The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-02-25
Old John Brown--How His Soul has Been
Marching On.
rstter from the Scene OF Ills Attack, Cap
ture and Execution.


Correspondence oYthe Chicago Evening Journal
HARPER's FERRY, February IA, 1859.
Here am on this noted spot and county
where the immortal John Brown ended
his earthly career, Many will inquire,
how is it there now, and bow about his
prosecutors I answer, the whole place
and region was "tramped tramped, tramp
ed" By contending armies, pro and con,
during the rebellion, till nearly every
green thing was destroyed, and the whole
country laid waste by war. Winchester,
thirty miles up the Shenandoah Valley
was one hundred and twenty times taken
and re-taken ere the war closed.
Here, at the Ferry, allthe United States
Armory buildings are in ruins, and the
whole place looks dilapidated. The old
engine house that John Brown so nobly
defended still stands seemingly in mourn
ing, and monument of the old heros
daring deeds. From here he was carried
to Charlestown, and we pass over to look.
Here is his jail, now all in ruins, save the
broken walls; near by is the Court House
where he was tried. The roof is torn OF
and the inside all, or nearly all, gone
Here they stand, monuments OF wrath
Just over the hill is the field were he was
executed Relic-hunters have carried OFT
in pieces, the gallows and all the wood
near Here our soldiers tramped through
the town singing "John Browns Soul IS
Marching On" and made the very spot
where he was executed faVorite camp
ing ground Thus was verified his pre-
diction, when on the scaffold Il see many
soldiers here to-day, but, ere long, there
will be many more soldiers here"
The county seat was removed during
the war; and, to visitor, the whole place
looks dilapidated,
General Lee, who came to take John
Brown, is known. He has sunk from
honor to dishonor in his country's his
tory From leader in the shareholders
war, he fell to the condition of paroled
prisoner, and is ever to live under the re-
proach of rebel Wise, the Governor
has been hunted like a pBrtridge upon
the mountains" his son was slain and his
house was long made a freedmen's school
house. A. j. has given back to him bis
house, where, in solitude he now med
itates, perhaps to grow wiser. "Mason
of Virginia" who was so active and zeal
Gus for Browns execution, has become q
fugitive from his country, and wander
er in foreign lands. Sould he be pardon
ed and return to his home-a alas where
is it? l saw its ruins to-day at Winches-
ter-nay, its utter desolation for there
our soldiers left only broken heap OF
stones, on which poor Mason may sitsand
mourn. @ .s
The lawyers, and judges, and jurors en-
gagged in convicting Brown of murder al
have desolated homes, and lastly | men
tion the executioner, who recently died al
Charlestown. On his dying bed he sale
John Browns spirit was haunting him
ne saw it-and died in great agony O
mind
The Independent, of New York predict
ed "if they hung John Brown they would
hang slavery with him" Behold how
quickly it was verified. How mysteriou
are Gods providences, yet how manifest
While we cannot approve of all that JOIN
Brown did, yet let Us not shut our eyes t.
history and facts.
His fsoul is now marching on" in TIN
freedmen schools hereabouts which ar
towns by the FreeWill Baptists-tha
Church which has stood steadtast fo
freedom Here at the Ferry they have
chartered college started Though as ye
in its infancy, it promises well. Congress
has lately given them the grounds OF
these heights and several large building
on them, formerly occupied by Govern
ment officers. Here they are gathering the
blacks from the region roundabout, to ed
ucate them, and be educators to their race
Surely, that soul is still marching on" NJ
longer in war and emancipation, but il
the elevation and christianizlng of thj
colored race. H G.