech loading carbine and a
pair Of muzzle loa1ing pistols, all of government
manufacture. They were left either at the house
of Capt Brown, or at the school house whore moot
of the arms were conveyed.
short time before the attacl; on Harperis Ferry.
Capt Brown requested me find ont in soma ,Sax
Without creating suspicion the number of male
slaves on OF near the roads leading from the Ferry
a pf f15r- .
such memoranda that it would be uninteIIioible to
Others but IN such manner that l could make it
PLAIN to him and the rest of the company
The remainder of the confession relates princi-
pally to the abortive attack on Harpers Ferry. OF
his own participation in the fight, he says:
After going down opposite the Ferry, ascendsd
the mountain in order to get better view of the
position OF our opponents. l saw that our party
were completely surrounded and saw a hodv &c
men on High street fir ng down upon tbem-fhev
were about half mile distant from me- thongbt
l would draw their fire upon myself; therefore
raised my rifle and took the best aim could and
fired. 1t had the desired effect for the VERY, inztot
The party returned it. Several shots were exchan0-
ed The last one they fired at me cut small limb
mad lold o. just below my hand, and gave me fall
Of about fifteen feet by which was severely brnis
ed and my flesh somewhat lacerated
He then narrates his subsequent movements If.
Ter desparing Of rescuing Brown and his confeder-
ates With Merriam and Others thew SILENT ON The
SIDE Of the mountain beyond Browns house. until
three o clock, next morning when they went to the
top Of the mountain and in a few hours passed over
10 the opposite side, remained until dark and then
escaped.
Those who desire TO read the entire document
VII have to procure pamphlet copy, as it is said
10 have been copyrighted and published for the ben
ett OF enc Of the wounded at Harper's Ferry. The
pi1h OF H. gwen above Is taken from what purports
TO be the confession as published in the Nav YORK
1fiJtnt.