Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-08-18

Of Frederick, approached the door with
another flag of truce. He was accom-.
panied by Colonel Baylor. simms was
admitted, and requested an armistice
until morning This Brown assented to,
saying, My men shall not fire; can you
keep yours from frings'
"Simms replied, i think can; I'll
try
"Simms and Baylor then retired.
Brown, from his conversation and
manner, evidently was anticipating vol
unteers all day, and appeared disap-
pointed. 1fany one slept in the engine
house that night, ! am not aware of it.
Brown would not allow any light. His
men sat around on the floor and against
the walls, guns in hand, awaiting the
developments that daylight would bring.
Brown, at intervals, conversed in low
tones with his men, as if trying to in
spire them with renewed courage. He
also talked with us prisoners, saying he
was willing to march out with us all and
release us at the second lock. When
the subject of slavery was mentioned he
lost all patience, declaring that the
Southern people were making slaves Of
their brothers and kinsmen. We con.
Guided among ourselves that he was
crazy on that subject, and SAID to him
that if he was taken prisoner we would
not be in favor ofhanging him. Browns
sons both died in the engine-house be.
fore morning.
"At daylight Captain J. 4. B. Stuart,
of the United States army (noted cav
airy General in the Confederate army
during the late war;, arrived from Wash
ington with letter from Colonel Robert
+. Lee, demanding the surrender of
Brown and his men. BY this time
troops, both regular and militia had ar
rived from Washington, Baltimore and
other places, to the number Of about five
hundred. Before,Simms left the engine
house he told Brown he was surrounded
by five hundred men. 1t is impossible
for you to get away. You had better
make treaty with Baylor, for now Col
onel Lee is here, and he will go accord
ing to strict orders.
"Brown replied: I'VE will sell them
our lives as dear as possible
"Stuart approached the door with a
cheerful cOuDtenance and called for
Brown, saying, Il have letter from
Colonel Lee, which he handed to Brown.
"The latter said: ] have no glasses,
and cannot read it; will you read itY'
Stuart assented, and read the let
ter in loud voice. The letter proposed
to Brown that if he would surrender he
would be kept in safety until orders
were received trsm President Buchanan.
This Brown fatty refused to do, saying:
i won't do it; / know what my fate
will be- Stuart, looking at Brown,
said: Captain Brown, think recog-
nize you; your face is not unfamiliar.
Where were you (nalning the place and
timeC"
"BrOwn--'I was not far off,
"Not wishing to be shot at any longer,
we prisoners requested Captain Stuart
to see if he could not get some other
terms. He assented and went back,
After he left, Brown said: If they get
hold of me my life would not be worth
a straw. know just what they would
do with me. They would kill me like
dog Brown and his men then went to
work and barricaded the doors with two
engines.
Tn half hour Captain Stuart re-
turned and informed Brown that Colonel
Lee would not modify or change his de-
mand. Stuart lifted his hat politely
and babe Brown good morning with the
grace Of ballroom beau. Through
the crack of the door from where | stood
! cdnld see squad of United States
marines standing dressed in line on the
lawn about twenty yards away from the
engine-house. They were commanded
by Lieutenant Green. In moment we
heard the sound of their feet rs they
marched toward the ehgine-house.
Browns men commenced firing about
the same time the marines opened fire.
Some of the marines carried sledgc-
hammers with which to knock down
the doors. The doors being strong, the
blows rebounded, making no impression.
The marines then retired, one of them
being killed. Another was shot in the
mouth, but lie tied it with handker-
chief and kept his place in ranks. The
marines then retired few moments.
At this juncture one Of Browns men
shouted aloud: 9"
"Brown exclaimed, only one man